Function based continuous exhaust valve control

Abstract

A system for controlling exhaust noise in a vehicle includes a variable exhaust valve for an exhaust system, and an exhaust valve controller operatively connectable to the variable exhaust valve. The exhaust valve controller is configured to retrieve two or more control conditions, and determine an operational intent based on the two or more control conditions. The exhaust valve controller is configured to generate a control signal based on the operational intent and the two or more control conditions, and transmit the control signal to the variable exhaust valve. The control signal changes an exhaust valve position of the variable exhaust valve. The exhaust valve position is configured to create an exhaust noise response associated with the operational intent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for controlling exhaust noise in a vehicle comprising:
 a variable exhaust valve operatively connected to an exhaust system; and   an exhaust valve controller operatively connectable to the variable exhaust valve, the exhaust valve controller configured to:   retrieve two or more control conditions; and   determine an operational intent based on the two or more control conditions;   generate a control signal based on the operational intent and the two or more control conditions; and   transmit the control signal to the variable exhaust valve, wherein the control signal changes an exhaust valve position of the variable exhaust valve, wherein the exhaust valve position is configured to create an exhaust noise response associated with the operational intent.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the exhaust valve controller is further configured to:
 determine an operational intent based on the two or more control conditions wherein the operational intent is associated with a particular exhaust valve position; and   generate the control signal based on a Gaussian function, a sigmoidal function, and the operational intent.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operational intent is user-selectable by a user of the vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the operational intent comprises a first mode configured for a higher decibel exhaust noise, and a second mode configured for lower decibel exhaust noise. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the control signal to the variable exhaust valve comprises a dynamic rate setting indicative of a predetermined rate of change for the variable exhaust valve; and
 wherein the dynamic rate setting is based on the operational intent.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the operational intent based on the two or more control conditions according to a continuous Gaussian function and a continuous sigmoidal function. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operational intent is cruising, and the controller is configured to:
 retrieve a rate of change of engine torque;   retrieve a vehicle acceleration; and   position the variable exhaust valve based on the rate of change of engine torque and the vehicle acceleration.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operational intent is quasi-static, and the controller is configured to:
 retrieve an engine torque;   retrieve a rate of change of engine torque; and   position the variable exhaust valve to mitigate valve dither based on the engine torque and the rate of change of engine torque.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operational intent is pedal flare, and the controller is configured to:
 retrieve an engine torque;   retrieve a rate of change of engine torque; and   position the variable exhaust valve based on the engine torque and the rate of change of engine torque, and the position is configured to produce a higher decibel exhaust noise.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operational intent comprises a start type comprising a keyed start and an auto start, and responsive to a vehicle startup, the controller is configured to position the variable exhaust valve based on the start type. 
     
     
         11 . A computer-implemented method for controlling exhaust noise in a vehicle comprising:
 retrieving, via a processor, two or more control conditions;   determining, via the processor, an operational intent based on the two or more control conditions;   generating, via the processor, a control signal based on the operational intent and the two or more control conditions; and   transmitting a control signal, via the processor, to the variable exhaust valve, wherein the control signal changes an exhaust valve position of the variable exhaust valve, wherein the exhaust valve position is configured to create an exhaust noise response associated with the operational intent.   
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 determining, via the processor, an operational intent based on the two or more control conditions wherein the operational intent is associated with a particular exhaust valve position; and   generating, via the processor, the control signal based on a Gaussian function, a sigmoidal function, and the operational intent.   
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , wherein the operational intent is user-selectable by a user of the vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 13 , wherein the operational intent comprises a first mode configured for a higher decibel exhaust noise, and a second mode configured for lower decibel exhaust noise. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 14 , wherein transmitting the control signal comprises:
 transmitting the control signal to a variable exhaust valve; and   changing, via the control signal, an exhaust valve position of the variable exhaust valve;
 wherein the control signal comprises a dynamic rate setting indicative of a predetermined rate of change for the variable exhaust valve; and 
 wherein the dynamic rate setting is based on the operational intent. 
   
     
     
         16 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 evaluating, via the processor, the operational intent based on the two or more control conditions according to a continuous Gaussian function and a continuous sigmoidal function.   
     
     
         17 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , comprising:
 determining, via the processor, that the operational intent is cruising;   retrieving a rate of change of engine torque via the processor;   retrieving a vehicle acceleration via the processor; and   positioning the variable exhaust valve, via the processor, based on the rate of change of engine torque and the vehicle acceleration.   
     
     
         18 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 determining, via the processor, that the operational intent is quasi-static;   retrieving an engine torque via the processor;   retrieving a rate of change of engine torque via the processor; and   positioning the variable exhaust valve, via the processor, to mitigate valve dither based on the engine torque and the rate of change of engine torque.   
     
     
         19 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 determining, via the processor, that the operational intent is pedal flare;   retrieving an engine torque via the processor;   retrieving a rate of change of engine torque via the processor; and   positioning the variable exhaust valve, via the processor, based on the engine torque and the rate of change of engine torque, wherein the position is configured to produce a higher decibel exhaust noise.   
     
     
         20 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 positioning, via the processor, the variable exhaust valve responsive to a vehicle startup, wherein the positioning is based on a start type comprising a keyed start and an auto start.