Patent ID: 8022336
Filing Date: 2011-09-20
Classification: F02P

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling a glow plug (GP) associated with a cylinder chamber of a Diesel engine, comprising the steps of: driving in an on-off manner in a period of time, an electronic switch (M) connected essentially in series with the glow plug (GP) between terminals of a d.c. voltage supply (B); sensing a voltage (V) across the glow plug (GP) and a current (I) flowing through the glow plug (GP); and performing a voltage closed loop control for controlling a temperature of the glow plug (GP); calculating a normalized current error (εI) as a function of the current (I); calculating a normalized voltage error (εV) as a function of the voltage (V); calculating a weight function (K) as a function of predetermined parameters (α, β, n); calculating a global error (ε) as a function of said normalized current error (εI), the normalized voltage error (εV) and the weight function (K); and combining the voltage closed loop control with a current closed loop control according to a value of said global error (ε).