Engine control strategies

• US 20040128058A1
• Filed: 06/11/2003
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Crowell, Thomas J., Donaldson, George E., Andres, David J., Hoenert, Gregory D.
• Granted Patent: US 6,965,826 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/114
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/1433 using a model or simulation of the system
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/021 Introducing corrections for particular conditions exterior to the engine conjoint control of vehicle sub-units for propelling the vehicle B60W30/18
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1406 with use of a optimisation method, e.g. iteration
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2422 Selective use of one or more tables
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2429 Methods of calibrating or learning
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/26 using computer, e.g. microprocessor

Abstract

Electronically controlled internal combustion engines are operated based upon control calibration algorithms that can come in a variety of forms, including maps, equations, surfaces and other mathematical techniques. Each combination of a control calibration algorithm and a particular engine must satisfy certain constraints such as customer acceptance and value demands, and should have the ability to perform a variety of expected duty cycles for the given engine application. A plurality of different engine control calibration algorithms are made available to an engine control system. Each of the engine calibration algorithms corresponds to a particular duty cycle while being optimized for a performance parameter such as reduced emissions, while meeting a variety of constraints.

Claims

1. A method of improving a performance parameter for an electronically controlled engine, comprising:

making a plurality of engine control calibration algorithms available to an engine control system; and

selecting an engine control calibration algorithm that corresponds to a predicted duty cycle.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising changing a selection to a different one of said plurality of engine control calibration algorithms that corresponds to a different predicted duty cycle.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining the predicted duty cycle at least in part based upon a selected machine operation.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining the predicted duty cycle at least in part by evaluating operation history data for the engine.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of making a plurality of engine control calibration algorithms available to an engine control system comprises storing an engine simulation model in the engine control system.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising storing engine operation history data in the engine control system.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said selecting comprises optimizing a performance parameter for the predicted duty cycle.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising obtaining an emissions compliance certification for each of the plurality of engine control calibration algorithms.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the making a plurality of engine control calibration algorithms available to an engine control system comprises storing the plurality of engine control calibration algorithms in the engine control system.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the selecting an engine control calibration algorithm that corresponds to a predicted duty cycle is periodically performed on a predetermined schedule.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising shutting down the engine during at least one of the making a plurality of engine control calibration algorithms available to an engine control system comprises and the selecting an engine control calibration algorithm that corresponds to a predicted duty cycle.

12. A machine comprising:

a machine body;

an engine attached to the machine body, and including a control system with a control selection algorithm for selecting from a plurality of available engine control calibration algorithms; and

each of said engine control calibration algorithms corresponding to a particular duty cycle and at least one engine performance parameter.

13. The machine of claim 12 further comprising at least one implement attached to the machine body and operably coupled to the engine.

14. The machine of claim 13 wherein said at least one implement comprises a conveyance.

15. The machine of claim 13 wherein said at least one implement comprises earth moving equipment.

16. The machine of claim 12 wherein said control system comprises an engine operation history database and an engine simulation model.

17. The machine of claim 12 wherein said control system comprises a plurality of stored engine control calibration algorithms.

18. The machine of claim 12 further comprising an emissions compliance certification associated with each of said plurality of engine control calibration algorithms.

19. The machine of claim 12 further comprising a duty cycle selector operably coupled to said control section algorithm.

20. The machine of claim 12 further comprising a previous duty cycle determiner.