Variable Turbocharger Boost Control for Aftertreatment Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial vehicles with large displacement engines face challenges in achieving and maintaining the light-off temperature of their after-treatment systems, leading to fuel consumption penalties ranging from 2% to 14%, due to existing thermal management strategies that worsen drivability when sudden load requests occur.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a variable geometry turbocharger and a controllable wastegate with an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) that predicts forthcoming load requests to adjust turbocharger boost pressure, reducing it during thermal management and restoring it when necessary to maintain drivability and increase ATS temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If engine inlet and/or outlet throttling is applied to achieve light-off temperature, then ATS temperature is improved, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveATS temperatureVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the turbocharger boost pressure based on real-time conditions. During thermal management phase, boost pressure is reduced to increase exhaust temperature. When light-off temperature is achieved or during transient conditions, boost pressure is restored to rated values. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between ATS temperature and fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the boost pressure parameter as a control variable to manage ATS temperature. By varying the boost pressure set-point between reduced and rated values based on temperature feedback and drive conditions, the system achieves thermal management while minimizing fuel consumption penalties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If turbocharger boost is reduced to increase ATS temperature, then exhaust temperature is improved, but drivability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust temperatureVSAvoiddrivability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between reduced boost mode and rated boost mode based on real-time conditions. When sudden load requests are detected or when ATS temperature reaches light-off, the boost pressure is immediately restored to rated values, ensuring responsive drivability while maintaining thermal management benefits during steady-state operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system uses feedback from temperature sensors and drive condition detection to adjust boost pressure. When ATS temperature indicates thermal management is complete or when drive conditions suggest upcoming load requests, the system restores boost pressure to rated values, ensuring drivability is maintained while achieving thermal management goals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances ATS temperature without compromising drivability, as the ADAS ensures turbocharger boost reduction appears transparent to the driver, maintaining vehicle performance and reducing fuel consumption penalties.

Implementation Method 1

variable geometry turbocharger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

exhaust temperatures reaching the ATS

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3434886B1After treatment system thermal management method
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 FPT MOTORENFORSCHUNG AG
  • EP3434886B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

Method for thermal management of an After treatment system (ATS) of a vehicle provided with a turbocharged internal combustion engine, an ATS to treat exhaust gas produced by said internal combustion engine, and a drive assist system (ADAS) capable to interact with at least said internal combustion engine, the turbocharger comprising a variable turbine and/or an controllable waste-gate, the method comprising a cyclic execution of a first step of reducing a turbocharger boost set-point when a temperature of said ATS is below a predetermined threshold and a second step of restoring said boost set-point to a rated value when said drive assist system foresees a forthcoming relevant torque request.