73128 - Engine Control Systems (2nd cycle)

Learning outcomes

Students will be able to analyze  the problems dealing with control, diagnosis and calibration of Automotive powertrains.

Course contents

1. Introduction to Engine Management Systems: functionalities, layouts.

2. Plants. Spark ignition and compression ignition engines characteristics: combustion and pollutants emissions. After-treatment systems. H2ICE, BEV, FCEV.

3. Available signals: transducers, sampling, filtering

4. Spark Ignition engines control 

5. Compression Ignition Engines Control

6. Air control: Waste Gate and EGR

7. Control of hybrid and electric powertrains

Readings/Bibliography

Gasoline Engine Management - Robert Bosch - Wiley

Diesel Engine Management - Robert Bosch - Wiley

L. Eriksson, L. Nielsen; Modeling and Control of Engines and Drivelines; Wiley

Teaching methods

The topics of the course will be presented by means of Power Point slides (shared with the students on the data exchange area, accessible after the students enroll in the distribution list), and showing actual engine/vehicle data, and simulink models concerning control strategies.

The students will visit the Laboratory test cells, where  they will attend test sessions on both gasoline and diesel engines equipped with programmable or development ECU.

An example of a simple gasoline engine control unit will be analyzed in details, using a Simulink model.

Assessment methods

Oral examination (on hour approximately).

Questions will concern the following topics (randomly selected from the program):

- plant characteristics

- engine management system structure

- signal conditioning

- detailed description of control algorithms

The student will answer using layouts, graphs, equations shown during the lectures. A score from zero to ten points will be given to each answer: the final score is the sum of the points received for each answer.

The program is available on the data exchange area at the end of the course.

The exam dates are communicated in advance through the AlmaEsami web platform of the University of Bologna. It is possible to enroll to the exam from 10 to 5 days before the exam date. At the time of the exam the student must show an identification document.

Teaching tools

The students will be given 22 presentations referring to the topics listed in the program.

Simulink models of engine control systems will be shared, as well.

Office hours

See the website of Enrico Corti