Dynamic surface control of a piezoelectric fuel injector during rate shaping

Fuel injection rate shaping is a strategy to improve fuel efficiency and reduce harmful emissions in diesel engines. Due to their fast response, piezoelectric fuel injectors are capable of rate shaping operation. This paper describes a model-based closed-loop controller of injection flow rate for a piezoelectric fuel injector. This within-an-engine-cycle control strategy utilizes a dynamic surface control scheme and shows an injection flow rate tracking capability. Practical issues with LabVIEW FPGA control implementation are also addressed. The performance of the controller is verified with simulation and experimental results at different rail pressures and desired injection rates. The experiments show a maximum error of total fuel per one injection event of 2.5%. A stability analysis is also included.