Method and apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine

Claim 1

A system for determining an internal combustion engine input control parameter, said system comprising: means for determining a first engine operating parameter; means for determining a second engine operating parameter; means for determining a basic value for an engine input control parameter in accordance with a fixed map; a correction map means for storing correction values for said input control parameter as a two-dimensional array as a function of said two engine operating parameters means for providing a calculated correction value for said two prevailing engine operating parameters, said providing means includes means for multiplying each of n correction values stored in said correction map means at n array points in said two-dimensional array which surround the prevailing engine operating parameters, by respective weighting factors to provide n product values and then summing said n product values to produce a calculated correction value; means for determining a command value for said input control parameter by summing said basic value and a calculated correction value; and means for updating said values stored in said correction map means, said updating means comprising means for producing a series of error values, multiplying each error value by a respective weighting factor for each of n array points surrounding the prevailing engine operating parameters to form n product values, and using said n product values to update said correction values stored at said n array points, said weighting factors being related to the distance of the prevailing engine operating parameters from the n array points respectively, and calculating said weighting factor for each array point in relation to its distance from the prevailing engine operating parameters, wherein n is an integer greater than 2.

Claim 2

A system for determining an internal combustion engine input control parameter, said system comprising: means for determining a first engine operating parameter; means for determining a second engine operating parameter; means for determining a basic value for an engine input control parameter in accordance with a fixed map; a correction map means for storing correction values for said input control parameter as a two-dimensional array as a function of said two engine operating parameters means for providing a calculated correction value for said two prevailing engine operating parameters, said providing means includes means for multiplying each of n correction values stored in said correction map means at n array points in said two-dimensional array which surround the prevailing engine operating parameters, by respective weighting factors to provide n product values and then summing said n product values to produce a calculated correction value; means for determining a command value for said input control parameter by summing said basic value and a calculated correction value; and means for updating said values stored in said correction map means, said updating means comprising means for producing a series of error values, multiplying each error value by a respective weighting factor for each of n array points surrounding the prevailing engine operating parameters to form n product values, and using said n product values to update said correction values stored at said n array points, said weighting factors being related to the distance of the prevailing engine operating parameters from the n array points respectively, and calculating said weighting factor for each array point in relation to its distance from the prevailing engine operating parameters, wherein n is an integer greater than 2.

Claim 6

The system as claimed in one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein said updating means further includes means for multiplying each of said product values by a constant and adding the resulting values to the respective correction values presently stored at the respective array points.

Claim 7

The system as claimed in one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein said first engine operating parameter is engine speed, said second engine operating parameter is load demand and fixed values of said engine input control parameter are stored in said fixed map as a function of engine speed and load demand, and each basic value of said engine input control parameter is determined for the value stored at said array points in the two-dimensional array which surround the prevailing speed and load demand, said input control parameter at each point is multiplied by a respective weighting factor to form a product value and the product values are summed to produce the basic value.

Claim 8

A system for the determination of slope of variations in engine output with respect to variations in an input control parameter for an internal combustion engine, said engine operating through a drive train, said engine and drive train comprising a resonant system having at least one resonant frequency, said apparatus comprising: means for determining a basic value for a first engine input control parameter; a position transducer for detecting the rotational position of said engine at least once during each engine fire period; a perturbation generator for perturbing said input control parameter about said basic value, said perturbation generator generating a periodic perturbation waveform and applying a positive perturbation to said input control parameter during the first part of each period of the perturbation waveform and a negative perturbation to said input control parameter during the second part of each period of the perturbation waveform, each period of said waveform being equal to a whole number of engine fire periods and the frequency of said waveform being greater than three-quarters of the highest resonant frequency of the resonant system; means for creating at least one series of contiguous positive and negative measurement windows associated respectively with first and second parts of said perturbation waveform, each measurement window lagging its respective part of the perturbation waveform by a predetermined phase shift; and means for calculating the slope of engine output with respect to said input control parameter, said calculating means calculating said slope based upon the change in engine speed between adjacent measurement windows.

Claim 9

A system for the determination of slope of variations in engine output with respect to variations in an input control parameter for an internal combustion engine, said engine operating through a drive train, said engine and drive train comprising a resonant system having at least one resonant frequency, said apparatus comprising: means for determining a basic value for a first engine input control parameter; a position transducer for detecting the rotational position of said engine at least once during each engine fire period; a perturbation generator for perturbing said input control parameter about said basic value, said perturbation generator generating a periodic perturbation waveform and applying a positive perturbation to said input control parameter during the first part of each period of the perturbation waveform and a negative perturbation to said input control parameter during the second part of each period of the perturbation waveform, each period of said waveform being equal to a whole number of engine fire periods and the frequency of said waveform being greater than three-quarters of the highest resonant frequency of the resonant system; means for creating at least one series of contiguous positive and negative measurement windows associated respectively with first and second parts of said perturbation waveform, each measurement window lagging its respective part of the perturbation waveform by a predetermined phase shift; and means for calculating the slope of engine output with respect to said input control parameter, said calculating means calculating said slope based upon the change in engine speed between adjacent measurement windows.

Claim 12

A system for controlling a power producing engine, said engine having at least one input which effects an engine output, said system comprising: means for determining a first engine operating parameter; means for determining a second engine operating parameter; means for determining a baseline value for said engine input control parameter in accordance with a fixed map; correction map means for storing correction values for said input control parameter as a two-dimensional array as a function of said two engine operating parameters; means for providing a calculated correction value for said two prevailing engine operating parameters, said providing means including means for multiplying each of four correction values stored in said correction map means at four array points in said two-dimensional array which surrounds the prevailing engine operating parameters, by respective weighting factors to provide four product values and then summing said four product values to produce a calculated correction value; means for determining a command value for said particular input control parameter by summing said baseline value and said calculated correction value; means for updating said values stored in said correction map means, said updating means comprising means for producing a series of error values, multiplying each error value by a respective weighting factor for each of said four array points to form four product values, and using said four product values to update said correction values stored at said four array points, said weighting factors being determined by forming a main rectangle whose corners lie on said four array points surrounding the prevailing engine operating parameters, dividing said main rectangle into four sub-rectangles by an ordinate and abscissa which pass through said prevailing engine operating parameters, and calculating said weighting factor for each array point in dependence upon the area of the diagonally opposite sub-rectangle; means for periodically perturbing said engine input control parameter about said command value; means for monitoring said engine output; means for determining the slope of engine output with respect to said engine input; and means for adjusting said engine input control parameter so as to obtain a desired value of said slope.

Claim 13

A system for controlling a power producing engine, said engine having at least one input which effects an engine output, said system comprising: means for determining a first engine operating parameter; means for determining a second engine operating parameter; means for determining a baseline value for said engine input control parameter in accordance with a fixed map; correction map means for storing correction values for said input control parameter as a two-dimensional array as a function of said two engine operating parameters; means for providing a calculated correction value for said two prevailing engine operating parameters, said providing means including means for multiplying each of four correction values stored in said correction map means at four array points in said two-dimensional array which surrounds the prevailing engine operating parameters, by respective weighting factors to provide four product values and then summing said four product values to produce a calculated correction value; means for determining a command value for said particular input control parameter by summing said baseline value and said calculated correction value; means for updating said values stored in said correction map means, said updating means comprising means for producing a series of error values, multiplying each error value by a respective weighting factor for each of said four array points to form four product values, and using said four product values to update said correction values stored at said four array points, said weighting factors being determined by forming a main rectangle whose corners lie on said four array points surrounding the prevailing engine operating parameters, dividing said main rectangle into four sub-rectangles by an ordinate and abscissa which pass through said prevailing engine operating parameters, and calculating said weighting factor for each array point in dependence upon the area of the diagonally opposite sub-rectangle; means for periodically perturbing said engine input control parameter about said command value; means for monitoring said engine output; means for determining the slope of engine output with respect to said engine input; and means for adjusting said engine input control parameter so as to obtain a desired value of said slope.

Claim 16

A system for controlling a power producing rotating engine having fire periods, said engine operating through a drive train and having an output, said engine and drive train comprising a resonant system having at least one resonant frequency, said system comprising: means for determining a baseline value for at least one engine input control parameter in accordance with a fixed map; a position transducer for detecting the rotational position of said engine at least once during each engine fire period; a perturbation generator for perturbing said input control parameter about said baseline value, said perturbation generator generating a periodic perturbation waveform and applying a positive perturbation to said input control parameter during the first part of each period of the perturbation waveform and a negative perturbation to said input control parameter during the second part of each period of the perturbation waveform, each period of said waveform being equal to a whole number of engine fire periods and the frequency of said waveform being greater than three-quarters of the highest resonant frequency of the resonant system; means for creating at least one series of contiguous positive and negative measurement windows associated respectively with first and second parts of said perturbation waveform, each measurement window lagging its respective part of the perturbation waveform by a predetermined phase shift; means for monitoring said engine output; means for calculating the slope of engine output with respect to said input control parameter, said calculating means calculating said slope based upon the change in engine speed between adjacent measurement windows; and means for controlling an input control parameter so as to obtain a desired value of said slope.

Claim 17

A system for controlling a power producing rotating engine having fire periods, said engine operating through a drive train and having an output, said engine and drive train comprising a resonant system having at least one resonant frequency, said system comprising: means for determining a baseline value for at least one engine input control parameter in accordance with a fixed map; a position transducer for detecting the rotational position of said engine at least once during each engine fire period; a perturbation generator for perturbing said input control parameter about said baseline value, said perturbation generator generating a periodic perturbation waveform and applying a positive perturbation to said input control parameter during the first part of each period of the perturbation waveform and a negative perturbation to said input control parameter during the second part of each period of the perturbation waveform, each period of said waveform being equal to a whole number of engine fire periods and the frequency of said waveform being greater than three-quarters of the highest resonant frequency of the resonant system; means for creating at least one series of contiguous positive and negative measurement windows associated respectively with first and second parts of said perturbation waveform, each measurement window lagging its respective part of the perturbation waveform by a predetermined phase shift; means for monitoring said engine output; means for calculating the slope of engine output with respect to said input control parameter, said calculating means calculating said slope based upon the change in engine speed between adjacent measurement windows; and means for controlling an input control parameter so as to obtain a desired value of said slope.

Claim 23

An system as claimed in one of claims 8, 12 or 13, wherein said perturbed input control parameter is the same parameter as the controlled said at least one engine input control parameter.

Claim 24

A method of determining an internal combustion engine input control parameter, said method comprising the steps of: determining a first engine operating parameter; determining a second engine operating parameter; determining a basic value of said engine input control parameter in accordance with a fixed map; storing correction values for said input control parameter as a two-dimensional array as a function of said two engine operating parameters; providing a calculated correction value for said two prevailing engine operating parameters, said providing step further including the steps of: multiplying each of four correction values stored in a correction map at four array points in said two-dimensional array which surround the prevailing engine operating parameters, by respective weighting factors to provide four product values; and summing said four product values to produce a calculated correction value; determining a command value for said input control parameter by summing said basic value and said calculated correction value; and updating said values stored in said correction map by the steps of: producing a series of error values; multiplying each error value by a respective weighting factor for each of said four array points to form four product values; and using said four product values to update said correction values stored at said four array points; said weighting factors being determined by steps of: forming a main rectangle whose corners lie on said four array points surrounding said prevailing engine operating parameters; dividing said main rectangle into four sub-rectangles by an ordinate and abscissa which pass through said prevailing engine operating parameters; and calculating said weighting factor for each array point in dependence upon the area of the diagonally opposite sub-rectangle.

Claim 25

A method of determining an internal combustion engine input control parameter, said method comprising the steps of: determining a first engine operating parameter; determining a second engine operating parameter; determining a basic value of said engine input control parameter in accordance with a fixed map; storing correction values for said input control parameter as a two-dimensional array as a function of said two engine operating parameters; providing a calculated correction value for said two prevailing engine operating parameters, said providing step further including the steps of: multiplying each of four correction values stored in a correction map at four array points in said two-dimensional array which surround the prevailing engine operating parameters, by respective weighting factors to provide four product values; and summing said four product values to produce a calculated correction value; determining a command value for said input control parameter by summing said basic value and said calculated correction value; and updating said values stored in said correction map by the steps of: producing a series of error values; multiplying each error value by a respective weighting factor for each of said four array points to form four product values; and using said four product values to update said correction values stored at said four array points; said weighting factors being determined by steps of: forming a main rectangle whose corners lie on said four array points surrounding said prevailing engine operating parameters; dividing said main rectangle into four sub-rectangles by an ordinate and abscissa which pass through said prevailing engine operating parameters; and calculating said weighting factor for each array point in dependence upon the area of the diagonally opposite sub-rectangle.

Claim 27

A method of determining an internal combustion engine input control parameter, said method comprising the steps of: determining a first engine operating parameter; determining a second engine operating parameter; determining a basic value of said engine input control parameter in accordance with a fixed map; storing correction values for said input control parameter as a two-dimensional array as a function of said two engine operating parameters; providing a calculated correction value for said two prevailing engine operating parameters, said providing step further including the steps of: multiplying each of three correction values stored in a correction map at three array points in said two-dimensional array which are closest to the prevailing engine operating parameters, by respective weighting factors to provide three product values; and summing said three product values to produce a calculated correction value; determining a command value for said input control parameter by summing said basic value and said calculated correction value; and updating said values stored in said correction map by the steps of: producing a series of error values; multiplying each error value by a respective weighting factor for each of said three array points to form three product values; and using said three product values to update said correction values stored at said three array points; said weighting factors being determined by steps of: forming a main triangle whose corners lie on said three array points surrounding said prevailing engine operating parameters; dividing said main triangle into three sub-triangles by connecting each of said three array points to said prevailing engine operating parameters by a line segment; and calculating said weighting factor for each array point in dependence upon the area of the diagonally opposite sub-triangle.

Claim 28

A method of determining an internal combustion engine input control parameter, said method comprising the steps of: determining a first engine operating parameter; determining a second engine operating parameter; determining a basic value of said engine input control parameter in accordance with a fixed map; storing correction values for said input control parameter as a two-dimensional array as a function of said two engine operating parameters; providing a calculated correction value for said two prevailing engine operating parameters, said providing step further including the steps of: multiplying each of three correction values stored in a correction map at three array points in said two-dimensional array which are closest to the prevailing engine operating parameters, by respective weighting factors to provide three product values; and summing said three product values to produce a calculated correction value; determining a command value for said input control parameter by summing said basic value and said calculated correction value; and updating said values stored in said correction map by the steps of: producing a series of error values; multiplying each error value by a respective weighting factor for each of said three array points to form three product values; and using said three product values to update said correction values stored at said three array points; said weighting factors being determined by steps of: forming a main triangle whose corners lie on said three array points surrounding said prevailing engine operating parameters; dividing said main triangle into three sub-triangles by connecting each of said three array points to said prevailing engine operating parameters by a line segment; and calculating said weighting factor for each array point in dependence upon the area of the diagonally opposite sub-triangle.

Claim 30

The method as claimed in one of claims 19, 20, 21 or 22, wherein said updating step further includes: multiplying each of said product values by a constant; and adding the resulting values from the previous step to the respective correction values presently stored at the respective array points.

Claim 31

The method as claimed in one of claims 19, 20, 21 wherein said first engine operating parameter is engine speed, said second engine operating parameter is load demand and fixed values of said engine input control parameter are stored in a fixed schedule as a function of engine speed and load demand, and each basic value of said engine input control parameter is determined for the value stored at said array points in the two-dimensional array which surround the prevailing speed and load demand, said input control parameter at each point is multiplied by a respective weighting factor to form a product value and the product values are summed to produce the basic value.

Claim 32

A method of determining slope of variations in engine output with respect to variations in an input control parameter for a rotating internal combustion engine having fire periods, said engine operating through a drive train, said engine and drive train comprising a resonant system having at least one resonant frequency, said method comprising the steps of: determining a basic value for a first engine input control parameter; detecting the rotational position of said engine at least once during each engine fire period; perturbing said input control parameter about said basic value, said perturbing step including the steps of: generating a perturbation waveform; and applying a positive perturbation to said input control parameter during the first part of each period of the perturbation waveform and a negative perturbation to said input control parameter during the second part of each period of the perturbation waveform, each period of said waveform being equal to a whole number of engine fire periods and the frequency of said waveform being greater than three-quarters of the highest resonant frequency of the resonant system; creating at least one series of contiguous positive and negative measurement windows associated respectively with first and second parts of said perturbation waveform, each measurement window lagging its respective part of the perturbation waveform by a predetermined phase shift; and calculating the slope of engine output with respect to said input control parameter, said slope calculation being based upon the change in engine speed between adjacent measurement windows.

Claim 33

A method of determining slope of variations in engine output with respect to variations in an input control parameter for a rotating internal combustion engine having fire periods, said engine operating through a drive train, said engine and drive train comprising a resonant system having at least one resonant frequency, said method comprising the steps of: determining a basic value for a first engine input control parameter; detecting the rotational position of said engine at least once during each engine fire period; perturbing said input control parameter about said basic value, said perturbing step including the steps of: generating a perturbation waveform; and applying a positive perturbation to said input control parameter during the first part of each period of the perturbation waveform and a negative perturbation to said input control parameter during the second part of each period of the perturbation waveform, each period of said waveform being equal to a whole number of engine fire periods and the frequency of said waveform being greater than three-quarters of the highest resonant frequency of the resonant system; creating at least one series of contiguous positive and negative measurement windows associated respectively with first and second parts of said perturbation waveform, each measurement window lagging its respective part of the perturbation waveform by a predetermined phase shift; and calculating the slope of engine output with respect to said input control parameter, said slope calculation being based upon the change in engine speed between adjacent measurement windows.

Claim 34

A method of providing an adaptive control system for a rotating internal combustion engine having fire periods, said engine connected through a drive train to a load forming a resonant system having at least one resonant frequency said method comprising the steps of: determining a basic value for an engine input control parameter; detecting the rotational position of said engine at least once during each engine fire period; perturbing said input control parameter about said basic value, said perturbing step including the steps of: generating a perturbation waveform; and applying a positive perturbation to said input control parameter during the first part of each period of the perturbation waveform and negative perturbation to said input control parameter during the second part of each period of the perturbation waveform, each period of said waveform being equal to a whole number of engine fire periods and the frequency of said waveform being greater than three-quarters of the highest resonant frequency of the resonant system; creating at least one series of contiguous positive and negative measurement windows associated respectively with first and second parts of said perturbation waveform, each measurement window lagging its respective part of the perturbation waveform by a predetermined phase shift; calculating the slope of engine output with respect to said input control parameter, said slope calculation being based upon the change in engine speed between adjacent measurement windows; and controlling at least one engine input control parameter in a desired value of slope.

Claim 35

A method of providing an adaptive control system for a rotating internal combustion engine having fire periods, said engine connected through a drive train to a load forming a resonant system having at least one resonant frequency said method comprising the steps of: determining a basic value for an engine input control parameter; detecting the rotational position of said engine at least once during each engine fire period; perturbing said input control parameter about said basic value, said perturbing step including the steps of: generating a perturbation waveform; and applying a positive perturbation to said input control parameter during the first part of each period of the perturbation waveform and negative perturbation to said input control parameter during the second part of each period of the perturbation waveform, each period of said waveform being equal to a whole number of engine fire periods and the frequency of said waveform being greater than three-quarters of the highest resonant frequency of the resonant system; creating at least one series of contiguous positive and negative measurement windows associated respectively with first and second parts of said perturbation waveform, each measurement window lagging its respective part of the perturbation waveform by a predetermined phase shift; calculating the slope of engine output with respect to said input control parameter, said slope calculation being based upon the change in engine speed between adjacent measurement windows; and controlling at least one engine input control parameter in a desired value of slope.

Claim 36

The method of controlling a power producing engine, said engine having at least one input which affects an engine output, said method comprising the steps of determining a first engine operating parameter; determining a first engine operating parameter; determining a second engine operating parameter; determining a baseline value for said engine input control parameter in accordance with a fixed map; storing correction values for said input control parameter as a two-dimensional array as a function of said two engine operating parameters; providing a calculated correction value for said two prevailing engine operating parameters, said providing step further including the steps of: multiplying each of four correction values stored in a correction map at four array points in said two-dimensional array which surround the prevailing engine operating parameters, by respective weighting factors to provide four product values; and summing said four product values to produce a calculated correction value; determining a command value for said input control parameter by summing said baseline value and said calculated correction value; updating said values stored in said correction map by the steps of: producing a series of error values; multiplying each error value by a respective weighting factor for each of said four array points to form four product values; and using said four product values to update said correction values stored at said four array points; said weighting factors being determined by the steps of: forming a main rectangle whose corners lie on said four array points surrounding said prevailing engine operating parameters; dividing said main rectangle into four sub-rectangles by an ordinate and abscissa which pass through said prevailing engine operating parameters; and calculating said weighting factor for each array point in dependence upon the area of the diagonally opposite sub-rectangle; periodically perturbing said engine input control parameter about said command value; monitoring said engine output; determining the slope of engine output with respect to said engine input control parameter; and adjusting said engine input control parameter so as to obtain a desired value of said slope.

Claim 37

The method of controlling a power producing engine, said engine having at least one input which affects an engine output, said method comprising the steps of determining a first engine operating parameter; determining a first engine operating parameter; determining a second engine operating parameter; determining a baseline value for said engine input control parameter in accordance with a fixed map; storing correction values for said input control parameter as a two-dimensional array as a function of said two engine operating parameters; providing a calculated correction value for said two prevailing engine operating parameters, said providing step further including the steps of: multiplying each of four correction values stored in a correction map at four array points in said two-dimensional array which surround the prevailing engine operating parameters, by respective weighting factors to provide four product values; and summing said four product values to produce a calculated correction value; determining a command value for said input control parameter by summing said baseline value and said calculated correction value; updating said values stored in said correction map by the steps of: producing a series of error values; multiplying each error value by a respective weighting factor for each of said four array points to form four product values; and using said four product values to update said correction values stored at said four array points; said weighting factors being determined by the steps of: forming a main rectangle whose corners lie on said four array points surrounding said prevailing engine operating parameters; dividing said main rectangle into four sub-rectangles by an ordinate and abscissa which pass through said prevailing engine operating parameters; and calculating said weighting factor for each array point in dependence upon the area of the diagonally opposite sub-rectangle; periodically perturbing said engine input control parameter about said command value; monitoring said engine output; determining the slope of engine output with respect to said engine input control parameter; and adjusting said engine input control parameter so as to obtain a desired value of said slope.

Claim 40

The method of providing an adaptive control system for a rotating internal combustion engine having fire periods and an output, said engine connected through a drive train to a load forming a resonant system having at least one resonant frequency said method comprising the steps of: determining a baseline value for at least one engine input control parameter in accordance with a fixed schedule; detecting the rotational position of said engine at least once during each engine fire period; perturbing said input control parameter about said baseline value, said perturbing step including the steps of: generating a perturbation waveform; and applying a positive perturbation to said input control parameter during the first part of each period of the perturbation waveform and a negative perturbation to said input control parameter during the second part of each period of the perturbation waveform, each period of said waveform being equal to a whole number of engine fire periods and the frequency of said waveform being greater than three quarters of the highest resonant frequency of the resonant system; creating at least one series of contiguous positive and negative measurement windows associated respectively with first and second parts of said perturbation waveform, each measurement window lagging its respective part of the perturbation waveform by a predetermined phase shift; monitoring said engine output; calculating the slope of engine output with respect to said input control parameter, said slope calculation being based upon the change in engine speed between adjacent measurement windows; and controlling at least one engine input control parameter to obtain a desired value of slope.

Claim 41

The method of providing an adaptive control system for a rotating internal combustion engine having fire periods and an output, said engine connected through a drive train to a load forming a resonant system having at least one resonant frequency said method comprising the steps of: determining a baseline value for at least one engine input control parameter in accordance with a fixed schedule; detecting the rotational position of said engine at least once during each engine fire period; perturbing said input control parameter about said baseline value, said perturbing step including the steps of: generating a perturbation waveform; and applying a positive perturbation to said input control parameter during the first part of each period of the perturbation waveform and a negative perturbation to said input control parameter during the second part of each period of the perturbation waveform, each period of said waveform being equal to a whole number of engine fire periods and the frequency of said waveform being greater than three quarters of the highest resonant frequency of the resonant system; creating at least one series of contiguous positive and negative measurement windows associated respectively with first and second parts of said perturbation waveform, each measurement window lagging its respective part of the perturbation waveform by a predetermined phase shift; monitoring said engine output; calculating the slope of engine output with respect to said input control parameter, said slope calculation being based upon the change in engine speed between adjacent measurement windows; and controlling at least one engine input control parameter to obtain a desired value of slope.

Claim 47

The method as claimed in one of claims 26, 30 or 31, wherein said perturbed input control parameter is the same parameter as the controlled said at least one engine input control parameter.