Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling vehicle torque output during cruise control. In one example, a method may include determining future vehicle torque output by minimizing an objective function based on an instantaneous vehicle speed, an average vehicle speed, and a present vehicle torque output. The weights of the objective function may be updated based on the past and the present vehicle operating parameters.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling vehicle torque output during cruise control. In one example, a method may include determining future vehicle torque output by minimizing an objective function based on an instantaneous vehicle speed, an average vehicle speed, and a present vehicle torque output. The weights of the objective function may be updated based on the past and the present vehicle operating parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine control an actuator in response to variations of intake airflow relative to an average intake airflow to manage induction acoustics. The system and method may include controlling an actuator, such as a throttle valve, to increase intake manifold vacuum in response to intake airflow. In an engine having electronically actuated intake and/or exhaust valves, intake airflow is estimated based on at least engine speed and valve timing and compared to a measured intake airflow to determine a first difference. The measured airflow is divided into a steady-state and transient term or component with a second difference determined based on the transient component and a target value. Throttle valve position is selectively controlled to increase vacuum in response to a combination of the first and second difference to manage induction acoustics.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine control an actuator in response to variations of intake airflow relative to an average intake airflow to manage induction acoustics. The system and method may include controlling an actuator, such as a throttle valve, to increase intake manifold vacuum in response to intake airflow. In an engine having electronically actuated intake and/or exhaust valves, intake airflow is estimated based on at least engine speed and valve timing and compared to a measured intake airflow to determine a first difference. The measured airflow is divided into a steady-state and transient term or component with a second difference determined based on the transient component and a target value. Throttle valve position is selectively controlled to increase vacuum in response to a combination of the first and second difference to manage induction acoustics.

Abstract: A method for controlling at least valve to operate in at least a cylinder of an internal combustion engine coupled to a manifold, the method comprising of deactivating said valve in response to an operating condition of a vehicle electrical system, wherein during at least a first condition of the vehicle electrical system said valve is deactivated in a first position that allows at least some airflow between the cylinder and the manifold.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine to reduce vehicle shuffle mode vibration during mode transition. The engine includes multiple cylinders, each with at least one electrically actuated valve, and the engine operates in a first mode having a first number of firing cylinders and a second mode having a second number of firing cylinders. The method comprises transitioning the engine from operating in the first mode to the second mode; adjusting at least a valve timing or lift of one of a last cylinder to be fired in said first mode and a first cylinder to be fired in said second mode to temporarily adjust a cylinder torque and thereby reduce vehicle shuffle mode vibration.

Abstract: A method for calculating transient fuel wall wetting characteristics of an operating engine is described. The method accounts for cylinder valve deactivation of cylinders in the engine in calculating the dynamic fueling compensation. In one example, fuel vaporization effects from fuel puddles in deactivated cylinders are considered when calculating the fueling compensation for active cylinders.

Abstract: A method to control valves during multi-stroke cylinder operation. Valves are controlled to improve emissions and engine torque resolution.

Abstract: A system and method to control engine valve timing of an internal combustion engine. Electromechanical valves are controlled to improve engine fuel economy. Further, the method can adjust valve operation to provide air-fuel charge motion and increase combustion stability.

Abstract: A method to determine and control engine torque in an internal combustion engine. The method may significantly reduce torque strategy calculations and the calibration complexity.

Abstract: A method to control valve patterns in a cylinder operating in a multi-stroke cylinder mode. Valves are controlled to improve drivability and emissions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operation of an engine coupled to an exhaust treatment catalyst. Under predetermined conditions, the method operates an engine with a first group of cylinders combusting a lean air/fuel mixture and a second group of cylinders pumping air only (i.e., without fuel injection). In addition, the engine control method also provides the following features in combination with the above-described split air/lean mode: idle speed control, sensor diagnostics, air/fuel ratio control, adaptive learning, fuel vapor purging, catalyst temperature estimation, default operation, and exhaust gas and emission control device temperature control. In addition, the engine control method also changes to combusting in all cylinders under preselected operating conditions such as fuel vapor purging, manifold vacuum control, and purging of stored oxidants in an emission control device.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of cylinder with at least an intake and exhaust valve and a piston are described. In one aspect, the method comprises maintaining at least one of the intake and exhaust valves in a closed position during a period. Further, closing the other of the intake and exhaust valves with the piston at a first position from, and then opening the other of the intake and exhaust valves at a second position of the piston closer to bottom center than said first position, during said period.

Abstract: An electronic valve actuation system and control method is described. The valve timing is changed between early and late intake valve closing depending on engine operating conditions. Further, valve timing is adjusted to control engine airflow or engine torque. Finally, air-fuel ratio is adjusted based on feedback from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor as well as an estimate of air, fuel, and residual exhausted from cylinders operating with late valve closing (after bottom dead center) timing.

Abstract: A system and method for operating at least an intake and exhaust valve in a cylinder with a piston of an engine in a vehicle are described. In one aspect, the method comprises maintaining at least one of the intake and exhaust valves in a closed position during a period. Further, during said period where said at least one valve is in said closed position, the method may also include opening the other of the intake and exhaust valve, then closing the other of the intake and exhaust valve, and then opening the other of the intake and exhaust valve.

Abstract: A method to select cylinder and valve operational modes in an internal combustion engine with valves that may be deactivated. A simplified method to select cylinder and valve modes is presented.

Abstract: A method for controlling at least an electrically actuated valve to operate in at least a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising deactivating an electrically actuated valve in response to an operating condition of a vehicle electrical system, said electrically actuated valve deactivated in a desired position.

Abstract: A method to select cylinder and valve operational modes in an internal combustion engine with valves that may be deactivated. A simplified method to select cylinder and valve modes is presented.

Abstract: A system and method to control engine valve operation during periods of cylinder deactivation of an internal combustion engine. Electromechanical valves are controlled in a manner to reduce fuel consumption and emissions during cylinder deactivation periods of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method to control valve patterns in a cylinder operating in a multi-stroke cylinder mode. Valves are controlled to improve drivability and emissions.