An iterative algorithm for model-based predictive control of an Electro-Pneumatic Valve Actuator

The benefits of utilizing camless valve actuations for internal combustion engines are primarily due to their ability of significantly improving engine performance. There are mainly three kinds of camless valve actuators: electro-magnetic, electro-hydraulic, and electro-pneumatic valves. This paper focuses on controls of the Electro-Pneumatic Valve Actuators (EPVA). The model-based predictive control scheme has been developed for exhaust electro-pneumatic valve actuators to overcome variable incylinder pressure force as a function of engine operational conditions in early publications. But high computational throughput of predictive control makes it extremely difficult for real-time implementation. This paper develops an iterative model-based predictive control scheme for lift control of an exhaust EPVA that significantly reduces computational throughput. The developed iterative control strategy was verified in simulation using an EPVA model that combines mathematical models of exhaust valve and in-cylinder pressure based upon a 5.4 Liter 3 valve V8 engine head.