Three-Level Closed-Loop Combustion Control for Multi-Cylinder Engines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closed-loop combustion control systems struggle to achieve balanced combustion across multiple cylinders due to variations in mechanical construction, component condition, and operational factors, leading to differences in fuel injection and combustion conditions.
Innovation Solution
A three-level closed-loop combustion control strategy using a base compensation map, adaptive map, and feedback controller to compensate for differences in engine configuration and fuel injector variations, with an adaptive map that learns and adjusts to injector aging over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple feedback controller is used for combustion control, then the device complexity is reduced, but the combustion balance across multiple cylinders cannot be achieved due to variations in mechanical construction and component condition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the combustion control into three distinct levels: base compensation map (cylinder-specific static corrections), adaptive map (cylinder-specific dynamic adjustments), and feedback controller (real-time closed-loop control). This segmentation allows each level to address specific aspects of combustion variability without overwhelming complexity at any single level.
Solution Approach 2:
The base compensation map and adaptive map are prepared in advance to compensate for known variations in mechanical construction and component condition before the feedback controller operates. This preliminary action reduces the burden on the feedback controller and enables faster response times.
2Manufacturing precision
If individual closed-loop combustion control is implemented for each cylinder, then the combustion balance is improved, but the computing resources and control complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into three hierarchical levels where the base compensation map handles cylinder-specific static variations, the adaptive map handles dynamic adjustments, and the feedback controller handles real-time closed-loop control. This segmentation distributes computational complexity across multiple layers rather than concentrating it all in the feedback controller.
Solution Approach 2:
Static compensation values are pre-calculated and stored in the base compensation map for each cylinder, accounting for manufacturing variations. This preliminary action removes the need for the feedback controller to compute these corrections in real-time, reducing computational burden during operation.
3Ease of operation
If fuel injectors are controlled with identical values, then the control simplicity is maintained, but combustion variations occur due to injector aging and manufacturing differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different control values to each fuel injector based on its specific characteristics. The base compensation map contains cylinder-specific correction values that account for manufacturing differences, while the adaptive map continuously adjusts these values based on real-time sensor feedback. This ensures each injector receives tailored control parameters rather than identical values.
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure sensors in each cylinder provide real-time feedback on combustion quality, which is used to update the adaptive map and adjust injection parameters for each injector individually. This closed-loop feedback ensures that variations due to aging and manufacturing differences are continuously compensated.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for applying a closed-loop combustion control (1) for an engine having plural cylinders (A1-B8), comprising: a plurality of fuel injectors for supplying fuel into each one of the plurality of cylinders (A1-B8) of the engine, a plurality of pressure sensors (2), wherein in or at each of the plurality of cylinders (A1-B8) one of the plurality of pressure sensors (2) is arranged for determining the pressure therein, and an electronic control unit for receiving the sensor values obtained by the plurality of pressure sensors (2) and for controlling injection parameters of the plurality of fuel injectors, preferably for controlling fuel quantity and/or injection timing, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to individually perform a closed-loop combustion control (1) strategy for each of the cylinders (A1-B8) of the engine, characterized in that the electronic control unit is configured to, when performing the closed-loop combustion control (1) strategy of each cylinder, apply a three level combustion control strategy for controlling at least one injection parameter of the cylinder.