Virtual emissions monitor for automobile and associated control system

• US 5,682,317 A
• Filed: 07/23/1996
• Issued: 10/28/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pavilion Technologies Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ferguson, Ralph Bruce II, Havener, John Paul, Godbole, Devendra, Keeler, James David
• Primary Examiner(s): Teska, Kevin J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FREJD, RUSSELL WARREN
• Application Number:
  US08/685,072
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 364/431.03, 364/431.01, 364/431.051, 364/431.062, 364/424.034, 364/149, 364/150, 364/151, 364/497, 364/498, 364/571.01, 364/577, 364/578, 73/116, 73/117.2, 250/339, 123/571, 123/672, 123/674, 60/274, 60/276, 340/439
• US Class Current: 701/101
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/1433 using a model or simulation of the system
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1401 characterised by the control or regulation method F02D41/1473, F02D41/1477 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0034 comprising neural networks or related mathematical techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0075 for multiple spatially distributed sensors, e.g. for environmental monitoring transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/027 using neural networks only
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/048 using a predictor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 17/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0254 based on a quantitative model, e.g. mathematical relationships between inputs and outputs; functions: observer, Kalman filter, residual calculation, Neural Networks
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/027 Alarm generation, e.g. communication protocol; Forms of alarm

Abstract

An internal combustion engine (360) is provided with a plurality of sensors to monitor the operation thereof with respect to various temperature measurements, pressure measurements, etc. A predictive model processor (322) is provided that utilizes model parameters stored in the memory (324) to predict from the sensor inputs a predicted emissions output. The model is trained with inputs provided by the sensor and an actual emissions sensor output. During operation, this predicted output on line (326) can be utilized to provide an alarm or to be stored in a history database in a memory (328). Additionally, the internal combustion engine (260) can have the predicted emissions output thereof periodically checked to determine the accuracy of the model. This is effected by connecting the output of the engine to an external emissions sensor (310) and taking the difference between the actual output and the predicted output to provide an error. This is compared to a threshold and, if the error exceeds the threshold, the predictive model processor (322) can be placed in a training operation wherein new model parameters are generated. Additionally, retraining could take place external to the predictive model processor (322). During runtime, a control network (350) can be utilized to predict control parameters for minimizing the emissions output.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine to minimize emissions therefrom, comprising the steps of:

storing in a predictive model a representation of the internal combustion engine, the predictive model having an output that provides a prediction of the emissions emitted by the engine and operable to receive as inputs sensor output values from a plurality of sensors that are operable to measure select parameters of the engine operation as the sensor output values;

inputting select ones of the sensor output values to the predictive model;

predicting the emission level of the engine to provide an indication of the noxious pollutants output by the engine;

comparing the emissions level with a threshold;

when the predicted emissions level exceeds the threshold, determining control values, which control values are utilized to control the operation of the engine and vary the operating parameters thereof; and

determining if the adjusted control values exceed a predetermined control limit and, if so, setting a default value for the control values and, if not, applying the determined control values to the engine.

2. The method of claim 1, and further comprising the step of storing a history value that defines the emissions operation and the control value operation as a function of time.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of storing is performed even if the predicted emissions values do not exceed the threshold.

4. The method of claim 1, and further comprising the step of setting an alarm condition if a predetermined alarm condition exists as a function of the emissions level.