Simulation, Testing and Optimization of a New Low Cost Electronic Fuel Control Unit for Small Gas Turbine Engines 901027

The potential benefits of digital electronic controls, including increased flexibility and lower cost, have not yet been fully applied to the small gas turbine engines of remotely piloted vehicles. For these applications, the need for low cost is a strong factor in design. To address this situation, a new, simple and inexpensive electronically controlled metering system for small gas turbine engines is proposed. The system incorporates a diaphragm type valve keeping a constant differential pressure across a stepper motor actuated metering valve. To optimize the design, mathematical models were created for computer simulation. Experimental tests performed on a prototype showed that it can adequately meet the fuel schedules of small gas turbines. The simulation models were validated against the test results and were used in design optimization.