Increasing variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) durability by avoiding excessive forces on one or more components of VGT

Abstract

In some embodiments, a controller of a machine may identify an expansion ratio associated with a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) of the machine. The controller may determine wear reduction information indicative of a force reduction threshold position of the VGT based on the expansion ratio. The controller may select an optimized position of the VGT based on the wear reduction information and performance information indicative of a desired position of the VGT. The controller may cause the VGT to be adjusted to an optimized position. In this manner, the controller causes the VGT to operate within a force dependent wear reduction operating range (e.g., this causes the VGT to avoid excessive forces being applied on one or more components of the VGT), which improves the durability of the VGT.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT), and more particularly to improving the durability of a VGT by avoiding excessive forces on one or more components of the VGT. Background Art

[0002] A VGT is a turbocharger with adjustable geometry that can be used in a machine to facilitate optimized performance of the machine. For example, one or more components of the VGT can be adjusted to control the flow rate and / or pressure of the exhaust gas flowing through the VGT, which enables improved efficiency, increased power output, and better response in the machine. During the operating life of the VGT, one or more components of the VGT are subject to wear, for example due to movement of one or more components (e.g., between different positions). Notably, when the forces associated with the exhaust gas flow are "high" (e.g., due to a "high" pressure of the exhaust gas flowing through the VGT and / or a "closed" or "partially closed" geometry of the VGT), the wear on one or more components of the VGT is increased. This increased wear affects the durability of one or more components, which reduces the performance of the VGT and ultimately leads to failure of one or more components and thus failure of the VGT. Therefore, there is a need for a control strategy for the VGT that allows the VGT to provide optimized performance of the machine and also avoids excessive forces on one or more components of the VGT (e.g., to reduce the amount of force-related wear of one or more components due to movement of one or more components, thereby improving the durability of one or more components of the VGT and avoiding failure of the VGT).

[0003] U.S. Patent No. 9,482,147 ('147 patent) discloses a compressor boost control scheme for controlling the intake pressure of an internal combustion engine. The compressor boost control scheme is configured to determine a compressor boost control command for an intake compressor based on the intake manifold absolute pressure and the exhaust pressure upstream of the intake compressor. The '147 patent also discloses that the compressor boost control is achieved through VGT position control. The compressor boost control scheme is used to prevent the peak cylinder pressure of the engine from being too high by restricting the exhaust pressure and maintaining the integrity of the lubrication and cooling seals in the turbine of the VGT, which has the secondary effect of protecting the downstream catalytic converter element from oil-induced poisoning.

[0004] Although the '147 patent discloses some benefits related to compressor boost control schemes, the present invention is associated with a controller that controls the engine's VGT by monitoring the expansion ratio associated with the VGT and determines whether to cause an adjustment of the VGT to avoid excessive forces on one or more components of the VGT. This allows the VGT to provide optimized performance and increase the durability of one or more components of the VGT (e.g., by reducing the amount of force-related wear of one or more components due to the movement of one or more components).

[0005] The controller of the present invention solves the above one or more problems and / or other problems in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Some aspects described herein relate to a machine that includes: a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT); and a controller configured to: identify a first expansion ratio associated with the VGT; based on the first expansion ratio, determine first wear reduction information indicating a first force reduction threshold position of the VGT; obtain first performance information indicating a first desired position of the VGT; based on the first wear reduction information and the first performance information, select a first optimized position of the VGT from the first force reduction threshold position of the VGT and the first desired position of the VGT; cause the VGT to be adjusted to the first optimized position; based on causing the VGT to be adjusted to the first optimized position, identify a second expansion ratio associated with the VGT; based on the second expansion ratio, determine second wear reduction information indicating a second force reduction threshold position of the VGT; obtain second performance information indicating a second desired position of the VGT; based on the second wear reduction information and the second performance information, select a second optimized position of the VGT from the second force reduction threshold position of the VGT and the second desired position of the VGT; and cause the VGT to be adjusted to the second optimized position.

[0007] Some aspects described herein relate to a controller of a machine that includes one or more memories; and one or more processors configured to: identify a first expansion ratio associated with the VGT of the machine; based on the first expansion ratio, determine first wear reduction information indicating a first force reduction threshold position of the VGT; based on the first wear reduction information and first performance information indicating a first desired position of the VGT, select a first optimized position of the VGT; cause the VGT to be adjusted to the first optimized position; identify a second expansion ratio associated with the VGT; based on the second expansion ratio, determine second wear reduction information indicating a second force reduction threshold position of the VGT; based on the second wear reduction information and second performance information indicating a second desired position of the VGT, select a second optimized position of the VGT; and cause the VGT to be adjusted to the second optimized position.

[0008] Some aspects described herein relate to a method that includes: identifying, by a controller of a machine, a first expansion ratio associated with a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) of the machine; determining, by the controller and based on the first expansion ratio, first wear reduction information indicative of a first force reduction threshold position of the VGT; selecting, by the controller based on the first wear reduction information and first performance information indicative of a first desired position of the VGT, a first optimized position of the VGT; and causing, by the controller, the VGT to be adjusted to the first optimized position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example machine described herein.

[0010] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an example power system described herein.

[0011] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an example environment in which the systems and / or methods described herein may be implemented.

[0012] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an example graph associated with forces applied to one or more adjustable components of a VGT.

[0013] Figure 5 is a flowchart of an example process associated with control of a VGT. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The present invention relates to a controller (e.g., an engine control module (ECM)) that controls a VGT, e.g., by adjusting the VGT, to avoid excessive forces on one or more components of the VGT (thereby reducing the amount of force-related wear of one or more components due to movement of the one or more components). The controller and VGT as described herein have general applicability to any machine that uses such a controller and VGT. The term "machine" may refer to any machine that performs operations associated with industries such as, for example, mining, construction, farming, transportation, or any other industry. As some examples, a machine may be an automobile (e.g., a passenger vehicle, a truck, or another vehicle), an off-highway truck, a backhoe loader, a cold planer, a wheel loader, a compactor, a logging machine, a forestry machine, a transporter, a harvester, an excavator, an industrial loader, an articulated boom loader, a material handler, a motor grader, a pipe layer, a road reclaimer, a skid steer loader, a forwarder, a telescopic handler, a tractor, a bulldozer, a towed scraper, a pump, a generator set (e.g., a "genset"), a stationary device, a non-stationary device, or other above-ground equipment, underground equipment, aerial equipment, or marine equipment.

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example machine 100 described herein. For example, machine 100 may include a mobile machine, such as Figure 1The wheeled loader shown, or any other type of mobile machine. Machine 100 may include an operator station 120, one or more traction devices 140 (sometimes referred to as ground engaging), a power source 160 operably connected to provide power to drive at least one of the traction devices 140, and a controller 180 (such as an ECM) connected to one or more components of the machine 100. The controller 180 may perform operations related to controlling the VGT of the power source 160, as described in more detail elsewhere herein.

[0016] As described above, provided Figure 1 as an example. Other examples may be different from those associated with Figure 1 described.

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an example power system 200 described herein, which may be included in the power source 160. The power system 200 may be or may include a compression ignition engine, an internal combustion engine, another type of internal combustion engine, a fuel cell, and / or another type of energy conversion device. The power system 200 may be fueled by such fuels as, for example, gasoline, distillate diesel fuel, biodiesel, dimethyl ether, gaseous fuels (such as hydrogen, natural gas, and propane), alcohol, ethanol, and / or any combination thereof. As Figure 2 shown, the power system 200 may include a compressor 202, an intake manifold 204, a power generation block 206, a turbine 208, a common shaft 210, a sensor system 212, a controller 180, and / or one or more other components (not shown). The compressor 202, the turbine 208, and the common shaft 210 together form a VGT 214, as further described herein.

[0018] As Figure 2 further shown in, air (e.g., ambient air from the environment external to the power system 200) may be introduced into the power system 200, for example, via the compressor 202. In some implementations, exhaust gas (e.g., generated by the power generation block 206 of the power system 200) may be provided to the compressor 202 (e.g., via an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, not shown), and thus the compressor 202 may introduce air and exhaust gas into the power system 200. The compressor 202 may pressurize and supply air (or air and exhaust gas) to the intake manifold 204. The intake manifold 204 may mix and distribute the air (or air and exhaust gas) to the power generation block 206 for subsequent power generation processes (e.g., generating and providing power to drive at least one of the traction devices 140 of the machine 100).

[0019] As part of the power generation process, the power generation block 206 generates exhaust gas that flows out of the power generation block 206. For example, when the power generation block 206 includes a plurality of cylinders (e.g., six or more cylinders), the plurality of cylinders can generate exhaust gas due to the combustion process. The exhaust gas can flow to the turbine 208. A portion of the exhaust gas can be provided to the compressor 202 (e.g., via an EGR system).

[0020] The turbine 208 can be positioned to receive exhaust gas from the power generation block 206 and can be connected to the compressor 202 via a common shaft 210. As the exhaust gas flows through the turbine 208 and expands against its blades (and / or other components), the turbine 208 can rotate and drive the compressor 202 to pressurize air (or air and exhaust gas).

[0021] The turbine 208, compressor 202, and common shaft 210 can form a VGT 214. That is, the VGT 214 can include a component that includes the turbine 208, compressor 202, and common shaft 210 (e.g., where the turbine 208 and compressor 202 are connected to the common shaft 210 via respective wheels), which is sometimes referred to as a "shaft and wheel" component. The turbine 208 can be a variable geometry turbine that includes one or more adjustable components, such as one or more adjustable blades, adjustable inlets, adjustable outlets, and / or adjustable flow area control elements, each of which can be adjusted to change the performance of the VGT 214. For example, one or more adjustable blades can extend to a "closed" position or can retract to an "open" position or a "partially open" position, which can control the degree of rotation of the common shaft 210 and thus can cause more or less energy from the exhaust gas flow to be transferred to the compressor 202 (e.g., via the common shaft 210). This can cause the compressor 202 to change (e.g., increase or decrease) the air flow (and / or the flow of air and exhaust gas) to the intake manifold 204. This in turn changes (e.g., increases or decreases) the exhaust gas flow through the VGT 214, which changes (e.g., increases or decreases) the speed of the VGT 214 (e.g., the speed of the shaft and wheel component of the VGT 214, the speed at which the turbine 208 rotates on the common shaft 210, and / or another speed associated with the VGT 214).

[0022] During the working life of the VGT 214, one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214 are subject to wear, for example due to the movement of one or more adjustable components. For example, one or more adjustable vanes are subject to wear due to movement between a closed position, an open position, and a partially open position. In addition, when one or more adjustable components move, the greater the force of the exhaust gas flow applied to the one or more adjustable components (e.g., based on the expansion ratio associated with the position of the VGT 214 and / or one or more adjustable components), the greater the amount of wear on the one or more adjustable components. Therefore, when one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214 move under excessive force, the durability of the one or more adjustable components is reduced, which reduces the performance of the VGT 214 and ultimately leads to failure of the one or more adjustable components and thus failure of the VGT 214. Therefore, it is important to control the VGT 214 (e.g., control the movement or adjustment of one or more adjustable components) to reduce the amount of force applied to the one or more adjustable components, thereby reducing the amount of force-related wear on the one or more adjustable components. This increases the durability of the one or more adjustable components, which reduces the likelihood of impairment of the performance of the power system 200 and / or components of the power system 200, which performance impairment would be affected by the failure of the VGT 214.

[0023] As further described herein, the controller 180 can provide control of the power system 200 and / or components of the power system 200 (such as the VGT 214). The controller 180 can be implemented as a processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or another type of processing component. The processor can be implemented in hardware, firmware, and / or a combination of hardware and software. The ECM 180 can include one or more processors capable of being programmed to perform functions. One or more memories including random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), and / or another type of dynamic or static storage device (such as flash memory, magnetic memory, and / or optical memory) can store information and / or instructions used by the controller 180. The controller 180 can include a memory (such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium) capable of storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform one or more of the processes and / or methods described herein.

[0024] The sensor system 212 can provide measurements associated with various parameters used by the controller 180 to control the powertrain system 200 and / or components of the powertrain system 200. The sensor system 212 can include physical sensors and / or any suitable type of control system that generates sensed parameter values based on computational models and / or one or more measured parameters. As used herein, "sensed parameter" can refer to those measured parameters that are directly measured and / or estimated by one or more sensors (such as physical sensors, virtual sensors, and / or other sensors). Example sensors can include temperature sensors (e.g., for measuring the oil temperature of the engine of the powertrain system 200), speed sensors (e.g., for measuring the speed of the engine of the powertrain system 200 and / or the speed of the VGT 214, e.g., in revolutions per minute (RPM)), position sensors (e.g., for measuring the respective positions of one or more components, such as one or more blades of the turbine 208 of the VGT 214), pressure sensors (e.g., for measuring pressure, such as intake manifold absolute pressure (IMAP) associated with the intake manifold 204, inlet pressure associated with the VGT 214, and / or outlet pressure associated with the VGT 214), engine air flow sensors (e.g., for measuring engine air flow, e.g., in cubic meters per minute, cubic feet per minute, and / or similar), VGT expansion ratio sensors (e.g., for measuring the expansion ratio associated with the VGT 214, which can be based on the inlet pressure associated with the VGT 214 and the outlet pressure associated with the VGT 214), and / or other sensors. The sensed parameters can also include any output parameters that can be indirectly measured by physical sensors and / or calculated based on the readings of physical sensors.

[0025] As indicated above, provided Figure 2 as an example. Other examples can be different from those associated with Figure 2 described.

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an example environment 300 in which the systems and / or methods described herein can be implemented. As Figure 3 shown, the environment 300 can include one or more control devices 310 (individually referred to as "control device 310" and collectively as "control devices 310"), one or more sensors 320 (individually referred to as "sensor 320" and collectively as "sensors 320"), and the controller 180. The devices and / or components of the environment 300 can be interconnected via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections.

[0027] The control device 310 can be any type of device that the controller 180 uses to control the performance characteristics of the powertrain 200. For example, the control device 310 can include one or more actuators, switches, and / or the like that are capable of controlling components of the powertrain 200. The control device 310 is capable of causing adjustment of one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214, such as one or more adjustable vanes of the turbine 208 of the VGT 214 (e.g., from a first vane position to a second vane position). The sensor 320 can include any type of sensor configured to measure the operating conditions of the powertrain 200. As described herein, the sensor 320 can be a sensor of the sensor system 212.

[0028] The controller 180 can include one or more devices configured to control one or more components of the powertrain 200. For example, the controller 180 can be configured to control the VGT 214, such as changing (e.g., controlling) the exhaust gas flow through the VGT 214 and / or the exhaust pressure applied to one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214, and so on. The controller 180 can control one or more components of the powertrain 200 by sending one or more commands to one or more control devices 310.

[0029] The controller 180 can obtain information about the powertrain 200 from the sensor 320 (e.g., directly from the sensor 320 or via one or more other components or devices of the powertrain 200, such as different controllers). For example, the controller 180 can obtain information about the speed of the engine of the powertrain 200, information about the oil temperature of the engine of the powertrain 200, information about the setting of the VGT 214 (e.g., an "open" setting, a "closed" setting, a "partially open" setting, and / or a "partially closed" setting) that indicates the position of at least one component (e.g., at least one adjustable vane) of the turbine 208 of the VGT 214, information about one or more pressures associated with the VGT 214 (e.g., the inlet pressure associated with the VGT 214 and / or the outlet pressure associated with the VGT 214), information about the expansion ratio associated with the VGT 214, and / or information about the speed of the VGT 214 (e.g., the speed of the turbine 208 of the VGT 214), and so on. The controller 180 can obtain information about the powertrain 200 based on the operation of the machine 100. That is, the controller 180 can obtain information when the machine is operating (e.g., the machine is powered on and operating).

[0030] In some embodiments, the controller 180 can cause the VGT 214 to operate within a force-related wear reduction operating range of the VGT 214 (described herein in connection with Figure 4Further description). That is, the controller 180 can cause the VGT 214 to operate such that the amount of force applied to one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214 (e.g., due to the position of one or more adjustable components) is reduced (e.g., less than or equal to the maximum force allowable to be applied to one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214). Thereby, this reduces the amount of force-related wear of one or more adjustable components caused by the movement of one or more adjustable components, and thus increases the durability of one or more adjustable components.

[0031] To operate the VGT 214 within the force-related wear reduction operating range, the controller 180 can identify a first expansion ratio associated with the VGT 214. For example, the VGT 214 can obtain information from the sensor 320 (e.g., information about one or more pressures associated with the VGT 214 or information about the expansion ratio associated with the VGT 214), and can process (e.g., parse, read, and / or analyze) the information to identify the first expansion ratio associated with the VGT 214. Thus, the controller 180 can directly identify the first expansion ratio (e.g., by calculating the first expansion ratio based on the inlet pressure associated with the VGT 214 and / or the outlet pressure associated with the VGT 214 included in the information about one or more pressures associated with the VGT 214), or alternatively, can indirectly identify the first expansion ratio (e.g., by identifying the expansion ratio associated with the VGT 214 included in the information about the expansion ratio associated with the VGT 214).

[0032] The controller 180 can determine first wear protection information associated with the VGT 214 (e.g., based on the first expansion ratio associated with the VGT 214). The first wear protection information can indicate a first force reduction threshold position of the VGT 214. The first force reduction threshold position can be the position of the VGT 214 associated with the maximum force allowable to be applied to one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214. That is, the first force reduction threshold position can be the position that can reduce the amount of force-related wear of one or more adjustable components. For example, when the "lower" position of the VGT 214 is associated with the "closed" or "partially closed" position (compared to the "higher" position of the VGT 214 associated with the "open" or "partially open" position of the VGT 214), the first force reduction threshold position can be the minimum position of the VGT 214 (e.g., associated with the maximum "closed amount" of the VGT 214), which results in a force applied to one or more adjustable components that is less than or equal to the maximum force.

[0033] The controller 180 may determine a first force reduction threshold position based on a first expansion ratio associated with the VGT 214. For example, the controller 180 may process the first expansion ratio (e.g., by performing one or more operations) to determine the first force reduction threshold position (e.g., because the first force reduction threshold may be a function of the first expansion ratio or may be related to the first expansion ratio). As another example, the controller 180 may search a look-up table (or another type of data structure) based on the first expansion ratio to determine the first force reduction threshold position.

[0034] In some embodiments, the controller 180 may obtain first performance information, for example, from a sensor 320 of the machine 100 or another controller. The first performance information may indicate a first desired position of the VGT 214 (e.g., the position at which one or more adjustable components move to provide the desired performance of the VGT 214). The first desired position may be a position of the VGT 214 associated with a desired power output or response (e.g., for the power system 200) to be provided by the VGT 214 (e.g., regardless of the magnitude of the force applied to one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214). Thus, the controller 180 may process (e.g., read, parse, and / or analyze) the first performance information to identify the first desired position of the VGT 214.

[0035] The controller 180 may determine a first optimized position of the VGT 214 (e.g., based on the first wear reduction information and the first performance information). For example, the controller 180 may select the first optimized position from the first force reduction threshold position of the VGT 214 (e.g., indicated by the first wear reduction information) and the first desired position of the VGT 214 (e.g., indicated by the first performance information). When the "lower" position of the VGT 214 is associated with a "closed" or "partially closed" position (compared to the "higher" position of the VGT 214 associated with an "open" or "partially open" position of the VGT 214), the controller 180 may select the first optimized position of the VGT 214 as the minimum of the first force reduction threshold position of the VGT 214 and the first desired position of the VGT 214.

[0036] Accordingly, the controller 180 can cause the VGT 214 to be adjusted to a first optimized position. For example, the controller 180 can communicate with one or more control devices 310 (e.g., send one or more control signals) to move (or maintain) one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214 to the first optimized position. In this way, the controller 180 can adjust the VGT 214 in a manner that avoids applying excessive force on one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214 (e.g., avoids a force greater than the maximum force allowed to be applied on one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214) and allows the VGT 214 to provide desired (or near-desired) performance. For example, the controller 180 that causes the VGT 214 to be adjusted to the first optimized position results in a first force on one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214 that is less than or equal to a threshold force (e.g., the maximum force allowed to be applied on one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214).

[0037] In some embodiments, the controller 180 can further cause the VGT 214 to operate within a force-related wear reduction operating range (e.g., after causing the VGT 214 to be adjusted to the first optimized position, or based on causing the VGT 214 to be adjusted to the first optimized position). To this end, the controller 180 can identify a second expansion ratio associated with the VGT 214. For example, the VGT 214 can obtain additional information from the sensor 320 (e.g., additional information about one or more pressures associated with the VGT 214 or additional information about the expansion ratio associated with the VGT 214), and can process (e.g., parse, read, and / or analyze) the additional information to identify the second expansion ratio associated with the VGT 214. Accordingly, the controller 180 can directly identify the second expansion ratio (e.g., by calculating the second expansion ratio based on the inlet pressure associated with the VGT 214 and / or the outlet pressure associated with the VGT 214 included in the additional information about one or more pressures associated with the VGT 214), or alternatively, can indirectly identify the second expansion ratio (e.g., by identifying the expansion ratio associated with the VGT 214 included in the additional information about the expansion ratio associated with the VGT 214).

[0038] The controller 180 may determine second wear protection information associated with the VGT 214 (e.g., based on a second expansion ratio associated with the VGT 214). The second wear protection information may indicate a second force reduction threshold position of the VGT 214. The second force reduction threshold position may be a position of the VGT 214 associated with a maximum force allowed to be applied to one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214. That is, the second force reduction threshold position may be a position capable of reducing the force-related wear amount of one or more adjustable components. For example, when the "lower" position of the VGT 214 is associated with a "closed" or "partially closed" position (compared to the "higher" position of the VGT 214 associated with an "open" or "partially open" position of the VGT 214), the second force reduction threshold position may be the minimum position of the VGT 214 (e.g., associated with the maximum "closed amount" of the VGT 214), which results in a force applied to one or more adjustable components being less than or equal to the maximum force.

[0039] The controller 180 may determine the second force reduction threshold position based on the second expansion ratio associated with the VGT 214. For example, the controller 180 may process the second expansion ratio (e.g., by performing one or more operations) to determine the second force reduction threshold position (e.g., because the second force reduction threshold may be a function of the second expansion ratio or may have a relationship with the second expansion ratio). As another example, the controller 180 may search a look-up table based on the second expansion ratio to determine the second force reduction threshold position.

[0040] In some embodiments, the controller 180 may obtain second performance information, for example, from a sensor 320 of the machine 100 or another controller. The second performance information may indicate a second desired position of the VGT 214 (e.g., another position where one or more adjustable components move to provide a desired performance of the VGT 214). The second desired position may be a position of the VGT 214 associated with another desired power output or response to be provided by the VGT 214 (e.g., for the power system 200) (e.g., regardless of the magnitude of the force applied to one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214). Thus, the controller 180 may process (e.g., read, parse, and / or analyze) the second performance information to identify the second desired position of the VGT 214.

[0041] The controller 180 may determine a second optimized position of the VGT 214 (e.g., based on the second wear reduction information and the second performance information). For example, the controller 180 may select the second optimized position from a second force reduction threshold position of the VGT 214 (e.g., indicated by the second wear reduction information) and a second desired position of the VGT 214 (e.g., indicated by the second performance information). When the "lower" position of the VGT 214 is associated with a "closed" or "partially closed" position (compared to the "higher" position of the VGT 214 associated with an "open" or "partially open" position of the VGT 214), the controller 180 may select the second optimized position of the VGT 214 as the minimum of the second force reduction threshold position of the VGT 214 and the second desired position of the VGT 214.

[0042] Accordingly, the controller 180 may cause the VGT 214 to be adjusted to the second optimized position. For example, the controller 180 may communicate with one or more control devices 310 (e.g., send one or more control signals) to cause one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214 to move to (or remain at) the second optimized position. In this way, the controller 180 may adjust the VGT 214 in a manner that avoids applying excessive force on one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214 (e.g., avoids a force greater than the maximum force allowed to be applied on one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214) and allows the VGT 214 to provide the desired (or near-desired) performance. For example, causing the VGT 214 to be adjusted to the second optimized position by the controller 180 results in a second force on one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214 that is less than or equal to a threshold force (e.g., the maximum force allowed to be applied on one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214).

[0043] In this way, in a manner similar to the above, the controller 180 may continuously cause the VGT 214 to operate within a force-related wear reduction operating range. For example, the controller 180 causes the VGT 214 to be adjusted to an optimized position (e.g., the first optimized position or the second optimized position described herein), which causes a force to be applied on one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214 that is within the force-related wear reduction operating range. Additionally, in this way, the controller 180 may cause the VGT 214 not to operate within a force-related wear increase operating range (e.g., as further described herein regarding Figure 4 ).

[0044] As shown above, provided Figure 3 as an example. Other examples may be different from those described in connection with Figure 3 .

[0045] Figure 4Schematic diagram of example graph 400 associated with a force (e.g., in Newtons (N) or another force measurement unit) applied to one or more adjustable components of VGT 214. As Figure 4 shown, the force applied to one or more adjustable components of VGT 214 can be based on the expansion ratio associated with VGT 214, shown as a range from 1.0 to 3.5, and the position of VGT 214, shown as a position percentage in the range from 10 to 50. The position percentage indicates the degree to which VGT 214 is "open". For example, a 10 position percentage means VGT 214 is open 10% (e.g., VGT 214 is in the "mostly closed" position), and a 50 position percentage means VGT 214 is open 50%. Example forces applied to one or more adjustable components of VGT 214 are represented by curves 402, 404, 406, 408, and 410, where the force associated with curve 402 is less than the force associated with curve 404, the force associated with curve 404 is less than the force associated with curve 406, the force associated with curve 406 is less than the force associated with curve 408, and the force associated with curve 408 is less than the force associated with curve 410. Overall, graph 400 shows that the force applied to one or more adjustable components of VGT 214 increases as the expansion ratio associated with VGT 214 increases and the position of VGT 214 closes.

[0046] As Figure 4 further shown therein, example graph 400 includes a force-related wear reduction operating range 412 and a force-related wear increase operating range 414. The force-related wear reduction operating range 412 can include a combination of the expansion ratio associated with VGT 214 and the position of VGT 214 that results in a force applied to one or more adjustable components of VGT 214 that is less than or equal to the maximum force 416 (e.g., the maximum force allowed to be applied to one or more adjustable components in order to be able to reduce the amount of force-related wear of one or more adjustable components). In contrast, the force-related wear increase operating range 414 can include a combination of the expansion ratio associated with VGT 214 and the position of VGT 214 that results in a force applied to one or more adjustable components of VGT 214 that is greater than the maximum force 416.

[0047] Thus, as described herein, the controller 180 may cause the VGT 214 to operate within the force-related wear reduction operating range 412 (e.g., may cause the VGT 214 to be adjusted to a position that prevents forces from being applied to one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214 from being greater than the maximum force 416). In other words, the controller 180 may cause the VGT 214 to not operate within the force-related wear increase operating range 414 (e.g., to prevent forces from being applied to one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214 from being greater than the maximum force 416). That is, the controller 180 may prevent the VGT 214 from operating within the force-related wear increase operating range 414.

[0048] As indicated above, provide Figure 4 As an example. Other examples may be different from combining Figure 4 as described.

[0049] Figure 5 is a flow chart of an example process 500 associated with control of a VGT. Figure 5 One or more process blocks of may be performed by a controller (e.g., controller 180) of a machine (e.g., machine 100). Additionally or alternatively, Figure 5 One or more process blocks of may be performed by another device or group of devices separate from or including the controller, such as another device or component internal or external to the machine.

[0050] like Figure 5 As shown, process 500 may include identifying an expansion ratio associated with a VGT of a machine (block 510). For example, as described above, a controller may identify an expansion ratio associated with a VGT of a machine.

[0051] like Figure 5 As further shown, process 500 may include determining wear reduction information (block 520). For example, as described above, the controller may determine wear reduction information indicative of a force reduction threshold position of the VGT based on the expansion ratio.

[0052] like Figure 5 As further shown, process 500 may include selecting an optimal position for the VGT (block 530). For example, as described above, the controller may select an optimal position for the VGT based on the wear reduction information and performance information indicating a desired position for the VGT.

[0053] like Figure 5 As further shown in FIG. 5 , process 500 may include causing the VGT to be adjusted to an optimized position (block 540). For example, as described above, the controller may cause the VGT to be adjusted to an optimized position. In some embodiments, causing the VGT to be adjusted to a first optimized position causes the VGT to operate within a force-related wear reduction operating range and / or not operate within a force-related wear increase operating range.

[0054] Although Figure 5 illustrative blocks of process 500 are shown, in some embodiments, process 500 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks compared to those depicted in Figure 5 . Additionally or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 500 may be executed in parallel.

[0055] Industrial Applicability

[0056] The techniques described above allow the controller 180 of the machine 100 to control the VGT 214 associated with the power source 160 (e.g., control one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214), and the power source 160 may include the power system 200. The controller 180 causes the VGT 214 to operate within the force-related wear reduction operating range 412. For example, the controller 180 identifies the expansion ratio associated with the VGT 214 to determine wear reduction information indicative of a force reduction threshold position of the VGT 214. The controller 180 also obtains performance information indicative of a desired position of the VGT 214. The controller 180 then selects an optimized position for the VGT 214 from the force reduction threshold position and the desired position (e.g., a position within the force-related wear reduction operating range 412 and that allows the VGT 214 to provide desired or near-desired performance), and causes the VGT 214 to be adjusted to the optimized position.

[0057] In this manner, by causing the VGT 214 to operate within the force-related wear reduction operating range 412, the controller 180 adjusts (e.g., continuously adjusts) the VGT 214 in a manner that avoids excessive force on one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214 (e.g., avoids a force greater than the maximum force allowed to be applied on one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214) and allows the VGT 214 to provide desired (or near-desired) performance. Additionally, by avoiding applying excessive force on one or more adjustable components of the VGT 214, the controller 180 reduces the amount of force-related wear of the one or more adjustable components that would otherwise be generated by the movement of the one or more adjustable components. Thus, this improves the durability of the one or more adjustable components and reduces the likelihood of failure of the VGT 214, which reduces the likelihood of impairment of the performance of the power system 200, the power source 160, and / or the machine 100 due to failure of the VGT 214.

[0058] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations can be made in light of the above disclosure, or can be obtained from practice of the embodiments. Additionally, any embodiments described herein can be combined, unless the foregoing disclosure explicitly provides a reason that one or more of the embodiments cannot be combined. Even if a particular combination of features is recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, such combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of the various embodiments. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of the various embodiments includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim group.

[0059] When a "processor" or "one or more processors" (or another device or component, such as a "controller" or "one or more controllers") is described or claimed (within a single claim or across multiple claims) as performing multiple operations or being configured to perform multiple operations, such language is intended to broadly cover a variety of processor architectures and environments. For example, unless otherwise explicitly stated (e.g., by using "a first processor" and "a second processor" or other language in the claims that differentiates processors), such language is intended to cover a single processor that performs or is configured to perform all of the operations, a group of processors that jointly perform or are configured to perform all of the operations, a first processor that performs or is configured to perform a first operation and a second processor that performs or is configured to perform a second operation, or any combination of processors that perform or are configured to perform these operations. For example, when a claim has the form: "One or more processors are configured to: perform X; perform Y; and perform Z", the claim should be interpreted to mean "One or more processors are configured to perform X; one or more (possibly different) processors are configured to perform Y; and one or more (likewise possibly different) processors are configured to perform Z."

[0060] As used herein, "a", "an", and "one" are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with "one or more". Additionally, as used herein, the article "the" is intended to include one or more items referenced in conjunction with the article "the" and may be used interchangeably with "the one or more". Further, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "at least partially based on" unless otherwise explicitly stated. Additionally, as used herein, the term "or" when used in a series is intended to be inclusive and may be used interchangeably with "and / or" unless otherwise explicitly stated (e.g., if used in combination with "one of" or "only one of"). Additionally, for ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "below", "lower", "above", "upper", etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as shown in the figures. Except for the orientation shown in the figures, spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device, apparatus, and / or element during use or operation. The device may be oriented otherwise (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

Claims

1. A machine comprising: Variable geometry turbocharger (VGT); and A controller configured to: identifying a first expansion ratio associated with the VGT; determining first wear reduction information indicative of a first force reduction threshold position of the VGT based on the first expansion ratio; obtaining first performance information indicative of a first desired position of the VGT; selecting a first optimized position of the VGT from among the first force reduction threshold position of the VGT and the first desired position of the VGT based on the first wear reduction information and the first performance information; Adjusting the VGT to the first optimal position; identifying a second expansion ratio associated with the VGT based on having the VGT adjusted to the first optimized position; determining second wear reduction information indicative of a second force reduction threshold position of the VGT based on the second expansion ratio; obtaining second performance information indicative of a second desired position of the VGT; selecting a second optimized position of the VGT from among the second force reduction threshold position of the VGT and the second desired position of the VGT based on the second wear reduction information and the second performance information; and The VGT is adjusted to the second optimal position.

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein: The controller causing the VGT to be adjusted to the first optimized position causes a first force on one or more adjustable components of the VGT to be less than or equal to a threshold force.

3. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The controller causing the VGT to be adjusted to the second optimal position causes a second force on the one or more adjustable components of the VGT to be less than or equal to the threshold force.

4. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The first force and the second force are within a force-dependent wear reduction operating range of the VGT.

5. A controller for a machine, comprising: one or more memories; as well as One or more processors configured to: identifying a first expansion ratio associated with a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) of the machine; determining first wear reduction information indicative of a first force reduction threshold position of the VGT based on the first expansion ratio; selecting a first optimized position for the VGT based on the first wear reduction information and first performance information indicative of a first desired position for the VGT; Adjusting the VGT to the first optimal position; identifying a second expansion ratio associated with the VGT; determining second wear reduction information indicative of a second force reduction threshold position of the VGT based on the second expansion ratio; selecting a second optimized position for the VGT based on the second wear reduction information and second performance information indicative of a second desired position for the VGT; and The VGT is adjusted to the second optimal position.

6. The controller according to claim 5, wherein: The controller, which causes the VGT to be adjusted to the first optimized position and causes the VGT to be adjusted to the second optimized position, causes the VGT to operate within a force-dependent wear reduction operating range.

7. A controller according to any one of claims 5 to 6, wherein: The controller causing the VGT to be adjusted to the first optimized position and causing the VGT to be adjusted to the second optimized position causes the VGT to not operate within a force-dependent wear increasing operating range.

8. The controller according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein: To determine the first wear reducing information, the one or more processors are configured to: The first expansion ratio is processed to determine the first force reduction threshold position of the VGT.

9. The controller according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein: To determine the first wear reducing information, the one or more processors are configured to: A lookup table is searched based on the first expansion ratio to determine the first force reduction threshold position of the VGT.

10. The controller according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein: To select the first optimized position of the VGT, the one or more processors are configured to: The first optimized position of the VGT is selected from the first force reduction threshold position of the VGT and the first desired position of the VGT.

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