Project Summary
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Proposal Number:
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Project Title:Intelligent Engine Controls for High Efficiency Light Aircraft
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Small Business Concern:
Aurora Flight Sciences Corp.
9950 Wakeman Drive
Manassas, VA 22111
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Research Institution:
West Virginia University
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Engineering Science Bldg., G58
Evansdale Drive
Morgantown, WV 26506
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Principal Investigator/Project Manager: Allen Jones
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Technical Abstract:
The basis for the proposed cooperative R&D effort is an
advanced engine control system (AECS) for reciprocating
engines using closed-loop feedback control methodologies
developed by West Virginia University (WVU). The small
business concern, Aurora Flight Sciences Corp., proposes to
develop, in cooperation with WVU, an AECS that monitors and
controls the engine performance, emissions and efficiency
through control of the air/fuel ratio and ignition timing on
an individual cylinder basis. This system will be unique to
general aviation (GA) by offering improved propulsion
efficiency and fuel economy (and hence lower emissions) and
higher reliability through individual cylinder operational
optimization. This proposal addresses the Phase I activities
focused on single cylinder performance which include
identification of dominant sensory feedback, formulation of
control laws for optimal performance, fault detection and
reconfiguration of engine control, culminating in proof-of-
concept test-cell demonstration. Full engine flight-test
system, to be implemented and deployed in Phase II, will
verify the objectives of this work, and will enable this
NASA-sponsored propulsion technology to be incorporated into
future Aurora unmanned aircraft to support high-altitude
atmospheric science, and to serve the GA industry by making
it available to NASA-AGATE consortium members.
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Potential Commercial Applications:
This work will result in a full closed-loop advanced engine
control system, specifically targeted for integration into
future generation of reciprocating engines to be developed
for GA light aircraft and high-endurance UAVs.
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