Engine Air System Control for Coordinated VGT and EGR Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems for internal combustion engines, particularly those involving actuators like variable-geometry turbochargers and exhaust gas recirculation valves, struggle to accurately predict and coordinate the interactions between these components, leading to unintended system performance alterations.
Innovation Solution
A model predictive control system that integrates an intake throttle valve, exhaust gas recirculation valve, and variable-geometry turbocharger, utilizing an unconstrained model predictive controller (MPC) to generate coordinated commands based on sensor data and projected future behavior, optimizing actuator positions to improve engine performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If independent control maps are used for each actuator (VGT, EGR valve, intake throttle valve), then control simplicity is maintained, but system performance deteriorates due to uncoordinated interactions between actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent actuator control maps into a single multidimensional control map that simultaneously coordinates the VGT, EGR valve, and intake throttle valve. This unified control approach resolves the technical contradiction by merging separate control functions into an integrated system that accounts for actuator interactions, thereby improving system performance while maintaining control simplicity through a unified mapping structure.
2Device complexity
If a single-input single-output (SISO) control unit is used, then control system complexity is reduced, but control accuracy deteriorates for complex interacting systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-input single-output (SISO) control to a multidimensional control approach by creating a control map with multiple input parameters (engine speed, load, temperature) and multiple output parameters (VGT position, EGR valve position, intake throttle valve position). This dimensional expansion enables coordinated control of interacting actuators while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured mapping relationships.
3Measurement precision
If extensive calibration testing is performed to optimize actuator coordination, then control accuracy improves, but development time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary systematic calibration by establishing a comprehensive multidimensional control map that pre-coordinates all actuators across the entire operating range before production. This advance coordination work, done once during system development, eliminates the need for extensive iterative testing and adjustment during vehicle calibration, thereby achieving high control accuracy while reducing development time and cost.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine system (10) including an intake valve (26), an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve (30), and a variable-geometry turbocharger (VGT) (38) includes receiving sensor information (102, 104, 106, 108) including information indicative of a condition of air supplied to an internal combustion engine and a condition of exhaust exiting the internal combustion engine (14). The method also includes receiving a request (112, 202, 204) for an internal combustion engine (14), projecting a future behavior of the request (112, 202, 204), and based on the request and the projected future behavior of the request, generating commands (242) for actuating the intake valve (26), the EGR valve (30), and the VGT (38).