Model-based on-board turbofan thrust estimation

In this article model-based thrust estimation for turbofan engines is discussed. Two different model-based thrust estimation filters are applied to a low bypass ratio turbofan engine. The two estimators are based on a simple gross thrust model and on a thermodynamic semi-transient model, respectively. The filter parameter estimation as well as the corresponding validation of parameters is based on the use of the “leave one out cross validation” technique. In this article it is demonstrated, in particular, that a thrust estimation filter based on the thermodynamic semi-transient engine model1 shows good accuracy and predicts the transient thrust and static measurements very well.