Electronically-Controlled Turbocharger Engine Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current control strategies for electronically-controlled turbochargers integrated with internal combustion engines lack efficient methods to manage engine output during autoshifting, leading to engine speed flare and torque drops, which affect fuel efficiency and vehicle performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that uses an engine control unit (ECU) to control an electronically-controlled turbocharger (ECT) through a motor/generator control process, which operates as a motor or generator to manage engine speed and torque during gear shifts, ensuring synchronous engagement and maintaining target engine output torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional control strategies are used during autoshifting, then the transmission can shift gears, but engine speed flare and torque drops occur, reducing fuel efficiency and vehicle performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by controlling the turbocharger to maintain target engine output torque before and during the autoshift event. The ECU proactively adjusts turbocharger operation to prevent engine speed flare and torque drops, ensuring smooth transition through the shift event without energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring engine operating conditions and adjusting turbocharger control accordingly. The ECU uses real-time data to maintain target engine output torque during autoshifting, correcting deviations in engine speed and torque to optimize fuel efficiency.
2Power
If the turbocharger rotational speed is not controlled during autoshifting, then the system is simpler, but engine output torque fluctuates and vehicle performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electronically-controlled turbocharger system performs multiple functions: it maintains engine output torque during autoshifting, controls engine speed flare, and optimizes vehicle performance. The single turbocharger system integrates these diverse functions through electronic control, avoiding the need for separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical torque control mechanisms with electronic control. The ECU electronically adjusts turbocharger operation to maintain target engine output torque, substituting mechanical complexity with programmable electronic control that achieves the same performance goals more efficiently.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively mitigates engine speed flare and torque drops during gear shifts, enhancing fuel efficiency and vehicle performance by optimizing engine operation and reducing fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an electric machine coupled to the turbocharger shaft and operable in both motor and generator modes
Implementation Method 2
a compressor coupled to the turbine shaft and operable to compress intake air
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
An internal-combustion engine has an electronically-controlled one of a turbocharger and an exhaust-driven turbo supercharger coupled to an exhaust duct of the engine, and the engine is controlled during a shift event of a transmission coupled to an output shaft of the engine by determining a target engine speed at the end of the shift event, and controlling electrical energy supplied to an electric machine, rotatably coupled to a rotatable shaft that is rotatably coupled to the electronically-controlled turbocharger or exhaust-driven turbo supercharger, to control rotation of the rotatable shaft coupled to the turbocharger or exhaust-driven turbo supercharger to attain the target engine speed.