Control system for engine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10458352-B2
Application number	US-201715708673-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 19, 2017
Priority date	Sep 19, 2017
Publication date	Oct 29, 2019
Grant date	Oct 29, 2019

Abstract

A control system for an engine includes an operational data sensor generating signals indicative of operational data of the engine and a controller communicably coupled with the engine and the operational data sensor. The controller operates the engine based on operational parameters defined by a baseline engine model. The controller receives the signals indicative of the operational data of the engine, and generates a dynamic engine model which defines at least one operational parameter of the engine based on the received operational data of the engine. The controller compares the baseline engine model to the dynamic engine model. The controller determines a difference between the baseline engine model and the dynamic engine model based on the comparison. The controller compares the determined difference to a threshold difference value and operates the engine based on the dynamic engine model, if the determined difference exceeds the threshold difference value.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A control system for an engine, the control system comprising:
an operational data sensor configured to generate signals indicative of operational data of the engine; and
a controller communicably coupled with the engine and the operational data sensor, the controller configured to:
operate the engine based on a baseline engine model, wherein the baseline engine model defines at least one operational parameter based on which the engine operates;
receive the signals indicative of the operational data of the engine;
generate a dynamic engine model of the engine based on the received operational data, wherein the dynamic engine model defines at least one operational parameter based on which the engine operates;
compare the baseline engine model to the dynamic engine model;
determine a difference between the at least one operational parameter defined by the baseline engine model and the at least one operational parameter defined by the dynamic engine model, wherein the difference is determined based on comparing the baseline engine model to the dynamic engine model;
compare the determined difference to a threshold difference value; and
operate the engine based on the at least one operational parameter defined by the dynamic engine model, if the determined difference exceeds the threshold difference value.

2. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
continue to operate the engine based on the at least one operational parameter defined by the baseline engine model, if the determined difference does not exceed the threshold difference value.

3. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
determine whether to replace the dynamic engine model with the baseline engine model.

4. The control system of claim 3 , wherein the operational data includes values of one or more operational parameters.

5. The control system of claim 3 , herein the controller is further configured to:
operate the engine based on the at least one operational parameter defined by the baseline engine model, when the dynamic engine model is not to replace the baseline engine model.

6. The control system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
calculate a difference between the determined difference and the threshold difference value; and
generate a diagnostic event, if the calculated difference exceeds a threshold value.

7. The control system of claim 6 , wherein generating the diagnostic event includes generating an alert for the operator,
the alert including at least one of a text notification, a visual notification, or an audio alert.

8. The control system of claim 1 , wherein:
operating the engine based on the baseline engine model comprises setting a value of the at least one operational parameter as defined by the baseline engine model; and
operating the engine based on the dynamic engine model comprises setting a value of the at least one operational parameter as defined by the dynamic engine model.

9. A method of controlling an engine, the method comprising:
operating the engine, by a controller, based on a baseline engine model, wherein the baseline engine model defines at least one operational parameter based on which the engine operates;
receiving, by the controller, signals indicative of operational data of the engine;
generating, by the controller, a dynamic engine model based on the operational data of the engine, wherein the dynamic engine model defines at least one operational parameter based, on which the engine operates;
comparing, by the controller, the baseline engine model to the dynamic engine model;
determining, by the controller, a difference between the at least one operational parameter defined by the baseline engine model and the at least one operational parameter defined by the dynamic engine model based on the comparison;
comparing, by the controller, the determined difference to a threshold difference value; and
operating, by the controller, the engine based on the at least one operational parameter defined by the dynamic engine model, if the determined difference exceeds the threshold difference value.

10. The method of claim 9 , further including:
operating, by the controller, the engine based on the at least one operational parameter defined by the baseline engine model, if the determined difference does not exceed the threshold difference value.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
determine, by the controller, whether to replace the dynamic engine model with the baseline engine model.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
continue operating, by the controller, the engine based on at least one operational parameter defined by the dynamic engine model, when the dynamic engine model is to replace the baseline engine model.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the operational data includes values of one or more operational parameters.

14. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
calculating, by the controller, a difference between the determined difference and the threshold difference value; and
generating, by the controller, a diagnostic event, if the calculated difference exceeds a threshold value.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein generating the diagnostic event includes generating an alert for an operator such that the alert includes at least one of a text notification, a visual notification, or an audio alert.

16. The method of claim 9 , wherein:
operating the engine based on the baseline engine model comprises setting a value of the at least one operational parameter as defined by the baseline engine model; and
operating the engine based on the dynamic engine model comprises setting a value of the at least one operational parameter as defined by the dynamic engine model.

17. A controller configured to be retrofitted to an engine, the controller configured to:
receive signals indicative of a first operational data of the engine;
generate a baseline engine model of the engine based on the first operational data, wherein the baseline engine model defines at least one operational parameter based on which the engine operates;
operate the engine based on the at least one operational parameter defined by the baseline engine model;
receive signals indicative of a second operational data of the engine;
generate a dynamic engine model based on the second operational data, wherein the dynamic engine model defines at least one operational parameter based on which the engine operates;
compare the at least one operational parameter defined by the baseline engine model to the at least one operational parameter defined by the dynamic engine model;
determine a difference between the at least one operational parameter defined by the baseline engine model and the at least one operational parameter defined by the dynamic engine model, wherein the difference is determined based on comparing the baseline engine model to the dynamic engine model;
compare the determined difference to a threshold difference value; and
operate the engine based on the at least one operational parameter defined by the dynamic engine model, if the determined difference exceeds the threshold difference value.

18. The controller of claim 17 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
continue operating the engine based on the at least one operational parameter defined by the baseline engine model, if the determined difference does not exceed the threshold difference value.

Assignees

• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• Zhang Yanchai
• Converse Perry Dwain
• Snopko Michael Andrew

Classifications

• F02D2041/228

  Warning displays · CPC title

• F02D41/2451

  characterised by what is learned or calibrated · CPC title

• F02D2041/1433

  using a model or simulation of the system · CPC title

• F02D41/1497

  With detection of the mechanical response of the engine · CPC title

• F02D41/1401 Primary

  characterised by the control or regulation method (F02D41/1473, F02D41/1477 take precedence) · CPC title