SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A MULTI-ENGINE AIRCRAFT IN AN AUXILIARY POWER UNIT MODE

摘要

A first and second engine are connected to a drive train for driving an aircraft accessory. A gearbox is connected to a primer mover propulsor and an actuator operatively associated with a selected engine is moveable between a position in which the selected engine drivingly engages the gearbox for driving the propulsor and a position in which the selected engine disengages from the gearbox. A position signal, a status signal, and a request signal respectively indicative of a present position of the actuator, a governing state and present speed of each engine, and a request for movement of the actuator from the present position to the other position are received. If the selected engine's speed differs from a predetermined threshold, a control signal is output for causing the engine's speed to be adjusted towards the threshold. A control signal indicating that movement of the actuator is permitted is then output.

主权项

1. A system for controlling a multi-engine aircraft, the aircraft comprising at least a first engine and a second engine, at least a selected one of which is operatively connected to an accessory drive train for driving an aircraft accessory, a gearbox operatively connecting the first and second engines to a prime mover propulsor of the aircraft, and an actuator operatively associated with the at least one selected engine and moveable between a first position, in which the at least one selected engine drivingly engages the gearbox for driving the propulsor and a second position in which the at least one selected engine disengages from the gearbox, the system comprising:
a memory having stored therein a predetermined speed threshold for engaging/disengaging the at least one selected engine; and a processing unit coupled to the memory and configured to
receive a position signal indicative of a present position of the actuator, the present position being one of the first position and the second position,receive a status signal indicative of a present governing state and a present speed of each of the at least first and second engine,receive a request signal indicative of a request for movement of the actuator from the present position to the other one of the first position and the second position,compare the present speed of the at least one selected engine to the threshold,if the present speed differs from the threshold, output a first control signal for causing the present speed of the at least one selected engine to be adjusted towards the threshold, andoutput a second control signal indicating that the requested movement of the actuator is permitted.