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Modeling and Control for Advanced Automotive Thermal Management System

DeBruin, Luke Andrew

Abstract Details

2016, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Mechanical Engineering.
This research investigates the design and implementation of a light-duty truck's thermal management system control strategy developed from model-based techniques. To give robust durability and improve fuel economy, the control strategy must stabilize the dynamics of the engine operating temperatures, while also minimizing the energy consumed by the system. First, a detailed plant model is obtained by applying first principle physics (conservation laws) to model the thermal management system from its key components. The component models are combined to accurately predict the flow rates and temperatures of the system. The thermal system model is fed by a vehicle drivetrain mechanical model that calculates the heat rejection to the thermal model through a backward-looking approach. The nonlinear model is calibrated on supplier data and validated using experimental data recorded by a vehicle data acquisition system. Information from the engine control unit, flow rates, and temperatures were previously recorded for various driving profiles while the vehicle operated on a chassis dynamometer according to standard test procedure. The model accurately predicts the temperature dynamics of the system during transient operations of fully-warm drive cycles. Specifically, the Environmental Protection Agency's Federal Test Procedure for a highway drive cycle was used to test the model validity. The validated model provides a benchmark for comparing new controllers to the baseline thermal management control. Next, a model-based control strategy is developed to operate the thermal management system for tracking the desired fluid temperatures and limit the usage of the radiator fan, hence saving energy. In order to do so, the full system architecture was simplified using heat transfer analysis before utilizing an order-reduced, physical model that is linearized analytically. The reduced, linear plant models are then used to design a feedback controller by applying the Sequential Loop Closure method on the multi-loop system. Geometric control theory is used to decouple the system disturbances from the output. The control's operation is first verified against the continuous-time, nonlinear model before being transitioned to discrete-time. The discrete control is tested in standalone using the continuous-time model's inputs and outputs to confirm correct functionality. Finally, the discrete control was automatically compiled into C-code using commercial software and tested in real-time on the truck using an ad-hoc, rapid prototyping platform. The controller's performance on the vehicle is shown in the included test results for a highway drive cycle. The control strategy makes use of the system actuators to provide thermal stability while minimizing the energy consumed by the actuators and the overall system. This allows the engine to safely operate near the peak thermal efficiency, mitigating the effects of environmental factors and dynamic engine loading conditions for improved fuel economy and increased life.
Marcello Canova, PhD (Advisor)
Lisa Fiorentini, PhD (Committee Member)
81 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • DeBruin, L. A. (2016). Modeling and Control for Advanced Automotive Thermal Management System [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1452131016

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • DeBruin, Luke. Modeling and Control for Advanced Automotive Thermal Management System. 2016. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1452131016.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • DeBruin, Luke. "Modeling and Control for Advanced Automotive Thermal Management System." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1452131016

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)