BOOST PRESSURE CONTROL FOR ELECTRICALLY ASSISTED TURBOCHARGERS

A method for controlling a boost pressure of an internal combustion engine (24) provided with a turbocharger (11), wherein the turbocharger includes a compressor (14) for providing the boost pressure, a turbine (12) for driving the compressor through a turbocharger shaft and an electric assist motor (18) for assisting in driving the compressor through the turbocharger shaft. An example method for controlling a boost pressure provided by a turbocharger may include receiving a boost pressure demand and identifying a compressor speed demand to achieve the received boost pressure demand. The method may also include converting the compressor speed demand into a kinetic energy demand of the turbocharger rotating components and controlling the kinetic energy of the turbocharger rotating components to meet the kinetic energy demand by controlling power supplied by the turbine (12) and the electric assist motor (18).