You are here

Adaptive Turbine Engine Control for Stall Threat Identification and Avoidance

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Navy
Contract: N68335-10-C-0434
Agency Tracking Number: N10A-008-0358
Amount: $69,917.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: N10A-T008
Solicitation Number: 2010.A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2010
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2010-07-30
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2011-02-28
Small Business Information
9950 Wakeman Drive
Manassas, VA 20110
United States
DUNS: 604717165
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Nathan Fitzgerald
 Propulsion Development En
 (617) 500-5045
 nfitzgerald@aurora.aero
Business Contact
 Scott Hart
Title: Financial Analyst
Phone: (617) 500-0536
Email: shart@aurora.aero
Research Institution
 Massachusetts Institute of Technolo
 Michael P Corcoran
 
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139-
United States

 (617) 253-3906
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

Aurora Flight Sciences and MIT propose to develop a model-based adaptive health estimation and real-time proactive control to identify gas turbine engine stability risks and avoid them through control action. In this concept, the engine control system actively monitors sensors and actuators, compares them against physical models, and infers which components may be performing poorly and may need to be replaced. This estimation procedure will be based on Hidden Markov Model of the deterioration process. In addition, once a threat is identified, the control is given the ability to modify its behavior to avoid operations that increase the chance of compression system instability. Aurora intends to accomplish this through the development of model-based control based on the concept of Rapidly-Expanding Random Trees (RRTs). Using these techniques, maintenance personnel will have the ability to upload health tracking parameters from the control system, directly identifying component performance issues needing corrective action. The engine control system will also be able to adapt to changing deterioration conditions to ensure stall-free operation.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government