Model-Based Control of the VGT and EGR in a Turbocharged Common-Rail Diesel Engine: Theory and Passenger Car Implementation

<div class="htmlview paragraph">In this article model-based controller design techniques are investigated for the transient operation of a common-rail diesel engine in order to optimize driveability and to reduce soot emissions. The computer-aided design has benefits in reducing controller calibration time.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">This paper presents a nonlinear control concept for the coordinated control of the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve and the variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) in a common-rail diesel engine. The overall controller structure is set up to regulate the total cylinder air-charge with a desired fresh air-charge amount by means of controlling the intake manifold pressure and estimating the fresh air-charge inducted into the cylinders.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">During varying engine operating conditions the two control loops are coordinated by a compensation of the EGR valve action through the VGT controller. A nonlinear exhaust pressure controller is designed to regulate the estimated turbocharger power which compensates all EGR valve actions and results in the desired turbocharger power management.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">The VGT and EGR controllers, the cylinder air-charge observer and the turbocharger identification algorithm are developed based on a nonlinear diesel engine model. The benefits of the coordinated controller structure are demonstrated with transient engine measurements in a passenger car.</div>