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GE: towards fuzzification of aeroengine controls
GE Aviation’s Software includes control systems designed to enhance operator efficiency, help increase fuel efficiency, increase flight safety and provide insights on maintenance issues to avoid operational disruptions. But, how does it work?
GE Aviation’s products usually encompass a Full Authority Digital Engine Control system to regulate the aero engine units’ performance. Baseline aero engine controllers use different low-level controllers to maintain the operation within specific conditions. Low-level controllers take the role of interacting with sensors and manipulators and focusing on the dynamics of realistic domains.
Thereafter, at each step the gas-path variables are used to describe the operating mode and a controller is selected from a family of minimum and maximum functions. That is, the selected controller is switching according to the operational conditions and thermal setpoint.
However, abrupt changes may occur as the engine regulation passes from one governing controller to another. This approach was chosen because low-level controllers can be easily certified with aeronautical authorities; while, more sophisticated controllers are difficult to fit into the evaluation metrics required by the authorities. It raises the following question: how to keep up with emerging technologies while complying…
