Patent Application
20060235665
This invention relates generally to thermodynamic cycle models, and more particularly to methods and systems for operating gas turbine engine cycle models.
At least some known cycle models are detailed and complex to an extent that makes operating them impractical for most users. Significant expertise and/or training may be required to operate cycle models proficiently. A user that manages a plurality of models for a plurality of different pieces of equipment may require a significant staff and resources to manage the models to accomplish a business goal. Operating complex models may be a time-consuming process that requires considerable expertise. For example, an applications engineer may have the knowledge to operate a particular model, but may not have the knowledge to operate a model used to simulate a different piece of equipment or a model that operates on a different platform. The expertise of the applications engineer may have been acquired as the result of many years of training and experience in a wide variety of situations. Additionally, lesser trained individuals that may have a need to generate results from a model may not be able to use a model to generate accurate results at all. Therefore, a proficient individual, such as the applications engineer, may be needed to operate the model for the lesser trained individual. However, having a suite of available models that require specialized knowledge to operate may not be cost-effective and efficient use of available resources.
In one aspect, a computer-implemented method of operating a calculational model is provided. The method includes selecting a model from a predetermined plurality of available models, entering input data corresponding to preformatted data entry fields that are predetermined for the selected model, converting the entered input data to a predetermined format corresponding to the selected model, and determining, using the selected model, a model result corresponding to the converted input data and the selected model.
In another aspect, a calculational model operation tool is provided. The tool includes a user interface configured to display a preformatted data entry screen corresponding to user input selections, said user interface programmed to receive data input by a user, and a processor programmed to format input data received from the user interface into a configuration format corresponding to a selected model, said processor further programmed to execute the selected model using the input data in the configuration format.
In yet another aspect, a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for operating a calculational model using a server system coupled to a client system and a database wherein the client system includes a user interface is provided. The program includes a code segment that prompts a user to select at least one model and then selects a model from a predetermined plurality of available models, receives input data corresponding to preformatted data entry fields that are predetermined for the selected model, converts the entered input data to a predetermined format corresponding to the selected model, and determines, using the selected model, a model result corresponding to the converted input data and the selected model.
The input/output devices may include a keyboard 18 and a mouse 20 that may be used to enter data and instructions into computer system 10. Also, a display 22 may be used to allow a user to see what the computer has accomplished. Other output devices may include a printer, plotter, synthesizer, and speakers. A communication device 24 such as a telephone or cable modem or a network card such as an Ethernet adapter, local area network (LAN) adapter, integrated services digital network (ISDN) adapter, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) adapter or wireless access card, enables computer system 10 to access other computers and resources on a network such as a LAN, wireless LAN and/or wide area network (WAN). A mass storage device 26 may be used to allow the computer system 10 to permanently retain large amounts of data. Mass storage device 26 may include all types of disk drives such as floppy disks, hard disks and optical disks, as well as tape drives that can read and write data onto a tape that could include digital audio tapes (DAT), digital linear tapes (DLT), or other magnetically coded media. The above-described computer system 10 can take the form of a hand-held digital computer, personal digital assistant computer, notebook computer, personal computer, workstation, mini-computer, mainframe computer, or supercomputer.
Selection of a model causes the display in the body portion 306 to be updated to display preformatted data input fields that each correspond to data that is necessary for the selected model to execute to provide accurate results. At least some of the data fields also may include data that is not necessary for proper operation of the model, but may instead be used to identify the results from each instance of execution of the model. For example, a user identification and/or password may be required to be entered prior to execution of the model for administrative tracking and/or billing purposes. Such information may not affect the results of the execution of the model. In the exemplary embodiment, a CF34-8C1 engine model is selected for data entry. The selected engine designation is displayed in an engine field 312 and a graphic illustrated the selected engine may be displayed in an engine graphic field 314. Mimicking the selected engine designation and displaying a picture of the selected engine may facilitate correctly selecting a desired engine by the user. An engine operation field 316 may provide a selection for whether the engine is to be modeled as operating installed on an aircraft or installed in a test stand. An atmosphere temperature field 318 provides a selection for indicating a temperature operating profile to the model that the engine is to be simulated operating in. An input field 320 provides for input of an operating altitude, a speed, and an environmental temperature of the engine with respect to the temperature profile selected in atmosphere temperature field 318. A Power Setting Input Options field 322 provides an input entry field for prescribing the method used to set power level for the engine being simulated. For example, Power Setting Input Options field 322 may be set according to the engine rating, the engine fan speed, the engine thrust, or the engine power lever angle (PLA). A Power Managed Rating field 324 provides for an input entry for the Power Managed Rating during the simulation controlled by the selected model.
A technical effect of the various embodiments of the invention is to permit a non-expert user of a plurality of cycle models to select a model from the plurality of models, input appropriate input data, operate the model, and obtain a result without specialized knowledge and/or experience with the engine being modeled or the model itself.
The various embodiments or components thereof may be implemented as part of a computer system. The computer system may include a computer, an input device, a display unit, and an interface, for example, for accessing the Internet. The computer may include a microprocessor. The microprocessor may be connected to a communication bus. The computer may also include a memory. The memory may include Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM). The computer system further may include a storage device, which may be, but not limited to, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, and/or a removable storage drive such as a floppy disk drive, or optical disk drive. The storage device can also be other similar means for loading computer programs or other instructions into the computer system.
As used herein, the term “computer” may include any processor-based or microprocessor-based system including systems using microcontrollers, reduced instruction set circuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), logic circuits, and any other circuit or processor capable of executing the functions described herein. The above examples are exemplary only, and are thus not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term “computer”.
The computer system executes a set of instructions that are stored in one or more storage elements, in order to process input data. The storage elements may also hold data or other information as desired or needed. The storage element may be in the form of an information source or a physical memory element within the processing machine.
The set of instructions may include various commands that instruct the processing machine to perform specific operations such as the processes of the various embodiments of the invention. The set of instructions may be in the form of a software program. The software may be in various forms such as system software or application software. Further, the software may be in the form of a collection of separate programs, a program module within a larger program or a portion of a program module. The software also may include modular programming in the form of object-oriented programming. The processing of input data by the processing machine may be in response to user commands, or in response to results of previous processing, or in response to a request made by another processing machine.
As used herein, the terms “software” and “firmware” are interchangeable, and include any computer program stored in memory for execution by a computer, including RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types are exemplary only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memory usable for storage of a computer program.
While the present invention is described with reference to gas turbine engine thermodynamic cycle models, numerous other applications are contemplated. It is contemplated that the present invention may be applied to any set of computational modeling software.
The above-described systems and methods of capturing knowledge of a modeling expert in a modular, web-accessible, error-proofed form is cost-effective and highly reliable for managing a large number of complex models that include specific input data requirements applicable to each model. More specifically, the methods and systems described herein facilitate determining gas turbine engine process parameters for a plurality of conditions controlled by data input from a user. As a result, the methods and systems described herein facilitate gas turbine engine design and testing in a cost-effective and reliable manner.
Exemplary embodiments of engine cycle model operation tool systems and methods are described above in detail. The systems are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of each system may be utilized independently and separately from other components described herein. Each system component can also be used in combination with other system components.
While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.
