Pressure-Based Approach to Estimating the Injection Start and End in Single and Split Common Rail Injection Processes.

Fuel injection timing is an important control parameter for engine combustion optimization and emissions control. However, the actual fuel injection timing is different from the nominal one commanded by the electronic control unit, due to the system hydraulic lag or the possible communication malfunction. In this study, a simple estimate approach based on the injector inlet pressure is proposed to capture four critical characteristic instants at the start and end of injection. The critical characteristic moments estimated using this pressure-based approach are validated against those determined by the actual injection rate profiles, in the context of different single or split injection processes. The comparison revealed that the characteristic injection moments estimated by the injector inlet pressures and those determined by the actual injection rate profiles have a satisfactory agreement, certifying the broad applicability and reliability of this pressure-based approach in the detection of the real fuel injection start and end time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]