Engine cooling system controls and processes

Abstract

A system includes a cooling system for an internal combustion engine and an electronic control system for controlling the cooling system. The electronic control system is configured to determine a feed-forward target temperature of a coolant of the cooling system using a model based on a simulation of a heat generation amount and a cooling capacity of the system. The electronic control system is further configured to determine an output command based on the target coolant temperature and the actual coolant temperature to prioritize and drive one or more of the thermal management valve, the water pump, and / or the cooling fan, respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to engine cooling systems and controls, control processes and control systems for engine cooling systems, and related devices, processes, systems, and technologies. Background Art

[0002] Controls, control processes, and control systems for engine cooling systems and controls for such systems have many drawbacks, including those related to: the adjustability of coolant temperature, the timeliness and response time of adjusting coolant temperature, and the accuracy of coolant temperature adjustment. As a result, if these drawbacks are not addressed, increased engine emissions, reduced thermal efficiency, and reduced fuel efficiency may occur during engine operation. There is still a significant need for the unique devices, processes, systems, and technologies disclosed herein.

[0003] Disclosure of Example Embodiments

[0004] To clearly, concisely, and accurately describe example embodiments of the present disclosure, the manner and process of their manufacture and use, and to enable them to be practiced, manufactured, and used, reference will now be made to certain example embodiments (including those shown in the drawings), and they will be described using specific language. However, it should be understood that this does not limit the scope of the invention, and the invention includes and protects such changes, modifications, and further applications of the example embodiments that would occur to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Some embodiments include unique cooling system controls for internal combustion engines. Further embodiments include unique devices, systems, and processes that incorporate or embody such controls. Further embodiments, forms, purposes, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits will become apparent from the following description and the drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating certain aspects of an example system for a vehicle, the example system including an example cooling system for an internal combustion engine.

[0007] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating certain aspects of an example control for a system for Figure 1 controlling coolant temperature.

[0008] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating certain aspects of an example control for a system for Figure 1 controlling coolant temperature.

[0009] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating for controlling during engine warm-up Figure 1Schematic illustration of certain aspects of an example control process for the coolant temperature of a system.

[0010] Figure 5 Illustrates an example control process for Figure 1 the thermal management valve of a cooling system for controlling

[0011] Figure 6 Illustrates an example control process for Figure 1 the water pump of a cooling system for controlling

[0012] Figure 7 Illustrates an example control process for Figure 1 the cooling fan of a cooling system for controlling Detailed Description

[0013] Referring to Figure 1 , a vehicle system 100 (also referred to as system 100) is illustrated. The vehicle system 100 includes an internal combustion engine 102 and a cooling system 110. The cooling system 110 is configured to supply coolant to various components of the engine 102 (such as the reducer 104) and / or other cooled components of the engine 102 and / or the system 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the system 100 is configured and provided on a vehicle 106 (such as a road vehicle, an off-road vehicle, or a work vehicle). In other embodiments, the engine 102 and the cooling system 110 may be provided in other forms, including non-vehicle applications.

[0014] In the illustrated embodiment, the cooling system 110 includes coolant that circulates through one or more coolant lines 112 forming one or more cooling loops. For example, the first cooling loop 114 includes a thermal management valve (TMV) 116 and a clutch water (coolant) pump (WP) 118. The cooling system 110 also includes a heat exchanger 120 (such as a radiator) and a clutch cooling fan 122 associated with the heat exchanger 120. The clutch cooling fan 122 is configured to start and operate at a variable speed to generate an air flow for cooling the coolant. A bypass 124 is provided to bypass the heat exchanger 120, such as when the TMV 116 is closed to prevent or reduce coolant flow through the heat exchanger 120.

[0015] The cooling system 110 may further include a second cooling circuit 126 for providing coolant to the reducer 104 at least during operating conditions in which the reducer 104 is active. In an embodiment, the reducer 104 is coupled to the output shaft of the engine 102 to assist in slowing down the engine 102 and / or the vehicle 106 without using engine or friction braking. In an embodiment, coolant is provided to the second cooling circuit 126 via the TMV 116, but other arrangements are also contemplated. In other embodiments, the reducer 104 is integrated into the first cooling circuit 114.

[0016] In an embodiment, the TMV 116 is a variable thermostat having a ball valve that is controlled by an actuator from a fully closed (0%) condition to a fully open (100%) condition and to any position therebetween in response to a TMV command. In an embodiment, the WP 118 is a clutch pump that can operate at multiple speeds. For example, in response to a WP 118 output command, the WP 118 can operate at full speed, half speed, or zero speed. In an embodiment, the clutch cooling fan 122 is electronically controlled using pulse width modulation (PWM) in response to a desired fan level to control the output of the fan 122 between 0% (fan off) and 100% (fan maximum speed).

[0017] The system 100 further includes an electronic control system (ECS) 130 that communicates with the engine 102 and the cooling system 110 and is configured to control one or more aspects of the engine 102 and the cooling system 110, including controlling the operation of the TMV 116, the WP 118, and the fan 122. The ECS 130 generally includes at least one electronic control unit (ECU) 132 configured to perform the operations of the ECS 130 as further described herein, and in some embodiments, the ECS 130 may include additional ECUs configured to perform the operations of the ECS 130 as further described herein.

[0018] The ECS130 includes one or more sensors, which may be physical sensors, virtual sensors, and / or hybrid physical-virtual sensors. In an embodiment, the one or more sensors include a coolant temperature sensor 134. The one or more sensors may further include one or more heat generation sensors 136, such as, for example, an engine load sensor, an accelerator pedal sensor, a decelerator sensor, and / or a grade sensor, for providing parameters for determining the heat generation value of the system 100. The one or more sensors may additionally further include one or more cooling capacity sensors 138, such as a vehicle speed sensor, a coolant flow sensor, an intake grille sensor, and / or an ambient air temperature sensor, for providing parameters for determining the cooling capacity value of the system 100. Other embodiments may additionally or alternatively include other sensors that communicate with other components of the system 100 and are located at different positions of the system 100.

[0019] The ECS130 may be further configured to control other parameters of the engine 102, and the other parameters may include aspects of the engine 102 that may be controlled by system components activated or commanded by the ECS130. For example, the ECS130 may communicate with actuators and sensors for receiving and processing sensor inputs and transmitting actuator output signals. The actuators may include, but are not limited to, valves such as TMV116, clutches such as clutches for WP118 and / or fan 122, and / or electric motors such as electric motors for TMV116, WP118, and / or fan 122. The sensors may include any suitable device for monitoring the operating parameters and functions of the system 100.

[0020] Multiple aspects of the controls, processes, systems, and techniques described herein can be implemented electronically in an ECS 130, which can include one or more controllers for controlling different aspects of the system 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the ECS 130 includes one or more electronic control units (ECUs), such as ECU 132, and may also include additional or alternative control structures. The control structure of the ECS 130 can consist of digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or a hybrid combination of both types. Moreover, the control structure of the ECS 130 can be programmable, can be an integrated state machine, or can be a hybrid combination thereof. The control structure of the ECS 130 can include one or more arithmetic logic units (ALUs), central processing units (CPUs), memories, limiters, regulators, filters, format converters, etc., which are not shown for the sake of clarity. The control structure of the ECS 130 can have various programmable components that execute algorithms and process data according to an operating logic defined by programming instructions, such as software or firmware. Alternatively or additionally, the operating logic for the control structure of the ECS 130 can be at least partially defined by hardwired logic or other hardware.

[0021] In addition to the sensor types described herein, any other suitable sensors and their associated parameters can be encompassed by the controls, processes, systems, and techniques of the present disclosure. Thus, a sensor can include any suitable device for sensing any relevant physical parameters (including electrical parameters, mechanical parameters, and chemical parameters) of the system 100, including the engine 102, the reducer 104, the vehicle 106, and the cooling system 110. As used herein, the term "sensor" can include any suitable hardware and / or software for directly or indirectly sensing or estimating any engine system parameter and / or various combinations of these parameters.

[0022] Reference Figure 2 , illustrates an example control 200. The control 200 can be implemented in and executed by the ECU 132 or one or more additional or alternative control structures of the ECS 130.

[0023] The control 200 includes a feedforward compensation circuit 202 for determining a target coolant temperature (T target ) and for responding to a coolant temperature error (T actual ) based on the target coolant temperature and the actual coolant temperature (T error)and determine the feedback of the output command 236 or the closed-loop control circuit 204. The control 200 also includes an output command circuit 206 for determining command components 238, 240, 242 for the actuators of the TMV 116, WP 118, and the cooling fan 122, respectively, in response to the output command 236. In an embodiment, a time delay is imposed on the determination of the closed-loop control circuit 204 and the output command 236 due to the relatively slow response of the cooling system 110 in generating coolant temperature changes, thereby avoiding or reducing the actuators of the TMV 116, WP 118, and the fan 122 from cycling too frequently.

[0024] The control 200 includes system heat generation determination logic 220 that receives the engine load (or torque) 212, accelerator pedal position 214, driveline reduction gear state (on or off) 216, and the road grade 218 along which the vehicle is traveling as inputs. The control 200 also includes cooling capacity determination logic 230 that receives the vehicle speed 222, coolant flow rate 224, intake grille state (such as the amount of opening for receiving air flow) 226, and ambient air temperature 228 as inputs. The system heat generation amount determined by the logic 220 and the cooling capacity determined by the logic 230 can be provided as inputs to table selection logic configured to select a target coolant temperature from a table or model. The table or model can be based, for example, on simulations of the heat generation amount and cooling capacity of the system 100 and the target coolant temperature based on the simulation.

[0025] It should be understood that the target coolant temperature table and the simulation model on which it is based are an example of a control model configured to determine the target coolant temperature. Many other forms of such control models are envisioned, including, for example, selectable sets of formulas, selectable sets of adjustment coefficients, selectable sets of calculation algorithms, and other control structures configured and operable to facilitate the determination of the target coolant temperature that varies in response to both the heat generation amount and cooling capacity of the system 100.

[0026] The target coolant temperature 232 is provided as a feedforward target coolant temperature output to the closed-loop control circuit 204. The closed-loop control circuit 204 determines a coolant temperature error 234 and an output command 236 based on the coolant temperature error and the feedforward target coolant temperature. The output command 236 includes components 238, 240, 242 for controlling the TMV 116, WP 118, and the cooling fan 122 in a prioritized order.

[0027] In an embodiment, the closed-loop control circuit 204 is a feedback (FB) controller or control circuit that determines and outputs a command to minimize or reduce the difference between a target coolant temperature and an actual coolant temperature. The closed-loop control circuit 204 can be configured as a PID controller including a proportional gain, an integral gain, and a derivative gain, which are applied to the difference between the target coolant temperature and the actual coolant temperature in a parallel gain function, and the outputs of the parallel gain function are summed to generate the output of the closed-loop control circuit 204. In some forms, the closed-loop control circuit 204 can be configured as a PI controller, where the derivative gain is set to zero or is completely absent.

[0028] The feedforward target coolant temperature is also provided as an input to the closed-loop control circuit 204, which is configured to determine an output command 236. The feedforward target coolant temperature, based on, for example, a simulation or mathematical model of the coolant temperature control process, is provided as an input to the closed-loop control circuit 204. The output command 236 of the closed-loop control circuit 204 is used to establish the TMV116 valve position, the WP118 speed, and the PWM duty cycle of the cooling fan 122.

[0029] Referring Figure 3 , further details of an embodiment of the closed-loop control circuit 204 are shown and designated as control 300. The control 300 receives an input of the actual coolant temperature 302 from, for example, a coolant temperature sensor 134. The control 300 also receives the target coolant temperature 304 from, for example, the feedforward target coolant temperature table discussed above with respect to Figure 2 .

[0030] At a difference operator 306, the difference between the actual coolant temperature and the target coolant temperature is calculated and provided as an output 308 of the coolant temperature error. Additionally, the engine speed and actual coolant temperature inputs 310 are provided to a proportional gain table 312. The engine speed and actual coolant temperature inputs 314 are also provided to an integral gain table 316. The coolant temperature error, the proportional gain, and the integral gain are used as factors at block 318 to provide a proportional integral control output 320.

[0031] At a summing 326, the proportional integral output 320 is added to a feedforward coolant temperature output 324 determined from a feedforward coolant temperature table 322. This summing provides a final control output 328 based on the feedforward coolant temperature in response to the coolant temperature error. A limit 330 is applied to the final control output 328 to determine the output command 236 for the actuators of the TMV116, WP118, and cooling fan 122. As will be described below with reference to Figures 4-7Further discussed, the actuators of TMV116, WP118, and the cooling fan 122 are controlled in response to respective components 238, 240, 242 of the output command 236 to achieve a target coolant temperature or move the actual coolant temperature toward the target coolant temperature.

[0032] Referring Figure 4 , a process 400 for determining whether the system 100 is in a preheat condition of the engine 102 and / or one or more aftertreatment components is shown. The process 400 begins at 402 and continues at operation 404 to receive common data from the ECS130 and any system errors from the ECS130. The process 400 continues at condition 406 to determine whether the engine speed is greater than a speed threshold. If condition 406 is "no", the process 400 continues at operation 408, where the TMV116 is closed, the WP118 is stopped, and the cooling fan 122 is stopped.

[0033] If condition 406 is "yes", the process 400 continues at condition 410 to determine whether an error condition prevents continued management of the cooling system 110 to achieve the target coolant temperature. If condition 410 is "yes", the process 400 continues at operation 412 to initiate an error process to clear the system error if possible. If condition 410 is "no", the process 400 continues at operation 414 to place the TMV116, WP118, and the cooling fan 122 in their default states. In the default state according to an embodiment, the TMV116 is closed, the WP118 operates at half speed, and the cooling fan 122 is off.

[0034] The process 400 continues at condition 416 to determine whether the actual coolant temperature is greater than the preheat coolant temperature (T warmup ). If condition 416 is "yes", the process 400 continues at operations 418, 420, 422 to allow TMV control, WP control, and / or cooling fan control in response to the output command 236 to operate to achieve the target coolant temperature. If condition 418 is "no", the process 400 continues at condition 424 to determine whether the aftertreatment temperature is less than a cold temperature threshold. If condition 424 is "no", the process 400 returns to operation 414. If condition 424 is "yes", the process 400 continues at operation 426 to operate the WP118 at its high speed and close the TMV116 to bypass the heat exchanger 120 to increase the aftertreatment temperature.

[0035] Referring Figure 5, shows a process 500 for managing the TMV116 after the engine warm-up condition is met and in response to an output command 236. The process 500 is based on a first component 238 of the output command 236, which controls the TMV116 position in response to a target coolant temperature and an actual coolant temperature. The process 500 starts at 502 and continues at condition 504 to determine whether the control of the TMV116 is enabled. If condition 504 is "Yes", the process 500 continues at condition 506 to determine whether the actual coolant temperature is greater than the enabled coolant temperature (T enable ). If condition 504 or condition 506 is "No", the process 500 continues at operation 508 to maintain or position the TMV116 at its default position.

[0036] If condition 506 is "Yes", the control of the TMV116 is enabled at operation 510 in response to the difference between the target coolant temperature 512 and the actual coolant temperature 514, such as those described with respect to the closed-loop control circuit 204 and / or the control 300. The process 500 continues at operation 516 to determine the percentage command (ranging from 0% to 100%) for the TMV116 in response to the target coolant temperature and the coolant temperature error. The process 500 continues at operation 518 to provide an output value indicating the amount of movement of the TMV116 to achieve the percentage command from operation 516, or to achieve the default value from operation 508

[0037] The process 500 continues at condition 520 to determine whether the output value for the movement of the TMV116 from operation 518 is greater than a limit. For example, it may not be desirable to move the TMV116 from the fully open position to the fully closed position in one step. If condition 520 is "Yes", the process 500 continues at operation 522 to position the TMV116 at the limit. If condition 520 is "No", the process 500 continues at operation 524 to position the TMV116 in response to the output value corresponding to the percentage command determined at operation 516.

[0038] Referring to Figure 6 , shows a process 600 for managing the WP118 after the engine warm-up condition is met and in response to an output command 236. The process 600 is based on a second component 240 of the output command 236, which controls the WP118 speed in response to the target coolant temperature and the actual coolant temperature only after the TMV116 is opened 100% to direct flow through the heat exchanger 120.

[0039] Process 600 begins at 602 and continues at condition 604 to determine whether the enabling condition for operating WP118 at full speed is met. If condition 604 is "yes", process 600 continues at condition 606 to determine whether the coolant temperature is greater than the enabling temperature for operating WP118 at full speed and to determine whether TMV116 is 100% open.

[0040] If condition 604 and / or condition 606 is "no", process 600 continues at operation 608 to operate WP116 at half speed. Process 600 continues from operation 608 to operation 610 to output a drive command to operate WP118 at half speed. If condition 606 is "yes", process 600 continues at operation 612 to output a command to operate WP118 at full speed. Process 600 continues from operation 612 to operation 614 to output a drive command to operate WP118 at full speed.

[0041] Refer to Figure 7 , process 700 for managing the cooling fan 122 after the engine warm-up condition is met and in response to an output command 236 such as those elaborated with respect to the closed-loop control circuit 204 and / or the control 300 is shown. Process 700 is based on the third component 242 of the output command 236, and the third component 242 controls the engagement of the cooling fan 122 and the speed of the cooling fan 122 only when TMV116 is 100% open and WP118 is operating at full speed.

[0042] Process 700 begins at 702 and continues at condition 704 to determine whether one or more enabling conditions are met, such as whether the fan clutch is enabled and / or whether the cooling system 110 is enabled. If condition 704 is "no", process 700 continues at operation 706 to set the desired fan level of the cooling fan 122 at zero speed.

[0043] If condition 704 is "yes", process 700 continues at condition 708 to determine whether TMV116 is fully open and whether WP118 is operating at full speed. If condition 708 is "yes", process 700 continues at condition 710 to determine whether the coolant temperature is greater than the enabling condition. If condition 708 and / or condition 710 is "no", process 700 continues at operation 712 to set the base level of the cooling fan 122 to 0 or to disengage the cooling fan 122.

[0044] If condition 710 is "Yes", then process 700 continues at operation 714 to select a fan base level from a table, such as based on the third component 242 of output command 236, where the third component 242 is determined based on target coolant temperature 716 and actual coolant temperature 718. The fan base level can be selected, calculated, etc. from the table based on, for example, the amount of cooling to be provided by cooling fan 122. Process 700 continues from operation 714 to operation 720 to output the selected fan base level in response to the output of operation 712 or the PID fan control output selected at operation 714.

[0045] Process 700 continues at operation 722 to determine an adjusted base level output for cooling fan 122 in response to the selected fan base level. A correction factor from correction table 724 based on inlet air temperature 726 can be applied to determine the adjusted base level output at operation 722. At operation 728, the desired fan level is output based on the adjusted base level output. Operation 730 engages the fan clutch and provides PWM control of cooling fan 122 based on the desired fan level at operation 728.

[0046] Embodiments of the controls and processes according to the present disclosure are expected to provide many performance improvements in an example cooling system, and a non-limiting example of the example cooling system will now be described. In one example, a target coolant temperature can be achieved more efficiently and accurately than traditional open-loop control techniques, which may also allow for the use of a higher target coolant temperature. As a result, engine thermal efficiency increases, better combustion temperatures can be used, fuel efficiency increases, engine power losses are reduced, and fuel efficiency increases.

[0047] As described in the detailed description, the present disclosure contemplates multiple and various embodiments, including but not limited to the following exemplary embodiments. A first exemplary embodiment is a cooling system that includes a thermal management valve for controlling coolant flow in the cooling system, a water pump for generating coolant flow in the cooling system, and a cooling fan associated with a heat exchanger for cooling the coolant flow in the cooling system. A temperature sensor is configured to sense the temperature of the coolant, and an electronic control system includes at least one electronic control unit. The electronic control system is configured to: determine a target coolant temperature of the coolant in response to a plurality of inputs indicative of the heat generation amount and cooling capacity of the system and determine a temperature error in response to the target coolant temperature and the actual coolant temperature. In response to the temperature error and the target coolant temperature, the electronic control system is configured to: determine an output command to reduce the temperature error, the output command including: a first command component that first prioritizes maximizing the coolant flow through the thermal management valve; a second command component that prioritizes maximizing the coolant flow output by the water pump after executing the first command component; and a third command component that utilizes the cooling fan to generate an air flow to cool the coolant flow through the heat exchanger after executing the second command component. The electronic control system is further configured to: control the thermal management valve, the water pump, and the cooling fan using the first command component, the second command component, and the third command component of the output command.

[0048] In an embodiment, the target coolant temperature is a feed-forward value determined based on a model simulating the heat generation amount and cooling capacity of the system.

[0049] In an embodiment, the temperature error is added to the feed-forward target coolant temperature to determine the output command.

[0050] In an embodiment, the plurality of inputs indicative of the heat generation amount include: engine load, accelerator pedal position, retarder status, and route grade.

[0051] In an embodiment, the plurality of inputs indicative of the cooling capacity include: vehicle speed, coolant flow rate, intake grille condition, and ambient air temperature.

[0052] In an embodiment, the electronic control system is configured to determine the output command only after a certain delay from the determination of the previous output command to minimize overregulation of the system.

[0053] In an embodiment, the thermal management valve is a fully actuated valve capable of being positioned at any position from a fully open position to a fully closed position in response to the first command component.

[0054] In an embodiment, the water pump is a clutch water pump, and the clutch water pump is capable of operating at a maximum speed and half of the maximum speed in response to the second command component.

[0055] In an embodiment, the cooling fan is a clutch cooling fan, and the clutch cooling fan is capable of operating at any speed within the range of 0% to 100% of the maximum fan speed in response to the third command component.

[0056] In an embodiment, the electronic control system is configured to: fully open the thermal management valve in response to a first command component; after the thermal management valve is fully open, operate the water pump at full speed in response to a second component; and after the water pump is at full speed, operate the cooling fan in response to a third command component.

[0057] Another exemplary embodiment is a process for controlling a system including a cooling system, the cooling system including a thermal management valve that controls the coolant flow in the cooling system, a water pump that generates a coolant flow in the cooling system, and a cooling fan that generates an air flow to cool the coolant in a heat exchanger of the cooling system. The process includes: determining a target coolant temperature of the coolant in response to a plurality of inputs indicating the heat generation amount and cooling capacity of the system, and determining a temperature error in response to the target coolant temperature and the actual coolant temperature. The process further includes: determining an output command to reduce the temperature error in response to the temperature error and the target coolant temperature, the output command including: a first command component that first prioritizes maximizing the coolant flow through the thermal management valve; a second command component that prioritizes maximizing the coolant flow output by the water pump after executing the first command component; and a third command component that utilizes the cooling fan to generate an air flow to cool the coolant flow through the heat exchanger after executing the second command component. The process further includes using the output command to control the thermal management valve, the water pump, and the cooling fan.

[0058] In an embodiment, the target coolant temperature is a feedforward value determined based on a model that simulates the heat generation amount and cooling capacity of the system.

[0059] In an embodiment, the process includes adding the temperature error to the feedforward target coolant temperature to determine the output command.

[0060] In an embodiment, the plurality of inputs indicating the heat generation amount include: engine load, accelerator pedal position, retarder state, and route gradient.

[0061] In an embodiment, the plurality of inputs indicating the cooling capacity include: vehicle speed, coolant flow rate, intake grille condition, and ambient air temperature.

[0062] In an embodiment, the process includes determining the output command only after a certain delay determined from a previous output command to minimize overregulation of the system.

[0063] In an embodiment, controlling the thermal management valve includes moving the thermal management valve to a fully open position in response to the first command component.

[0064] In an embodiment, controlling the water pump includes increasing the water pump from half speed to full speed in response to the second command component.

[0065] In an embodiment, controlling the cooling fan includes engaging the cooling fan to operate at a speed within the range of 0% to 100% of the maximum fan speed in response to the third command component.

[0066] In an embodiment, using the output command to control the thermal management valve, the water pump, and the cooling fan includes: fully opening the thermal management valve in response to the first command component; operating the water pump at full speed in response to the second component after the thermal management valve is fully open; and operating the cooling fan in response to the third command component after the water pump is at full speed.

[0067] It should be understood that terms such as "non-transitory memory", "non-transitory memory medium", and "non-transitory memory device" refer to a variety of types of devices and storage media that can be configured to store information that can be read or executed by a processor or other component of a computer system, such as data or instructions, and such terms include and encompass a single or solitary device or medium that stores such information, multiple devices or media that store corresponding portions of such information across them or between them, and multiple devices or media that store multiple copies of such information across them or between them.

[0068] It should be understood that when used in conjunction with the control methods or processes, electronic control systems or controllers, electronic controls, or components or operations described previously, terms such as "determine" inclusively refer to any one of a plurality of individual or combined actions, configurations, devices, operations, and techniques, which actions, configurations, devices, operations, and techniques include but are not limited to calculating or inferring a parameter or value, obtaining a parameter or value from a lookup table or using a lookup operation, receiving a parameter or value from a data link or network communication, receiving an electronic signal (e.g., voltage, frequency, current, or pulse width modulation (PWM) signal) indicating the parameter or value, receiving a sensor output indicating the parameter or value, receiving other outputs or inputs indicating the parameter or value, reading the parameter or value from a memory location on a computer-readable medium, receiving the parameter or value as a runtime parameter, and / or by receiving parameters or values that can be used to calculate the interpreted parameter, and / or by referencing a default value interpreted as the parameter value.

[0069] Although example embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described in detail in the accompanying drawings and the foregoing description, the example embodiments of the present disclosure should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive in nature. It should be understood that only certain example embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications within the spirit of the claimed invention are intended to be protected. It should be understood that although the use of words such as "preferred", "preferably", "preferable" or "more preferably" in the foregoing description indicates that the features so described may be more desirable, it may not be necessary and embodiments lacking such features may be contemplated within the scope of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims. When reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as "a", "an", "at least one" or "at least a portion" are used, the claim is not intended to be limited to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language "at least a portion" and / or "a portion" is used, the item may include a portion and / or the whole item unless specifically stated to the contrary.

Claims

1. A system for cooling an internal combustion engine, the system comprising: A cooling system including a thermal management valve for controlling coolant flow in the cooling system, a water pump for generating coolant flow in the cooling system, and a cooling fan associated with a heat exchanger for cooling the coolant flow in the cooling system, and a temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of the coolant; and An electronic control system including at least one electronic control unit, the electronic control system being configured to: Determine a target coolant temperature of the coolant in response to a plurality of inputs indicative of the heat generation amount and cooling capacity of the system, Determine a temperature error in response to the target coolant temperature and the actual coolant temperature, Determine an output command to reduce the temperature error in response to the temperature error and the target coolant temperature, the output command including: a first command component that first prioritizes maximizing the coolant flow through the thermal management valve; a second command component that prioritizes maximizing the coolant flow output by the water pump after executing the first command component; and a third command component that generates an air flow using the cooling fan to cool the coolant flow through the heat exchanger after executing the second command component, and Control the thermal management valve, the water pump, and the cooling fan using the first command component, the second command component, and the third command component of the output command.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the target coolant temperature is a feedforward value determined based on a model simulating the heat generation amount and cooling capacity of the system.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the temperature error is added to the feedforward target coolant temperature to determine the output command.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of inputs indicative of the heat generation amount include: Engine load, accelerator pedal position, retarder status, and route gradient.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of inputs indicating the cooling capacity comprise: Vehicle speed, coolant flow rate, intake grille condition, and ambient air temperature.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic control system is configured to determine the output command only after a certain delay from the determination of the previous output command to minimize overregulation of the system.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the thermal management valve is a full-authority valve capable of being positioned at any position from a fully open position to a fully closed position in response to the first command component.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the water pump is a clutch water pump, and the clutch water pump is capable of operating at a maximum speed and half of the maximum speed in response to the second command component.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cooling fan is a clutch cooling fan, and the clutch cooling fan is capable of operating at any speed within a range of 0% to 100% of the maximum fan speed in response to the third command component.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic control system is configured to: Fully open the thermal management valve in response to the first command component; Operate the water pump at full speed in response to the second component after the thermal management valve is fully open; and Operate the cooling fan in response to the third command component after the water pump is at full speed.

11. A process for controlling a system including a cooling system, the cooling system including a thermal management valve that controls coolant flow in the cooling system, a water pump that generates coolant flow in the cooling system, and a cooling fan that generates an air flow to cool the coolant in a heat exchanger for cooling the cooling system, the process comprising: Determining a target coolant temperature of the coolant in response to a plurality of inputs indicative of heat generation and cooling capacity of the system, Determining a temperature error in response to the target coolant temperature and an actual coolant temperature, Determining an output command to reduce the temperature error in response to the temperature error and the target coolant temperature, the output command including: a first command component that first prioritizes maximizing the coolant flow through the thermal management valve; a second command component that, after executing the first command component, prioritizes maximizing the coolant flow output by the water pump; and a third command component that, after executing the second command component, uses the cooling fan to generate an air flow to cool the coolant flow through the heat exchanger, and Using the output command to control the thermal management valve, the water pump, and the cooling fan.

12. The process according to claim 11, wherein the target coolant temperature is a feedforward value determined based on a model that simulates heat generation and cooling capacity of the system.

13. The process according to claim 11, further comprising adding the temperature error to a feedforward target coolant temperature to determine the output command.

14. The process according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of inputs indicative of the heat generation amount comprise: Engine load, accelerator pedal position, retarder status, and route grade.

15. The process according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of inputs indicative of the cooling capacity comprise: Vehicle speed, coolant flow rate, intake grille condition, and ambient air temperature.

16. The process according to claim 11, further comprising determining the output command only after a certain delay from the determination of the previous output command to minimize overregulation of the system.

17. The process according to claim 11, wherein controlling the thermal management valve includes moving the thermal management valve to a fully open position in response to the first command component.

18. The process according to claim 17, wherein controlling the water pump includes increasing the water pump from half speed to full speed in response to the second command component.

19. The process according to claim 18, wherein controlling the cooling fan includes engaging the cooling fan to operate at a speed within a range of 0% to 100% of the maximum fan speed in response to the third command component.

20. The process according to claim 11, wherein using the output command to control the thermal management valve, the water pump, and the cooling fan includes: Fully opening the thermal management valve in response to the first command component; Operating the water pump at full speed in response to the second component after the thermal management valve is fully open; and Operating the cooling fan in response to the third command component after the water pump is at full speed.

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