Patents by Inventor Chaohong Cai
Chaohong Cai has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11346290Abstract: A control system for limiting a power turbine torque of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. In various embodiments, the control system includes an engine control module configured to output an effector command signal to a gas generator of the gas turbine engine; a power turbine governor module configured to output to the engine control module a power turbine torque request signal; and a power turbine torque limiter module configured to output to the power turbine governor module a power turbine speed rate signal to limit a power turbine speed overshoot of the gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Chaohong Cai, Richard P. Meisner, Timothy J. Crowley, David Lei Ma
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Publication number: 20210340956Abstract: A control system for limiting power turbine torque (QPT) of a gas turbine engine includes a controller including a processor and memory configured to control the gas turbine engine, the controller including an engine control module that provides an effector command signal to a gas generator of the gas turbine engine; a power turbine governor module that outputs a preliminary torque request (QPT_req_pre); and a power turbine torque (QPT) optimal limiter module that outputs a maximum torque topper (QPT_max) to limit a power turbine speed overshoot of the gas turbine engine; wherein the controller outputs a minimum value between the preliminary torque request (QPT_req_pre) and the maximum torque topper (QPT_max) to the engine control module.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2021Publication date: November 4, 2021Applicant: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley, David Lei Ma, Richard P. Meisner
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Publication number: 20210262400Abstract: A control system for limiting a power turbine torque of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. In various embodiments, the control system includes an engine control module configured to output an effector command signal to a gas generator of the gas turbine engine; a power turbine governor module configured to output to the engine control module a power turbine torque request signal; and a power turbine torque limiter module configured to output to the power turbine governor module a power turbine speed rate signal to limit a power turbine speed overshoot of the gas turbine engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2020Publication date: August 26, 2021Applicant: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Chaohong Cai, Richard P. Meisner, Timothy J. Crowley, David Lei Ma
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Patent number: 11092136Abstract: A control system for limiting power turbine torque (QPT) of a gas turbine engine includes a controller including a processor and memory configured to control the gas turbine engine, the controller including an engine control module that provides an effector command signal to a gas generator of the gas turbine engine; a power turbine governor module that outputs a preliminary torque request (QPT_req_pre); and a power turbine torque (QPT) optimal limiter module that outputs a maximum torque topper (QPT_max) to limit a power turbine speed overshoot of the gas turbine engine; wherein the controller outputs a minimum value between the preliminary torque request (QPT_req_pre) and the maximum torque topper (QPT_max) to the engine control module.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2018Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Chaohong Cai, Timothy J Crowley, David Lei Ma, Richard P Meisner
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Patent number: 10961922Abstract: A power turbine control system for a gas turbine engine may comprise a controller comprising one or more processors in communication with the gas turbine engine. The processors may comprise an engine control module configured to receive a torque request signal and generate a torque achieved signal. A rate of change of power turbine speed estimation module may generate an estimated rate of change of power turbine speed signal. A dynamic inversion power turbine governor module may generate the torque request signal based on the torque achieved signal and estimated rate of change of power turbine speed signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2018Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Richard P. Meisner, Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley
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Patent number: 10711734Abstract: A control system for a gas turbine engine, a method for controlling a gas turbine engine, and a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The control system may include a nozzle scheduler for determining an exhaust nozzle position goal based on a nozzle schedule of exhaust nozzle positions related to flight conditions. The control system may further include a control module for determining a control command for the gas turbine engine. The control command may include, at least, a fuel flow command and an exhaust nozzle position command and the control command may be based on, at least, the exhaust nozzle position goal and an estimated thrust value. The control system may further include an actuator for controlling the gas turbine engine based on the control command.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley, Mark E. Lacour, David Lei Ma
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Publication number: 20200025130Abstract: A control system for a gas turbine engine, a method for controlling a gas turbine engine, and a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The control system may include a nozzle scheduler for determining an exhaust nozzle position goal based on a nozzle schedule of exhaust nozzle positions related to flight conditions. The control system may further include a control module for determining a control command for the gas turbine engine. The control command may include, at least, a fuel flow command and an exhaust nozzle position command and the control command may be based on, at least, the exhaust nozzle position goal and an estimated thrust value. The control system may further include an actuator for controlling the gas turbine engine based on the control command.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley, Mark E. Lacour, David Lei Ma
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Publication number: 20190338754Abstract: A control system for limiting power turbine torque (QPT) of a gas turbine engine includes a controller including a processor and memory configured to control the gas turbine engine, the controller including an engine control module that provides an effector command signal to a gas generator of the gas turbine engine; a power turbine governor module that outputs a preliminary torque request (QPT_req_pre); and a power turbine torque (QPT) optimal limiter module that outputs a maximum torque topper (QPT_max) to limit a power turbine speed overshoot of the gas turbine engine; wherein the controller outputs a minimum value between the preliminary torque request (QPT_req_pre) and the maximum torque topper (QPT_max) to the engine control module.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2018Publication date: November 7, 2019Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley, David Lei Ma, Richard P. Meisner
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Publication number: 20190309689Abstract: A power turbine control system for a gas turbine engine may comprise a controller comprising one or more processors in communication with the gas turbine engine. The processors may comprise an engine control module configured to receive a torque request signal and generate a torque achieved signal. A rate of change of power turbine speed estimation module may generate an estimated rate of change of power turbine speed signal. A dynamic inversion power turbine governor module may generate the torque request signal based on the torque achieved signal and estimated rate of change of power turbine speed signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2018Publication date: October 10, 2019Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Richard P. Meisner, Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley
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Patent number: 10316760Abstract: A system and methods are provided for controlling turboshaft engines. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving input signals for a collective lever angle (CLA) command and real-time power turbine speed (NP) of an engine, determining system data for engine effectors by the control unit based on the input signals for the collective lever angle (CLA) command and the real-time power turbine speed (NP) based on an integrated model for the turboshaft engine including a model of a gas generator section of the turboshaft engine and a model of a power turbine and rotor load section of the turboshaft engine. The method may also include determining control output based on model-based multi-variable control including optimization formulation and a constrained optimization solver. The method may also include outputting one or more control signals for control of the turboshaft engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2015Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Richard P. Meisner, Chaohong Cai, James W. Fuller, Timothy J. Crowley
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Patent number: 10253725Abstract: A control system for a gas turbine engine, a method for controlling a gas turbine engine, and a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The control system may include a nozzle scheduler for determining an exhaust nozzle position goal based on a nozzle schedule of exhaust nozzle positions related to flight conditions. The control system may further include a control module for determining a control command for the gas turbine engine. The control command may include, at least, a fuel flow command and an exhaust nozzle position command and the control command may be based on, at least, the exhaust nozzle position goal and an estimated thrust value. The control system may further include an actuator for controlling the gas turbine engine based on the control command.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2015Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley, Mark E. Lacour, David L. Ma
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Patent number: 10113487Abstract: A control system for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The control system may include a computer processor. The control system may also include an outer loop control module programmed into the computer processor to determine a torque request based at least in part on a real-time collective lever angle command. The control system may also include an inner loop control module programmed into the computer processor to receive the torque request from the outer loop control module, to determine fuel flow and inlet guide vane schedules based at least in part on the received torque request, and to send signals to a gas generator of the gas turbine engine in order to control the gas generator according to the determined fuel flow and inlet guide vane schedules.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley, Richard P. Meisner
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Patent number: 10036331Abstract: A method and control system for an aircraft using a gas turbine engine is provided. The control system includes a controller that includes a load and engine control modules and communicates control signals to a plant that includes a gas generator and a rotor load, an engine estimation module that receives engine state measurements and effector feedback/command signals from the controller and communicates a power turbine torque estimate, and a load estimation module that receives signals including the power turbine torque estimate, a first power turbine speed value, a first power turbine torque value, a second power turbine speed value, a second power turbine torque value, and a rotor speed value. The load estimation module generates one or more of a power turbine speed estimate, a power turbine torque estimate, and a rotor load estimate based on the received signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley, Richard P. Meisner
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Publication number: 20180073441Abstract: A method and control system for an aircraft using a gas turbine engine is provided. The control system includes a controller that includes a load and engine control modules and communicates control signals to a plant that includes a gas generator and a rotor load, an engine estimation module that receives engine state measurements and effector feedback/command signals from the controller and communicates a power turbine torque estimate, and a load estimation module that receives signals including the power turbine torque estimate, a first power turbine speed value, a first power turbine torque value, a second power turbine speed value, a second power turbine torque value, and a rotor speed value. The load estimation module generates one or more of a power turbine speed estimate, a power turbine torque estimate, and a rotor load estimate based on the received signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Timothy J. Crowley, Richard P. Meisner
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Patent number: 9878692Abstract: A control system for a gas turbine engine, a method for controlling a gas turbine engine, and a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The control system may include a hybrid model predictive control (HMPC) module, the HMPC module receiving power goals and operability limits and determining a multi-variable control command for the gas turbine engine, the multi-variable control command determined using the power goals, the operability limits, actuator goals, sensor signals, and synthesis signals. The control system may further include system sensors for determining the sensor signals and a non-linear engine model for estimating corrected speed signals and synthesis signals using the sensor signals, the synthesis signals including an estimated stall margin remaining. The control system may further include a goal generation module for determining actuator goals for the HMPC module using the corrected speed signals and an actuator for controlling the gas turbine engine based on the multivariable control command.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Chaohong Cai, Joshua Adams, Richard P. Meisner
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Patent number: 9732625Abstract: A control system for a gas turbine engine including a power turbine is disclosed. The control system may include a control module to receive engine operating goals and an estimated current engine state, wherein the estimated current engine state is produced by a model-based estimation module using a bandwidth signal produced by an adaptation logic module. The control module is operative to determine fuel flow, inlet guide vane schedules and stability bleed schedules based at least in part on the received engine operating goals and the estimated current engine state, and to send signals to a gas generator of the gas turbine engine in order to control the gas generator according to the determined fuel flow, inlet guide vane schedules and stability bleed schedules.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2015Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventor: Chaohong Cai
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Publication number: 20170198643Abstract: A control system for a gas turbine engine, a method for controlling a gas turbine engine, and a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The control system may include a hybrid model predictive control (HMPC) module, the HMPC module receiving power goals and operability limits and determining a multi-variable control command for the gas turbine engine, the multi-variable control command determined using the power goals, the operability limits, actuator goals, sensor signals, and synthesis signals. The control system may further include system sensors for determining the sensor signals and a non-linear engine model for estimating corrected speed signals and synthesis signals using the sensor signals, the synthesis signals including an estimated stall margin remaining. The control system may further include a goal generation module for determining actuator goals for the HMPC module using the corrected speed signals and an actuator for controlling the gas turbine engine based on the multivariable control command.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: July 13, 2017Inventors: Chaohong Cai, Joshua Adams, Richard P. Meisner
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Patent number: 9500138Abstract: A load power sharing control system for a twin-engine rotorcraft having a first gas turbine engine and a second gas turbine engine is provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Chaohong Cai, Michael H. Levesque, Richard P. Meisner, Timothy J. Crowley, Joshua Adams, Timothy J. Gaudet
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Patent number: 9494085Abstract: A control system for a gas turbine engine including a power turbine is disclosed. The control system may also include an outer loop control module to determine a torque request. The outer loop control module may include a feedback control component operative to provide regulation of the power turbine, a feed-forward component operative to anticipate a load on the power turbine, and a hybrid control component operative to prevent output of a torque request that cannot currently be delivered by the power turbine. The control system may also include an inner loop control module to receive the torque request from the outer loop control module, to determine fuel flow and inlet guide vane schedules based at least in part on the received torque request, and to send signals to control a gas generator of the gas turbine engine according to the determined fuel flow and inlet guide vane schedules.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2015Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventor: Chaohong Cai
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Patent number: 9441547Abstract: A control system for a gas turbine engine, a method for controlling a gas turbine engine, and a gas turbine engine are disclosed. The control system may include a hybrid model predictive control (HMPC) module, the HMPC module receiving power goals and operability limits and determining a multi-variable control command for the gas turbine engine, the multi-variable control command determined using the power goals, the operability limits, actuator goals, sensor signals, and synthesis signals. The control system may further include system sensors for determining the sensor signals and a non-linear engine model for estimating corrected speed signals and synthesis signals using the sensor signals, the synthesis signals including an estimated stall margin remaining. The control system may further include a goal generation module for determining actuator goals for the HMPC module using the corrected speed signals and an actuator for controlling the gas turbine engine based on the multivariable control command.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Chaohong Cai, Joshua Adams, Richard P. Meisner