Optimal Degree of Hybridization for Spark-Ignited Engines with Optional Variable Valve Timings

The electric hybridization of vehicles with an internal combustion engine is an effective measure to reduce CO2 emissions. However, the identification of the dimension and the sufficient complexity of the powertrain parts such as the engine, electric machine, and battery is not trivial. This paper investigates the influence of the technological advancement of an internal combustion engine and the sizing of all propulsion components on the optimal degree of hybridization and the corresponding fuel consumption reduction. Thus, a turbocharged and a naturally aspirated engine are both modeled with the additional option of either a fixed camshaft or a fully variable valve train. All models are based on data obtained from measurements on engine test benches. We apply dynamic programming to find the globally optimal operating strategy for the driving cycle chosen. Depending on the engine type, a reduction in fuel consumption by up to 32% is achieved with a degree of hybridization of 45%. Depending on the degree of hybridization, a fully variable valve train reduces the fuel consumption additionally by up to 9% and advances the optimal degree of hybridization to 50%. Furthermore, a sufficiently high degree of hybridization renders the gearbox obsolete, which permits simpler vehicle concepts to be derived. A degree of hybridization of 65% is found to be fuel optimal for a vehicle with a fixed transmission ratio. Its fuel economy diverges less than 4% from the optimal fuel economy of a hybrid electric vehicle equipped with a gearbox.ISSN:1996-107

Increased Internal Combustion Engine Efficiency with Optimized Valve Timings in Extended Stroke Operation

Spark-ignited internal combustion engines are known to exhibit a decreased brake efficiency in part-load operation. Similarly to cylinder deactivation, the x-stroke operation presented in this paper is an adjustable form of skip-cycle operation. It is an effective measure to increase the efficiency of an internal combustion engine, which has to be equipped with a variable valve train to enable this feature. This paper presents an optimization procedure for the exhaust valve timings applicable to any valid stroke operation number greater than four. In the first part, the gas spring operation, during which all gas exchange valves are closed, is explained, as well as how it affects the indicated efficiency and the blow-by mass flow. In the second part, a simulation model with variable valve timings, parameterized with measurement data obtained on the engine test, is used to find the optimal valve timings. We show that in 12-stroke operation and with a cylinder load of 5 Nm, an indicated efficiency of 34.3% is achieved. Preloading the gas spring with residual gas prevents oil suction and thus helps to reduce hydrocarbon emissions. Measurements of load variations in 4-, 8-, and 12-stroke operations show that by applying an x-stroke operation, the indicated efficiency remains high and the center of combustion remains optimal in the range of significantly lower torque outputs.ISSN:1996-107

A method to quantify the advantages of a variable valve train for CI engines

Today’s CI engines are subject to strict regulations of pollutant emissions and ambitious fuel consumption targets. Therefore, the interaction between the engine and the exhaust aftertreatment system (ATS) has become increasingly important. Numerous studies have shown that a variable valve train (VVT) improves the interaction between engine and ATS. However, most of these studies either quantify the advantage on a specific engine or only present complex CFD models, such that the results are not easily transferable to different engines. Thus, engine manufacturers cannot directly use these results to assess the advantage of various VVT strategies for their engines. In this paper, we propose a cycle-discrete cylinder model based on first principles which allows to simulate various VVT strategies. In contrast to present methods based on CFD, the proposed cylinder model can be realized with the equations presented. Furthermore, the model is identified with measurement data of an engine without a VVT. A separate engine, which is retrofitted with a fully VVT, is used to validate the proposed modeling approach. Using the identified model in combination with a mean-value model of the air path, we are able to simulate the effects of early intake valve closing, early exhaust valve opening, and cylinder deactivation for a complete CI engine that has no VVT installed. The model is then used to highlight the advantage of a VVT for two scenarios at part-load operation. At cold start, where the temperature of the ATS must be increased quickly, variable valve timing achieves higher enthalpy flows to the ATS while also lowering engine-out NOx emissions when compared to a standard engine strategy. If the ATS is at the operating temperature, cylinder deactivation achieves significantly higher enthalpy flows which prevents the ATS from cooling down. In addition, cylinder deactivation also lowers fuel consumption and engine-out NOx emissions.ISSN:1468-0874ISSN:2041-314

Using fully variable valve control for cylinder-individual reference tracking with emission-optimal internal exhaust gas recirculation

A fully variable valve train significantly increases the degree of freedom of the control of internal combustion engines. Cylinder deactivation, thermal management, alternative combustion strategies, and minimized pumping losses are just a few examples enabled by freely adaptable intake and exhaust valve timings. This paper presents a method to achieve the accurate tracking of load trajectories under stoichiometric conditions. A feedback controller is designed with a mixed-sensitivity H∞ synthesis method. The underlying system plant is modeled by a combination of a mean-value model of the cylinder-internal processes and a neural network to map the correlation between valve timings and cylinder charge. All experiments are conducted on a test bench with a spark-ignited engine equipped with an internally developed fully variable valve train called FlexWork. With this method, a mean absolute error of 0.07bar in indicated mean pressure and of 0.009 in air–fuel equivalence ratio is achieved for the tracking of the reference trajectory. Furthermore, a cost function dependent online optimization of the internal exhaust gas recirculation is conducted without affecting the tracking performance of the load and stoichiometry. Depending on the parametrization of the cost function, nitrogen oxide or hydrocarbon pollutants can be reduced by up to 46% or 17%, respectively.ISSN:0967-0661ISSN:1873-693