Cost-Effective Distributed Engine Control Test Bed for Intelligent Systems and Smart Instrumentation

The SBIR topic AF192-045 is seeking a cost-effective test bed capability for gas turbine engine (GTE) control and sensor system. Recently developed GTEs demonstrate a trend towards significantly increased levels of instrumentation and more complex control schemes than have been used in legacy GTEs. In addition, novel instrumentation modalities are allowing measurements in areas of the engines which were previously not possible. Using a modern variable cycle engine as a test bed for these new controls and sensors is prohibitively expensive and a cost-effective alternative is required. Spectral Energies in collaboration with Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) propose to develop a test bed capable of testing new engine control and instrumentation systems based on a GTE that will be smaller and easier to operate than a modern variable cycle machine. This test bed will likely have fewer control degrees of freedom compared to a variable cycle turbofan, but will have sufficient to allow control systems to be validated in an operating engine environment. The project team will also ensure that the engine chosen as the test bed can be modified to allow for instrumentation of locations such as the combustion chamber and any other locations deemed appropriate for future sensor testing.