Exhaust Temperature Predictor for Closed-Loop Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional closed-loop control systems for temperature in exhaust-gas tracts of internal combustion engines are sluggish due to delay times and long heating phases, leading to suboptimal control and inability to react quickly to disturbances.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a temperature sensor upstream of a component in the exhaust-gas tract, coupled with a control circuit and a temperature model that predicts future temperature profiles, allowing for faster and more precise adjustment of manipulated variables, such as reserve torque, to achieve aggressive and responsive temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional closed-loop control systems are used for temperature control in exhaust-gas tracts, then the system is simple to implement, but the control response is sluggish and cannot react quickly to disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using a predictor model to calculate future temperature values before they actually occur. The controller uses the predicted future temperature (y_predicted[k+1]) to determine control actions in advance, rather than reacting to past temperature measurements. This allows the system to anticipate and respond to temperature changes before they manifest, significantly improving response speed without adding complex hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a predictor model as an intermediary between the temperature sensor and the controller. This mediator processes the raw temperature measurements and generates predicted future values, which then guide the control decisions. The predictor acts as a buffer that transforms delayed feedback into forward-looking control signals, enabling faster response without direct complex control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If conservative control settings are used to account for delay times and long heating phases, then the system remains stable, but the control becomes suboptimal and cannot react optimally to manipulated variables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements enhanced feedback by combining actual temperature measurements with predicted future temperatures. The control algorithm uses both the measured temperature (y_measured[k]) and the predicted temperature (y_predicted[k+1]) to create a comprehensive feedback signal. This dual-feedback mechanism maintains stability by grounding control actions in actual measurements while improving efficiency by incorporating predictive information about future temperature trends.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameter of the control system by shifting from reactive control based on past measurements to proactive control based on predicted future values. The controller modifies its behavior by using predicted temperature values with a future time offset (k+1), effectively changing when the control action is applied relative to the temperature state, thereby optimizing both stability and efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are positioned downstream of components for measurement, then the measurement reflects actual component temperature, but the control response is delayed due to transport time of exhaust gas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the downstream temperature measurement by using a predictor model to generate predicted temperature values at the component location. Instead of waiting for the actual temperature signal to propagate from the downstream sensor to the controller, the system generates a predicted copy of what the temperature will be, eliminating the time loss associated with physical signal transport while maintaining measurement accuracy through the predictive model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating predicted temperature values before the actual temperature signal arrives at the controller. The predictor model performs preliminary computation of future temperature states based on current measurements and system dynamics, allowing the controller to act on predicted information in advance rather than waiting for delayed actual measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a method and a device for closed-loop control of a temperature of a component in an exhaust-gas tract of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust-gas tract has a temperature sensor arranged upstream of the component. The method includes providing a control circuit for the closed-loop control of the temperature of the component and detecting a measurement signal by the temperature sensor during the operation of the internal combustion engine. The measurement signal is characteristic of an exhaust-gas temperature. The measurement signal is used as a measured controlled variable for the control circuit for the closed-loop control of the temperature of the component. The method also includes determining a temperature model for the exhaust-gas temperature of the exhaust gas upstream of the component. The temperature model is used as a predictor for the control circuit. Also, a modeled controlled variable is provided from the temperature model.