Set-Point Generation Using Kernel-Based Methods for Closed-Loop Combustion Control of a CIDI Engine

Closed-loop control of diesel combustion is of great interest for improving conventional Diesel engine combustion as well as facilitating new combustion modes such as Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition and other low NO_x regimes. Most generalized feedback control systems that can be applied to this problem require a reference or set-point which the control attempts to achieve. Diesel engines are well known for having many degrees of freedom which poses a problem in generating valid set-points for all possible conditions encountered in practice. This problem is compounded by the fact that these set-points are usually determined in steady state operation further limiting the space where set-points can be defined. Kernel-based methods are applied to this problem as a method of generating valid setpoints when operating in regions outside of the space where set-points are defined. This is most useful during transient conditions where conditions such as exhaust gas recycle level, manifold air flow, and fuel mass are far from the steady state values.