Abstract: A system and method for detecting a shaft break in a turbofan gas turbine engine includes sensing fan rotational speed and sensing turbine engine rotational speed. A rate of change of rotational speed difference between the sensed fan rotational speed and the sensed turbine engine rotational speed is determined in a processor, and a determination that a shaft break has occurred is made in the processor based at least in part on the rate of change of the rotational speed difference.

Abstract: Embodiments of a single lever turboprop control method and system are provided, which utilize torque-based and/or power-based scheduling to achieve a desired (e.g., substantially proportional) relationship between control lever position and the power output of a turboprop engine. In one embodiment, the method includes the step or process of monitoring, at an Engine Control Unit (ECU), for receipt of a Power Lever Angle (PLA) signal from a single lever control device. When a PLA control signal received at the ECU, a target torque or power output is established as a function of at least the PLA control signal. A first engine setpoint, such as a blade angle setpoint or an engine rotational speed setpoint, is determined utilizing the target torque output. An operational parameter of the turboprop engine is then adjusted in accordance with the first engine setpoint.

Abstract: Embodiments of a single lever turboprop control method and system are provided, which utilize torque-based and/or power-based scheduling to achieve a desired (e.g., substantially proportional) relationship between control lever position and the power output of a turboprop engine. In one embodiment, the method includes the step or process of monitoring, at an Engine Control Unit (ECU), for receipt of a Power Lever Angle (PLA) signal from a single lever control device. When a PLA control signal received at the ECU, a target torque or power output is established as a function of at least the PLA control signal. A first engine setpoint, such as a blade angle setpoint or an engine rotational speed setpoint, is determined utilizing the target torque output. An operational parameter of the turboprop engine is then adjusted in accordance with the first engine setpoint.

Abstract: A system and method of accommodating an uncontrolled high thrust condition in a turbofan gas turbine engine includes processing engine data from the turbofan gas turbine engine to determine when a potential for an uncontrolled high thrust condition exists. When the potential for an uncontrolled high thrust condition exists, the engine data are processed to determine whether corrective action for the uncontrolled high thrust condition should be implemented by varying turbofan gas turbine engine effective geometry to (i) increase turbofan gas turbine engine rotational speed or (ii) decrease turbofan gas turbine engine rotational speed. The determined corrective action is automatically implemented.

Abstract: Embodiments of a single lever turboprop control method and system are provided, which utilize torque-based and/or power-based scheduling to achieve a desired (e.g., substantially proportional) relationship between control lever position and the power output of a turboprop engine. In one embodiment, the method includes the step or process of monitoring, at an Engine Control Unit (ECU), for receipt of a Power Lever Angle (PLA) signal from a single lever control device. When a PLA control signal received at the ECU, a target torque or power output is established as a function of at least the PLA control signal. A first engine setpoint, such as a blade angle setpoint or an engine rotational speed setpoint, is determined utilizing the target torque output. An operational parameter of the turboprop engine is then adjusted in accordance with the first engine setpoint.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting an uncontrolled high thrust (UHT) condition in a turbofan gas turbine engine includes processing data to determine when a current commanded fan speed value is greater than a predetermined speed value. A current UHT commanded fan speed value is processed to determine if it will cause a target fan speed value to increase, remain steady, or decrease. The target fan speed value is set equal to the current UHT commanded fan speed value when the current UHT commanded fan speed value will cause the target fan speed value to increase or remain steady, and to a deceleration threshold value when the current UHT commanded fan speed value will cause the target fan speed value to decrease. An uncontrolled high thrust alert signal is generated when actual engine fan speed exceeds the target fan speed value by a predetermined amount for a preset time period.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a shaft break in a turbofan gas turbine engine includes sensing fan rotational speed and sensing turbine engine rotational speed. A rate of change of rotational speed difference between the sensed fan rotational speed and the sensed turbine engine rotational speed is determined in a processor, and a determination that a shaft break has occurred is made in the processor based at least in part on the rate of change of the rotational speed difference.

Abstract: A control system for an aircraft gas turbine propulsion engine includes an engine control that is adapted to receive at least engine inlet temperature data and aircraft altitude data. The engine control is configured to determine the availability of the engine inlet temperature data and implements a measured temperature engine thrust setting schedule when the engine inlet temperature data is available, and a default temperature engine thrust setting schedule when the engine inlet temperature data is unavailable. The default temperature engine thrust setting schedule ensures that the gas turbine propulsion engine will generate at least 90% of rated engine thrust at all actual engine inlet temperatures at the sensed aircraft altitude.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting an uncontrolled high thrust (UHT) condition in a turbofan gas turbine engine includes processing data to determine when a current commanded fan speed value is greater than a predetermined speed value. A current UHT commanded fan speed value is processed to determine if it will cause a target fan speed value to increase, remain steady, or decrease. The target fan speed value is set equal to the current UHT commanded fan speed value when the current UHT commanded fan speed value will cause the target fan speed value to increase or remain steady, and to a deceleration threshold value when the current UHT commanded fan speed value will cause the target fan speed value to decrease. An uncontrolled high thrust alert signal is generated when actual engine fan speed exceeds the target fan speed value by a predetermined amount for a preset time period.

Abstract: Embodiments of a single lever turboprop control method and system are provided, which utilize torque-based and/or power-based scheduling to achieve a desired (e.g., substantially proportional) relationship between control lever position and the power output of a turboprop engine. In one embodiment, the method includes the step or process of monitoring, at an Engine Control Unit (ECU), for receipt of a Power Lever Angle (PLA) signal from a single lever control device. When a PLA control signal received at the ECU, a target torque or power output is established as a function of at least the PLA control signal. A first engine setpoint, such as a blade angle setpoint or an engine rotational speed setpoint, is determined utilizing the target torque output. An operational parameter of the turboprop engine is then adjusted in accordance with the first engine setpoint.

Abstract: A control system for an aircraft gas turbine propulsion engine includes an engine control that is adapted to receive at least engine inlet temperature data and aircraft altitude data. The engine control is configured to determine the availability of the engine inlet temperature data and implements a measured temperature engine thrust setting schedule when the engine inlet temperature data is available, and a default temperature engine thrust setting schedule when the engine inlet temperature data is unavailable. The default temperature engine thrust setting schedule ensures that the gas turbine propulsion engine will generate at least 90% of rated engine thrust at all actual engine inlet temperatures at the sensed aircraft altitude.

Abstract: A system and method of accommodating an uncontrolled high thrust condition in a turbofan gas turbine engine includes processing engine data from the turbofan gas turbine engine to determine when a potential for an uncontrolled high thrust condition exists. When the potential for an uncontrolled high thrust condition exists, the engine data are processed to determine whether corrective action for the uncontrolled high thrust condition should be implemented by varying turbofan gas turbine engine effective geometry to (i) increase turbofan gas turbine engine rotational speed or (ii) decrease turbofan gas turbine engine rotational speed. The determined corrective action is automatically implemented.

Abstract: An igniter lifing system and method is provided that facilitates improved igniter plug wear and remaining life prediction. The igniter lifing system and method uses operating conditions measured during ignition to estimate how much wear has occurred on an igniter. Specifically, the igniter lifing system and method uses ignition time and pressure data to predict wear on the igniter plug and make an estimate of the remaining life. In one embodiment, the igniter lifing system calculates the incremental igniter wear for each use of the igniter as a function of the turbine combustor pressure during that use. Then, by summing the incremental igniter wear calculations, the accumulated igniter wear can be calculated, and an estimate of the remaining igniter life can be determined.