Engine control strategies

• US 6,965,826 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2003
• Issued: 11/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Crowell, Thomas J., Hoenert, Gregory D., Donaldson, George E., Andres, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dolinar, Andrew M.
• Application Number:
  US10/459,638
• Publication Number:
  US 20040128058A1
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 701/102, 701/114, 701/115, 701/50
• US Class Current: 701/115
• 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 corresponding to respective duty cycles available to an engine control system; and

selecting, when the engine is shut down, an engine control calibration algorithm that corresponds to a predicted duty cycle; and

operating the engine with the selected engine control calibration algorithm; and

each of the engine control calibration algorithms being based at least in part on reducing emissions for the predicted duty cycle relative to the engine control calibration algorithm for another duty cycle.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising changing, after the operating step when the engine is again shut down, a selection to a different one of said plurality of engine control calibration algorithms that corresponds to a different predicted duty cycle;

and

operating the engine with the different engine control calibration.

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

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising satisfying emissions regulations 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.

4. 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, when the engine is shut down, an engine control calibration algorithm that corresponds to a predicted duty cycle;

operating the engine with the selected engine control calibration algorithm;

recording operation history data for the engine; and

determining the predicted duty cycle at least in part by evaluating the 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;

and

determining a new engine control calibration algorithm at least in part using the engine simulation model.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the evaluating step includes weighing recent engine operation history data heavier than older engine operation history data in the engine control system.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said determining comprises improving a performance parameter for the predicted duty cycle at least in part using the engine simulation model.

11. 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 corresponding to respective duty cycles when the machine is shut down; and

each of said engine control calibration algorithms corresponding to a particular duty cycle and at least one engine performance parameter, and each of the engine control calibration algorithms being based at least in part on reducing emissions for the predicted duty cycle relative to the engine control calibration algorithm for another duty cycle.

12. The machine of claim 11 further comprising at least one implement attached to the machine body and operably coupled to the engine.

13. The machine of claim 12 wherein said at least one implement comprises a conveyance.

14. The machine of claim 11 wherein said control system comprises an engine operation history database and an engine simulation model.

15. The machine of claim 11 wherein said control system comprises a plurality of stored engine control calibration algorithms.

16. The machine of claim 11 wherein each of said plurality of engine control calibrations satisfies emissions regulations.

17. The machine of claim 11 further comprising a duty cycle selector operably coupled to said control selection algorithm.

18. 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 when the machine is shut down;

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

a previous duty cycle determiner that includes a machine history recorder.