Discrete time rate-based model predictive control method for internal combustion engine air path control

• US 9,989,001 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2015
• Issued: 06/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation), Board of Regents of the University of Michigan (University of Michigan)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Incorporated (Toyota Motor Corporation), Board of Regents of the University of Michigan (University of Michigan)
• Inventors: Huang, Mike, Kolmanovsky, Ilya
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Hieu T
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANLEY, SHERMAN D
• Application Number:
  US14/949,723
• Publication Number:
  US 20160076473A1
• Time in Patent Office: 925 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 33/40 of non-positive-displacement type
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 47/08 the substances including exhaust gas
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/141 using a feed-forward control element
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/1412 using a predictive controller
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/1416 Observer
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/1433 using a model or simulation of the system
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/1434 Inverse model
• 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 41/0072 Estimating, calculating or determining the EGR rate, amount or flow sensors in EGR systems F02M26/45
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0077 Control of the EGR valve or actuator, e.g. duty cycle, closed loop control of position EGR valve position sensor F02M26/48
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1401 characterised by the control or regulation method F02D41/1473, F02D41/1477 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2409 Addressing techniques specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/20 Feeding recirculated exhaust gases directly into the combustion chambers or into the intake runners
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/21 with EGR valves located at or near the connection to the intake system
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 26/52 Systems for actuating EGR valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A discrete time rate-based model predictive controller for air path control for a diesel engine regulates VGT position and EGR valve position to specified set points by coordinated control of intake manifold air pressure and EGR rate. The controller may be configured to measure or estimate at least one of the intake manifold pressure and EGR rate. A non-linear discrete time rate-based predictive model may be used, as developed by the controller.

Claims

1. A system for optimizing engine operation, the system comprising:

an internal combustion engine; and

a controller configured to control a variable geometry turbine (VGT) and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve during engine operation, the controller developing a non-linear discrete time rate-based predictive model responsive to engine operating parameters and able to achieve zero-offset steady state tracking, and using the non-linear discrete time rate-based predictive model to generate a VGT position and an EGR valve position, wherein operation of the internal combustion engine continues based on the generated VGT position and EGR valve position.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the engine operating parameters comprise engine intake manifold pressure and EGR rate.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to measure or estimate at least one of the intake manifold pressure and the EGR rate.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal combustion engine is a diesel engine.

5. A method for controlling an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

obtaining intake manifold pressure and EGR rate measurements or estimates;

developing, using a controller, a non-linear discrete time rate-based predictive model responsive to the intake manifold pressure and EGR rate measurements and able to achieve zero-offset steady state tracking;

using the non-linear discrete time rate-based predictive model to generate, by the controller, a VGT position and an EGR valve position; and

controlling operation of the internal combustion engine based on the generated VGT position and EGR valve position.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the internal combustion engine is a diesel engine.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to measure or estimate at least one of the intake manifold pressure and the EGR rate.

8. A non-transitory computer storage media having embodied thereon computer-useable instructions that, when executed, perform a method for controlling an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

obtaining intake manifold pressure and EGR rate measurements or estimates;

developing, using a controller, a non-linear discrete time rate-based predictive model responsive to the intake manifold pressure and EGR rate measurements or estimates and able to achieve zero-offset steady state tracking;

using the non-linear discrete time rate-based predictive model to generate, by the controller, an VGT position and an EGR valve position; and

controlling operation of the internal combustion engine based on the generated VGT position and EGR valve position.

9. The non-transitory computer storage media as recited in claim 8, wherein the method comprises controlling a diesel engine.

10. The non-transitory computer storage media as recited in claim 8, wherein the method step of obtaining intake manifold pressure and EGR rate measurements or estimates is performed by the controller.