ENGINE COOLANT CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROL

A prediction module is configured to, based on a set of possible target values for future times, determine predicted efficiency values for set of possible target values at the future times, respectively. A cost module is configured to determine a cost for the set of possible target values based on comparisons of the predicted efficiency values and a reference efficiency value. A selection module is configured to: (i) based on the cost of the set of possible target values, select the set of possible target values from a group including: the set of possible target values; and N other sets of possible target values; and (ii) set target values to respective ones of the selected set of possible target values. A first valve control module is configured to actuate a first coolant valve based on a first one of the target values. 1. A coolant control system of a vehicle , comprising:a prediction module configured to, based on a set of possible target values for M future times, determine M predicted efficiency values for set of possible target values at the M future times, respectively,wherein M is an integer greater than or equal to one;a cost module configured to determine a cost for the set of possible target values based on comparisons of the M predicted efficiency values and a reference efficiency value; [ the set of possible target values; and', 'N other sets of possible target values,', 'wherein N is an integer greater than zero; and, 'based on the cost of the set of possible target values, select the set of possible target values from a group including, 'set target values to respective ones of the selected set of possible target values; and, 'a selection module configured toa first valve control module configured to actuate a first coolant valve based on a first one of the target values,wherein the first coolant valve is configured to control coolant flow through a portion of a coolant system of the vehicle.2. The coolant control system of further comprising:a second ...