Integrated optimization and control of an engine and aftertreatment system

Abstract

An engine and one or more aftertreatment subsystems integrated into one system for optimization and control. At least one controller may be connected to the engine and the one or more aftertreatment subsystems. The controller may contain and execute a program for the optimization and control of the one system. Controller may receive information pertinent to the engine and the one or more aftertreatment subsystems for the program. The controller may prescribe setpoints and constraints for measured variables and positions of actuators according to the program to aid in effecting the optimization and control of the one system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An engine and aftertreatment system comprising:
 an engine;   an aftertreatment mechanism connected to the engine; and   a controller connected to the engine and the aftertreatment mechanism; and   wherein:   the controller comprises an optimization program; and   the optimization program optimizes performance of the engine and the aftertreatment mechanism integrated as one system.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the optimization program comprises:
 the aftertreatment mechanism reducing emissions from an exhaust from the engine to a prescribed level; and   increasing fluid economy of the engine while the emissions are reduced at least down to the prescribed level;   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the engine comprises:
 a control input to actuators on the engine;   an interconnection output; and   an information output; and   wherein the information output indicates engine costs and/or engine constraints; and   the costs and constraints are a basis incorporated in the optimization program for optimizing performance of the engine and the aftertreatment mechanism integrated as one system.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the aftertreatment mechanism comprises:
 an interconnection input connected to the interconnection output of the engine;   a control input to actuators on the aftertreatment mechanism;   an interconnection output; and   an information output; and   wherein the information output indicates aftertreatment mechanism costs and/or aftertreatment mechanism constraints.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the controller comprises:
 a first input connected to the interconnection output of the engine; and   a first output connected to the control input to actuators of the engine.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the controller further comprises:
 a second input connected with the interconnection input of the aftertreatment mechanism;   a third input connected to the interconnection output of the aftertreatment mechanism; and   a second output connected to the control input to actuators of the aftertreatment mechanism.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller further comprises:
 a feedback loop for disturbance rejection, minimizing an impact of variability of performance of the engine, and/or delivering needed performance of the aftertreatment mechanism during transient operation of the engine;   maps prescribing setpoints and constraints for measured variables and positions of engine actuators for one or more operating points of the engine; and   wherein:   the maps are parameterized by variables of the engine and the aftertreatment mechanism; and   the maps are a basis incorporated in the optimization program for optimizing performance of the engine and the aftertreatment mechanism integrated as one system.   
     
     
         8 . A process for controlling a combined engine and aftertreatment system, comprising:
 providing an engine;   adding one or more aftertreatment subsystems to result in a combined engine and aftertreatment system;   connecting one of the one or more aftertreatment subsystems to an exhaust output of the engine; and   manipulating actuators of the engine to change the properties of the exhaust for optimal operation of the one or more aftertreatment subsystems and optimal operation of the engine.   
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 wherein to change the properties of the exhaust comprises reducing an amount of pollutants in the exhaust to a magnitude equal to or less than a prescribed magnitude; and   manipulating the actuators of the engine to increase fuel economy of the engine if the one or more aftertreatment subsystems reduce an amount of pollutants in the exhaust to a magnitude equal to or less than the prescribed magnitude.   
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 processing one or more engine maps prescribing setpoints and/or constraints for measured variables and positions of the actuators on the engine for operating points and/or conditions of the engine; and   parameterizing the engine maps by variables of the engine and of the one or more aftertreatment subsystems.   
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 10 , further comprising parameterizing the engine maps by costs of fuel consumed by the engine and/or urea consumed by the one or more aftertreatment subsystems. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more engine maps comprise a speed and torque map of the engine. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 providing one or more controllers connected to the engine and the one or more aftertreatment subsystems; and   wherein   the one or more controllers ensure realization of the setpoints; and/or   the one or more controllers ensure satisfaction of the constraints.   
     
     
         14 . A system of an engine and aftertreatment subsystem comprising:
 an engine;   an aftertreatment subsystem connected to the engine; and   a controller connected to the engine and the aftertreatment subsystem; and   wherein the controller receives signals from sensors of the engine and the aftertreatment subsystem, processes the signals and provides signals to actuators of the engine and the aftertreatment subsystem according to an optimization program which optimizes performance of the engine and the aftertreatment subsystem as one system.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the engine comprises:
 an external input; and 
 an actuator input from the controller; 
 an interconnection output to the controller; and 
 wherein the external input comprises external information pertinent to the engine; 
   the aftertreatment subsystem comprises:
 an interconnection input connected to the interconnection output of the engine and to the controller; 
 an external input; 
 an actuator input from the controller; and 
 an output connected to the controller; and 
 wherein the external input comprises external information pertinent to the aftertreatment subsystem. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the engine further comprises:
 an internal state; and   an information output; and   wherein the information output provides engine costs as a function of the internal state, the external input and/or the actuator input.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the aftertreatment subsystem further comprises:
 an internal state; and   an information output; and   wherein the information output provides cost as a function of the internal state, the aftertreatment external input, actuator input, and/or the interconnection input.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the information output of the engine provides indicates engine constraints as a function of the internal state, the external input and/or the actuator input of the engine; and   the information output of the indicates provides aftertreatment constraints as a function of the internal state, the external input, the actuator input, and/or the interconnection input of aftertreatment subsystem.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the external inputs of the engine and the aftertreatment subsystem are connected to the controller;   the controller comprises steady state engine maps for operating points of the engine; and   the maps prescribe setpoints and constraints for measured variables from the sensors and for portions of the actuators.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 ′, further comprising one or more aftertreatment subsystems connected to the aftertreatment subsystem.