Estimation of the mean effective pressure of a spark ignition internal combustion engine using a neural network, considering the wall-wetting dynamics

Abstract

The management and development of internal combustion engines stand as critical pursuits within the automotive and related industries. Utilizing cylinder pressure as feedback, engine controllers rely on intricate systems to regulate performance. However, due to the inherent complexity and nonlinearity of engines, direct measurement of cylinder pressure through pressure sensors is costly and computationally demanding. Consequently, the need for accurate and detailed engine models becomes paramount. Neural networks offer a promising avenue for simulating internal combustion engines, combining speed and precision. By treating the engine as an enigmatic entity, neural networks can construct detailed models. This study aims to employ two types of neural networks—multilayer perceptron and radial basis functions—to train and build a model of an internal combustion engine. These networks will simulate and estimate the engine's mean suitable pressure, allowing for a comparison of their effectiveness. Prior to implementing the neural network architecture, an engine model was constructed in MATLAB to gather necessary training data. This preliminary step ensured a robust foundation for subsequent network design and implementation. In summary, this research focuses on leveraging neural networks to model internal combustion engines, utilizing both multilayer perceptron and radial basis functions to simulate engine behavior and estimate mean suitable pressure.