Numerical model and control strategies for the advanced thermal management system of diesel engine

• Numerical models for the advanced and conventional TMSs of diesel engine are set up.
• Control strategies for the advanced TMS are proposed and evaluated.
• Comparisons are made between the advanced TMS and the conventional one under ETC.
• The proposed control strategies can control the engine working temperature well.
• Above 50% of the conventional TMS power consumption is saved by the advanced TMS.

The advanced thermal management system (TMS) with electrically-controlled pumps, fan and valves for diesel engine was investigated with the aim of enhancing the engine performance by providing good thermal conditions and reducing its parasitic power consumption. A one-dimension, transient numerical model for the advanced TMS was established. Based on the model, the control strategies for the combined control of the coolant circuit and oil circuit in the advanced TMS were proposed and evaluated. A feedforward and feedback control strategy was proposed for the electrical pumps and fan, and a feedback control strategy was proposed for the electrical valves. In addition, a control strategy for the engine warm-up process was also proposed for the rapid warming up of the engine. Comparisons between the present advanced TMS and the conventional one under the European transient cycle (ETC) show that the advanced TMS with the present control strategies has an excellent ability to control the engine working temperature, and the total power consumption of the advanced TMS during the ETC can reduce 57.0% compared with the conventional system, which is due to the flexible control of the electrical components in the system.