Prediction of intake manifold pressure in an engine system

A vehicle comprising:

• an intake manifold;
• a manifold absolute pressure sensor configured to generate a current measured manifold absolute pressure (MAPM) signal for the intake manifold;
• a throttle valve adjustable to control airflow to the intake manifold;
• a throttle position sensor configured to generate a current measured throttle position (TPM) signal for the throttle valve;
• and
• a controller operatively connected to the throttle valve and having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method for determining a predicted manifold absolute pressure (MAPP);
• and
• wherein execution of the instructions by the processor causes the controller to:
• determine a predicted throttle position (TPP) based at least partially on the current measured throttle position (TPM) signal;
• determine a predicted throttle flow (TFP) based at least partially on the predicted throttle position (TPP);
• and
• determine the predicted manifold absolute pressure (MAPP) based at least partially on the predicted throttle flow (TFP) and the current measured manifold absolute pressure (MAPM) signal.

A method for determining a predicted manifold absolute pressure (MAPP) for an intake manifold in an engine assembly having a controller and a throttle valve, the method comprising:

• generating a current measured manifold absolute pressure (MAPM) signal for the intake manifold with a manifold absolute pressure sensor;
• generating a current measured throttle position (TPM) signal for the throttle valve with a throttle position sensor;
• determining a predicted throttle position (TPP) for the throttle valve based at least partially on the current measured throttle position (TPM) signal;
• determining a predicted throttle flow (TFP) based at least partially on the predicted throttle position (TPP);
• and
• determining the predicted manifold absolute pressure (MAPP) based at least partially on the predicted throttle flow (TFP) and the current measured manifold absolute pressure (MAPM) signal.