Fuzzy scheduling control of a gas turbine aero-engine: a multiobjective approach

Abstract

This paper investigates the use of a nonconventional approach to control a gas turbine aero-engine. The rationale behind this study is the need to develop advanced tools and techniques that can assist in improving the performance of the system and simultaneously enhance the flexibility of the control strategy. Modern techniques are required for many complex systems where increasingly strict performance and regulatory requirements must be achieved. This is particularly true of aerospace systems where consideration of safety, reliability, maintainability, and environmental impact are all necessary as part of the control requirements. This paper investigates a combination of two such potential techniques: fuzzy logic and evolutionary algorithms. Emerging from new requirements for gas turbine aero-engine control, a flexible gain scheduler is developed and analyzed. A hierarchical multiobjective genetic algorithm is employed to search and optimize the potential solutions for a wide envelope controller covering idle, cruise, and full-power conditions. The overall strategy is demonstrated to be a straightforward and feasible method of refining the control system performance and increasing its flexibility.