Model predictive control systems and methods for internal combustion engines

• US 9,599,053 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2014
• Issued: 03/21/2017
• 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: Long, Ruixing, Bemporad, Alberto, Bernardini, Daniele, Jin, Ning
• Primary Examiner(s): MOULIS, THOMAS N
• Application Number:
  US14/225,569
• Publication Number:
  US 20150275793A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: 703/2, 701101-115
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 37/12 Control of the pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 13/02 during engine operation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2009/0235 Throttle control functions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/0017 by simultaneous control of throttle and exhaust gas recirculation
• 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 2250/18 Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/22 by keeping a torque reserve, i.e. with temporarily reduced drive train or engine efficiency
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 23/00 Controlling engines characterised by their being supercharged
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0007 for control of turbo-charged or super-charged engines control of the pumps per se F02B37/12
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0047 Controlling exhaust gas recirculation [EGR] temperature control with cooler in recirculation circuit F02M26/33
• 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 41/04 Introducing corrections for particular operating conditions F02D41/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1406 with use of a optimisation method, e.g. iteration
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 9/02 concerning induction conduits throttle valves, or arrangements thereof in conduits F02D9/08
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A torque requesting module generates a first torque request for a spark ignition engine based on driver input. A torque conversion module converts the first torque request into a second torque request. A model predictive control (MPC) module determines a set of target values based on the second torque request, a model of the engine, and a matrix having dimensions of (m+n) by (m+n). n is an integer greater than zero that is equal to a number of lower boundary constraints used in the determination of the set of target values. m is an integer greater than zero that is equal to a number of constraints used in the determination of the set of target values other than the lower boundary constraints. An actuator module controls opening of an engine actuator based on a first one of the target values.

Claims

1. An engine control system for a vehicle, comprising:

a torque requesting module that generates a first torque request for a spark ignition engine based on driver input;

a torque conversion module that converts the first torque request into a second torque request;

a model predictive control (MPC) module that determines a set of target values based on the second torque request, a model of the engine, and a matrix having dimensions of (m+n) by (m+n), where n is an integer greater than zero that is equal to a number of lower boundary constraints used in the determination of the set of target values and m is an integer greater than zero that is equal to a number of constraints used in the determination of the set of target values other than the lower boundary constraints;

a throttle actuator module that controls opening of a throttle valve based on a first one of the target values;

a boost actuator module that controls opening of a wastegate of a turbocharger based on a second one of the target values;

an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) actuator module that controls opening of an EGR valve based on a third one of the target values; and

a phaser actuator module that controls intake and exhaust valve phasing based on fourth and fifth ones of the target values, respectively.

2. The engine control system of claim 1 further comprising a reference module that determines reference values for the target values, respectively,

wherein the MPC module determines the target values further based on the reference values.

3. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein the constraints other than the lower boundary constraints include constraints for the target values and constraints for controlled variables.

4. An engine control method for a vehicle, comprising:

generating a first torque request for a spark ignition engine based on driver input;

converting the first torque request into a second torque request;

using a model predictive control (MPC) module, determining a set of target values based on the second torque request, a model of the engine, and a matrix having dimensions of (m+n) by (m+n), where n is an integer greater than zero that is equal to a number of lower boundary constraints used in the determination of the set of target values and m is an integer greater than zero that is equal to a number of constraints used in the determination of the set of target values other than the lower boundary constraints;

controlling opening of a throttle valve based on a first one of the target values;

controlling opening of a wastegate of a turbocharger based on a second one of the target values;

controlling opening of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve based on a third one of the target values; and

controlling intake and exhaust valve phasing based on fourth and fifth ones of the target values, respectively.

5. The engine control method of claim 4 further comprising:

determining reference values for the target values, respectively; and

determining the target values further based on the reference values.

6. The engine control method of claim 4 wherein the constraints other than the lower boundary constraints include constraints for the target values and constraints for controlled variables.