Transient Engine Control via Dynamic EGR Flow Correction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Internal combustion engines face challenges in controlling engine operation during transient phases, such as gear changes and deceleration followed by reacceleration, due to the inability of existing control systems to adapt quickly to changing conditions, leading to inefficient air-fuel mixing and increased emissions.

Innovation Solution

A control system that estimates intake air parameter setpoints, corrects intake air parameters based on exhaust richness and engine conditions, and dynamically adjusts high-pressure and low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow rates to optimize engine operation during transient phases, using sensors and mathematical models to determine corrected setpoints for improved responsiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the control system uses factory-developed control methods tuned in stabilized mode, then the control parameters are optimized for steady-state operation, but the system cannot adapt quickly during transient operating phases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol effectivenessVSAvoidresponse to transient conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system transitions from static factory-tuned parameters to dynamic adaptive control during transient phases. The system detects transient conditions and switches to a different control mode that continuously adjusts parameters based on real-time sensor feedback, enabling the control strategy to adapt to changing operating conditions rather than relying on pre-calibrated steady-state values

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where sensor data (intake air flow, exhaust gas composition, engine speed) is continuously monitored during transient phases. This feedback loop allows the control system to detect deviations from expected behavior and adjust control parameters in real-time, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to transient conditions rather than relying on open-loop factory tuning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If the control system parameters are not adjusted during transient phases, then the system structure remains simple, but emissions increase and air-fuel mixing becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system structureVSAvoidemissions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into different operational modes: a simple factory-tuned mode for steady-state operation and an adaptive transient mode for transient conditions. The system automatically switches between these segments based on detected operating conditions, allowing complex adaptive control to be applied only when necessary during transient phases while maintaining simplicity during normal operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system prepares for transient phases by continuously monitoring sensor data and pre-calculating required parameter adjustments. When a transient condition is detected, the system has already gathered the necessary information to immediately implement optimal control adjustments, reducing the lag time and preventing emission spikes before they occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the system response time is not accelerated, then the control methodology remains straightforward, but the system cannot effectively regulate engine operation during transient phases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem response speedVSAvoidcontrol methodology

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system replaces traditional mechanical or purely algorithmic control methods with an electronic sensor-based feedback system. This substitution enables much faster response times because electronic sensing and processing can detect and react to transient conditions almost instantaneously, whereas mechanical systems have inherent physical delays in detecting and responding to changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2751416B1System and method for controlling an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle with high-pressure and low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation circuits in transient mode operation

Publication Date: 2015.12.16 RENAULT SA

Figure 1

AI summary

System for controlling an internal combustion engine equipped with a circuit for partially recirculating the exhaust gases at low pressure and with a circuit for partially recirculating the exhaust gases at high pressure, comprising a means (3) for estimating inlet air datum parameters, characterized in that it comprises : a means for estimating the richness of the exhaust, a means (6) for determining an intake richness datum value as a function of intake air datum parameters, a means (7) for correcting at least one of the intake air datum parameters as a function of the estimate of the richness of the exhaust and of the intake richness datum value, a means for detecting a corrected flow rate datum value for the circuit for partial recirculation of the exhaust gases at high pressure, as a function of the corrected intake air parameters datum value, and a means for determining a corrected flow rate datum value for the circuit for the partial recirculation of exhaust gases at high pressure as a function of the corrected intake air parameters datum value.