Research on nonlinear model predictive control for turboshaft engines based on double engines torques matching

• Published in: Chinese journal of aeronautics 2020-02, Vol.33 (2), p.561-571
• Main Authors: WANG, Yong, ZHENG, Qian’gang, DU, Ziyan, ZHANG, Haibo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Double turboshaft engines; Fast response control; Helicopter; Nonlinear model predictive control; Torques matching method
• ISSN: 1000-9361
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cja.2019.10.008

In order to reach a compromise between fast response control and torques matching control in double turboshaft engines, research on nonlinear model predictive control for turboshaft engines based on double engines torques matching is conducted. Meanwhile, a Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC) method is proposed, which combines the control index of the power turbine speed with torques matching of double engines creatively. In addition to the control index, the difference of output torques between each engine is also incorporated in the objective function as a penalty term to ensure constant speed control and short torques matching time. Simulation results demonstrate that relative to unilateral torques matching, the settling time of the bidirectional matching method can be reduced by nearly 30.8%. Nevertheless, compared with the bidirectional torques matching method under the cascade PID controller, the NMPC method can decrease the overshoot of the power turbine speed by 65% and reduce the matching time by 15.5% synchronously. Besides fast response control of turboshaft engines, fast torques matching control of double engines is accomplished as well.