IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,788,399

Granted Patent B2

US 10,788,399 · App. 16/511,854 · Granted Sep 29, 2020

Apparatus for evaluating turbine engine system stability

Inventors: Dean Frederick Long (Lester Prairie, MN); Kenneth William Simon (Woodbury, MN); Grant August Radinzel (Houlton, WI)

Assignee: Aero Systems Engineering, Inc.

G01M15/14

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Patent No.: US 10,788,399
App. No.: 16/511,854
Granted: Sep 29, 2020
Kind: B2

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Abstract

Systems and methods for determining turbine engine system stability encompass measuring or otherwise determining values of performance parameters, storing a data set of such values in memory, generating a stability indicator, and displaying the stability indicator on an operator interface. The stability indicator is generated by a processor operating in data communication with the computer memory, utilizing customized software algorithms to remove high frequency components, apply an adaptive filter to adjust selected parameters according to a target value of a selected target parameter, and apply a stochastic filters to estimate true values of the selected parameters, based on the remaining variation.

Claims (58)

1. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of sensors configured to measure performance parameters for operation of a turbine engine system, the performance parameters including independent parameters and dependent parameters forming a data set generated over a selected data acquisition period;

computer memory configured for storing the data set;

a data acquisition computer processor in communication with the plurality of sensors and the computer memory, the data acquisition computer processor configured to:

determine values of the performance parameters for the turbine engine system;

store the data set in the computer memory;

remove high frequency components from the determined values of the performance parameters;

apply an adaptive filter to adjust the determined values of the dependent parameters based on a target value of a selected independent parameter, wherein the adaptive filter is corrected based on prior determined values of the performance parameters;

apply a stochastic filter to reduce noise in each of the determined values;

estimate true values of a selected subset of the performance parameters, based on a remaining variation in the determined values; and

generate a stability indicator for the turbine engine system, based on variation in the estimated true values of dependent parameters in the selected subset of performance parameters; and

a graphical user interface in communication with the data acquisition computer processor, the graphical user interface configured to display the stability indicator for characterizing the variation in the estimated true values of the dependent parameters in the selected subset of performance parameters;

wherein the data acquisition computer processor is further configured for, respectively:

validating the data set for the target value of the selected independent parameter in response to the stability indicator indicating stable operation of the turbine engine system over the selected data acquisition period, wherein a second target value of the selected independent parameter is selected and the stochastic filter is applied to adjust the determined values of the dependent parameters according to the second target value; or

invalidating the data set for the target value in response to the stability indicator indicating unstable operation of the turbine engine system over the selected data acquisition period, wherein additional data are required to validate the data set for the target value.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the data acquisition computer processor is configured to perform removing the high frequency components, applying the adaptive filter, applying the stochastic filter, estimating the true values and generating the stability indicator in respective time order.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the data acquisition computer processor is further configured to:

advance to the second target value based on the stability indicator, after validating the data set for the target value;

collect a second data set of the performance parameters for a second data acquisition period, wherein the stochastic filter is applied to adjust the determined values of the dependent parameters according to the second target value of the selected independent parameter, and respectively:

validate the second data set for the second target value of the selected independent parameter, in response to the stability indicator indicating stable operation of the turbine engine system at the second target value of the selected independent parameter, over the second data acquisition period; or

invalidate the second data set for the second target value in response to the stability indicator indicating unstable operation of the turbine engine system over the second data acquisition period, wherein additional data are required to validate the second data set for the second target value.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the data acquisition computer processor is configured to:

estimate the true values based on a difference between the determined values of the selected independent parameter and the target value; and

update the adaptive filter based on the difference.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the data acquisition computer processor is configured to recursively apply the stochastic filter to the determined values of the performance parameters to estimate a signal portion in which the noise is reduced, using the determined values and previous estimates of the signal portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the selected subset of performance parameters describes a shaft speed or spool speed of the turbine engine system.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the turbine engine system comprises a turbofan and the target value of the selected independent parameter describes thrust.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the turbine engine system comprises a turboshaft engine, a turboprop engine or an industrial gas turbine, and the target value of the selected independent parameter describes torque or power output.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the graphical user interface is configured to display the stability indicator by plotting the estimated true values of at least one selected independent or dependent parameter in the subset on the operator interface, over the selected data acquisition period.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the stability indicator describes a change between different operational states of the turbine engine system within the selected data acquisition period, and wherein the different operational states are characterized by different estimated true values of a selected dependent parameter in the subset.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the stability indicator describes a slope in the estimated true values of the selected dependent parameter, and wherein the slope is characterized over the selected data acquisition period.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the stability indicator describes a jitter characterized by deviations in the estimated true values of the selected dependent parameter, over the selected data acquisition period.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the true values are estimated based on a difference between the determined values of the selected independent parameter and the target value, and wherein the data acquisition computer processor is further configured for updating the adaptive filter based on the difference.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the stability indicator describes a change between different operational states of the turbine engine system within the selected data acquisition period, and wherein the different operational states are characterized by different estimated true values of a selected dependent parameter in the subset.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the stability indicator describes:

a slope in the estimated true values of the selected dependent parameter, wherein the slope is characterized over the selected data acquisition period; or

a jitter characterized by deviations in the estimated true values of the selected dependent parameter, over the selected data acquisition period.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein:

the true values are estimated based on a difference between the determined values of the selected independent parameter and the target value, and the data acquisition computer processor is further configured for updating the adaptive filter based on the difference.

17. An apparatus comprising:

a turbine engine system;

a plurality of sensors configured to measure performance parameters for operation of the turbine engine system, the performance parameters including independent parameters and dependent parameters forming a data set generated over a selected data acquisition period;

computer memory configured for storing the data set; and

a data acquisition computer processor in communication with the plurality of sensors and the computer memory, the data acquisition computer processor configured to:

determine values of the performance parameters for the turbine engine system;

store the data set in the computer memory;

remove high frequency components from the determined values of the performance parameters;

apply a stochastic filter to reduce noise in each of the determined values;

estimate true values of a selected subset of the performance parameters, based on a remaining variation in the determined values; and

generate a stability indicator for the turbine engine, based on variation in the estimated true values of dependent parameters in the selected subset of performance parameters; and

wherein the data acquisition computer processor is configured for, respectively:

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the selected subset of performance parameters describes a shaft speed or spool speed of the turbine engine system.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the turbine engine system comprises a turbofan, turboshaft or turboprop engine and the target value of the selected independent parameter describes thrust or torque.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the turbine engine system comprises an industrial gas turbine and the target value of the selected independent parameter describes power output.

Assignments (22)

SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 26, 2025

From: TRANSDIGM INC.; 17111 WATERVIEW PKWY LLC; 4455 GENESEE PROPERTIES, LLC; 4455 GENESEE STREET, LLC; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC LLC; AIRBORNE ACQUISITION, INC.; AIRBORNE GLOBAL, INC.; AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NA INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF CA INC.; AMSAFE GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ANGUS ELECTRONICS CO.; APICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES TNO CO.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS CO.; ASHFORD PROPERTIES, LLC; AUXITROL WESTON USA, INC.; AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BETA TRANSFORMER TECHNOLOGY LLC; BREEZE-EASTERN LLC; BRIDPORT HOLDINGS, INC.; BRIDPORT-AIR CARRIER, INC.; BRUCE AEROSPACE INC.; CALSPAN, LLC; CALSPAN AIR FACILITIES, LLC; CALSPAN AIR SERVICES, LLC; CALSPAN ASE PORTUGAL, INC.; CALSPAN HOLDINGS, LLC; CALSPAN JETS LLC; CALSPAN TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION LLC; CDA INTERCORP LLC; CEF INDUSTRIES, LLC; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; CHELTON AVIONICS HOLDINGS, INC.; CHELTON AVIONICS, INC.; CHELTON DEFENSE PRODUCTS, INC.; CMC ELECTRONICS AURORA LLC; CPI EDB INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC.; CPI ELECTON DEVICE BUSINESS, INC.; CTHC LLC; DART AEROSPACE USA, INC.; DART BUYER, INC.; DART HELICOPTER SERVICES, INC.; DART INTERMEDIATE, INC.; DART TOPCO, INC.; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC; ESTERLINE EUROPE COMPANY LLC; ESTERLINE INTERNATIONAL COMPANY; ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES SGIP LLC; FPT INDUSTRIES LLC; GENESEE HOLDINGS, LLC; GENESEE HOLDINGS II, LLC; GENESSE HOLDINGS III, LLC; HARCOSEMCO LLC; HARTWELL CORPORATION; HELI TECH, INC.; HYTEK FINISHES CO.; ICEMAN HOLDCO, INC.; ILC HOLDINGS, INC.; JANCO CORPORATION; JOHNSON LIVERPOOL LLC; KING NUTRONICS, LLC; KIRKHILL INC.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; LEACH HOLDING CORPORATION; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; LEACH MEXICO HOLDING LLC; LEACH TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC.; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE DE, INC.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE HOLDINGS, INC.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE US LLC; MEDTHERM LABS, LLC; MICROWAVE POWER PRODUCTS, INC.; NAT SEATTLE INC.; NMC GROUP, INC.; NORDISK AVIATION PRODUCTS LLC; NORTH HILLS SIGNAL PROCESSING CORP.; NORTH HILLS SIGNAL PROCESSING OVERSEAS LLC; NORWICH AERO PRODUCTS, INC.; OFFSHORE HELICOPTER SUPPORT SERVICES, INC.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; PARAVION TECHNOLOGY, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; POWER DEVICE CORPORATION; RAPTOR LABS HOLDCO, LLC; RAPTOR LABS INTERMEDIATE, LLC; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SENSOR CONCEPTS, LLC; SERVOTRONICS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; SKANDIA, INC.; SKURKA AEROSPACE INC.; SPACE ELECTRONICS LLC; SYMETRICS INDUSTRIES, LLC; TA AEROSPACE CO.; TACTIAR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TDG ESL HOLDINGS INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR US LLC; TESTVONICS, INC.; TEXAS ROTRONICS, INC.; TRANSICOIL LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; BRIDPORT ERIE AVIATION, INC.; TRANSDIGM GROUP INCORPORATED; TRANSDIGM UK HOLDINGS LIMITED

To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE

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SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 20, 2024

From: TRANSDIGM GROUP INCORPORATED; TRANSDIGM INC.; TRANSDIGM UK HOLDINGS LIMITED; 17111 WATERVIEW PKWY LLC; 4455 GENESEE STREET, LLC; 4455 GENESEE PROPERTIES, LLC; 703 CITY CENTER BOULEVARD, LLC; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC LLC; AIRBORNE ACQUISITION, INC.; AIRBORNE GLOBAL, INC.; AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NA INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF CA INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; AMSAFE GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.; ANGUS ELECTRONICS CO.; APICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES TNO CO.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS CO.; ASHFORD PROPERTIES, LLC; AUXITROL WESTON USA, INC.; AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BETA TRANSFORMER TECHNOLOGY LLC; BREEZE-EASTERN LLC; BRIDPORT HOLDINGS, INC.; BRIDPORT-AIR CARRIER, INC; BRIDPORT ERIE AVIATION, INC.; BRUCE AEROSPACE, INC.; CALSPAN AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING LLC; CALSPAN AIR FACILITIES, LLC; CALSPAN AIR SERVICES, LLC; CALSPAN ASE PORTUGAL, INC.; CALSPAN HOLDINGS, LLC; CALSPAN, LLC; CALSPAN JETS LLC; CALSPAN SYSTEMS LLC; CALSPAN TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION LLC; CDA INTERCORP LLC; CEF INDUSTRIES, LLC; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; CHELTON AVIONICS, INC.; CHELTON AVIONICS HOLDINGS, INC.; CHELTON DEFENSE PRODUCTS, INC.; CMC ELECTRONICS AURORA LLC; CPI INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC.; CPI INTERNATIONAL, INC.; CPI SUBSIDIARY HOLDINGS LLC; CTHC LLC; DART AEROSPACE USA, INC.; DART BUYER, INC.; DART HELICOPTER SERVICES, INC.; DART INTERMEDIATE, INC.; DART TOPCO, INC.; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC; ESTERLINE EUROPE COMPANY LLC; ESTERLINE INTERNATIONAL COMPANY; ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES SGIP LLC; FPT INDUSTRIES LLC; GENESEE HOLDINGS, LLC; GENESEE HOLDINGS II, LLC; GENESEE HOLDINGS III, LLC; HARCOSEMCO LLC; HARTWELL CORPORATION; HELI TECH, INC.; HYTEK FINISHES CO.; ICEMAN HOLDCO, INC.; ICEMAN INTERMEDIATE MIDCO, LLC; ILC HOLDINGS, INC.; JANCO CORPORATION; JOHNSON LIVERPOOL LLC; KIRKHILL INC.; KING NUTRONICS, LLC; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; LEACH HOLDING CORPORATION; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; LEACH MEXICO HOLDING LLC; LEACH TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC.; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE DE, INC.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE HOLDINGS, INC.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE US LLC; MEDTHERM LABS, LLC; MICROWAVE POWER PRODUCTS, INC.; NAT SEATTLE INC.; NMC GROUP INC.; NORDISK AVIATION PRODUCTS LLC; NORTH HILLS SIGNAL PROCESSING CORP.; NORTH HILLS SIGNAL PROCESSING OVERSEAS LLC; NORWICH AERO PRODUCTS, INC.; OFFSHORE HELICOPTER SUPPORT SERVICES, INC.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; PARAVION TECHNOLOGY, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; POWER DEVICE CORPORATION; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; RAPTOR LABS HOLDCO, LLC; RAPTOR LABS INTERMEDIATE, LLC; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SENSOR CONCEPTS, LLC; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; SKANDIA, INC.; SKURKA AEROSPACE INC.; SPACE ELECTRONICS LLC; SYMETRICS INDUSTRIES, LLC; TA AEROSPACE CO.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS INC.; TDG ESL HOLDINGS INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR US LLC; TESTVONICS, INC.; TEXAS ROTRONICS, INC.; TRANSICOIL LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.

To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

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