Architecture of Distributed Control System for Gearbox-Free More Electric Turbofan Engine

Abstract

This article presents the development of the electric turbofan engine in distributed architecture with a design thrust in the range of 3 to 7.5 and from 7.5 to 30 kN for small and medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicles. The engine subsystems are considered as separate smart modules with a built-in control system, exchanging data via a digital channel with the central engine control and diagnostics unit. The key smart engine units are combined in the following subsystems: starter and turbine generators, oil pumps, actuator of guide vanes, fuel pumps, fuel metering unit, control and diagnostic unit. All pumps and guide vane actuator are electrically driven. Control and monitoring signals are transmitted via a digital bus. Functional and reliability analysis and the technical configuration design of each subsystem are presented. Based on analysis of the architecture of distributed control systems for a gearbox-free electric engine, different configurations of described subsystems are proposed.

Modeling the Meshing Procedure of the External Gear Fuel Pump Using a CFD Tool

“…This solution also makes it possible to reduce the size of the power plant as well as drag, pipeline numbers, and shaft lines, and to achieve an optimally designed system consistent for the whole operating range. The example of using a gearbox-free turbofan engine is given in the article [2], where the authors showed the layout and advantages of a distributed pump system, confirmed by experimental data.…”

Special Issue “Technologies for Future Distributed Engine Control Systems”

“…It was found that the proposed controller improves the expansion of the exhaust gas to the ambient pressure for the whole operating range of the turbojet, increasing the thrust by 14%. Popov et al [7] demonstrated two designs of a more-electric turbofan in distributed architecture for small and medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicles. The pumps and guide vane actuators were electrically driven.…”