Exploring the synergies of dynamic fuel management and propulsion electrification

Abstract

Active fuel management is a technology that allows a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine to shut off a bank of cylinders to reduce engine power output as needed to match driving conditions and driver power demand. This variation in engine power is taken a step further with a technology known as dynamic fuel management, wherein individual cylinders of a multi-cylinder engine may be turned off as needed. This approach allows a finer resolution in engine power variation. Dynamic fuel management allows an engine to operate with lower pumping losses, thereby maximising the potential for capturing regenerative braking energy. In this paper, the synergies of such an engine equipped with dynamic fuel management, coupled to an electrified driveline incorporating a 48V P1 architecture, are investigated. Detailed MATLAB models are developed to understand the influence of system parameters as well as to identify the optimal engine/motor torque arbitration required for maximum fuel economy. It is shown that the combination of dynamic fuel management and P1 hybridisation can provide a substantial fuel economy improvement.