Propulsion Controls Technology Development in the U. S. - A Historical Perspective

摘要

This paper presents a historical perspective of the advancement of aircraft gas turbine engine control technologies; specifically, it covers technology advances in the United States in the last 60 years (1940 ～ 2002). The paper emphasizes the pioneering work/accomplishments in control capabilities during this period. Since the first United Statesbuilt aircraft gas turbine engine was flown in 1942, engine control technology has evolved from a simple hydro-mechanical fuel metering valve to a full-authority digital electronic control system that is common to all modern aircraft propulsion systems. Using system complexity and capability factors, the paper breaks the time period into four phases. In each phase, the state-of-the-art control technology is described; the engines that have made historical landmarks, from the control’sstandpoint, are identified. Finally the evolution of engine controls capabilities are analyzed.