Automation Control System for Naval Propulsion Retrofitting

Nowadays, automation systems for naval propulsion groups with gas turbines use programmable logic controllers for a precise and reliable control. The automation system is designed so as to be able to connect using signal cables to the transducers monitoring the engine’s parameters, via adapters, so that the command and regulation functions to be fully automatized. These signals are managed by means of the software program implemented in the PLC, and subsequent data acquisition. One of the important problems is the available resource of the propulsion group, until capital repair is required. The remaining lifetime depends on the operating regimes of the gas turbine engine. This problem is more pronounced in the propulsion groups equipping navy ships, where the dynamic regimes of gas turbine engines are much more demanding, and hence the pre-established operating limits may be exceeded. The automation configuration presented herein ensures the accurate computation and precise control of essential parameters for which the direct measurement is not possible using transducers. These parameters are the exhaust gas temperature, the power developed by the engine and implicitly the torque developed at propeller shaft.