Work

Research on Bumpless Transfer Control Methods Between Steady-State and Transient-State Operations in Aero-Engines

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Online performance optimization improves fuel economy in modern aero-engines, but shifts in the steady operating point require authority handovers between steady and transient controllers. This study develops a bumpless transfer strategy within a multivariable performance-seeking architecture that couples a valve-position controller (VPC) for steady optimization with a model predictive controller (MPC) for transients. Coordination combines control-input mismatch compensation, feedforward set-point pre-shaping, and hysteretic switching to ensure manipulated-variable continuity and constraint compliance. High-fidelity nonlinear simulations show that, when the operating point is moved, thrust deviation at handover is ≤1.5%, fuel-flow commands remain continuous and rate-limited, and specific fuel consumption decreases by ≈5.03% at the optimized steady state. Turbine-inlet-temperature and compressor surge-margin limits are rigorously satisfied throughout the maneuver. The results indicate that the proposed strategy preserves closed-loop smoothness while delivering measurable fuel-economy gains, providing a practical path to integrate online performance optimization with constraint-aware transient control in aero-engines.

Source: Aerospace

DOI: 10.3390/aerospace12121059

Authors: Ruichao Li, Jinghao Yao, Zhicheng Zhou, Jiale Wang, Chao Wu

Institution: Northwestern Polytechnical University

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Control Systems Optimization

Subfield: Control and Systems Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896