Abstract: A control system for an engine comprises an air per cylinder (APC) generating module that generates measured and desired APC values. A combustion transition module selectively transitions the engine from spark ignition (SI) combustion to homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion and from HCCI combustion to SI combustion. A spark control module selectively retards spark during the transitions based on a ratio of the measured APC value and the desired APC value. Alternately, spark retard can be based on measured and desired engine torque representing values (ETRVs).

Abstract: An engine control system for controlling transitions between activated and deactivated modes in a hybrid powertrain driven by a displacement on demand engine and an electric machine includes a calculator that calculates a desired powertrain torque. An engine control controls operation of the engine to produce an engine torque. An electric machine control controls operation of the electric machine to produce an electric machine torque. The electric machine torque supplements the engine torque to achieve the desired powertrain torque during a transition from the activated mode to the deactivated mode.

Abstract: A valve control system for an internal combustion engine includes a valve actuation system. The valve actuation system includes at least one of first and second configurations. The first configuration includes a shared lift control valve that actuates an intake valve and an exhaust valve between N open lift modes, where N is an integer greater than one. A second configuration includes a first lift control valve that actuates the intake valve and not the exhaust valve and a second lift control valve that actuates the exhaust valve and not the intake valve between the N open lift modes. A control module that enables transitioning of at least one of the intake and exhaust valves between the N open lift modes for the first and second configurations.

Abstract: A valve control system includes a vehicle control module that generates a lift mode command signal to transition one of intake and exhaust valves between N open lift modes. A time module generates a response time signal that indicates a duration of the transition and a lift limit signal that disables the transition. The time module generates the response time and lift limit signals based on current lift mode and status signals. The current lift mode signal indicates a current lift state of one of the intake and exhaust valves. The status signal indicates status of a lift control valve. The lift control valve actuates one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve. The event module generates the current lift mode and status signals based on the lift command signal, the response time signal, and the lift limit signal. One of the time and event modules enables the transition.

Abstract: A valve control system for an internal combustion engine includes a valve actuation system that actuates each of an intake valve and an exhaust valve between N open lift modes where N is an integer greater than one. A control module defines a switching window having a start time based on intake valve timing and an end time based on exhaust valve timing. The control module enables transitioning of at least one of the intake and exhaust valves between the N open lift modes based on the switching window.

Abstract: A valve control system for an internal combustion engine includes a valve actuation system. The valve actuation system includes lift control valves that actuate at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve between N open lift modes, where N is an integer greater than one. A control module enables transitioning of at least one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve between the open lift modes. The control module synchronizes transitions between the N open lift modes with crankshaft and valvetrain timing. The control module generates an engine position synchronization signal based on the transitioning.

Abstract: A valve control system for an internal combustion engine includes a valve actuation system. The valve actuation system actuates at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve between N open lift modes via lift control valves. The control module enables transitioning of at least one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve between the N open lift modes. The control module defines M valve leading modes that indicate whether the intake valve transitions between the N open lift modes before, during the same time period, or after the exhaust valve. The control module selectively transitions the intake valve and the exhaust valve based on a current one of the M valve leading modes. N and M are integers greater than one.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is selectively operative in a spark ignition combustion mode and a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode. An EGR valve operative to control flow of exhaust gas to an intake manifold is monitored, including commanding the EGR valve to a closed position and monitoring operation of the internal combustion engine. An intake manifold pressure due to a fresh air charge is estimated based upon the operation of the engine. The intake manifold pressure is measured, and the estimated intake manifold pressure is compared to the measured intake manifold pressure.

Abstract: A method for controlling the speed in a vehicle includes adjusting at least one gain parameter based on a vehicle speed error and the displacement on demand mode of the engine. A new cruise throttle area is calculated from the adjusted gain parameter.

Abstract: An engine control system controls transitions between activated and deactivated modes in a displacement on demand engine. The engine control system includes an engine speed sensor that generates an engine speed signal and a controller that calculates a torque reserve of the engine based on the engine speed signal. The controller transitions the engine from the activated mode to the deactivated mode when the torque reserve is greater than a threshold torque. The controller transitions the engine from the deactivated mode to the activated mode when the torque reserve is lower than the threshold torque.

Abstract: An engine control system and method for a displacement on demand internal combustion engine includes a throttle preload signal generator that outputs a throttle preload area signal having a base portion and ramp out portion. A combining circuit combines the throttle preload area signal with a current throttle area signal to generate a throttle preload difference signal that adjusts throttle area to smooth transitions during at cylinder deactivation. The engine control system smoothes the transition between activated and inactivated modes by increasing throttle area and manifold pressure when transitioning between activated and deactivated modes.

Abstract: An engine control system in a vehicle including a variable displacement internal combustion engine, an intake manifold coupled to the variable displacement internal combustion engine, a controller for controlling the displacement of the variable displacement internal combustion engine, a pressure sensor sensing manifold pressure, the pressure sensor electronically coupled to the controller, and where the controller receives pressure information from the pressure sensor and changes the displacement of the variable displacement internal combustion engine in response to the pressure information.

Abstract: An engine control system and method calculates spark retard during cylinder activation and deactivation for a displacement on demand engine. A torque reduction calculator calculates a torque reduction signal based on desired and measured air per cylinder. A spark retard (RTD) calculator generates a RTD signal based on the torque reduction signal.

Abstract: An engine control system in a vehicle including a variable displacement internal combustion engine configured as an overhead valve engine including telescoping lifters hydraulically actuated by solenoid valves, via hydraulic lines, to activate and deactivate valves and cylinders in the variable displacement internal combustion engine, a controller for controlling the displacement of the variable displacement internal combustion engine, and where the controller determines the delay time between a displacement command and the actual change in the position of the telescoping lifters.

Abstract: An engine control system and method monitors torque increase during cylinder deactivation for a displacement on demand engine. A timer is started at cylinder deactivation. A controller adjusts throttle position and determines whether cylinder deactivation completes within a predetermined time. The controller adjusts throttle position based on the status of an enable condition. The controller determines if engine speed and vehicle acceleration are each within a threshold. The controller operates the throttle in a preload operating mode if the enable condition is met and operates the throttle in a normal operating mode if the enable condition is not met.

Abstract: An engine control system in a vehicle including a variable displacement internal combustion engine, an intake manifold coupled to the variable displacement internal combustion engine, a controller for controlling the displacement of the variable displacement internal combustion engine, and where the controller varies the spark for a reactivating cylinder during the transition from deactivation to reactivation.

Abstract: An engine control system and method smoothes torque during transitions in a displacement on demand engine. A torque loss estimator generates a torque loss signal based on torque loss due to at least one of friction, pumping and accessories. A pedal torque estimator generates a pedal torque signal. An idle torque estimator generates an idle torque signal. A summing circuit generates a difference between the pedal torque signal and the idle torque and the torque loss signals and outputs a desired brake torque signal.

Abstract: An engine control system and method calculates spark retard during cylinder activation and deactivation for a displacement on demand engine. A torque reduction calculator calculates a torque reduction signal based on desired and measured air per cylinder. A spark retard (RTD) calculator generates a RTD signal based on the torque reduction signal.

Abstract: An engine control system and method for a displacement on demand internal combustion engine includes a throttle preload signal generator that outputs a throttle preload area signal having a base portion and ramp out portion. A combining circuit combines the throttle preload area signal with a current throttle area signal to generate a throttle preload difference signal that adjusts throttle area to smooth transitions during at cylinder deactivation. The engine control system smoothes the transition between activated and inactivated modes by increasing throttle area and manifold pressure when transitioning between activated and deactivated modes.

Abstract: An engine control system and method smoothes torque during transitions in a displacement on demand engine. A torque loss estimator generates a torque loss signal based on torque loss due to at least one of friction, pumping and accessories. A pedal torque estimator generates a pedal torque signal. An idle torque estimator generates an idle torque signal. A summing circuit generates a difference between the pedal torque signal and the idle torque and the torque loss signals and outputs a desired brake torque signal.