Use of Torque Model at Virtual Engine Conditions

• US 20090012665A1
• Filed: 01/14/2008
• Published: 01/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Simon, Robert C. JR., Backman, Richard M., Wall, Magnus, Magnusson, Thomas, Ritzen, Emil, Reimark, Mats A., Kaiser, Jeffrey M., Wozniak, Leonard G., Brennan, Daniel G.
• Granted Patent: US 9,002,550 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/14 Synchronous machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/441 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/443 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/662 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/44 by parameter estimation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0023 Detecting, eliminating, remedying or compensating for drive train abnormalities, e.g. failures within the drive train
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0657 Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/12 related to parameters of the vehicle itself , e.g. tyre models
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1004 Estimation of the output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1006 Engine torque losses, e.g. friction or pumping losses or losses caused by external loads of accessories
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/26 by applying a torque limit
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0002 Controlling intake air
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0065 Specific aspects of external EGR control constructional details of EGR system F02M26/00
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0087 Selective cylinder activation, i.e. partial cylinder operation deceleration cut-off F02D41/123
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1406 : with use of a optimisation method, e.g. iteration
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/902 : Prime movers comprising electrical and internal combustion motors

Abstract

A torque estimation system for a vehicle comprises an operating parameter module, a torque estimation module, and an estimation control module. The operating parameter module determines an estimated engine operating parameter based on engine speed. The torque estimation module estimates engine torque based on the engine speed and the estimated engine operating parameter. The estimation control module provides a plurality of engine speeds to the operating parameter module and the torque estimation module to determine estimated engine torque as a function of engine speed.

Claims

1. A torque estimation system for a vehicle, comprising:

an operating parameter module that determines an estimated engine operating parameter based on engine speed;

a torque estimation module that estimates engine torque based on said engine speed and said estimated engine operating parameter; and

an estimation control module that provides a plurality of engine speeds to said operating parameter module and said torque estimation module to determine estimated engine torque as a function of engine speed.

2. The torque estimation system of claim 1 wherein said estimated engine operating parameter is at least one of air per cylinder and fuel per cylinder.

3. The torque estimation system of claim 1 wherein said estimated engine operating parameter is air per cylinder (APC) and said operating parameter module selectively determines a minimum APC required at said engine speed.

4. The torque estimation system of claim 3 wherein said minimum APC is based on at least one of minimum APC required for reliable throttle control, minimum APC required for reliable fuel injection, and minimum APC required for combustion stability.

5. The torque estimation system of claim 4 wherein said minimum APC is determined by a maximum of said minimum APC required for reliable throttle control, said minimum APC required for reliable fuel injection, and said minimum APC required for combustion stability.

6. The torque estimation system of claim 1:

wherein said operating parameter module determines said estimated engine operating parameter based on engine speed and operating mode, wherein said operating mode is at least one of maximum torque, minimum engine running torque, and minimum engine off torque; and

wherein said estimation control module provides said plurality of engine speeds to said operating parameter module and said torque estimation module for each of a plurality of said operating modes.

7. The torque estimation system of claim 6 wherein said estimation control module provides said plurality of engine speeds to said operating parameter module and said torque estimation module for each of said operating modes.

8. The torque estimation system of claim 6 wherein said operating parameter module determines a maximum value of said estimated engine operating parameter for said maximum torque mode.

9. The torque estimation system of claim 1 wherein said estimation control module provides said plurality of engine speeds to said operating parameter module and said torque estimation module for a first number of cylinders being active and for a second number of cylinders being active.

10. The torque estimation system of claim 9 wherein said vehicle includes an engine having N cylinders, said first number is equal to N, and said second number is equal to N divided by two.

11. The torque estimation system of claim 1 further comprising a cam phaser position estimation module that estimates a cam phaser position based on said engine speed and said estimated engine operating parameter, wherein said torque estimation module estimates engine torque based on said cam phaser position.

12. The torque estimation system of claim 1 further comprising a spark advance estimation module that estimates spark advance based on said engine speed and said estimated engine operating parameter, wherein said torque estimation module estimates engine torque based on said spark advance.

13. The torque estimation system of claim 1 further comprising an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) estimation module that estimates opening of an EGR valve based on said engine speed and said estimated engine operating parameter, wherein said torque estimation module estimates engine torque based on said EGR valve opening.

14. The torque estimation system of claim 1 wherein said operating parameter module and said torque estimation module each comprise a reentrant function.

15. The torque estimation system of claim 1 further comprising an engine control module that controls an internal combustion engine of said vehicle based upon said estimated engine torque.

16. The torque estimation system of claim 1 further comprising a hybrid control module that controls an electric motor of said vehicle based upon said estimated engine torque.

17. A method for estimating torque in a vehicle, comprising:

determining an estimated engine operating parameter based on engine speed;

estimating engine torque based on said engine speed and said estimated engine operating parameter; and

generating a plurality of engine speeds for said determining and said estimating to determine estimated engine torque as a function of engine speed.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said estimated engine operating parameter is at least one of air per cylinder and fuel per cylinder.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said estimated engine operating parameter is air per cylinder (APC) and further comprising selectively determining a minimum APC required at said engine speed.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said minimum APC is based on at least one of minimum APC required for reliable throttle control, minimum APC required for reliable fuel injection, and minimum APC required for combustion stability.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said minimum APC is determined by a maximum of said minimum APC required for reliable throttle control, said minimum APC required for reliable fuel injection, and said minimum APC required for combustion stability.

22. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

determining said estimated engine operating parameter based on engine speed and operating mode, wherein said operating mode is at least one of maximum torque, minimum engine running torque, and minimum engine off torque; and

providing said plurality of engine speeds to said determining and said estimating for each of a plurality of said operating modes.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising providing said plurality of engine speeds to said determining and said estimating for each of said operating modes.

24. The method of claim 22 further comprising determining a maximum value of said estimated engine operating parameter for said maximum torque mode.

25. The method of claim 17 further comprising providing said plurality of engine speeds to said determining and said estimating for a first number of cylinders being active and for a second number of cylinders being active.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said vehicle includes an engine having N cylinders, said first number is equal to N, and said second number is equal to N divided by two.

27. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

estimating a cam phaser position based on said engine speed and said estimated engine operating parameter; and

estimating engine torque based on said cam phaser position.

28. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

estimating spark advance based on said engine speed and said estimated engine operating parameter; and

estimating engine torque based on said spark advance.

29. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

estimating opening of an EGR valve based on said engine speed and said estimated engine operating parameter;

estimating engine torque based on said EGR valve opening.

30. The method of claim 17 further comprising controlling an internal combustion engine of said vehicle based upon said estimated engine torque.

31. The method of claim 17 further comprising controlling an electric motor of said vehicle based upon said estimated engine torque.