An adaptive fuzzy logic algorithm for the thrust control of a small turbojet engine

This paper proposes a Fuzzy technique for the thrust control of small-scale turbo-jet engines, as an effective alternative to conventional PID techniques. Fuzzy rules have been preliminarly chosen and tuned so as to achieve rapidity and stability of response, as well as absence of overshoots, by simulating the transient operation of the Pegasus MK3 small-scale turbo-jet. Three experimental tests with large increases or decreases of set thrust have been carried out on the same engine: excellent results in terms of response speed, stability and absence of overshoots have been achieved. The proposed thrust control technique has general validity and can be applied to any small-scale turbojet engine, as well as to microturbines for electricity production, provided that thrust being substituted with the net mechanical power.