System and method for adjusting a torque capacity of an engine using model predictive control

• US 9,399,959 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2014
• Issued: 07/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Whitney, Christopher E., Wong, Kevin C., Cygan, Gary Robert Jr., Bemporad, Alberto, Bernardini, Daniele
• Primary Examiner(s): SOLIS, ERICK R
• Application Number:
  US14/225,516
• Publication Number:
  US 20150275784A1
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 123/481, 123/198.F, 701/102
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/105 characterised by the function converting demand to actuation, e.g. a map indicating relations between an accelerator pedal position and throttle valve opening or target engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/02 during engine operation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0207 changing valve lift or valve lift and timing
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/0219 by shifting the phase, i.e. the opening periods of the valves are constant
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/06 Cutting-out cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 17/00 Controlling engines by cutting out individual cylinders; Rendering engines inoperative or idling controlling or rendering inoperative by varying inlet or exhaust valve operating characteristics F02D13/00
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 17/02 Cutting-out cutting-out engines in multiple engine arrangements F02D25/04
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/001 for engines with variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/0017 by simultaneous control of throttle and exhaust gas recirculation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/002 by simultaneous control of throttle and variable valve actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/1412 using a predictive controller
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/1433 using a model or simulation of the system
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 21/04 with circulation of exhaust gases in closed or semi-closed circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0814 Oxygen storage amount
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0816 Oxygen storage capacity
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1002 Output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 28/00 Programme-control of engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 29/02 peculiar to engines driving vehicles; peculiar to engines driving variable pitch propellers
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 35/023 by determining the cylinder pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0002 : Controlling intake air
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/005 : according to engine operating conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0087 : Selective cylinder activation, i.e. partial cylinder operation deceleration cut-off F02D41/123
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1401 : characterised by the control or regulation method F02D41/1473, F02D41/1477 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1406 : with use of a optimisation method, e.g. iteration
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1439 : characterised by the position of the sensor
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1441 : Plural sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1454 : the characteristics being an oxygen content or concentration or the air-fuel ratio
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/222 : relating to the failure of sensors or parameter detection devices
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/30 : Controlling fuel injection F02D41/182, F02D41/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/048 : using a predictor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 : Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems

Abstract

A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a desired capacity module, an anticipated torque request module, and an engine actuator module. The desired capacity module generates a desired torque capacity of an engine at a future time based on a present torque request and a maximum torque output of the engine. The anticipated torque request module generates an anticipated torque request based on the desired torque capacity. The engine actuator module controls an actuator of the engine at a present time based on the anticipated torque request.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a desired capacity module that generates a desired torque capacity of an engine at a future time based on a present torque request and a maximum torque output of the engine;

an anticipated torque request module that generates an anticipated torque request based on the desired torque capacity; and

an engine actuator module that controls an actuator of the engine at a present time based on the anticipated torque request.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the desired capacity module switches the desired torque capacity to one of a first torque capacity and a second torque capacity before switching a target torque capacity of the engine at the present time to the one of the first torque capacity and the second torque capacity.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the desired capacity module:

determines a first torque threshold based on the maximum torque output of the engine when the engine is operating at the second torque capacity; and

switches the target torque capacity from the first torque capacity to the second torque capacity when the present torque request is less than the first torque threshold.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the desired capacity module:

determines a second torque threshold based on the maximum torque output of the engine when the engine is operating at the second torque capacity; and

switches the target torque capacity from the second torque capacity to the first torque capacity when the present torque request is greater than the second torque threshold, wherein the second torque threshold is greater than the first torque threshold.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising:

a prediction module that;

generates a first predicted engine output torque based on a model of the engine and a first set of possible target values determined based on the present torque request and the anticipated torque request; and

generates a second predicted engine output torque based on the model of the engine and a second set of possible target values determined based on the present torque request and the anticipated torque request;

a cost module that;

determines a first cost for the first set of possible target values based on a first predetermined weighting value, the first predicted engine output torque, the present torque request, and the anticipated torque request; and

determines a second cost for the second set of possible target values based on the first predetermined weighting value, the second predicted engine output torque, the present torque request, and the anticipated torque request; and

a selection module that selects one of the first and second sets based on the first and second costs and that sets target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the first and second sets, wherein the engine actuator module controls the engine actuator based on a first one of the target values.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the anticipated torque request includes a plurality of anticipated torque requests.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the selection module selects the first set when the first cost is less than the second cost, and the selection module selects the second set when the second cost is less than the first cost.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein:

the desired capacity module switches a model torque capacity to the one of the first torque capacity and the second torque capacity after switching the desired torque capacity to the one of the first torque capacity and the second torque capacity and before switching the target torque capacity to the one of the first torque capacity and the second torque capacity; and

the prediction module selects the model of the engine from a plurality of models based on the model torque capacity.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a reference module that generates reference values based on the model torque capacity, wherein the cost module determines the first cost and the second cost further based on the reference values.

10. The system of claim 8 further comprising a setpoint module that generates air and exhaust setpoints for the engine based on the present torque request, the anticipated torque request, and the model torque capacity, wherein the cost module determines the first cost and the second cost based on the setpoints.

11. A method comprising:

generating a desired torque capacity of an engine at a future time based on a present torque request and a maximum torque output of the engine;

generating an anticipated torque request based on the desired torque capacity; and

controlling an actuator of the engine at a present time based on the anticipated torque request.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising switching the desired torque capacity to one of a first torque capacity and a second torque capacity before switching a target torque capacity of the engine at the present time to the one of the first torque capacity and the second torque capacity.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

determining a first torque threshold based on the maximum torque output of the engine when the engine is operating at the second torque capacity; and

switching the target torque capacity from the first torque capacity to the second torque capacity when the present torque request is less than the first torque threshold.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

determining a second torque threshold based on the maximum torque output of the engine when the engine is operating at the second torque capacity; and

switching the target torque capacity from the second torque capacity to the first torque capacity when the present torque request is greater than the second torque threshold, wherein the second torque threshold is greater than the first torque threshold.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

generating a first predicted engine output torque based on a model of the engine and a first set of possible target values determined based on the present torque request and the anticipated torque request;

generating a second predicted engine output torque based on the model of the engine and a second set of possible target values determined based on the present torque request and the anticipated torque request;

determining a first cost for the first set of possible target values based on a first predetermined weighting value, the first predicted engine output torque, the present torque request, and the anticipated torque request;

determining a second cost for the second set of possible target values based on the first predetermined weighting value, the second predicted engine output torque, the present torque request, and the anticipated torque request;

selecting one of the first and second sets based on the first and second costs and that sets target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the first and second sets; and

controlling the engine actuator based on a first one of the target values.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the anticipated torque request includes a plurality of anticipated torque requests.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

selecting the first set when the first cost is less than the second cost; and

selecting the second set when the second cost is less than the first cost.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

switching a model torque capacity to the one of the first torque capacity and the second torque capacity after switching the desired torque capacity to the one of the first torque capacity and the second torque capacity and before switching the target torque capacity to the one of the first torque capacity and the second torque capacity; and

selecting the model of the engine from a plurality of models based on the model torque capacity.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

generating reference values based on the model torque capacity; and

determining the first cost and the second cost further based on the reference values.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

generating air and exhaust setpoints for the engine based on the present torque request, the anticipated torque request, and the model torque capacity; and

determining the first cost and the second cost based on the setpoints.