Richard L Mclain

US Patent:

39633721, Jun 15, 1976

Filed:

Jan 17, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/541797

Inventors:

Richard D. McLain - Indianapolis IN
Robert E. Nelson - Indianapolis IN
Bernard H. Van Sickle - Indianapolis IN
Oran A. Watts - Indianapolis IN

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B64C 1144

US Classification:

416 30

Abstract:

A control system for a helicopter power plant with three power units driving the lifting rotor system. Each power unit comprises a gas-coupled gas turbine engine, a hydromechanical fuel control receiving electrical inputs to set a gas generator governor, an engine electronic control, and engine accessories. Power plant operation is normally controlled by the pilot through condition levers and switches on a control quadrant, through a collective pitch control for the rotor blades, and through a master beeper switch which is operable to trim the setting of a rotor speed governor and the gas generator governors. A condition lever transmits a speed command signal through the electronic control of each power unit to its gas generator governor. A collective pitch signal from the rotor control system is another factor in setting the gas generator governor of each unit. The power plant includes a power management control which equalizes the power outputs of the engines and includes the rotor isochronous governor.