Fuzzy Control for Aircraft Engine: Dynamics Clustering Modeling, Compensation and Hardware-in-Loop Experimental Verification

This paper presents an integrated framework for aircraft engines, which consists of three phases: modeling, control, and experimental testing. The engine is formulated as an uncertain T–S fuzzy model. By a hierarchical dynamical parameter clustering, the number and premise variables of fuzzy rules are optimized, which keeps the engine’s prime and representative dynamics. For each fuzzy rule, a global stability-guaranteed method is developed for the identification of the consequent uncertain dynamic model. The resulting stable T–S fuzzy model accurately approximates the actual engine dynamics in the operation space. Based on this fuzzy model, a new robust control is constructed with hierarchical compensators. The control parameters take advantage of the fuzzy blend of engine prime dynamics and uncertainty thresholds. Extensive hardware-in-loop (HIL) experimental tests in the flight envelope and a flight task cycle demonstrate the effectiveness and real-time performance of the proposed control. The settling times and overshoots of engine response are suppressed to be under 2.5 s and 10%, respectively.