Airflow control systems and methods using model predictive control

• US 9,765,703 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2013
• Issued: 09/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2013
• 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., Nahra, Paul R., Verdejo, Julian R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Hieu T
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANLEY, SHERMAN D
• Application Number:
  US13/911,156
• Publication Number:
  US 20140316683A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,566 Days
• Field of Search: 701103, 701108
• 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 2041/001 for engines with 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 2250/18 Control of the engine output torque
• 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 41/005 according to engine operating conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1406 with use of a optimisation method, e.g. iteration
• 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 setpoint control module generates air and exhaust setpoints for the spark ignition engine based on the second torque request. A model predictive control (MPC) module identifies sets of possible target values based on the air and exhaust setpoints, generates predicted parameters based on a model of the spark ignition engine and the sets of possible target values, respectively, selects one of the sets of possible target values based on the predicted parameters, and sets target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the sets. A throttle actuator module controls opening of a throttle valve 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 setpoint control module that generates air and exhaust setpoints for the spark ignition engine based on the second torque request, the air and exhaust setpoints including an intake manifold pressure setpoint, a mass of air per cylinder (APC) setpoint, a setpoint for external dilution, a setpoint for residual dilution, and a compression ratio setpoint;

a model predictive control (MPC) module that identifies sets of possible target values based on the air and exhaust setpoints, that generates predicted parameters based on a model of the spark ignition engine and the sets of possible target values, respectively, that selects one of the sets of possible target values based on the predicted parameters, and that sets target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the sets; and

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

2. The engine control system of claim 1 further comprising:

a boost actuator module that controls opening of a wastegate 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.

3. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein the MPC module selects the one of the sets of possible target values further based on the air and exhaust setpoints.

4. The engine control system of claim 3 wherein the MPC module selects the one of the sets of possible target values based on comparisons of the air and exhaust setpoints with the predicted parameters, respectively.

5. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein the MPC module sets the target values to within predetermined ranges for the target values, respectively.

6. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein the setpoint module generates the air and exhaust setpoints further based on desired combustion phasing.

7. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein the setpoint module generates the air and exhaust setpoints further based on predetermined ranges for the air and exhaust setpoints, respectively.

8. The engine control system of claim 1 wherein the setpoint module generates the air and exhaust setpoints further based on a number of deactivated cylinders.

9. 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;

generating air and exhaust setpoints for the spark ignition engine based on the second torque request, the air and exhaust setpoints including an intake manifold pressure setpoint, a mass of air per cylinder (APC) setpoint, a setpoint for external dilution, a setpoint for residual dilution, and a compression ratio setpoint;

using a model predictive control (MPC) module;

identifying sets of possible target values based on the air and exhaust setpoints;

generating predicted parameters based on a model of the spark ignition engine and the sets of possible target values, respectively;

selecting one of the sets of possible target values based on the predicted parameters; and

setting target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the sets; and

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

10. The engine control method of claim 9 further comprising:

controlling opening of a wastegate 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.

11. The engine control method of claim 9 further comprising selecting the one of the sets of possible target values further based on the air and exhaust setpoints.

12. The engine control method of claim 11 further comprising selecting the one of the sets of possible target values based on comparisons of the air and exhaust setpoints with the predicted parameters, respectively.

13. The engine control method of claim 9 further comprising setting the target values to within predetermined ranges for the target values, respectively.

14. The engine control method of claim 9 further comprising generating the air and exhaust setpoints further based on desired combustion phasing.

15. The engine control method of claim 9 further comprising generating the air and exhaust setpoints further based on predetermined ranges for the air and exhaust setpoints, respectively.

16. The engine control method of claim 9 further comprising generating the air and exhaust setpoints further based on a number of deactivated cylinders.