Engine data processor, internal combustion engine and computer-implemented method for setting a power switching reserve

Abstract

Engine data processor (1) for setting a load switching reserve (2) for an internal combustion engine, comprising a controller (3) for maintaining at least one torque-limiting operating limit (26), wherein the controller has at least one control target (27), and a load switching reserve module (5) for determining the load switching reserve (2) for at least one torque-limiting operating limit (26), wherein the load switching reserve module (5) is configured to receive a torque setpoint (12), a load switching reserve setpoint (15), at least one operating limit (26) and at least one operating variable (4), and to generate an output signal (10) from the received values ​​(12, 15, 26, 4) and to output the output signal (10) to the controller (3), wherein the controller (3) is configured to adjust the control target (27) taking into account the output signal (10) so that the load switching reserve (2) corresponds to the load switching reserve setpoint (15).and to determine and output at least one control variable (11) for the internal combustion engine.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an engine data processor for setting a load switching reserve according to independent claim 1. Furthermore, it relates to a computer-implemented method for setting load switching reserve according to independent claim 7.

[0002] Internal combustion engines are often equipped with control systems. These systems receive and evaluate sensor data, process it using algorithms, and then determine and output manipulated variables. The manipulated variables output by a control system usually serve the purpose of operating various actuators of the internal combustion engine within safe limit ranges. These limit ranges can, for example, define a permissible temperature range or a permissible pressure range.

[0003] Internal combustion engines are used in vehicles as propulsion systems or in buildings in combination with a generator as a power generator. In an internal combustion engine, a supplied fuel is burned, producing mechanical power. This power can be used to drive a vehicle or a generator.

[0004] In many applications, the requirements for internal combustion engines include, in addition to meeting emissions standards and operating at optimal cost, the ability to deliver increased mechanical power with the shortest possible response times. The power reserve required for this is called the power shift reserve.

[0005] In known internal combustion engines of the type mentioned above, load shift reserves are not specified directly, but rather, for example, via a combined formulation of a target torque, a target consumption, a target air mass flow and a maximum permissible exhaust emission limit.

[0006] A disadvantage of the known internal combustion engines is therefore that the powershift reserve is specified indirectly via several variables, which is complex, entails high costs and can lead to irreversible damage to the internal combustion engine if the necessary specialist knowledge is lacking.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of enabling a cost-effective, safe and flexible configuration of internal combustion engines.

[0008] The object is achieved with an engine data processor according to independent claim 1.

[0009] An engine data processor according to the invention is used to set a power shift reserve for an internal combustion engine. The power shift reserve describes the ability to perform an instantaneous power increase from a first engine power output to a second engine power output within the shortest possible time period. Instantaneous power increases are often required in varying degrees depending on the application. From the beginning to the end of the changeover, instantaneous power increases require no longer than 0.1 to 0.3 seconds.

[0010] The engine data processor comprises a controller for maintaining at least one torque-limiting operating limit, wherein the controller has at least one control target. Controllers are characterized by at least one target variable, which is adjusted using at least one manipulated variable. Entering or selecting a new control target can preferably cause an adjustment of manipulated variables in the controller.

[0011] The engine data processor further comprises a load-switching reserve module for determining the load-switching reserve for at least one torque-limiting operating limit. The load-switching reserve module can be assigned to the controller. A torque-limiting operating limit is a limit on which the level of torque that can be provided by an engine or internal combustion engine during operation depends. A torque-limiting operating limit can, for example, be a maximum exhaust emission value of an internal combustion engine. A load-switching reserve can be determined for several torque-limiting operating limits. This means that the determined load-switching reserve can be provided while adhering to the considered operating limits.

[0012] The load switching reserve module is configured to receive a torque setpoint, a load switching reserve setpoint, at least one torque-limiting operating limit, and at least one operating variable.

[0013] The torque setpoint is a current setpoint for a torque to be provided by an internal combustion engine, for example according to a torque request sent by an engine application system.

[0014] The load-switching reserve setpoint is preferably a load-switching reserve value that is required due to application-specific requirements during the operation of an internal combustion engine. The load-switching reserve setpoint can have different values ​​in different applications of an internal combustion engine.

[0015] The at least one operating variable is a physical variable whose value helps determine whether an internal combustion engine is in a safe operating state. The operating variable can be measured, for example, and is preferably available as a received value or measured value.

[0016] Furthermore, the load switching reserve module is designed to generate an output signal from the torque setpoint, the load switching reserve setpoint, the at least one operating limit value and the at least one operating variable and to output the output signal to the controller, wherein the controller is designed to adapt the control target taking into account the output signal such that the load switching reserve corresponds to the load switching reserve setpoint, and to determine and output at least one manipulated variable for the internal combustion engine.

[0017] By adjusting the control target, the controller can advantageously not only adjust the load switching reserve but also monitor its compliance.

[0018] The application-specific configuration of machines is simplified by the adjustability of the powershift reserve setpoint by the engine data processor according to the invention. The simplified setting of powershift reserves increases the flexibility with regard to possible applications for internal combustion engines that are operatively connected to the engine data processor according to the invention. By setting the powershift reserve while taking into account at least one torque-limiting operating limit, the necessary specialist knowledge of the components of the internal combustion engine to be adjusted is advantageously reduced, which also reduces effort and costs.

[0019] The solution according to the invention can be further improved by various embodiments, each advantageous in itself and combinable with one another as desired. These embodiments and the associated advantages are discussed below. The advantages described with regard to the engine data processor and the internal combustion engine also apply to the computer-implemented method according to the invention, and vice versa.

[0020] According to a first possible embodiment, the at least one torque-limiting operating limit value comprises a minimum air mass flow value, a minimum combustion air ratio value, a maximum pressure value, a maximum fuel mass flow value, a maximum exhaust emission value, a maximum exhaust temperature, and / or a maximum engine speed value. These variables play an important role in determining the torque that can be provided by an internal combustion engine and enable the determination of a particularly robust powershift reserve. This increases the number of applications for which the internal combustion engine is suitable.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment, the output signal includes a penalty term that can be incorporated into the controller's control objective such that the load-switching reserve corresponds to the load-switching reserve setpoint. This simplifies the integration of the load-switching reserve into the controller's control objective and increases the accuracy of the load-switching reserve set by the controller, which further enhances the robustness and operational reliability of the internal combustion engines operatively connected to the engine data processor.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment, the load switching reserve is designed as a torque switching reserve. This allows for the adjustment of a torque increase from a first torque to a second torque, which may be necessary in special applications.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the engine data processor comprises a setpoint data interface for receiving the powershift reserve setpoint and the at least one torque-limiting operating limit, an operating variable data interface for receiving the at least one operating variable, and a data memory for reading the torque setpoint. This design simplifies the design of the engine data processor as a standalone and cost-effective unit with which existing internal combustion engines can be equipped.

[0024] The object can further be achieved with an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine comprises an engine data processor according to one of the above embodiments, wherein the load switching reserve can be provided by means of the at least one manipulated variable output by the engine data processor.

[0025] The internal combustion engine according to the invention benefits from the previously described advantages of the engine data processor through increased flexibility with regard to applications with high demands on the powershift reserve provided by the internal combustion engine. The simplified adjustability of the powershift reserve reduces the operating and configuration costs of the internal combustion engine and simplifies its conversion to other applications. The powershift reserve can advantageously be adjusted entirely within the engine data processor and thus internally within the internal combustion engine. Connecting the internal combustion engine to an external processing unit is possible but not mandatory.

[0026] The object underlying the above can further be achieved by a computer-implemented method according to claim 7.

[0027] A computer-implemented method according to the invention for setting a load-shift reserve for an internal combustion engine comprises the following steps: Receiving at least one torque-limiting operating limit, a load-switching reserve setpoint, at least one operating variable and a torque setpoint, determining a load-switching reserve for at least one operating limit, generating and outputting a penalty term for correcting deviations from the load-switching reserve setpoint, and generating and outputting one or more manipulated variables for an internal combustion engine taking into account the output penalty term.

[0028] All method steps can be carried out by the engine data processor according to the invention, whereby the method can be implemented cost-effectively.

[0029] Furthermore, the method simplifies the setting of load switching reserves by providing the possibility of directly entering an application-specific load switching reserve for an internal combustion engine by directly entering a load switching reserve setpoint.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, the method steps can be carried out at least partially by the above-mentioned external computing unit or by an external general-purpose computer.

[0031] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail by way of example with reference to the drawings.

[0032] The combination of features shown as an example in the embodiments shown can be supplemented by further features in accordance with the above statements according to the properties of the engine data processor according to the invention and / or the internal combustion engine according to the invention that are necessary for a specific application.

[0033] In accordance with the above, individual features may also be omitted if the effect of this feature is not relevant in a specific application.

[0034] In the drawings, the same reference symbols are used for elements with the same function and / or structure.

[0035] They show: Fig. 1 : a schematic representation of an engine data processor according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 2 : a schematic representation of an internal combustion engine according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 3 : the course of a load switching reserve setpoint and a load switching reserve as a function of time; and Fig. 4 : the schematic representation of a computer-implemented method for setting a power shift reserve for an internal combustion engine.

[0036] In the following, an engine data processor 1 according to the invention for setting a load switching reserve 2 is described with reference to Fig. 1 Furthermore, an internal combustion engine 20 according to the invention is described with reference to Fig. 2 , a curve of the load switching reserve 2 over time t based on the Fig. 3 and a method 100 according to the invention based on Fig. 4 described.

[0037] In Fig. 1 A simplified, schematic representation of the engine data processor 1 is shown. The engine data processor 1 can have a standalone processor board 16 and / or be integrated into a board of the internal combustion engine 20 (not shown). The units, blocks, and modules of the engine data processor 1 described below can each be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both.

[0038] The engine data processor 1 is provided for setting a load switching reserve 2 for an internal combustion engine and comprises a controller 3 for maintaining at least one torque-limiting operating limit value 26. The torque-limiting operating limit value 26 is a limit value on which the level of torque that can be provided by an engine or internal combustion engine during operation depends.

[0039] The controller 3 has at least one control target 27. The control target 27 can advantageously be configured as a fuel consumption function for regulating internal combustion engine operation while maintaining torque-limiting operating limits 26 and low fuel consumption values.

[0040] The torque limiting limit value 26 and the control target 27 can be received, for example, via a setpoint data interface 18.

[0041] Furthermore, the engine data processor 1 comprises a load switching reserve module 5 for determining the load switching reserve 2 for at least one torque-limiting operating limit value 26. The load switching reserve module 5 can be assigned to the controller 3.

[0042] A torque-limiting operating limit 26 can, for example, be a maximum exhaust emission value 28 of an internal combustion engine, which is received by the engine data processor 1 at the setpoint data interface 18. The load-shift reserve 2 can be determined for several torque-limiting operating limits 26. This means that the determined load-shift reserve 2 is provided while adhering to the considered operating limits 26.

[0043] The load switching reserve module 5 is designed to receive a torque setpoint 12, a load switching reserve setpoint 15, at least one torque-limiting operating limit value 26 and at least one operating variable 4.

[0044] The torque setpoint 12 is a current setpoint for a torque to be provided by an internal combustion engine, for example according to a torque request sent by an engine application system (not shown).

[0045] The load-switching reserve setpoint 15 is preferably a load-switching reserve value that is required due to application-specific requirements during the operation of an internal combustion engine. The load-switching reserve setpoint can have different values ​​in different applications of an internal combustion engine.

[0046] The at least one operating variable 4 is a physical variable or parameter whose value helps determine whether an internal combustion engine is in a safe operating state. The operating variable 4 can, for example, be measured and is preferably available as a received value or measured value. The operating variable 4 advantageously includes a current air mass flow value, a current pressure value, a fuel mass flow value, and / or an engine speed value.

[0047] Furthermore, the load switching reserve module 5 is designed to generate an output signal 10 from the torque setpoint 12, the load switching reserve setpoint 15, the at least one operating limit value 26 and the at least one operating variable 4 and to output the output signal 10 to the controller 3, wherein the controller 3 is designed to adapt the control target 27 taking into account the output signal 10 such that the load switching reserve 2 corresponds to the load switching reserve setpoint 15, and to determine and output at least one manipulated variable 11 for an internal combustion engine.

[0048] By adjusting the control target 27, the controller 3 can advantageously not only adjust the load switching reserve 2 but also monitor its compliance.

[0049] According to a first possible embodiment, the at least one torque-limiting operating limit value 26 comprises a minimum air mass flow value, a minimum combustion air ratio value, a maximum pressure value, a maximum fuel mass flow value, a maximum exhaust emission value, a maximum exhaust temperature, and / or a maximum engine speed value. The pressure value can advantageously be the pressure of a charge air pumped into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine prior to combustion. Alternatively, the pressure value can correspond to the pressure at which a fuel combustion process takes place in the internal combustion engine. The torque-limiting operating limit values ​​26 play an important role in determining the torque that can be provided by an internal combustion engine and enable the determination of a particularly robust loadshift reserve 2.This increases the number of applications for which an internal combustion engine equipped with the engine data processor 1 is suitable.

[0050] According to an advantageous embodiment, the output signal 10 comprises a penalty term 13, which can be incorporated into the control target 27 of the controller 3 such that the load switching reserve 2 corresponds to the load switching reserve setpoint 15. This simplifies the integration of the load switching reserve 2 into the control target 27 of the controller and increases the accuracy of the load switching reserve 2 set by the controller 3, which further increases the robustness and operational reliability of the internal combustion engines operatively connected to the engine data processor 1.

[0051] In a further advantageous embodiment, the load switching reserve 2 is designed as a torque switching reserve 14. This allows the adjustment of a torque increase from a first torque to a second torque, which may be necessary in special applications.

[0052] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the engine data processor 1 comprises, in addition to the setpoint data interface 18 for receiving the load switching reserve setpoint 15 and the at least one torque-limiting operating limit 26, an operating variable data interface 19 for receiving the at least one operating variable 4, and a data memory 17 for reading out the torque setpoint 12. This structure simplifies the design of the engine data processor 1 as an independent and cost-effective unit with which existing internal combustion engines can be equipped.

[0053] The engine data processor 1 preferably has an output data interface 23 which is designed to output one or more manipulated variables 11.

[0054] The data memory 17 has, for example, a torque model configured as a lookup table 24. Using the lookup table 24, the torque setpoint 12 can be determined, for example, as a function of one or more operating variables 4, and retrieved by the load-switching reserve module 5. In an advantageous embodiment, the data memory 17 can have at least one preset load-switching reserve setpoint 15.

[0055] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the internal combustion engine 20 according to the invention. The internal combustion engine 20 comprises an engine data processor 1 according to one of the above embodiments, wherein the load switching reserve 2 can be provided by means of the at least one manipulated variable 11 output by the engine data processor 1.

[0056] In the internal combustion engine 20, a fuel 22 fed into a motor 25 is combusted, thereby providing mechanical power 21. The mechanical power 21 is characterized by a torque and a rotational speed, which serves to drive a consumer system (not shown). The consumer system can advantageously be a machine, a vehicle, or a generator.

[0057] The internal combustion engine 20 according to the invention benefits from the already described advantages of the engine data processor 1 and offers increased flexibility with regard to applications with corresponding requirements on the load switching reserve 2 to be provided by the internal combustion engine 20.

[0058] Fig. 3 shows a curve of the load switching reserve 2 set by the engine data processor 1 and provided by the internal combustion engine 20 (see Fig. 3 , above) depending on a load switching reserve setpoint 15 (see Fig. 3 , below).

[0059] The lower curve ( Fig. 3 , below) shows the curve of the load switching reserve setpoint 15 as a function of time t. At a time p, for example, by entering a new load switching reserve setpoint 15, an initial value of the load switching reserve setpoint 15,n1 is increased to a new load switching reserve setpoint 15,n2. The new load switching reserve setpoint 15,n2 is entered into the engine data processor 1, for example, by a user (not shown).

[0060] The upper curve ( Fig. 3 , above) shows how the current load switching reserve 2 up to time p as well as the load switching reserve setpoint 15,n1 and starts to increase depending on the new load switching reserve setpoint 15,n2 at time p. With a time delay d, the load switching reserve 2 is adjusted to the new value n2 of the load switching reserve setpoint 15. When the time delay d has elapsed, the load switching reserve 2 corresponds to the load switching reserve setpoint 15. In this case, both the load switching reserve 2 and the load switching reserve setpoint 15 are n2.

[0061] The simplified adjustability of the load-switching reserve 2 reduces the operating and configuration costs of the internal combustion engine 20 and simplifies its conversion to other applications. The adjustment of the load-switching reserve 2 can advantageously be carried out entirely in the engine data processor 1 and thus internally in the internal combustion engine 20. Connecting the internal combustion engine 20 to an external processing unit is possible but not mandatory.

[0062] Fig. 4 shows a computer-implemented method 100 for setting a powershift reserve 2 for an internal combustion engine. The computer-implemented method 100 comprises the following steps: Step 101: Receiving at least one torque-limiting operating limit value 26, a load-switching reserve setpoint 15, at least one operating variable (4) and a torque setpoint 12, Step 102: Determining a load-switching reserve 2 for at least one torque-limiting operating limit value 26, Step 103: Generating and outputting a penalty term 13 for correcting deviations of the load-switching reserve 2 from the load-switching reserve setpoint 15, and Step 104: Generating and outputting one or more manipulated variables 11 for an internal combustion engine taking into account the output penalty term 13.

[0063] All method steps can be executed by the motor data processor 1 according to the invention, whereby the method 100 can thus be implemented cost-effectively and for automatic execution.

[0064] Furthermore, the method 100 simplifies the setting of load switching reserves 2 by providing an option to directly enter a new, application-dependent load switching reserve 2 for an internal combustion engine via the direct input of a load switching reserve setpoint 15.

[0065] Alternatively or additionally, the method steps can be carried out at least partially by the above-mentioned external computing unit or by an external general-purpose computer.

Claims

1. Engine data processor (1) for setting a load-switching reserve (2) for an internal combustion engine, comprising: - a controller (3) for maintaining at least one torque-limiting operating limit value (26), wherein the controller has at least one control target (27), and - a load-switching reserve module (5) for determining the load-switching reserve (2) for at least one torque-limiting operating limit value (26), - wherein the load-switching reserve module (5) is designed: - to receive a torque setpoint (12), a load-switching reserve setpoint (15), at least one operating limit value (26) and at least one operating variable (4), and - to generate an output signal (10) from the received values (12, 15, 26, 4) and to output the output signal (10) to the controller (3), - wherein the controller (3) is designed to adapt the control target (27) taking into account the output signal (10) such that the load-switching reserve (2) Load switching reserve setpoint (15) corresponds,and to determine and output at least one manipulated variable (11) for the internal combustion engine., 2. Engine data processor (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one torque-limiting operating limit value (26) comprises a minimum air mass flow value, a minimum combustion air ratio value, a maximum pressure value, a maximum fuel mass flow value, a maximum exhaust emission value, a maximum exhaust temperature and / or a maximum engine speed value.

3. Engine data processor (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the output signal (10) includes a penalty term (13) which can be incorporated into the control target (27) of the controller (3) such that the load switching reserve (2) corresponds to the load switching reserve setpoint (15).

4. Engine data processor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the load switching reserve (2) is designed as a torque switching reserve (14).

5. Engine data processor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: - a setpoint data interface (18) for receiving the load switching reserve setpoint (15) and the at least one operating limit value (26), - an operating variable data interface (19) for receiving the at least one operating variable (4), and - a data memory (17) for reading out the torque setpoint (12).

6. Internal combustion engine (20) for providing a mechanical power (21), comprising an engine data processor (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the load switching reserve (2) can be provided by means of the at least one manipulated variable (11) output by the engine data processor (1).

7. Computer-implemented method (100) for setting a load switching reserve (2) for an internal combustion engine, comprising the following steps: Step 101: receiving one or more operating limit values (26), a load switching reserve setpoint (15), an operating variable (4) and a torque setpoint (12), Step 102: determining a load switching reserve (2) for at least one operating limit value (26), Step 103: generating and outputting a penalty term (13) for correcting deviations of the load switching reserve (2) from the load switching reserve setpoint (15), and Step 104: generating and outputting one or more manipulated variables (11) for an internal combustion engine taking into account the output penalty term (13).

Images