A method for the model-based control and regulation of an internal combustion engine. The method includes calculating, as a function of a set torque, injection system set values for controlling the injection system actuators via a combustion model and calculating gas path set values for controlling the gas path actuators via a gas path model. The combustion model is adapted during operation of the internal combustion engine into the form of a complete data-based model. A measure of quality is minimized by an optimizer by changing the injection system set values and gas path set values within a prediction horizon, and the injection system set values and gas path set values are set by the optimizer, which is critical for adjusting the operating point of the internal combustion engine by using the minimized measure of quality.

An internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine includes a control device, and at least one injector for liquid fuel. The injector(s) can be controlled by the control device via an actuator control signal. The injector(s) include an injector outlet opening for the liquid fuel which can be closed by a needle. A sensor is also provided for measuring a measurement variable of the injector(s). The sensor is or can be in a signal connection with the control device. An algorithm is stored in the control device, which algorithm calculates a state of the injector(s) based on input variables and an injector model, compares the state calculated via the injector model with a target state, and produces a state signal in accordance therewith. The state signal is characteristic of a change in the state of the injector(s) that occurs during intended use of the injector(s) and/or an unforeseen change in the state of the injector(s). The input variables include at least the actuator control signal and the measurement values of the sensor. A method for operating such an internal combustion engine and an injector is also provided.

A nonlinear disturbance rejection control apparatus and method for electronic throttle control systems are invented to control the electronic throttle system and to achieve a continuous finite-time disturbance rejection control goal. A control sub-apparatus and method are proposed with an observing sub-apparatus and method for controlling the opening angle of an electronic throttle valve. A mathematical model of the electronic throttle system is analyzed and a control-oriented model is presented with the formation of a lumped disturbance. With combination of the continuous terminal sliding mode control method and the output feedback control method, based on the finite-time high-order sliding mode observer, the preferred control performance is guaranteed, where both the dynamic and static performance of the system is effectively improved.

A method for controlling a combustion apparatus having a combustion state in which a parameter related to the combustion state reflects a chaotic behavior is provided. The method includes the steps of measuring the parameter and determining a time series of the parameter, shifting the time series by a variable time delay for determining a time-shifted signal, and forming a difference between the time-shifted signal and the time series for determining a time dependent first signal, so that a norm of the difference is lowest. A time dependent second signal is determined, wherein determining the time dependent second signal includes at least one of using a frequency of a desired oscillating combustion state, and shifting the time series by a set time delay. The first signal and the second signal are combined to determine a control signal. The control signal is used to influence the combustion apparatus.

A method for predictive open-loop and/or closed-loop control of an internal combustion engine with control variables pursuant to a model of the engine with characterizing variables and a control circuit for the control variables. The control variables are adjusted in an open-loop or closed-loop manner by measuring actual values and specifying target values of the characterizing variables and, optionally, depending on the boundary and/or environmental and/or ageing conditions. The characterizing variables are controlled pursuant to a model of the engine with the characterizing variables and a control circuit with the control variables. The controlling is part of a model-based predictive control, wherein the characterizing variables of the engine model are calculated and the control variables of the engine are adjusted in a predictively controlled manner. A model-based predictive non-linear controller is used for the controlling, which is constructed in a modular manner with a number of model-based predictive control modules.

An internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine includes a control device, and at least one injector for liquid fuel that includes a discharge opening for the liquid fuel. The at least one injector is connected to a collection volume by means of a line for liquid fuel. Liquid fuel can flow through the line for liquid fuel from the at least one injector to the collection volume. A control element that can be adjusted by the control device via a control signal is also provided. Via the control element, a back pressure in the line for liquid fuel can be adjusted in order to adjust an amount of liquid fuel discharged through the discharge opening of the at least one injector. Also provided is a method for operating an internal combustion engine and an injector.

A method for determining an injection quantity of a fuel injector determines a first time at which an injection process of the fuel injector starts, a second time at which the injection process of the fuel injector ends, calculates a model on the basis of the first time and the second time, which model represents the position of a nozzle needle of the fuel injector as a function of the time, and calculates the quantity of fuel to inject.

An LPV/MPC engine control system is disclosed that includes an engine control unit connected to multiple sensors. The engine control unit receives, from the sensors, signals indicative of desired engine torque and engine torque output, and determines, from these signals, optimal engine control commands using a piecewise LPV/MPC routine. This routine includes: determining a nonlinear and a linear system model for the engine assembly, minimizing a control cost function in a receding horizon for the linear system model, determining system responses for the nonlinear and linear system models, determining if a norm of an error function between the system responses is smaller than a calibrated threshold, and if the norm is smaller than the predetermined threshold, applying the linearized system model in a next sampling time for a next receding horizon to determine the optimal control command. Once determined, the optimal control command is output to the engine assembly.

An engine system incorporating an engine, one or more sensors, and a controller. The controller may be connected to the one or more sensors and the engine. The one or more sensors may be configured to sense one or more parameters related to operation of the engine. The controller may incorporate an air-path state estimator configured to estimate one or more air-path state parameters in the engine based on values of one or more parameters sensed by the sensors. The controller may have an on-line and an off-line portion, where the on-line portion may incorporate the air-path state estimator and the off-line portion may configure and/or calibrate a model for the air-path state estimator.

The present invention relates to a method for determining a manipulated variable for adjusting an intake manifold pressure in an internal combustion engine on the basis of a target intake manifold pressure, whereby the target intake manifold pressure is corrected as a function of a limit value of the manipulated variable and/or as a function of a variable that has been influenced by the limit value of the manipulated variable. Moreover, the invention relates to a control circuit for carrying out such a method.