Abstract: Presented are multi-pulse fuel injection systems for monitoring engine fuel injectors for missed pulses, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such systems. A method of operating a fuel injection system includes an engine controller determining if the system's injectors are operating in a multi-pulse mode for injecting multiple fuel pulses per combustion cycle to an engine's cylinders and, if so, monitoring pulse signals transmitted to the injectors for injecting the multiple fuel pulses. For each combustion cycle for each injector, the controller flags a cylinder misfire if any one of the fuel pulses for that combustion cycle is missed. For each cylinder, the controller calculates a misfire ratio of a total number of cylinder misfires to a total number of combustion cycles; if one of these misfire ratios exceeds a calibrated misfire limit, the controller commands a resident subsystem to execute control operations to mitigate the misfires.

Abstract: Methods and systems for flex fuel engines that have both port fuel injection and direct injection. Operating an engine system includes determining a percent of ethanol in a fuel and determining whether the percent of ethanol is greater than a predetermined threshold. When the percent of ethanol is greater than the predetermined threshold, fuel is supplied only through the direct injection injectors. When the percent of ethanol is not greater than the predetermined threshold, fuel is supplied through a combination of the direct injection injectors and port fuel injection injectors.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving a set of feature data, the feature data sensed from a fuel injector during a fuel injection event; processing, by a processor, the set of feature data with a decision tree model to generate a prediction of a fault status; and selectively generating, by the processor, a notification signal based on the prediction.

Abstract: A system includes a three-way catalyst (TWC) sulfur load module, a cylinder/fuel cutoff module, a fuel control module, and a valve control module. The TWC sulfur load module is configured to determine an amount of sulfur deposited on a three-way catalyst of an engine in a vehicle. The cylinder/fuel cutoff module is configured to determine whether to enable deceleration cylinder cutoff (DCCO) based on the amount of sulfur deposited on the three-way catalyst. The fuel control module is configured to control a fuel injector to selectively stop fuel injection in the engine when DCCO is enabled. The valve control module is configured to selectively maintain intake and exhaust valves of the engine in a closed position when DCCO is enabled.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving a set of feature data, the feature data sensed from a fuel injector during a fuel injection event; processing, by a processor, the set of feature data with a decision tree model to generate a prediction of a fault status; and selectively generating, by the processor, a notification signal based on the prediction.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving a set of feature data, the feature data sensed from a fuel injector during a fuel injection event; processing, by a processor, the set of feature data with a machine learning model to generate a prediction of a fault status; and selectively generating, by the processor, a notification signal based on the prediction.

Abstract: A method to detect and mitigate sensor or actuator degradation in an automobile system includes: collecting a signal data output from at least one device which is outputting the signal data in response to monitored operational parameters of a motor vehicle system; analyzing patterns of the signal data compared to a signal data output from a nominal operating one of the at least one device using an artificial intelligence program; and identifying when the patterns of the signal data exceed a threshold level indicating the at least one sensor or actuator is operating in a degraded condition.

Abstract: A method to detect and mitigate sensor degradation in an automobile system includes: collecting output signal data from at least one of a sensor and an actuator which is outputting the signal data related to operational parameters of a vehicle system; placing the sensor or the actuator in communication with a fault box used to purposely corrupt the output signal data; analyzing patterns of the output signal data compared to signal data from a nominal operating sensor or actuator using an artificial intelligence program; identifying when a statistical range of the patterns exceeds a first threshold level; and modifying a control signal to change the operational parameters of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A method to detect and mitigate sensor or actuator degradation in an automobile system includes: collecting a signal data output from at least one device which is outputting the signal data in response to monitored operational parameters of a motor vehicle system; analyzing patterns of the signal data compared to a signal data output from a nominal operating one of the at least one device using an artificial intelligence program; and identifying when the patterns of the signal data exceed a threshold level indicating the at least one sensor or actuator is operating in a degraded condition.

Abstract: A method to detect and mitigate sensor degradation in an automobile system includes: collecting output signal data from at least one of a sensor and an actuator which is outputting the signal data related to operational parameters of a vehicle system; placing the sensor or the actuator in communication with a fault box used to purposely corrupt the output signal data; analyzing patterns of the output signal data compared to signal data from a nominal operating sensor or actuator using an artificial intelligence program; identifying when a statistical range of the patterns exceeds a first threshold level; and modifying a control signal to change the operational parameters of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A method for operating a spark-ignition direct-injection internal combustion engine coupled to an exhaust aftertreatment system including a catalytic converter includes monitoring an operating state of the catalytic converter. The method further includes determining if a piston of the engine is entering an intake stroke. The method further includes injecting a first quantity of fuel into a cylinder in which the piston of the engine is entering the intake stroke, and injecting a second quantity of fuel into the cylinder in which the piston of the engine is entering the intake stroke.

Abstract: A method for operating a spark-ignition direct-injection internal combustion engine coupled to an exhaust aftertreatment system including a catalytic converter includes monitoring an operating state of the catalytic converter. The method further includes determining if a piston of the engine is entering an intake stroke. The method further includes injecting a first quantity of fuel into a cylinder in which the piston of the engine is entering the intake stroke, and injecting a second quantity of fuel into the cylinder in which the piston of the engine is entering the intake stroke.

Abstract: A pressure diagnostic system includes a pressure error calculating module that generates a pressure error based on a first pressure signal and a second pressure signal. A difference calculating module generates a desired pressure difference based on a current desired pressure and a prior desired pressure. A lag filter module applies lag filter to the pressure error to generate a lag filtered pressure error. A fault module selectively generates a fault based on the lag filtered pressure error.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a pump control module, an adjustment determination module, and an adjusting module. The pump control module selectively disables pumping of a fuel pump that is driven by a spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine. A predetermined period after the pumping of the fuel pump is disabled, the adjustment determination module determines a pressure adjustment for a first fuel rail pressure measured using a fuel rail pressure sensor. The adjusting module generates a second fuel rail pressure based on the pressure adjustment and the first fuel rail pressure.

Abstract: A method of warming a catalyst of an exhaust gas treatment system of a hybrid vehicle includes transitioning a rotational speed of an engine to within a pre-defined speed range with an electric motor, and reducing an engine manifold pressure to within a pre-defined pressure range. The engine is fueled after the rotational speed of the engine is within the pre-defined speed range, and the engine manifold pressure is within the pre-defined pressure range. While the engine is being fueled, the engine manifold pressure is increased to within a catalyst light-off pressure range, and the torque output of the engine is increased to within a catalyst light-off operating torque range. The exhaust gas produced from the operation of the engine within the pre-defined speed range, within the catalyst light-off pressure range, and within the catalyst light-off operating torque range heats the catalyst while minimizing emissions.

Abstract: A method of warming a catalyst of an exhaust gas treatment system of a hybrid vehicle includes transitioning a rotational speed of an engine to within a pre-defined speed range with an electric motor, and reducing an engine manifold pressure to within a pre-defined pressure range. The engine is fueled after the rotational speed of the engine is within the pre-defined speed range, and the engine manifold pressure is within the pre-defined pressure range. While the engine is being fueled, the engine manifold pressure is increased to within a catalyst light-off pressure range, and the torque output of the engine is increased to within a catalyst light-off operating torque range. The exhaust gas produced from the operation of the engine within the pre-defined speed range, within the catalyst light-off pressure range, and within the catalyst light-off operating torque range heats the catalyst while minimizing emissions.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a pump control module, an adjustment determination module, and an adjusting module. The pump control module selectively disables pumping of a fuel pump that is driven by a spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine. A predetermined period after the pumping of the fuel pump is disabled, the adjustment determination module determines a pressure adjustment for a first fuel rail pressure measured using a fuel rail pressure sensor. The adjusting module generates a second fuel rail pressure based on the pressure adjustment and the first fuel rail pressure.

Abstract: A pressure diagnostic system includes a pressure error calculating module that generates a pressure error based on a first pressure signal and a second pressure signal. A difference calculating module generates a desired pressure difference based on a current desired pressure and a prior desired pressure. A lag filter module applies lag filter to the pressure error to generate a lag filtered pressure error. A fault module selectively generates a fault based on the lag filtered pressure error.

Abstract: A fuel control system includes a pressure comparison module that generates a pressure control signal when a fuel supply pressure is greater than a predetermined pressure value, a temperature comparison module that generates a temperature control signal when a temperature of an engine is greater than a predetermined temperature value, and a pre-crank fuel module that selectively dispenses pre-crank fuel prior to cranking the engine based on the pressure control signal and the temperature control signal. A related fuel control method is also provided.

Abstract: An oxygen storage capacity (OSC) monitoring system for a vehicle having a catalytic converter includes an inlet oxygen sensor that generates an inlet sensor signal (ISS) based on an oxygen content of exhaust flowing into the catalytic converter. A control module receives the ISS, increases a closed loop fuel control gain during a first period and determines a fuel control factor based on the ISS during the first period. The control module determines an OSC when an average value of the fuel control factor is greater than a first value and is less than a second value during the first period.