Experimental Validation of a Likelihood-Based Stochastic Knock Controller

New likelihood-based stochastic knock controllers have the potential to deliver a significantly improved regulatory response relative to conventional strategies, while also maintaining a rapid transient response, but evaluation studies to date have been performed only in simulation. In this paper, an experimental validation of the new strategy is presented. To demonstrate the robustness of the method, the algorithm is implemented on two different engine platforms, using two different knock intensity metrics, and evaluated under different operating conditions. One of these platforms is a five-cylinder variable compression ratio engine, enabling the controller to be tested under different compression ratios, as well as different speed and load conditions. The regulatory and transient performance of the likelihood-based controller is assessed in a back-to-back comparison with a conventional knock controller and it is shown that the new controller is able to operate closer to the knock limit with less variation in control action without increasing the risk of engine damage.