Robust Adaptive Control for Dual Fuel Injection Systems in Gasoline Engines

The paper presents a robust adaptive control technique for precise regulation of a port fuel injection + direct injection (PFI+DI) system, a dual fuel injection configuration adopted in modern gasoline engines to boost performance, fuel efficiency, and emission reduction. Addressing parametric uncertainties on the actuators, inherent in complex fuel injection systems, the proposed approach utilizes an indirect model reference adaptive control scheme. To accommodate the increased control complexity in PFI+DI and the presence of additional uncertainties, a nonlinear plant model is employed, incorporating dynamics of the exhaust burned gas fraction. The primary objective is to optimize engine performance while minimizing fuel consumption and emissions in the presence of uncertainties. Stability and tracking performance of the adaptive controller are evaluated to ensure safe and reliable system operation under various conditions. Simulation studies demonstrate the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed control technique by subjecting it to aggressive time-varying uncertainties that emulate real-world scenarios with injector performance deviations. Results show that the proposed adaptive control maintains stable tracking performance even under aggressive injector uncertainties, showcasing its robustness in coping with varying environmental conditions and component behavior. This study contributes to the field of robust adaptive control for PFI+DI systems in gasoline engines, providing valuable insights into enhancing engine performance, fuel efficiency, and reducing emissions.