Robust Stabilization of Jet Engine Compressor In The Presence of Noise and Unmeasured States

Abstract

Compressors for jet engines in operation experience disturbances such as
variations in the states of the system, mass flow, and pressure. These disturbances sometimes result in instabilities due to surge and stall, which adversely affect performance. In this work, first we modify the Moore and Grietzer three-state model for compressors to include disturbance (noise signals) and then use the method of integrator backstepping, coupled with saturation functions to develop robust controllers for the stabilization of the compressor. Also, we develop robust observers for estimating the states of the system in situation where there exist some states that cannot be measured. Implementing the developed controllers on the system, simulation results showed that stability was achieved. Also, the observer designed for the jet compressor was able to provide accurate state estimates.

Keywords: Integrator backstepping, observer, robust control, stall and surge, unmeasured states