An Optimal Speed Control Method of Multiple Turboshaft Engines Based on Sequence Shifting Control Algorithm

Abstract

In order to overcome the problem of significant drop in operational efficiency remarkably while power turbine speed varies among a large range, an optimal speed control method of multiple turboshaft engines based on sequential shifting control (SSC) algorithm is proposed. Firstly, combined with multispeed gearboxes, a sequential shifting control algorithm of multiple turboshaft engines is proposed and designed to accomplish continuously variable speed control. Then, selecting the minimum engine fuel flow as the optimization objective, an integrated optimization method of optimal speed based on multiple engines and multispeed gearboxes is proposed to promote the operational economy. Finally, the simulation tests of the optimal speed control method of twin and triple turboshaft engines are conducted separately. The results demonstrate that the optimal speed control method of multiple turboshaft engines based on SSC algorithm can change the power turbine speeds by no more than 7% and the main rotor speed by over 8% simultaneously. In addition, compared with the fixed-ratio transmission (FRT), engine fuel flows decrease by more than 2% under different cruise states. It proves that the optimal speed control method is beneficial to obtain more superior overall performances of the integrated helicopter/multi-engine system without considerable loss of compressor surge margin.