Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Intake Throttle Valve Control for Engine Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine control systems, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,752,364, primarily focus on controlling intake throttle in conjunction with a variable geometry turbocharger to manage exhaust gas temperatures, but do not independently control the intake throttle to facilitate regeneration processes, particularly when exhaust gas temperatures fall below the minimum operating temperature for particulate collection and aftertreatment devices.
Innovation Solution
A controller determines the engine's speed, load, and fuel rate to select a control process that adjusts the variable geometry turbocharger and intake throttle valve to manage the intake manifold absolute pressure, ensuring sufficient exhaust gas temperature for regeneration processes, even under low ambient conditions or during idling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the engine operates under low ambient temperatures or during idling, then the exhaust gas temperature falls below the minimum operating temperature for particulate collection and aftertreatment devices, but the regeneration process cannot be effectively performed
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating parameters of the engine by adjusting the intake manifold absolute pressure (IMAP) through coordinated control of the variable geometry turbocharger and intake throttle valve. This parameter change increases exhaust gas temperature to enable effective regeneration even during low-temperature operation or idling
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the geometry of the turbocharger and the position of the intake throttle valve in real-time based on operating conditions. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain optimal exhaust gas temperature for regeneration across varying engine loads and ambient conditions
2Temperature
If the variable geometry turbocharger and intake throttle valve are used to control IMAP, then exhaust gas temperature can be maintained for regeneration, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing components (variable geometry turbocharger and intake throttle valve) for a dual purpose: maintaining engine performance and controlling exhaust gas temperature for regeneration. This multi-functionality avoids adding dedicated hardware while achieving temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors exhaust gas temperature and IMAP, then adjusts the turbocharger geometry and throttle valve position accordingly. This closed-loop feedback control maintains optimal temperature while adapting to changing operating conditions, reducing the need for overly complex control logic
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 effectively maintains optimal exhaust gas temperatures for regeneration processes, enhancing the efficiency of particulate collection and aftertreatment devices, even in low-temperature conditions or during engine braking, without degrading engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) and an intake throttle valve (ITV) to control the IMAP of the engine
Data Source
AI summary
A controller may determine that a regeneration process associated with an engine of a machine is active. The controller may obtain, based on determining that the regeneration process is active, information concerning a speed of the engine, information concerning a load of the engine, and information concerning a fuel rate of the engine. The controller may select, based on the information concerning the speed of the engine, the information concerning the load of the engine, and the information concerning the fuel rate of the engine, a control process, of a plurality of control processes, to control an intake manifold absolute pressure (IMAP) of the engine to facilitate the regeneration process. The controller may cause, according to the selected control process, adjustment of one or more components of a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) of the engine and an intake throttle valve (ITV) of the engine.