Short course/CPD
Fundamentals of Aircraft Engine Control
Presented jointly with Aero Engine Controls, a Rolls-Royce plc and Goodrich Corporation joint venture
Course date: 18 Mar 2013 - 22 Mar 2013
Course overview
This course aims to give an introduction to aircraft engine control issues and systems. On completion of the course delegates should be able to understand both the demands of the engine and the design and performance constraints of the control system.
Location
Cranfield University is located at the very heart of the UK – within the innovation triangle between London and the cities of Oxford and Cambridge.
Our central location provides easy access from the M1, excellent main line rail service as well as proximity to key international airports. Set in rolling countryside, Cranfield offers a rich, rural landscape complemented by thriving towns and picturesque villages.
- Road: We are just 10 minutes from Junctions 13 & 14 of the M1 motorway. There is free parking on campus.
- Rail: Milton Keynes or Bedford
- Air: London Luton (22 miles), Heathrow (50 miles) or Birmingham (70 miles).
Course fee:
£1710
Accommodation fee:
£480
Accommodation is on a full-board basis from the evening before the course commences until the afternoon of the last day. The course fee includes refreshments and lunch during the day. The accommodation fee includes all other meals. Details of accommodation will be provided in the delegate information pack.
How to register
Further information
For more information on this course or booking details please contact:
Power and Propulsion short courses
T: + 44 (0) 1234 754683
E: k.swan@cranfield.ac.uk
Course description
Who should attend
The course will be of benefit to gas turbine engineers who are closely associated with control systems and organisation and, conversely, to control engineers who work closely with gas turbine manufacturers. The course will also benefit those involved with the certification, performance and maintenance of such equipment.
Content summary
Compressor Performance
The difficulty of compressing air; the overall compressor characteristic and various forms of graphical presentation. Running line and surge line. Performance limitations at low rotational speed and low airflow. Design for surge alleviation. The use of variable inlet guide vanes, variable stators, air bleed, multi-spooling.
Axial Turbine Performance
Overall problems of expanding gas flows. Performance at maximum flow. Effect of changes in inlet temperature and pressure. The turbine overall performance characteristic. Factors affecting efficiency.
Introduction to Engine Control Systems
A high level overview of an aero-engine control system, introducing the major
elements. Discuss issues that drive the design of an engine control system including certification requirements, cost, despatchability and environment. Describe the concepts behind modern engine control and specifically FADEC, highlighting interface issues with major components that are covered in detail throughout the course.
Airframe Fuel Systems
An introduction to how fuel is stored, used and handled in the airframe; the impact of the airframe fuel system on the performance requirements of the engine fuel system.
Fuel Properties
An introduction to the physical properties of fuel and how they effect how it is handled by the fuel system.
Engine Fuel Handling Systems
To include typical system architecture and components, e.g. fuel pumps, filters and heat exchangers; the concept of Net Positive Suction Pressure (NPSP); low pressure pump types; difference between positive displacement and rotodynamic pumps, types of positive displacement pumps; mechanical design considerations; calculating pump heat rejection.
Engine Control Systems
Why do we need an engine control system?; How is the engine controlled?; Control Laws; Safety Features; System Test; Future Control Systems.
Hydromechanical Fuel Metering
Brief history of fuel control architectures leading to FADEC systems; Functions required by modern FADEC based fuel controls; impact of reliability requirements on modern fuel control architecture; modern fuel control architecture; basic principles of fuel flow; fuel metering; electrical interface devices used on modern fuel controls; engine actuation; demonstration of modern fuel control hardware; fitness for purpose, future trends in fuel control.
Electronic Engine Control
Describe how the selection of EEC architecture will determine the fault tolerance of the control system. Describe the main components of the EEC; Power supply, Computer, Sensor conditioning and Actuator drives. Provide detail on specific circuit design details to illustrate inner control loops, utilising a combination of hardware and software fault detection with engine control laws. Describe the software design and validation process, giving examples of functional code. Discuss the installation environment with associated mechanical packaging constraints. Describe the testing required for qualification of the FADEC system. Other industrial presentations may be included as appropriate.
For further information please contact:
Karen Swan
School of Engineering, Whittle Building
Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedford
MK43 0AL, UK
T: +44 (0) 1234 754683
E: k.swan@cranfield.ac.uk
Course Director
Dr K W Ramsden
Director of Gas Turbine Continuing Professional Development
T: +44 (0) 1234 754712
F: +44 (0) 1234 751566
E: k.w.ramsden@cranfield.ac.uk
