Prime Mover Transient Testing With Feedforward Dynamometer Control

The patent creates a virtual model of the vehicle drivetrain system that replicates the behavior and characteristics of the actual vehicle-chassis-dynamometer setup. This software-based copy allows transient testing to be performed on a simpler power-absorbing dynamometer while achieving the measurement precision of a full vehicle chassis dynamometer through computational modeling of the drivetrain dynamics.

The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with a control system that uses software-based drivetrain modeling. Instead of requiring a mechanically complex vehicle chassis dynamometer, the system uses a power-absorbing dynamometer controlled through advanced algorithms that simulate the mechanical behavior of the full vehicle system, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.

The patent makes the power-absorbing dynamometer universal by enabling it to perform both steady-state and transient testing functions through software control. The same dynamometer hardware can be configured for different test types without requiring physical reconfiguration or commissioning, as the control system adapts the testing parameters and models according to the desired test type, thereby eliminating setup time while maintaining accuracy.

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability to the dynamometer system through software-based control that can switch between steady-state and transient testing modes. The control system dynamically adjusts the testing parameters, feedback loops, and drivetrain models based on the selected test type, allowing the same hardware to efficiently handle multiple test scenarios without time-consuming reconfiguration.

The patent implements a feedback control mechanism that continuously monitors the actual throttle position and compares it to the target throttle position. The control system automatically calculates the error and adjusts the throttle input accordingly, eliminating the need for manual iterative modification. This automated feedback loop maintains ease of operation by allowing the user to simply specify the target throttle while the system handles the precise adjustment, thereby reducing the time required to achieve the desired throttle position.

The patent performs preliminary calculations of the required throttle input using a drivetrain model before actual testing begins. The control system pre-determines the optimal throttle trajectory to reach the target position, avoiding the need for iterative adjustments during the test setup phase. This preliminary action reduces the time required while maintaining ease of operation, as the system has already optimized the throttle path before the user needs to intervene.

The patent creates a virtual drivetrain system that copies the dynamic behavior of expensive transient testing setups. By modeling the drivetrain dynamics, gear ratios, and vehicle characteristics in software, the system allows a simpler power-absorbing dynamometer to achieve the measurement precision of expensive transient dynamometers through computational simulation rather than expensive hardware.

The patent substitutes complex mechanical transient dynamometer systems with a software-based control approach on a simpler power-absorbing dynamometer. Instead of relying on expensive mechanical systems with complex feedback mechanisms, the patent uses computational models and control algorithms to achieve the same measurement precision, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining transient testing accuracy.