Abstract: A turbine engine fuel supply system includes a priority flow line, a plurality of secondary fuel loads, a fluid-powered metering pump, a mechanically-driven fuel pump, and an electric machine. The fluid-powered metering pump, upon receiving fuel at its fuel inlet, rotates at a rotational speed, discharges the fuel from its fuel outlet at a flow rate dependent on the rotational speed, and supplies a first drive torque. The mechanically-driven fuel pump receives a second drive torque and, in response, draws fuel into its fuel inlet and discharges the fuel from its outlet to the fluid-powered metering pump fuel inlet to drive the fluid-powered metering fuel pump. The electric machine receives the first drive torque from the fluid-powered metering pump and generates electrical power.

Abstract: A turbine engine fuel supply system includes a priority flow line, a plurality of secondary fuel loads, an electric fuel metering pump, and a mechanically-driven fuel pump. The priority flow line is used to supply fuel to one or more gas turbine engine fuel manifolds. The electric fuel metering pump has a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, and is adapted to be selectively energized and, upon being energized, to draw fuel into its fuel inlet and discharge the fuel from its fuel outlet for supply to the priority flow line. The mechanically-driven fuel pump has a fuel inlet, and a fuel outlet that is in fluid communication with the electric fuel metering pump fuel inlet and the plurality of secondary fuel loads. As such, fuel may be supplied to the secondary fuel loads independent of the electric fuel metering pump, which advantageously reduces the electrical power consumption of the electric fuel metering pump.

Abstract: A system and method for accurately supplying fuel flow to a gas turbine engine from a fuel metering pump regardless of variations in operating conditions of the fuel metering pump. The system determines an updated flow characteristic curve for an electrically powered positive displacement pump that is configured to supply fluid via a valve that is configured to open at a predetermined fluid inlet pressure. Electrical current is supplied to the pump to thereby cause the pump to supply the fluid to the valve. The electrical current supplied to the pump is monitored to determine when the valve opens, and one or more points on the updated flow characteristic curve are determined based on the determination of when the valve opens.

Abstract: A turbine engine fuel supply system includes a priority flow line, a plurality of secondary fuel loads, a fluid-powered metering pump, a mechanically-driven fuel pump, and an electric machine. The fluid-powered metering pump, upon receiving fuel at its fuel inlet, rotates at a rotational speed, discharges the fuel from its fuel outlet at a flow rate dependent on the rotational speed, and supplies a first drive torque. The mechanically-driven fuel pump receives a second drive torque and, in response, draws fuel into its fuel inlet and discharges the fuel from its outlet to the fluid-powered metering pump fuel inlet to drive the fluid-powered metering fuel pump. The electric machine receives the first drive torque from the fluid-powered metering pump and generates electrical power.

Abstract: A system and method for accurately supplying fuel flow to a gas turbine engine from a fuel metering pump regardless of variations in operating conditions of the fuel metering pump. The system determines an updated flow characteristic curve for an electrically powered positive displacement pump that is configured to supply fluid via a valve that is configured to open at a predetermined fluid inlet pressure. Electrical current is supplied to the pump to thereby cause the pump to supply the fluid to the valve. The electrical current supplied to the pump is monitored to determine when the valve opens, and one or more points on the updated flow characteristic curve are determined based on the determination of when the valve opens.

Abstract: A turbine engine fuel supply system includes a priority flow line, a plurality of secondary fuel loads, an electric fuel metering pump, and a mechanically-driven fuel pump. The priority flow line is used to supply fuel to one or more gas turbine engine fuel manifolds. The electric fuel metering pump has a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, and is adapted to be selectively energized and, upon being energized, to draw fuel into its fuel inlet and discharge the fuel from its fuel outlet for supply to the priority flow line. The mechanically-driven fuel pump has a fuel inlet, and a fuel outlet that is in fluid communication with the electric fuel metering pump fuel inlet and the plurality of secondary fuel loads. As such, fuel may be supplied to the secondary fuel loads independent of the electric fuel metering pump, which advantageously reduces the electrical power consumption of the electric fuel metering pump.

Abstract: An electric drive fuel control system and method for controlling a total drive torque supplied to a fuel metering pump includes a first main drive motor, a second main drive motor, and a backup drive motor, all coupled to the fuel metering pump. The operability of a main motor control to control electric current supply to the first main drive motor or the second main drive motor is determined. If the main motor control is operable, the total drive torque to the fuel pump is supplied from the backup motor and either the first main drive motor or the second main drive motor. If the main motor control is inoperable, the total drive torque to the fuel pump is supplied from only the backup drive motor.

Abstract: An electric drive fuel control system and method for controlling a total drive torque supplied to a fuel metering pump includes a first main drive motor, a second main drive motor, and a backup drive motor, all coupled to the fuel metering pump. The operability of a main motor control to control electric current supply to the first main drive motor or the second main drive motor is determined. If the main motor control is operable, the total drive torque to the fuel pump is supplied from the backup motor and either the first main drive motor or the second main drive motor. If the main motor control is inoperable, the total drive torque to the fuel pump is supplied from only the backup drive motor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adaptive combustion controller and method for a turbine engine. The adaptive combustion controller and method modulates the fuel flow to the turbine engine combustor to reduce combustion instabilities. In particular, the adaptive combustion controller includes a fuel flow phase controller and a fuel flow magnitude controller. The adaptive combustion controller receives sensor data from the turbine engine. In response to the sensor data the fuel flow phase controller adjusts the phase of the modulated fuel flow to reduce instabilities in the combustor. Likewise, in response to the sensor data the fuel flow magnitude controller adjusts the magnitude of the modulated fuel flow to further reduce the instabilities in the combustor. By modulating the fuel flow to the combustor, and adaptively adjusting the phase and magnitude of the modulated fuel flow, the adaptive combustion controller is able to effectively reduce combustion instabilities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multiple manifold fuel metering system with a separate motor, pump, and shut-off/purge valve for each manifold. The present invention may be used for metering fuel to any engine, especially a gas turbine engine. The fuel metering system of the present invention has the capability of independently controlling fuel flow during transitions in engine operation or allowing fuel to flow simultaneously through all manifolds to prevent blowout, optimizing combustion temperature distributions, or minimizing combustion emissions. Brushless DC variable speed electric motors may be used to drive pumps with highly accurate speed control to accurately control fuel flow rate to each of a plurality of manifolds of a fuel metering system. With brushless DC motors, motor speed may be controlled within a revolution for smoothing fuel delivery to an engine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adaptive combustion controller and method for a turbine engine. The adaptive combustion controller and method modulates the fuel flow to the turbine engine combustor to reduce combustion instabilities. In particular, the adaptive combustion controller includes a fuel flow phase controller and a fuel flow magnitude controller. The adaptive combustion controller receives sensor data from the turbine engine. In response to the sensor data the fuel flow phase controller adjusts the phase of the modulated fuel flow to reduce instabilities in the combustor. Likewise, in response to the sensor data the fuel flow magnitude controller adjusts the magnitude of the modulated fuel flow to further reduce the instabilities in the combustor. By modulating the fuel flow to the combustor, and adaptively adjusting the phase and magnitude of the modulated fuel flow, the adaptive combustion controller is able to effectively reduce combustion instabilities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multiple manifold fuel metering system with a separate motor, pump, and shut-off/purge valve for each manifold. The present invention may be used for metering fuel to any engine, especially a gas turbine engine. The fuel metering system of the present invention has the capability of independently controlling fuel flow during transitions in engine operation or allowing fuel to flow simultaneously through all manifolds to prevent blowout, optimizing combustion temperature distributions, or minimizing combustion emissions. Brushless DC variable speed electric motors may be used to drive pumps with highly accurate speed control to accurately control fuel flow rate to each of a plurality of manifolds of a fuel metering system. With brushless DC motors, motor speed may be controlled within a revolution for smoothing fuel delivery to an engine.