Abstract: In a mechanical apparatus having a diesel engine including a combustion chamber, the mechanical apparatus also having an aftertreatment device configured to treat emissions from the diesel engine and an intake valve for passing air into the combustion chamber, a method of operating the engine is disclosed, wherein the method includes performing at least one combustion in the combustion chamber at a first intake valve closure timing, determining a temperature of the aftertreatment device, and if the temperature of the aftertreatment device is equal to or below a preselected temperature threshold, then performing at least one combustion in the combustion chamber at a second intake valve closure timing to thereby increase the temperature of exhaust emitted by the diesel engine.

Abstract: A method of operating an engine of a vehicle having a powertrain having a transmission is described. The method includes, during a driver tip-out condition where the vehicle is decelerating, adjusting engine output based on a gear of the transmission, and reducing airflow to reduce engine torque output without reducing torque by retarding spark timing, following the driver tip-out, until airflow reaches a minimum value below which combustion may be degraded; and upon airflow reach said minimum value, retarding spark timing to further reduce engine output.

Abstract: In a mechanical apparatus having a diesel engine including a combustion chamber, the mechanical apparatus also having an aftertreatment device configured to treat emissions from the diesel engine and an intake valve for passing air into the combustion chamber, a method of operating the engine is disclosed, wherein the method includes performing at least one combustion in the combustion chamber at a first intake valve closure timing, determining a temperature of the aftertreatment device, and if the temperature of the aftertreatment device is equal to or below a preselected temperature threshold, then performing at least one combustion in the combustion chamber at a second intake valve closure timing to thereby increase the temperature of exhaust emitted by the diesel engine.

Abstract: A method for determining airflow to a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, such airflow passing to the cylinder through an intake manifold. The method includes providing a model of the intake manifold, such model providing a relationship between expected output airflow from the intake manifold in response to airflow into the intake manifold; determining from the model the expected output airflow from the intake manifold from a previous commanded airflow into the intake manifold; determining a compensation airflow required for the input airflow to the intake manifold to drive the expected output from the intake manifold towards the desired cylinder airflow; and providing such compensation airflow to the intake manifold.

Abstract: A method of driver training to improve fuel economy performance of a vehicle, the method including, receiving selected vehicle and driver operating data indicative of driving conditions and operator inputs captured during previous vehicle operation, processing the received selected vehicle and driver operating data, and generating driving recommendations to improve fuel economy performance based on the processed vehicle and driver operating data.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine of a vehicle in response to an operator input, comprising of during a first non-cruise control condition and at first distance to a forward vehicle, adjusting engine output in response to said operator input with a first relationship; and during a second non-cruise control condition and at second, greater, distance to a forward vehicle, adjusting engine output in response to said operator input with a second relationship different from said first.

Abstract: A method for determining airflow to a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, such airflow passing to the cylinder through an intake manifold. The method includes providing a model of the intake manifold, such model providing a relationship between expected output airflow from the intake manifold in response to airflow into the intake manifold; determining from the model the expected output airflow from the intake manifold from a previous commanded airflow into the intake manifold; determining a compensation airflow required for the input airflow to the intake manifold to drive the expected output from the intake manifold towards the desired cylinder airflow; and providing such compensation airflow to the intake manifold.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.

Abstract: A vehicle control method for transitioning through transmission lash regions is described using a variety of information, such as, for example, gear ratio, clutch slippage, etc. Further, different adjustment of spark and throttle angle is used to provide a rapid torque response while still reducing effects of the lash. Finally, transitions taking into account both slipping and non-slipping transmissions are described.

Abstract: A vehicle control method for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine coupled to a torque converter, the torque converter having an input speed and an output speed, the torque converter coupled to a transmission, the transmission coupled to wheels on a road, the method comprising in response to a driver tip-out during at least some conditions, decreasing powertrain output so that positive torque is not transmitted to the wheels, and after said tip-out and in response to a driver tip-in, and at least during transitioning to transmission of positive powertrain torque to the wheels, retarding ignition timing while adjusting engine airflow until torque converter input speed is greater than torque converter output speed, and then advancing spark angle to rapidly provide output torque.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel injection in an engine of a vehicle having an anti-lock braking system comprises under conditions of degraded operation of an anti-lock braking system, restricting deactivation of the fuel injection during deceleration vehicle operating conditions. According to another aspect, the method comprises under conditions where the anti-lock braking system is functioning, disabling fuel injection during at least some deceleration operations; and under conditions of degraded operation of the anti-lock braking system, restricting deactivation of the fuel injection during deceleration vehicle operating conditions. By considering the functioning of an ABS, it is possible to deactivate fuel injection during some deceleration operations during one condition to realize fuel economy gains and disable the deactivation of fuel injection at another condition to reduce engine stalls. Thus, the deceleration fuel shut off strategy may be used aggressively for improved fuel economy.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel injection in an engine of a vehicle having an all wheel drive or 4×4 system comprises restricting deactivation of the fuel injection during some deceleration conditions when the vehicle is in an all wheel drive, or 4×4, low gear. According to another aspect, a method comprises restricting deactivation of fuel injection during deceleration operations under all wheel drive, or 4×4 low gear operation; and disabling the fuel injection during at least some deceleration operation under other conditions. Disabling deactivation in an all wheel drive or 4×4 low gear allows a more controlled drivability at a time when any torque disturbance may be magnified and more easily felt by the vehicle driver.

Abstract: In a mechanical apparatus having a diesel engine including a combustion chamber, an intake valve for passing air into the combustion chamber, and an exhaust valve for passing exhaust from the chamber, the mechanical apparatus also having an aftertreatment device configured to treat emissions from the diesel engine, a method of operating the engine is disclosed, wherein the method includes performing at least one combustion in the combustion chamber with a first quantity of fuel, determining a temperature of the aftertreatment device, and if the temperature of the aftertreatment device is equal to or below a preselected temperature threshold, then performing at least one combustion in the combustion chamber with a second, greater quantity of fuel and varying at least one of an intake valve timing and an exhaust valve timing relative to a default valve timing to cause at least one of a compression loss and a pumping loss.

Abstract: In one example, a system for an engine having an intake system and an exhaust system is described. The system comprises: an airflow sensor coupled to the intake system; an air pump having at least an inlet side and an outlet side, said inlet side having a first coupling to the intake system downstream of said airflow sensor, said outlet side having a second coupling to the exhaust system; and a controller coupled to the engine, said controller, during operation, identifying whether degradation has occurred to at least one of said first and second couplings, and providing an indication of said identified degradation. Various other examples are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating an engine of a vehicle having a powertrain having a transmission is described. The method includes, during a driver tip-out condition where the vehicle is decelerating, adjusting engine output based on a gear of the transmission, and reducing airflow to reduce engine torque output without reducing torque by retarding spark timing, following the driver tip-out, until airflow reaches a minimum value below which combustion may be degraded; and upon airflow reach said minimum value, retarding spark timing to further reduce engine output.

Abstract: In a mechanical apparatus having a diesel engine including a combustion chamber, an intake valve for passing air into the combustion chamber, and an exhaust valve for passing exhaust from the chamber, the mechanical apparatus also having an aftertreatment device configured to treat emissions from the diesel engine, a method of operating the engine is disclosed, wherein the method includes performing at least one combustion in the combustion chamber with a first quantity of fuel, determining a temperature of the aftertreatment device, and if the temperature of the aftertreatment device is equal to or below a preselected temperature threshold, then performing at least one combustion in the combustion chamber with a second, greater quantity of fuel and varying at least one of an intake valve timing and an exhaust valve timing relative to a default valve timing to cause at least one of a compression loss and a pumping loss.

Abstract: In a mechanical apparatus having a diesel engine including a combustion chamber, the mechanical apparatus also having an aftertreatment device configured to treat emissions from the diesel engine and an intake valve for passing air into the combustion chamber, a method of operating the engine is disclosed, wherein the method includes performing at least one combustion in the combustion chamber at a first intake valve closure timing, determining a temperature of the aftertreatment device, and if the temperature of the aftertreatment device is equal to or below a preselected temperature threshold, then performing at least one combustion in the combustion chamber at a second intake valve closure timing to thereby increase the temperature of exhaust emitted by the diesel engine.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine. The method includes disabling at least one piston cylinder of the engine. While said at least one piston cylinder is disabled, turbulence is selectively varied in an air intake pathway of an enabled piston cylinder, so as to vary charge motion within the enabled piston cylinder. The selective variation of turbulence is effected at a location in the air intake pathway between a throttle of the engine and an intake valve of the enabled cylinder.

Abstract: In one example, a system for an engine having an intake system and an exhaust system is described. The system comprises: an airflow sensor coupled to the intake system; an air pump having at least an inlet side and an outlet side, said inlet side having a first coupling to the intake system downstream of said airflow sensor, said outlet side having a second coupling to the exhaust system; and a controller coupled to the engine, said controller, during operation, identifying whether degradation has occurred to at least one of said first and second couplings, and providing an indication of said identified degradation. Various other examples are also disclosed.