Search Results

Mathematical models of a torque sensor equipped crankshaft in a light-duty diesel engine are identified, validated, and compared. The models are based on in-cylinder pressure and crankshaft torque data collected from a 5-cylinder common-rail diesel engine running at multiple operating points. The work is motivated by the need of a crankshaft model in a closed-loop combustion control system based on crankshaft torque measurements. In such a system a crankshaft model is used in order to separate the measured crankshaft torque into cylinder individual torque contributions. A method for this is described and used for IMEP estimation. Not surprisingly, the results indicate that higher order models are able to estimate crankshaft torque more accurately than lower order models, even if the differences are small. For IMEP estimation using the cylinder separation method however, these differences have large effects on accuracy.

A closed loop spark advance control system was evaluated on a Volvo V70 5-cylinder spark ignited engine. The system utilises a crankshaft mounted torque sensor for combustion monitoring which provides individual cylinder combustion phasing information and enables individual cylinder spark advance control. The spark advance control system can compensate for changes in combustion operating conditions and hence limit the need for calibration. The spark advance control system was used in a mode of cylinder balancing where the control target is to keep the combustion phasing in all cylinders at a defined setpoint. This control law was evaluated in vehicle tests in an emission test chamber, running pre-defined driving cycles FTP72 and Highway Fuel Economy Test. Analysis shows that the combustion phasing was kept close to the selected setpoint during both tests and, hence, robustness in that sense was demonstrated.

A simulation model for the dynamic properties of multi-cylinder engines is developed. Specifically, the model is used to describe the relation between the individual cylinder pressures and the resulting torque in the crankshaft. The model is validated against a 5-cylinder SI-engine equipped with a crankshaft integrated torque sensor. The simulation model developed is based on a system of first order nonlinear differential equations where the crankshaft dynamics are expressed as interconnected mass-spring-damper elements. The motivation is to investigate how instantaneous crankshaft torque measurements can be used to deduce information on the combustion process, cylinder by cylinder, for the purpose of engine control. Therefore, a computationally simple simulation method is introduced.