IP Library Granted Patent US 8,468,821
Granted Patent B2
US 8,468,821 · App. 12/621,808 · Granted Jun 25, 2013

Dual-loop control systems and methods for a sequential turbocharger

Inventors: Zhiping Steven Liu (Canton, MI); Anupam Gangopadhyay (Mrc Nagar, IN)
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,468,821
App. No.
12/621,808
Granted
Jun 25, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for a sequential turbocharger includes a loop control module, a set-point module, and a loop operation module. The loop control module generates a loop control mode signal based on an engine speed signal and an engine load signal. The loop control mode signal indicates one of a single-loop control mode and a dual-loop control mode. The set-point selection module determines at least one of a boost pressure set-point value and an exhaust pressure set-point value based on the loop control mode signal, the engine speed signal, and an engine torque signal. The loop operation module operates at least one of a variable geometry turbine and a bypass valve of the sequential turbocharger during the single-loop control mode based on the boost pressure set-point value, and during the dual-loop control mode based on the boost pressure set-point value and the exhaust pressure set-point value.

Claims (58)

1. A system for a sequential turbocharger, comprising:

a loop control module that generates a loop control mode signal based on an engine speed signal and an engine load signal,

wherein the loop control mode signal indicates one of a single-loop control mode and a dual-loop control mode;

a set-point selection module that determines at least one of a boost pressure set-point value and an exhaust pressure set-point value based on the loop control mode signal, the engine speed signal, and an engine torque signal; and

a loop operation module that operates at least one of a variable geometry turbine (VGT) and a bypass valve (BPV) of the sequential turbocharger during the single-loop control mode based on the boost pressure set-point value and not the exhaust pressure set-point value, and during the dual-loop control mode based on the boost pressure set-point value and the exhaust pressure set-point value.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the loop control module generates the loop control mode signal that indicates the dual-loop control mode when the engine speed signal is greater than a first predetermined value and when the engine load signal is greater than a second predetermined value, and

wherein the loop control module generates the loop control mode signal to indicate the single-loop control mode at least one of when the engine speed signal is less than or equal to the first predetermined value and when the engine load signal is less than or equal to the second predetermined value.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

an engine speed sensor that generates the engine speed signal; and

a mass airflow (MAF) sensor that generates the engine load signal.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an engine torque sensor that generates the engine torque signal based on rates that fuel is injected into cylinders of an engine.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the set-point selection module selects the boost pressure set-point value when the sequential turbocharger is operated in the single-loop control mode, and

wherein the set-point selection module selects the boost pressure set-point value and the exhaust pressure set-point value when the sequential turbocharger is operated in the dual-loop control mode.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the loop operation module comprises an error module that generates an error signal based on a difference between the boost pressure set-point value and a manifold absolute pressure signal, and

wherein the error module generates the error signal based on a difference between the exhaust pressure set-point value and an exhaust manifold pressure signal.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the error module generates the error signal based on a difference between the exhaust pressure set-point value and an exhaust gas recirculation valve position signal.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the loop operation module further comprises:

a second control module that generates a control signal based on the error signal;

a limit module that generates a scaled signal based on the control signal; and

an actuation module that generates an actuation signal based on the scaled signal to actuate at least one of the BPV and vanes in the VGT,

wherein the second control module signals the actuation module to actuate the BPV based on a calibrated BPV value during the single-loop control mode, and

wherein the calibrated BPV value is determined based on opening of the vanes in the VGT.

9. The system of claim 6 , wherein the loop operation module further comprises:

a second control module that generates a control signal based on the error signal;

a limit module that generates a scaled signal based on the control signal; and

an actuation module that generates an actuation signal based on the scaled signal to actuate at least one of the BPV and vanes in the VGT,

wherein the actuation module actuates the BPV to a fully closed position based on a relationship between the engine speed and the engine load.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the loop operation module:

operates the VGT and the BPV during the single-loop control mode based on the boost pressure set-point value and not the exhaust pressure set-point value; and

operates the VGT and the BPV during the dual-loop control mode based on the boost pressure set-point value and the exhaust pressure set-point value.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the set-point selection module determines the boost pressure set-point value and the exhaust pressure set-point value based on the loop control mode signal, the engine speed signal, and the engine torque signal.

12. A method of controlling a sequential turbocharger, comprising:

generating a loop control mode signal based on an engine speed signal and an engine load signal;

indicating one of a single-loop control mode and a dual-loop control mode via the loop control mode signal;

determining at least one of a boost pressure set-point value and an exhaust pressure set-point value based on the loop control mode signal, the engine speed signal, and an engine torque signal; and

operating a variable geometry turbine (VGT) of the sequential turbocharger during the single-loop control mode based on the boost pressure set-point value and not the exhaust pressure set-point value, and during the dual-loop control mode based on the boost pressure set-point value and the exhaust pressure set-point value.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising generating the loop control mode signal that indicates the dual-loop control mode when the engine speed signal is greater than a first predetermined value and when the engine load signal is greater than a second predetermined value; and

generating the loop control mode signal to indicate the single-loop control mode at least one of when the engine speed signal is less than or equal to the first predetermined value and when the engine load signal is less than or equal to the second predetermined value.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

generating the engine speed signal by an engine speed sensor; and

generating the engine load signal by a mass airflow (MAF) sensor.

15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising generating the engine torque signal based on rates that fuel is injected into cylinders of an engine.

16. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

selecting the boost pressure set-point value when the sequential turbocharger is operated in the single-loop control mode; and

selecting the boost pressure set-point value and the exhaust pressure set-point value when the sequential turbocharger is operated in the dual-loop control mode.

17. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

generating an error signal based on a difference between the boost pressure set-point value and a manifold absolute pressure signal; and

generating the error signal based on a difference between the exhaust pressure set-point value and an exhaust manifold pressure signal.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising generating the error signal based on a difference between the exhaust pressure set-point value and an exhaust gas recirculation valve position signal.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

generating a control signal based on the error signal;

generating a scaled signal based on the control signal; and

generating an actuation signal based on the scaled signal to actuate at least one of the BPV and vanes in the VGT.

20. A system for a sequential turbocharger, comprising:

a loop control module that generates a loop control mode signal based on an engine speed signal and an engine load signal,

wherein the loop control mode signal indicates one of a single-loop control mode and a dual-loop control mode;

a set-point selection module that determines a boost pressure set-point value and an exhaust pressure set-point value based on the loop control mode signal, the engine speed signal, and an engine torque signal; and

a loop operation module that operates a bypass valve of the sequential turbocharger during the single-loop control mode based on the boost pressure set-point value and not the exhaust pressure set-point value, and during the dual-loop control mode based on the boost pressure set-point value and the exhaust pressure set-point value.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034287/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0299 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0555 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025315/0136 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025246/0234 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 25, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023990/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 25, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023989/0155 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 25, 2009
From: LIU, ZHIPING STEVEN; GANGOPADHYAY, ANUPAM
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023569/0692 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110113773A1 · May 19, 2011