Data driven feedforward transient fueling controller identification for spark ignition engines

Presented in this paper is a feedforward fueling controller identification methodology for the transient fueling control of spark ignition (SI) engines. The proposed transient feedforward controller is identified and executed in the crank angle domain, and operates in tandem with a steady state fueling controller. The hypothesis is that the feedforward fueling control of SI engines can be separated into steady state and transient phenomena, and that the majority of the nonlinear behavior associated with engine fueling can be captured with nonlinear steady state compensation. The proposed transient controller identification process is built from standard nonparametric identification techniques using spectral density functions where crank angle serves as the independent variable. Two separate system identification problems are solved to identify the air path dynamics and the fuel path dynamics. The transient feedforward controller is then calculated as the ratio of the air path-over-the fuel path dynamics so that the fuel path dynamics match the air path dynamics. Consequently fueling is coordinated with the fresh air charge during transient conditions. It will be shown that a linear transient feedforward-fueling controller operating in tandem with a nonlinear steady state fueling controller can achieve air-fuel ratio (AFR) regulation comparable to a production controller without the extensive controller calibration process. The engine used in this investigation is a 1999 Ford 4.6L V-8 fuel injected engine.