Application of Flight Controls Technology to Engine Control Systems,

The transition from mechanical to redundant digital electronic flight controls started in 1950 and is at a rather advanced state. The first few full authority digital electronic engine control systems have completed initial development. Many of the control laws and redundancy management techniques that were pioneered in flight controls are directly applicalbe to digital engine controls. Section 1 outlines the authors recommended system design approach. Section 2 discusses some considerations for the design of electronically implemented control laws. Section 3 describes a typical redundancy management concept, based on digital flight control techniques, for a quadruplex engine control system, This is followed by the authors recommended analysis methodology to determine the probability of control system failure. The conclusion of Section 3 discusses some implications that use the probability theory has on the control system design requirements. Section 4 discusses the recommended integration, development test and validation test approach of the authors. Author