Method of controlling a group of engines, and an aircraft

摘要

A method of controlling a group (2) of engines developing a necessary power (Wnec) for driving a rotor (3), said group (2) of engines having at least one electrical member (4), electrical energy storage means (5), and a first number n of engines (6) that is greater than or equal to two. A processor unit (10) executes instructions for evaluating a main condition as to whether the group of engines can develop the necessary power while resting one engine, and if so for resting one engine and accelerating a second number engines not at rest, and for causing the electrical member to operate in motor mode, if necessary, the electrical member operating temporarily in electricity generator mode when the storage means are discharged.

主权项

1. A method of controlling a group of engines of an aircraft developing a necessary power (Wnec) for driving a rotor, the group of engines being provided with at least one electrical member connected to electrical energy storage means and a first number (n) of fuel-burning engines greater than or equal to two, each engine of the group of engines being capable of developing a continuous power (MCP) without limitation on duration during a continuous rating, the electrical member being capable of developing a maximum power (Welec—max) in motor mode, wherein a non-transitory processor unit executes stored instructions for evaluating a main condition in which the group of engines can develop the necessary power while resting an engine, and when the main condition is satisfied, for:
resting a first engine of the group of engines, and accelerating a second number (n−1) of engines not at rest of the group of engines, the second number being equal to the first number (n) minus one in order to develop at most a threshold power with the group of engines, the threshold power (MCPn-1) being reached when each engine of the second number of engines not at rest is developing the continuous power (MCP); and causing the at least one electrical member to operate in motor mode if the processor unit finds that the main condition is satisfied when causing the at least one electrical member to operate in motor mode simultaneously with the second number of engines, the at least one electrical member operating temporarily in electricity generator mode when the storage means are discharged.