Abstract: A method for controlling valve actuation in an engine is provided. The method includes initiating combustion operation in a first cylinder, opening, via a first cam, a first exhaust valve coupled to the first cylinder for a first opening duration. The method further includes opening, via a second cam, a second exhaust valve coupled to the first cylinder for a second opening duration not equivalent to the first opening duration.

Abstract: A method for partial cylinder cutoff is provided. The method comprises operating a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine with applied ignition, in which an odd number n of cylinders is arranged in line, and during partial-load operation when engine load is below threshold, enabling a partial cutoff of the cylinders, the partial cutoff comprising operating each cylinder only intermittently such that each cylinder is fired and cut off in turn at an interval of (2*720° CA)/n.

Abstract: A system for filtering and oxidizing particulate matter produced by a gasoline direct injection engine is disclosed. In one embodiment, engine cylinder air-fuel is adjusted to allow soot to oxidize at an upstream particulate filter while exhaust gases are efficiently processed in a downstream catalyst.

Abstract: A method for controlling valve actuation in an engine is provided. The method includes initiating combustion operation in a first cylinder, opening, via a first cam, a first exhaust valve coupled to the first cylinder for a first opening duration. The method further includes opening, via a second cam, a second exhaust valve coupled to the first cylinder for a second opening duration not equivalent to the first opening duration.

Abstract: Embodiments for regenerating a particle filter are provided. In one example, a method includes operating a spark-ignition internal combustion engine having a particle filter for collecting and burning soot particles in exhaust gas comprises in order to initiate regeneration of the particle filter. The method may include, in response to a regeneration condition, increasing exhaust temperature by retarding spark timing and once regeneration is reached, operating the engine with lean combustion to regenerate the particle filter, where a degree of leanness is based on each of a state of the filter and an upstream three-way catalyst.

Abstract: An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The system comprises an exhaust tract which is connectable to an outlet side of the internal combustion engine, at least one catalytic converter arranged in the exhaust tract downstream of the engine, a particle filter downstream of the at least one catalytic converter, and a secondary-air inlet port provided in the exhaust tract upstream of the particle filter for introducing compressed secondary air into the exhaust tract via at least one flutter valve. In this way, additional oxygen may be supplied to the particulate filter to perform filter regeneration.

Abstract: The methods described allow for reducing particulate emissions from a direction injection engine during a starting phase, while also maintaining the engine start phase within a predetermined threshold. In one particular example, the methods comprise adjusting at least one of a fuel release pressure threshold and enrichment factor based on an engine condition; activating a starting device to rotate a crankshaft coupled to an engine cylinder without injecting any fuel; supplying fuel to the cylinder based on the enrichment factor only when a fuel pressure exceeds the fuel release pressure threshold; and stratifying a cylinder charge while adjusting a fuel injection within a compression phase and/or expansion phase of the engine. In this way, an amount of fuel injected may be evaporated in the combustion chamber while preventing a combustion wall wetting, which allows for reduced particulate emissions, particularly at reduced temperatures.

Abstract: The system and methods described allow for reduce emissions by using a recirculation device within an engine that connects an air feed line to an exhaust line while cooling the exhaust-gas to form a condensate for further cooling the engine system. In one particular example, a cooling unit is described that cools the exhaust-gas stream flowing there through and collects a condensate out of the exhaust-gas stream for injection back into the air feed line via an injecting device. In this way, an injection of water may be made to reduce NOx emissions during vehicle operations, and the outlay for storage of water on board the vehicle may be eliminated.

Abstract: A direct-injection engine having a cylinder in which a combustion chamber is jointly formed by a piston crown of a piston, which is movable along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, and a cylinder head, and an injection nozzle, which is arranged in the cylinder head on the opposite side of the piston crown eccentrically, spaced apart from the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, for the direct injection of fuel, which injection nozzle has a nozzle needle movable in a nozzle body, wherein the needle in the open position of the nozzle is moved into the combustion chamber, opening up an annular gap arranged between the nozzle body and needle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an engine wherein one group of cylinders is active and a second group of cylinders is switchable, such that under low loads the second group of cylinders is deactivated, and under high loads the second group of cylinders is activated. Following deactivation of the second group of cylinders a throttling element in an intake line for the second group of cylinders is gradually closed. The closing of the throttling element may reduce pumping losses and thus increase engine efficiency.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, the method comprising, during one working cycle, distributing fuel for each cylinder of the plurality of cylinders among a plurality of injection processes according to settable split factors which respectively define a setpoint fuel mass and/or injection duration and time setting of each respective injection process for the plurality of individual injection processes, wherein random variation is carried out for at least one injection process.

Abstract: A system is provided for an internal combustion engine comprising, at least two cylinders wherein the at least two cylinders form at least two groups, wherein each group comprises at least one cylinder, the at least one cylinder of at least one group being formed as a cylinder which can be activated in a load-dependent manner and which is deactivated if a predefined load is undershot. The at least two groups are characterized by different cylinder volumes, the at least one cylinder of a first group having a lesser cylinder volume and the at least one cylinder of a second group having a greater cylinder volume; and the at least one cylinder of the second group comprises an activatable and deactivatable cylinder. Use of the first cylinder group, and deactivation of the second cylinder group during partial loads increases engine efficiency and fuel economy.

Abstract: A system is provided for an internal combustion engine comprising, at least two cylinders wherein the at least two cylinders form at least two groups, wherein each group comprises at least one cylinder, the at least one cylinder of at least one group being formed as a cylinder which can be activated in a load-dependent manner and which is deactivated if a predefined load is undershot. The at least two groups are characterized by different compression ratios, the at least one cylinder of a first group having a higher compression ratio and the at least one cylinder of a second group having a lower compression ratio and the at least one cylinder of the second group comprises an activatable and deactivatable cylinder. Use of the first cylinder group, and deactivation of the second cylinder group during partial loads increases engine efficiency and fuel economy.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the operation of a multi-cylinder auto-ignition internal combustion engine. By configuring the cylinders in multiple groups based on compression ratios, and operating the cylinders in a load-dependent manner, fuel consumption may be improved.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for optimizing the operation of a multi-cylinder auto-ignition internal combustion engine. By configuring the cylinders in multiple groups based on compression ratios, and operating the cylinders in a load-dependent manner, fuel consumption may be optimized.

Abstract: A method for an engine may comprise during a first condition comprising decreased scavenging, adjusting fuel injection based on a more-upstream air-fuel ratio, and during a second condition comprising increased scavenging, adjusting fuel injection based on one or more more-downstream air-fuel ratios and not based on the more-upstream air-fuel ratio. During the first condition, adjusting fuel injection may be further based on the one or more more-downstream air-fuel ratios.

Abstract: A method for regenerating a particulate filter is disclosed. In one example, oxygen is pumped from the intake system of a direct injection turobocharged gasoline engine through a cylinder and into the exhaust system by a compressor. In this way, regeneration of a particulate filter may be accomplished without an auxiliary air supply.

Abstract: A system for filtering and oxidizing particulate matter produced by a gasoline direct injection engine is disclosed. In one embodiment, engine spark is controlled such that soot held by a particulate filter may be oxidized even during low engine loads.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to address engine pre-ignition. One or more cylinders are alternately rich and lean operated for a duration to reduce engine thermal loading while maintaining an exhaust air-to-fuel ratio around stoichiometry.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine with a dry sump lubrication system is disclosed. The dry sump lubrication system has an oil pan coupled to the engine, an oil reservoir, an oil discharge tube coupling between the oil pan to the oil reservoir, an oil supply tube coupling the oil reservoir to the engine, and a vent tube coupling the oil reservoir to the intake manifold. The dry sump lubrication system may have a fresh air tube coupled to the oil reservoir. A control element coupled to an upstream side of the fresh air tube controls fresh air supplied to the oil reservoir. The oil reservoir may be insulated to retain energy in the oil during short shutdown periods. The oil reservoir may have a heat exchanger which allows engine coolant to flow through the heat exchanger.