FR2490729A1 - MODULAR FUEL CONTROL - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION RELATES TO A MODULAR FUEL CONTROL. THIS ORDER INCLUDES A HYDRAULIC MODULE 4 CONTAINING THE ELEMENTS FOR THE FLOW OF FUEL, A COMPUTER MODULE 6 CONTAINING THE MECHANISM INTENDED TO DETERMINE THE STATE OF THE ENGINE AND TO CONTROL THE VARIABLES OF THE LATTER, AS WELL AS AN AUXILIARY MODULE 8 CONTAINING SPECIAL CALCULATION FUNCTIONS AND OUTPUT DEVICES FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF EXCEPTIONAL CONTROL FUNCTIONS FOR A SPECIFIC ENGINE. THESE MODULES 4, 6, 8 INCLUDE COOPERATING INTERFACES INTENDED TO SUBJECT THEM TO ONE ANOTHER AND THROUGH WHICH A MINIMUM OF NEEDS ESSENTIAL SIGNALS ARE TRANSMITTED. THE INVENTION IS USED TO ADJUST THE FUEL SUPPLY OF TURBINE ENGINES AS A FUNCTION OF THE OPERATING PARAMETERS OF THESE ENGINES.

Description

Fuel orders or, in general, orders from

engines for turbines to

  gases are generally designed for a particular application

  engine, the different functions of

  specific requirements being integrated into a block in the form of a housing of minimum size. These concepts are justifiable when it comes to making an order

  particular in quantities allowing a

  economic individual. However, it is often

  orders for new or modified engines

  and these orders must be available within short lead times and, advantageously, at a low cost price. When the difference between

  engines, for example, lies mainly in the development of

  fuel bit required, the only new or different part

  The rent of a control could well be the

  wise, which could be operated from an existing computer-controlled unit. Engine control that can provide this flexibility would be a significant step forward

  in the technique of fuel controls and allows

  to respond more adequately to the needs

  encountered in the field of orders.

  The main feature of the present invention resides in a modular motor control

  for example, to redesign, for example, the design of

  control elements involved in the flow of fuel, without reviewing the design of the whole of this order. Another feature is the possibility of establishing a separation between the

  calculation by computer of the order and the section auxi-

  as well as the hydraulic section or fuel metering, thus allowing a modular replacement of only part of the control when it comes

  to adapt the latter to meet other conditions.

required engine requirements.

  According to the present invention, the motor control consists of assembled cooperating modules

  to each other, but can be replaced individually

  when it comes to adapting the entire control to an engine of another design, for which the control must meet different conditions. The various modules are designed in such a way that the necessary signals are transmitted from one module to the other in order to make the command operative. For example, the control may comprise a hydraulic or fuel metering module which serves to dose the fuel supplied to the engine;

  a computer module which receives, from the engine, the

  necessary for the calculation of the parameters of

  and then converts these signals into a signal

  controlling the metering valve; as well as an auxiliary module

  for example, to order a particular accessory at the discretion of an individual customer, for example, the compressor bleed valves that are used

  on some engines. The different modules are

  in a single unit intended to be subject to

  the interfaces of the various modules and the parts contained therein are designed so that appropriate signals can be transmitted between the modules; in this way, the metering valve can

  react to the signal emitted by the computer module, tan-

  say that the actual movement of this valve can be transmitted back to the computer module. In the same way, the signals emitted by the computer module must reach the auxiliary module to operate

  the accessory ordered by it, for example, the

popes of purge.

  The objects, features and advantages

  of the present invention, as well as others appearing

  more clearly on reading the descrip-

  cut from certain preferred embodiments

  of the latter, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which

  FIG. 1 is an elevational view illustrating

  trant assembled modules of the motor control;

  Figure 2 is a similar view, but illus-

  the different modules separated from each other; FIG. 3 is a diagram of a part of a

  basic fuel control for the hydraulic module

than;

  Figure 4 is a basic diagram of a

  request for the computer module; FIG. 5 is a basic diagram illustrating,

  For example, additional

computer module;

  FIG. 6 is an additional diagram illus-

  some of the controls built into the gold modula-

  ordinator; Figure 7 is a basic diagram illustrating an example of mechanization of the auxiliary module;

  FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an inter-

  connection between the auxiliary module and the module of

  ordinator; FIG. 9 is a sectional view of one of the

  interconnections between the computer module and the

  hydraulic dule; and Fig. 10 is a sectional view of another interconnection between the computer module and the

hydraulic module.

  The basic concept of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in which the motor control 2 consists of three modules, namely the hydraulic module 4, the computer module 6 and the auxiliary or accessory module 8. These different modules

  are assembled to form the control or the unit of

  seems individual 2 and, as shown in the drawings,

  they are designed to be kept in a single assembly

  for example, by means of through bolts 10 between the modules 6 and 8, as well as bolts 12 between the modules 4 and 6. For this purpose, the modules 6 and 8

  both have mounting flanges 14 and 16

  tively. The hydraulic module 4 comprises a mounting and clamping flange 18 for attachment to the

  fuel pump, to a crankcase adapter

  mission or another engine stuck.

  The flow control mechanism of the hydraulic module 4 includes the usual dosing elements of a fuel control. Thus, as shown in Figure 3, the fuel flowing from the main fuel pump of the engine and entering the

  hydraulic module via the inlet 20 passes through a wire-

  22 and goes to the metering valve 24 through

  to which he then passes through a mold valve

  net 26, as well as a pressurization valve and

  closing 28 to exit 30 and direction

  to the engine. A bypass provided upstream of the metering valve leads to a regulating valve

  pressure 32 which maintains a constant pressure drop

  aunt across this metering valve. One

  side feed 34 conveys the filtered fuel to the servo

  mechanisms provided in the computer module as well

that it will appear below.

  The hydraulic system shown here is good

  known and will be described only in

  the measure necessary for understanding the present invention. As the drawings show, the flow

  fuel from the filter is divided between the

  dosing valve 24 which supplies the engine with fuel, and the pressure regulating valve 32 which recycles the excess fuel at the intake of the pump

  via a return line 35. The regulating valve

  this pressure is balanced essentially by the pressures generated upstream and downstream of the valve

  as shown in the drawings.

E490729

  The metering valve is positioned by an equilibrium established between a servomechanism supply pressure prevailing in a pipe 36 from

  the computer module (as described below)

  at the lower end of the movable member 38 of the metering valve, which end also has a maximum flow limiting stop 39, and a pressure

  modulator created in a pipe 40 to the upper end

  the end of the valve, this end also comprising a bu-

  This modulated pressure is also controlled by the computer module as described above.

  below. The reel valve 26 and the closing valve

  28 operate under the control of a sequential control valve and a conditioning lever.

  also provided in the hydraulic module. This sou-

  pope is not essential for the present invention and

  it will not be described in detail.

  The computer module accepts input pulses for engine speed, burner pressure, pilot power lever settings, and the conditioning lever, as well as signals

  electrical emissions from the electronic fuel

  motor. The dosing valve of the hydraulic module

  that is positioned by a signal emitted by the computer module

  for any operating mode, ie a system

  acceleration limitation system, ie a system of

  deceleration, is still the order of vi-

  high pressure compressor (if it is a

two-rotor motor).

  The speed of the rotor is transmitted to the elements of the computer module via a regulator 46 (FIG. 4) driven at a speed proportional to that of the rotor

  and with the intervention of gears 48, by a shaft 50

  indirectly linked to the motor rotor by means of the pump

  fuel. The regulator moves the regulating valve

  this in proportion to the speed and

  the weights 53 to distribute a fluid of

  double acting servomechanism control 54. The

  The servomechanism is transmitted back to the valve by a lever 56 and a spring 58. The servo cylinder 59 has a plurality of three-dimensional cams on its outer surface. In the system

  illustrated, the two cams shown are the cam of ac-

  celerity 60 and a deceleration cam 62. As

  third three-dimensional cam, one can also use

  a fixed blade control cam. The cam of ac-

  celerity 60 positions the starting unit ratio lever regulating the fuel flow as a function of the speed of the motor by the axial movement of this cam and, possibly, also depending on the

  temperature, by the rotation of the latter. The mechanism

  This mechanism is actuated by a roller 64 for this cam, but this mechanism is not shown since it is not an essential part of the invention.

  The deceleration cam 62 operates in the

  a cam follower and a 65-linkage if the engine is running at a higher speed than the idle speed, while the power lever is retracted to prevent a flame in the engine

  by setting a minimum unit ratio limit.

  When starting, the acceleration cam 60

  (Figure 5) positions the accelerator pilot valve-

  deceleration 66 via linkage 68 to transmit a signal adjusted by means of the pressure in line 36 at the base of metering valve 24,

  positioning the latter for the start-up cycle.

  rage. The function of these acceleration and deceleration cams

  celeration, as well as the mechanism that these

  my, is well known in the field of

  fuel and will not be described below in more detail.

  because it does not constitute an essential part

of the invention.

  When the engine is started, it starts

  this to accelerate and, as this acceleration, the

  motor speed is approaching the steady state

  are idling determining a demand for speed and o the power lever is set. As the engine

  accelerates and approaches the idle speed, the trin-

  glazing 72 provided between the servomechanism 54 and an integration valve 76 is moved by this servomechanism so that the valve passes the fuel under pressure

  coming from food and then flowing from a

  nalisation 78 to a pipe 79 connected to the channeling

  36 from the acceleration-deceleration valve

  under increased pressure to displace the

  dosing pape in adirection of flow rate reduction of

  fuel until the actual speed of the engine cor-

  respects the velocity demand position in which

  the is set the power lever.

  The speed of the motor is established by the position of the power lever. This lever is connected to the shaft 80

  (Figure 6) located in the computer module. The posi-

  This shaft is adjusted to the pilot's intervention by the power lever located in the cockpit. On this shaft is mounted a three-dimensional cam 82 which transmits the movement, via a linkage 84, to a lever 86, which is connected to the linkage 72 as shown in FIG. 4, thereby changing the speed demand point.

  of this lever, while causing a movement of

  pope of integration in the appropriate direction for the

  change of speed required by the movement of the

lose power.

  This three-dimensional cam is slidable on the shaft of the power lever and is displaced axially by a roller 88 depending on a parameter of the engine, for example, the air intake temperature of

  this last. This function is well known and does not require

  site no additional description.

  The shaft 90 of the conditioning lever is coaxial with the shaft of the power lever and on this shaft 90 is mounted a cam 92 which is associated with a roller 93 to act on the linkage 84. shaft 90 also comprises a second cam 94 to which are associated a roller 95 and a linkage

  96 to actuate the condition sequence valve

  44 and thus establish the changes in

  desired for the operating condition required

  the position of the conditioning lever (not shown

  which is connected to and positions the control shaft

  of conditioning. The valve 44 is located in the hydraulic module. These conditions are normally as follows: closing of the fuel intake; fuel enrichment during a cold start

and normal operation.

  The devices illustrated in Figure 3 are

  killed in the hydraulic module and they are essential-

  the intake filter, the metering valve, the

  regulating pressure valve, the reel bypass valve and the shut-off valve. A feature of the invention lies in the possibility of substituting

  one hydraulic module to another in the rest of the com-

  It is not necessary to review the overall design of the control when it requires, for example, only a different flow control valve for a different capacity motor. The

  concept of the invention lies in a transfer of

  necessary control signals to and from the hydraulic module

  than to and from the adjacent computer module.

  The computer module in turn accepts, for example, the input pulses relating to the motor speed, the burner pressure and the engine temperature, the settings of the conditioning lever and the power lever operated by the engine. .pilot, as well as the electrical signals emitted by the electronic fuel control, which is located outside the module

  computer. The metering valve provided in the

  the hydraulic module is positioned from the computer module to respond to the appropriate operating mode relating, for example, to the limiting system.

  acceleration, at the speed of the compressor at

  pressure, fan speed control and / or deceleration limitation system. The

  The elements contained in the computer module are

  illustrated by way of example in Figures 4, 5 and 6.

  The hydraulic module is mainly involved in

  filtration and fuel distribution. The model

  The computer dule is essentially used to program the regulation, acceleration and deceleration, as well as

  to provide a programmed calculation of auxiliary functions

  res. There is a third module, in this case the auxiliary module (Figure 7) which is designed according to the wishes of the user and provides other auxiliary control functions or accessories that are not necessarily used in all engines, but

  usually constitute a special order for the use of

  the user of a particular engine. For example, in the

  illustrated embodiment, the auxiliary module

  carries a mechanism for opening and closing purge valves for the compressor. These purge valves are actuated by the piston 54 of the speed servomechanism with the intervention of a roller of

  cam 100 engaging on the end of this piston.

  This roller acts, via a linkage 102, to move a

  bleed control valve 104, which sends a signal

  pressure signal via a pipe 106 in order to

  the purge valves. The mechanism provided for

  The valves or other purge structures are well known. For the purpose of the invention, it suffices that the upward movement of the valve 104 at a predetermined speed of the engine (which is indicated by the speed servomechanism) causes the closing of the purge valves during the starting of the engine. The relevant feature for the object of the present invention is the interconnection between the servo

  mechanism provided in the computer module and the

  provided for the purge valves in the auxiliary module, as well as in the separability of the control mechanism at the interface between the auxiliary module and

the computer module.

  Other devices for motor control may optionally be integrated in the module

  auxiliary, but they are not essential for the con-

  cept of the present invention. It suffices to mention that one or more appropriate signals are transferred from the computer module to and through the auxiliary module and that the transfer mechanisms allow

  to separate the two modules at their interfaces. We

  tera that the auxiliary module acts as a cover for the computer module at the side of the latter

  opposite to the one on which the hydrau-

lic.

  In order to transfer the signal from the computer module

  to the auxiliary module, the lever 102 is rotatably mounted in the auxiliary module, so that the cam follower 100 extends through an opening 103 in the bottom wall 110 of this auxiliary module, beyond this wall to occupy a position in which he enters

  in contact with the end of the piston 59 of the servo

  me. In the upper wall 112 of the computer module,

  is provided an access hole 114 for receiving the

  above. Obviously, the two modules can be assembled correctly to each other only in one

  the only mutual position which is determined by a

  cooperating groove and groove 115 and 116 respectively.

  it lies and, when the two modules are assembled, the device described works just as if it were

mounted in a single dwelling.

  In the same way, the signals emitted by the computer module are transferred to the metering valve provided in the hydraulic module. The signal

  pressure emitted by the acceleration-deceleration valve

  tion via the pipe 36 is transferred through a passage 117 formed in the lower wall 118 of the computer module (FIG. 10), in alignment with a passage 120 made in the structure 122 of the module

  hydraulic. This passage 120 communicates with the

  valve 38 and is in fact an extension of the

  of the latter. The drawing illustrates the summit

  1S of the hydraulic module and the base of the computer module.

  the two structures are assembled together at this point. An appropriate O-ring 124

  adapted in corresponding grooves 126 and 128

  fluid leaks between the paired surfaces.

  The movement of the metering valve in the hydraulic module is transmitted back to the computer module via a linkage 130 comprising a lever 132 articulated in this computer module and having a roller 134 which engages on the end of the metering valve 38. This linkage acts on a lever system 135 via a cam 136 provided in the module

  computer to indicate the position of the

  metering pape to the acceleration-deceleration valve.

  Lever 132 extends through a home opening 134

  In the lower wall 118 of the computer module, as well as in a cavity 136 'defined in the hydraulic module to engage the valve 38 housed therein, as shown in the drawing. Obviously, the structures of FIGS. 9 and 10 are in precise mutual relationship with each other, so that they are correctly located by being functional when the modules are assembled and

  subject to each other. Of course, both

  dules have corresponding surfaces to

  both to orient them correctly in such a way that the elements of FIGS. 9 and 10 are in the operative position. Therefore, as described above,

  the manufacturer of the control assembles a hydraulic module

  of a suitable size for the combustion engine

  to a computer module containing the

  and linkages designed for general use

  with all types of motors, as well as an auxiliary module with integrated functions

* auxiliaries desired for a particular engine or

  by a user. The hydraulic module

  closes the fuel inlet and outlet connections, as well as the elements for the flow of fuel and

  the mounting elements of the control. The module of

  The user has the appropriate connections for the in-

  the engine parameters which are the basis of the control of the latter, in particular, the speed, the temperature and the pressures of this engine, as well as for the reception of the signals coming from the levers of

  conditioning and power operated by the pilot.

  This computer module is mounted on the hydraulic module

  that and the mechanism described above ensures the transfer

  necessary signals between the modules.

  The auxiliary module is mounted on the side of the computer module which is opposite to the hydraulic module, it acts as both a lid and a system

  for the entire control and it includes

  the control devices operated from the

computer dule.

  The assembled control comprising the three modules

  is mounted in one piece on a pump or adapter

  motor transmission case by means of the mounting flange provided on the hydraulic module. In this way, the hydraulic elements are located in the end of the control that is closest to the mounting surface, thus giving short flow passages, while ensuring

  pressure loss and a minimum weight.

  With the exception of the connections and the fuel passages provided in the hydraulic module, the other connections to the motor are all housed in the module

  computer, so that the signals relating to the func-

  the engine are transmitted directly to the

calculations of this module.

  Although the invention has been illustrated and described

  by referring to one of its embodiments

  preferred, one skilled in the art will understand that various

  exceptions and omissions can be envisaged in both form and detail, without departing from

his mind and his frame.

Claims (16)

  A turbine engine control comprising:   a computer module containing a first element   responding to parameters. such as the speed of the engine, the angle of the power lever and a temperature of the engine, as well as a   signaling activated by this first element to   generate a pressure signal in relation to the above-mentioned ranges;   a hydraulic module containing a control valve   and the inlet and outlet fittings therefor, which module is adapted to be attached to the computer module for forming the control;   this metering valve comprising elements   signaling to position it; and   cooperating elements provided for in the module of   and the hydraulic module for transmitting the signal from the signaling element of the computer module to the signal-responsive element in the hydraulic module.   2. Turbine engine control following the   claim 1, characterized in that the computer module   has a linkage actuated in response to the movement   the metering valve to control the elec-   signal, this linkage comprising an element extending from the computer module to come   engage part of the valve when the modules they are assembled.   3. Turbine engine control following the   claim 1, characterized in that the signal of the   computer dule is a pressure signal, the elements   the valve position are sensitive to pressure.   while the signal is transmitted through aligned conduits provided in the computer module and the module. hydraulic.   Turbine motor control according to Claim 1, characterized in that a third module or auxiliary module comprising actuating elements for the motor is mounted on the computer module, which comprises elements reacting to the motor parameters in accordance with the invention. view to emit one. signal   for the aforementioned operating elements of the module   and interconnecting elements of the   parables extending between the two modules for transmitting   put the signal from the computer module to the elements maneuvering.   5. Turbine engine control according to claim 4, characterized in that the different   modules are assembled to each other removably   and have elements to align them so that the interconnection elements provided for between them be operative.   6. Turbine engine control following the   claim 4, characterized in that the hybrid module   hydraulics includes fastening elements for give the command to an engine.   7. Turbine engine control having a plurality of   siers interchangeable modules superimposed and assembled   to each other in a removable manner to form the These modules include:   a computer module containing real-life   multi-parameter engine to transmit signals to control the operation of the engine, these parameters including engine speed and pressure, burner temperature, angle   of the power lever and the angle of the condition lever   ment; and a hydraulic module including fuel control elements having a metering valve and a pressure regulating valve, and fuel inlets and outlets therefor; these modules having cooperating interfaces, as well as separable elements to these interfaces in   to transmit the signal emitted by the computer module   to the metering valve in order to move the metering valve in response to this signal. 8. Turbine engine control according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises other separable elements at the interfaces for transmitting the movement of the metering valve to the   signal generating elements.   9. Turbine engine control according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises   a linkage comprising a lever articulated on a   dule and can be moved by the metering valve to transmit back the movement of this   last to the signal generating elements, this trin-   being designed to allow the separation of   the. A turbine engine control according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a third module or auxiliary module designed to be removably assembled to the computer module,   third module comprising an element intended to de-   to latch a variable of the engine, the computer module   containing elements designed to program the function   this trigger element in the third   module, while the computer module and the   auxiliary module include interconnect elements   separable xions intended to actuate the element of de-   at the moment indicated by the elements of pro-   ming. 11. Turbine engine control according to claim 10, characterized in that the different   modules are bolted together into a super-relationship   position, mounting elements being provided on the   hydraulic module for the fixing of the modules and if assembled to the engine.   Turbine engine drive according to Claim 7, characterized in that the modules are bolted together in a superposition relationship,   mounting elements being provided on the hydraulic module   than for the attachment of the modules thus assembled to the engine. A turbine engine control comprising a hydraulic module including fuel control and metering elements with associated fuel input and output for the engine;   a computer module containing elements from   designed to transmit one or more motor control signals according to parameters such as speed,   the engine pressure and temperature, the angle of the   sink of power and angle of the conditioning lever;   an auxiliary module containing elements intended   trigger a variable motor condition, for example   For example, the purge valves provided on the compres-   sor; these modules being superimposed and assembled to each other removably to form the entire control; interconnection elements provided between the computer module and the auxiliary module for transmitting a signal of the elements provided in the first to the tripping elements provided in the second, these interconnection elements being separable at the interface between the modules; and other interconnection elements provided between   computer module and the hydraulic module for trans-   putting a control signal of the computer module to the metering valve provided in the hydraulic module, so as to move the valve in response to this signal, these interconnecting elements being also separable at the interface between the modules.   14. Turbine engine control according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises, between the computer module and the hydraulic module,   other interconnecting elements intended to transmit   the magnitude of the movement of the metering valve to the signal generating elements provided in the computer module in order to modify the aforementioned signal, these   interconnection elements being separable at the interface this between the modules.   A turbine engine control according to claim 13, characterized in that a signal emitted by the elements provided in the computer module is a direct pressure signal, while the   dosage can move in response to this pressure.   Turbine motor drive according to Claim 15, characterized in that the interconnecting elements for transmitting the pressure signal are aligned lines provided in the computer module and the hydraulic module for   transmit the fluid pressure signal to the Dosage pope.