Fuzzy decision-making in turbine engine controls

The design of a multi-level fuzzy-logic control system for the control of turbine engines using type-1 fuzzy-logic is presented in this paper. A Matlab-Simulink model of an advanced turbine engine was used to test and validate the performance of the developed fuzzy control system. The model provided comprehensive and complex model of a turbine engine. As with most modeling of turbine engines, it was assumed that the fundamental dynamic characteristics of a turbine engine can be achieved by control of the engine fuel flow. In this model a single input single output (SISO) system is used to control the engine fuel flow, where the input to the SISO system is the low spool speed error signal and the output is the fuel flow actuator control signal. A fuzzy controller was developed for the SISO system and its performance is compared with that of the existing proportional integral (PI) controller. Both controllers were tested under normal operating conditions and with introduction of engine faults embedded in the model.