Abstract: An engine system includes: a first throttle valve; a turbocharger compressor disposed downstream of the first throttle valve; a charge air cooler disposed downstream of the turbocharger compressor; a second throttle valve located downstream of the turbocharger compressor; a purge inlet located downstream of the first throttle valve and configured to introduce fuel vapor from a fuel tank into intake air; and an engine control module configured to: maintain the first throttle valve in a fully open position; and selectively close the first throttle valve relative to the fully open position in response to receipt of a request to at least one of: purge fuel vapor from the fuel tank; and at least one of decrease and prevent icing of the charge air cooler.

Abstract: An engine system includes: a first throttle valve; a turbocharger compressor disposed downstream of the first throttle valve; a charge air cooler disposed downstream of the turbocharger compressor; a second throttle valve located downstream of the turbocharger compressor; a purge inlet located downstream of the first throttle valve and configured to introduce fuel vapor from a fuel tank into intake air; and an engine control module configured to: maintain the first throttle valve in a fully open position; and selectively close the first throttle valve relative to the fully open position in response to receipt of a request to at least one of: purge fuel vapor from the fuel tank; and at least one of decrease and prevent icing of the charge air cooler.

Abstract: A fuel management system includes a memory and a control module. The memory stores fuel rate maps for multiple firing fractions, where: each of the firing fractions corresponds to a respective firing pattern of an engine; at least some of the firing patterns include deactivating one or more cylinders. The control module: for each of the firing fractions, determines a fuel efficiency value for each of multiple transmission gear ratios, where fuel efficiency values are provided for transmission ratio and firing fraction pairs; applies drive ability constraints to provide resultant transmission ratio and firing fraction pairs; subsequent to applying the drive ability constraints and based on the fuel efficiency values, selects one of the resultant transmission ratio and firing fraction pairs; and concurrently operates a transmission and the engine according to the selected one of the transmission ratio and firing fraction pairs.

Abstract: A method of selecting a compression ratio in an internal combustion engine having a mechanism configured to vary the compression ratio includes receiving, via an electronic controller, a requested output torque value. The method also includes determining, via the controller, a value of engine speed corresponding to the requested output torque value. The method additionally includes determining, via the controller, a compression ratio value corresponding to the requested output torque value and the determined value of the engine speed. The method also includes determining, via the controller, a position of the mechanism corresponding to the determined compression ratio value. Furthermore, the method includes commanding, via the controller, the determined position of the mechanism and thereby selecting the determined compression ratio value.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder and a valve assembly configured to activate and deactivate the at least one cylinder. The valve assembly includes an intake valve configured to control air flow into the at least one cylinder. A controller outputs a first control signal to the valve assembly to deactivate the at least one cylinder in response to detecting a deceleration event. The controller also outputs a second control signal to command the valve assembly to delay opening the intake valve from a closed position after re-activating the cylinder so that the torque output produced in response to re-activating the cylinder is reduced.

Abstract: An engine control system, vehicle system, and method are provided that are arranged to direct dynamically fuel management of an engine. The engine is operated a first firing fraction, a first cam phase, and a first throttle control position. A desired second firing fraction and a desired second cam phase are then determined. A torque request and a throttle area are determined. Further, a desired second throttle control position is determined based on at least the throttle area, the torque request, the desired second firing fraction, and the desired second cam phase. The method, control system, and vehicle system are configured to transition from the first firing fraction to the desired second firing fraction while transitioning from the first throttle control position to the desired second throttle control position. As such, delivered torque can be accurately controlled without the need for spark retard during the transition between firing fractions.

Abstract: An engine control system, vehicle system, and method are provided that are arranged to direct dynamically fuel management of an engine. The engine is operated a first firing fraction, a first cam phase, and a first throttle control position. A desired second firing fraction and a desired second cam phase are then determined. A torque request and a throttle area are determined. Further, a desired second throttle control position is determined based on at least the throttle area, the torque request, the desired second firing fraction, and the desired second cam phase. The method, control system, and vehicle system are configured to transition from the first firing fraction to the desired second firing fraction while transitioning from the first throttle control position to the desired second throttle control position. As such, delivered torque can be accurately controlled without the need for spark retard during the transition between firing fractions.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder and a valve assembly configured to activate and deactivate the at least one cylinder. The valve assembly includes an intake valve configured to control air flow into the at least one cylinder. A controller outputs a first control signal to the valve assembly to deactivate the at least one cylinder in response to detecting a deceleration event. The controller also outputs a second control signal to command the valve assembly to delay opening the intake valve from a closed position after re-activating the cylinder so that the torque output produced in response to re-activating the cylinder is reduced.

Abstract: A method of simulating movement of a suspension system that moves with six degrees of freedom, with a test simulator that moves with two degrees of freedom, includes converting an effective two degree of freedom road wheel angle at a wheel end of the test simulator into a simulated six degree of freedom road wheel angle. A six degree of freedom kingpin moment is defined. A two degree of freedom tie rod input force is calculated from the six degree of freedom kingpin moment and an effective steer arm length. The two degree of freedom tie rod input force is applied to the test simulator to generate torque feedback in the test simulator.

Abstract: A method of quantifying a viscous damping steering feel characteristic of a vehicle equipped with an electric power steering system includes connecting the electric power steering (EPS) system to a rotary actuator and kingpin actuators of a simulator system, communicating a triangle wave control input from a simulator controller to the rotary actuator, and receiving outputs from sensors in the simulator system by the simulator controller in response to the triangle wave control input. The simulator controller is programmed to execute logic embodying a method using the triangle wave control input provided via the rotary actuator and deconvolution of the outputs remove phase lag between the input and output signals, to generate a deconvoluted hysteresis loop for each of a plurality of steering cycles conducted during a vehicle simulation event, and to characterize a viscous damping steering feel characteristic of the EPS system.

Abstract: A method of tuning a calibration table for an electric power steering system includes connecting the electric power steering system to an actuator machine, and communicating a control input from a vehicle simulator to the actuator machine. Input forces and steering angles are applied to the electric power steering system with the actuator machine, based on the control input. The electric power steering system is controlled with a steering controller, to apply a steering setting, i.e., and assistive torque. The steering controller uses the calibration table to define the steering setting, based on the applied input forces and steering angles. A steering torque in the electric power steering system generated in response to the applied steering setting is sensed, and communicated to the vehicle controller, thereby establishing a closed loop, feedback system. The calibration table may then be re-defined based on the sensed steering response for the applied input forces.

Abstract: A method of quantifying a viscous damping steering feel characteristic of a vehicle equipped with an electric power steering system includes connecting the electric power steering (EPS) system to a rotary actuator and kingpin actuators of a simulator system, communicating a triangle wave control input from a simulator controller to the rotary actuator, and receiving outputs from sensors in the simulator system by the simulator controller in response to the triangle wave control input. The simulator controller is programmed to execute logic embodying a method using the triangle wave control input provided via the rotary actuator and deconvolution of the outputs remove phase lag between the input and output signals, to generate a deconvoluted hysteresis loop for each of a plurality of steering cycles conducted during a vehicle simulation event, and to characterize a viscous damping steering feel characteristic of the EPS system.

Abstract: A method of tuning a calibration table for an electric power steering system includes connecting the electric power steering system to an actuator machine, and communicating a control input from a vehicle simulator to the actuator machine. Input forces and steering angles are applied to the electric power steering system with the actuator machine, based on the control input. The electric power steering system is controlled with a steering controller, to apply a steering setting, i.e., and assistive torque. The steering controller uses the calibration table to define the steering setting, based on the applied input forces and steering angles. A steering torque in the electric power steering system generated in response to the applied steering setting is sensed, and communicated to the vehicle controller, thereby establishing a closed loop, feedback system. The calibration table may then be re-defined based on the sensed steering response for the applied input forces.