Optimal Transient Control Trajectories in Diesel–Electric Systems—Part I: Modeling, Problem Formulation, and Engine Properties

A nonlinear four state-three input mean value engine model (MVEM), incorporating the important turbocharger dynamics, is used to study optimal control of a diesel–electric powertrain during transients. The optimization is conducted for the two criteria, minimum time and fuel, where both engine speed and engine power are considered free variables in the optimization. First, steps from idle to a target power are studied and for steps to higher powers the controls for both criteria follow a similar structure, dictated by the maximum torque line and the smoke-limiter. The end operating point, and how it is approached is, however, different. Then, the power transients are extended to driving missions, defined as, that a certain power has to be met as well as a certain energy has to be produced. This is done both with fixed output profiles and with the output power being a free variable. The time optimal control follows the fixed output profile even when the output power is free. These solutions are found to be almost fuel optimal despite being substantially faster than the minimum fuel solution with variable output power. The discussed control strategies are also seen to hold for sequences of power and energy steps.