Patents by Inventor Alberto Bemporad

Alberto Bemporad has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20190376427
    Abstract: An exhaust gas after-treatment system for an internal combustion engine that includes a selective catalyst reduction on filter (SCRF) exhaust gas after-treatment device in communication with exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine and having a treated exhaust gas output. An oxides of nitrogen (NOx) sensor is coupled to the treated exhaust gases and has a NOx sensor output signal that is NOx and ammonia (NH3) cross-sensitive. A closed loop observer (CLO) is operatively coupled to receive the NOx sensor output signal and provides a NOx concentration signal to an electronic control unit that is operatively associated with the exhaust gas after-treatment system and the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Giuseppe Mazzara Bologna, Maria Camuglia, Carlos Ildefonso Hoyos Velasco, Carmen Pedicini, David Tulli, Daniele Bernardini, Alberto Bemporad
  • Publication number: 20190353071
    Abstract: Technical solutions described herein include an emissions control system for treating exhaust gas in a motor vehicle including an internal combustion engine. The emissions control system includes a model-based controller to control reductant injection into the exhaust gas. Controlling the reductant injection includes determining an amount of NOx and an amount of NH3 at an outlet of the first SCR device, and at an outlet of the second SCR device. The controlling further includes computing an amount of reductant to inject to maintain a first predetermined ratio between the amount of NH3 and the amount of NOx at the outlet of the first SCR device and to maintain a second predetermined ratio between the amount of NH3 and the amount of NOx at the outlet of the second SCR device. Further, the controlling includes sending a command for receipt by the reductant injector to inject the computed amount of reductant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Maria Camuglia, Giulio Binetti, Carlos Ildefonso Hoyos Velasco, Giuseppe Mazzara Bologna, Alberto Bemporad, Daniele Bernardini
  • Patent number: 10465589
    Abstract: Technical solutions are described for selective catalytic reduction diagnosis in an emissions control system or an exhaust system used for treating exhaust gas, such as in a motor vehicle including an internal combustion engine. An example emissions control system includes a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device. The emissions control system further includes a controller that is performs SCR fault diagnosis. The SCR fault diagnosis includes computing a plurality of estimated NH3 storage capacity values (?) of an SCR catalyst of the SCR device. The diagnosis further includes determining a diagnostic parameter of the SCR device using the plurality of estimated NH3 storage capacity values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alessandra Neri, Alessia Tuninetti, Maria Camuglia, Giulio Binetti, Giuseppe Mazzara Bologna, Alberto Bemporad, Daniele Bernardini
  • Publication number: 20190284981
    Abstract: Technical solutions are described for selective catalytic reduction diagnosis in an emissions control system or an exhaust system used for treating exhaust gas, such as in a motor vehicle including an internal combustion engine. An example emissions control system includes a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device. The emissions control system further includes a controller that is performs SCR fault diagnosis. The SCR fault diagnosis includes computing a plurality of estimated NH3 storage capacity values (?) of an SCR catalyst of the SCR device. The diagnosis further includes determining a diagnostic parameter of the SCR device using the plurality of estimated NH3 storage capacity values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Alessandra Neri, Alessia Tuninetti, Maria Camuglia, Giulio Binetti, Giuseppe Mazzara Bologna, Alberto Bemporad, Daniele Bernardini
  • Patent number: 10399574
    Abstract: A propulsion system, control system, and method are provided for optimizing fuel economy, which use model predictive control systems to generate a plurality of sets of possible command values and determine a cost for each set of possible command values of based on a first predetermined weighting value, a second predetermined weighting value, a plurality of predicted values, and a plurality of requested values. The set of possible command values having the lowest cost is determined and defined as a set of selected command values. Fuel is minimized by minimizing engine power for a requested axle power. Accordingly, a fuel consumption rate requested value is determined based on an air-per-cylinder (APC) requested value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Daniele Bernardini, Alberto Bemporad, Bharath Pattipati
  • Patent number: 10358140
    Abstract: A propulsion system, control system, and method are provided for optimizing fuel economy, which use model predictive control systems to generate a plurality of sets of possible command values and determine a cost for each set of possible command values based on weighting values, a plurality of predicted values, and a plurality of requested values. The set of possible command values having the lowest cost is determined. A linearized axle torque requested value and a linearized axle torque measured value are each created by subtracting an estimated disturbance. The estimated disturbance is determined based on a model of a relationship between measured engine output torque and measured transmission ratio. The linearized axle torque measured value is used to compute the predicted values, which are used to determine the cost. The linearized axle torque requested value is also used to determine the cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Bharath Pattipati, Daniele Bernardini, Alberto Bemporad
  • Publication number: 20190100217
    Abstract: A propulsion system, control system, and method are provided for optimizing fuel economy, which use model predictive control systems to generate a plurality of sets of possible command values and determine a cost for each set of possible command values based on weighting values, a plurality of predicted values, and a plurality of requested values. The set of possible command values having the lowest cost is determined. A linearized axle torque requested value and a linearized axle torque measured value are each created by subtracting an estimated disturbance. The estimated disturbance is determined based on a model of a relationship between measured engine output torque and measured transmission ratio. The linearized axle torque measured value is used to compute the predicted values, which are used to determine the cost. The linearized axle torque requested value is also used to determine the cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Bharath Pattipati, Daniele Bernardini, Alberto Bemporad
  • Publication number: 20190071097
    Abstract: A propulsion system, control system, and method are provided for optimizing fuel economy, which use model predictive control systems to generate a plurality of sets of possible command values and determine a cost for each set of possible command values of based on a first predetermined weighting value, a second predetermined weighting value, a plurality of predicted values, and a plurality of requested values. The set of possible command values having the lowest cost is determined and defined as a set of selected command values. Fuel is minimized by minimizing engine power for a requested axle power. Accordingly, a fuel consumption rate requested value is determined based on an air-per-cylinder (APC) requested value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Daniele Bernardini, Alberto Bemporad, Bharath Pattipati
  • Patent number: 10196956
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling an injector for injecting a reductant into a selective catalytic reduction system of an internal combustion engine. A value of a concentration of nitrogen-oxides in the exhaust gas aftertreatment system downstream of the selective catalytic reduction system is measured, and a first difference is calculated between the measured value of the nitrogen-oxides concentration and a predetermined reference value thereof. A value of a concentration of ammonia in the exhaust gas aftertreatment system downstream of the selective catalytic reduction system is measured, and a second difference is calculated between the measured value of the ammonia concentration and a predetermined reference value thereof. A quantity of reductant to be injected by the injector is calculated as a function of the calculated first difference and second difference, and the injector is operated to inject the calculated quantity of reductant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Vincenzo Alfieri, Giuseppe Mazzara Bologna, Giuseppe Conte, Alberto Bemporad, Daniele Bernardini
  • Patent number: 10119481
    Abstract: A propulsion system, control system, and method are provided for optimizing fuel economy, which use model predictive control systems to generate a plurality of sets of possible command values and determine a cost for each set of possible command values of based on a first predetermined weighting value, a second predetermined weighting value, a plurality of predicted values, and a plurality of requested values. The set of possible command values having the lowest cost is determined and defined as a set of selected command values. Arbitration is performed including at least one of the following: A) determining at least one requested value based on arbitrating between a driver requested value and an intervention requested value; and B) determining a desired command value by arbitrating between a selected command value of the set of selected command values and a command intervention value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Bharath Pattipati, Christopher E. Whitney, Daniele Bernardini, Alberto Bemporad
  • Publication number: 20180274453
    Abstract: A propulsion system, control system, and method are provided for optimizing fuel economy, which use model predictive control systems to generate a plurality of sets of possible command values and determine a cost for each set of possible command values of based on a first predetermined weighting value, a second predetermined weighting value, a plurality of predicted values, and a plurality of requested values. The set of possible command values having the lowest cost is determined and defined as a set of selected command values. Arbitration is performed including at least one of the following: A) determining at least one requested value based on arbitrating between a driver requested value and an intervention requested value; and B) determining a desired command value by arbitrating between a selected command value of the set of selected command values and a command intervention value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Bharath Pattipati, Christopher E. Whitney, Daniele Bernardini, Alberto Bemporad
  • Patent number: 9963150
    Abstract: A propulsion system, control system, and method are provided for optimizing fuel economy, which use model predictive control systems to generate first and second predicted actual axle torques and first and second predicted actual fuel consumption rates based on first and second sets of possible command values, respectively. The sets of possible command values include commanded engine output torques and commanded transmission ratios. First and second costs are determined for the first and second sets of possible command values, respectively, based on a first predetermined weighting value, a second predetermined weighting value, the first and second predicted actual axle torques, respectively, the first and second predicted actual fuel consumption rates, respectively, an axle torque requested, an engine output torque requested, a transmission ratio requested, and a fuel consumption rate requested. One of the first and second sets of possible command values is selected and set based on the lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Christopher E Whitney, Kevin C Wong, Daniele Bernardini, Alberto Bemporad
  • Publication number: 20170361842
    Abstract: A propulsion system, control system, and method are provided for optimizing fuel economy, which use model predictive control systems to generate first and second predicted actual axle torques and first and second predicted actual fuel consumption rates based on first and second sets of possible command values, respectively. The sets of possible command values include commanded engine output torques and commanded transmission ratios. First and second costs are determined for the first and second sets of possible command values, respectively, based on a first predetermined weighting value, a second predetermined weighting value, the first and second predicted actual axle torques, respectively, the first and second predicted actual fuel consumption rates, respectively, an axle torque requested, an engine output torque requested, a transmission ratio requested, and a fuel consumption rate requested. One of the first and second sets of possible command values is selected and set based on the lower cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Christopher E. Whitney, Kevin C. Wong, Daniele Bernardini, Alberto Bemporad
  • Publication number: 20170306819
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling an injector for injecting a reductant into a selective catalytic reduction system of an internal combustion engine. A value of a concentration of nitrogen-oxides in the exhaust gas aftertreatment system downstream of the selective catalytic reduction system is measured, and a first difference is calculated between the measured value of the nitrogen-oxides concentration and a predetermined reference value thereof. A value of a concentration of ammonia in the exhaust gas aftertreatment system downstream of the selective catalytic reduction system is measured, and a second difference is calculated between the measured value of the ammonia concentration and a predetermined reference value thereof. A quantity of reductant to be injected by the injector is calculated as a function of the calculated first difference and second difference, and the injector is operated to inject the calculated quantity of reductant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Vincenzo ALFIERI, Giuseppe MAZZARA BOLOGNA, Giuseppe CONTE, Alberto BEMPORAD, Daniele BERNARDINI
  • Patent number: 9789876
    Abstract: A powertrain control system for a motor vehicle having a transmission and an engine includes an axle torque controller that determines a desired engine torque and a desired speed ratio from a plurality of inputs, an engine controller that determines a commanded engine torque based on the desired engine torque, wherein the commanded engine torque is used to control the engine to produce an actual engine torque, a transmission controller that determines a commanded gear ratio based on the desired gear ratio, wherein the commanded gear ratio is used to control the transmission to produce an actual gear ratio, and an estimator that determines an actual axle torque of the motor vehicle from the actual engine torque and the actual gear ratio. The plurality of inputs includes a desired axle torque, the actual axle torque, a desired fuel rate, an actual fuel rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael Livshiz, Christopher E. Whitney, Kevin C. Wong, Daniele Bernardini, Alberto Bemporad
  • Patent number: 9599053
    Abstract: A torque requesting module generates a first torque request for a spark ignition engine based on driver input. A torque conversion module converts the first torque request into a second torque request. A model predictive control (MPC) module determines a set of target values based on the second torque request, a model of the engine, and a matrix having dimensions of (m+n) by (m+n). n is an integer greater than zero that is equal to a number of lower boundary constraints used in the determination of the set of target values. m is an integer greater than zero that is equal to a number of constraints used in the determination of the set of target values other than the lower boundary constraints. An actuator module controls opening of an engine actuator based on a first one of the target values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ruixing Long, Alberto Bemporad, Daniele Bernardini, Ning Jin
  • Patent number: 9541019
    Abstract: A prediction module generates predicted engine operating parameters for a set of possible target values based on a plurality of values indicative of states of the engine and a first set of predetermined values set based on characteristics of the engine. A parameter estimation module determines one or more estimated operating parameters of the vehicle based on the plurality of values indicative of states of the engine and a second set of predetermined values. A cost module determines a cost for the set of possible target values based on the predicted engine operating parameters. A selection module, based on the cost, selects the set of possible target values from a group including the set of possible target values and N other sets of possible target values, wherein N is an integer greater than zero, and sets target values based on the selected set of possible target values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Julian R. Verdejo, Alberto Bemporad, Daniele Bernardini, Ruixing Long, Jyh-Shin Chen
  • Patent number: 9435274
    Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes a model predictive control (MPC) module, an actuator module, and a remedial action module. The MPC module performs MPC tasks that include predicting operating parameters for a set of possible target values and determining a cost for the set of possible target values based on the predicted operating parameters. The MPC tasks also include selecting the set of possible target values from multiple sets of possible target values based on the cost and setting target values to the possible target values of the selected set. The actuator module controls an actuator of an engine based on at least one of the target values. The remedial action module selectively takes a remedial action based on at least one of an amount of time that elapses as the MPC tasks are performed and a number of iterations of the MPC tasks that are performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kevin C. Wong, Christopher E. Whitney, Alberto Bemporad, Daniele Bernardini
  • Patent number: 9399959
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a desired capacity module, an anticipated torque request module, and an engine actuator module. The desired capacity module generates a desired torque capacity of an engine at a future time based on a present torque request and a maximum torque output of the engine. The anticipated torque request module generates an anticipated torque request based on the desired torque capacity. The engine actuator module controls an actuator of the engine at a present time based on the anticipated torque request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christopher E. Whitney, Kevin C. Wong, Gary Robert Cygan, Jr., Alberto Bemporad, Daniele Bernardini
  • Patent number: 9388754
    Abstract: A control system includes a control module that receives a first request corresponding to a control value for at least one of a plurality of actuators, selectively receives a second request associated with a predicted future control value for at least one of the plurality of actuators, determines a target value for the actuator based on the first request if the second request was not received, and generates a reference signal representing the second request if the second request was received. The reference signal indicates at least one of a predicted increase in the control value and a predicted decrease in the control value. A model predictive control module receives the reference signal and adjusts one of the plurality of actuators associated with the predicted future control value based on the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gary Robert Cygan, Jr., Julian R. Verdejo, Christopher E. Whitney, Alberto Bemporad, Daniele Bernardini