Abstract: A method is disclosed for optimizing fuel economy during an engine warm up phase of operation of an internal combustion engine. An exhaust manifold may have a coolant jacket through which a coolant may flow. A temperature of the coolant in the exhaust manifold may be determined to detect when it is at a predetermined maximum threshold, which represents a temperature threshold just below a temperature at which the coolant will begin to boil. When this threshold is reached, then a determination may be made as to a minimum rate of flow of the coolant through the exhaust manifold which maintains the coolant at about the predetermined maximum threshold, and the coolant may be flowed through the exhaust manifold at the determined minimum rate of flow.

Abstract: A system includes a soot module, a coordinator module, a regeneration module, and actuator modules. The soot module determines a current amount of soot mass in a particulate filter of a gasoline engine, where the particulate filter is downstream from the gasoline engine and receives an exhaust gas from the gasoline engine. The coordinator module generates an enable signal, a torque reserve signal, and an equivalence ratio. The regeneration module, based on the current amount of soot mass and the enable signal, generates a regeneration signal to regenerate the particulate filter. The actuator modules, based on the regeneration signal, the torque reserve signal and the equivalence ratio, retard spark and increase an amount of air flow to the particulate filter. The actuators maintain a same amount of torque out of the gasoline engine during regeneration as output from the gasoline engine prior to the regeneration of the particulate filter.

Abstract: A strategy for controlling an electric pump and control valve in an internal combustion engine cooling system compensates for backpressure variations and maintains system operation within design parameters. The method comprises the steps of measuring the coolant temperature, measuring the electrical current and voltage to the pump motor, determining the pump speed and coolant flow, determining the desired coolant flow, determining a negative correction to the flow control valve and pump if desired flow is less than present coolant flow and determining a positive correction to the flow control valve and pump if desired flow is more than present coolant flow and undertaking this correction to coolant flow. Thus, based upon inferred back pressure in the engine coolant system from the data relating to the pump energy input, proper coolant flow, heat rejection and engine operating temperature can be maintained in spite of variations in system flow restrictions and backpressure.

Abstract: A system including a target module determining a target temperature of coolant at an input of an engine for a maximum amount of fuel efficiency. A mode module disables closed loop control based on temperatures of coolant entering the engine and at an output of a radiator. An open loop module determines first and second temperatures of coolant at inputs of a coolant control valve that receive coolant from the radiator and a channel that bypasses the radiator. A ratio module determines a ratio based on the first and second temperatures and the temperatures of the coolant entering the engine and at the radiator output. A closed loop module generates a correction value based on the target temperature and the temperature of the coolant entering the engine. A position module adjusts the coolant control valve based on the ratio, the correction value and whether closed loop control is disabled.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving fuel economy in an internal combustion engine. The method may involve sensing a temperature of an engine block and determining a block thermal energy representing an ability of the block to reject heat. An open loop control scheme may be used together with the block thermal energy to predict if a coolant in the block is about to enter a boiling condition and, when this is about to occur, to open a block valve to permit a flow of coolant through the block. A closed loop control scheme may be used together with the sensed temperature of the block to determine if a coolant boiling condition is about to occur, and to control the block valve to permit a flow of coolant through the block which is just sufficient to prevent the onset of coolant boiling in the block.

Abstract: A coolant control system of a vehicle includes a coolant valve control module and a pump control module. The coolant valve control module determines a position of a coolant valve. The pump control module determines a speed of a coolant pump based on the position of the coolant valve and a desired coolant output temperature, measures a coolant output temperature, determines a difference between the desired coolant output temperature and the measured coolant output temperature, generates a correction factor based on the difference between the desired coolant output temperature and the measured coolant output temperature, and applies the correction factor to the speed of the coolant pump.

Abstract: A control system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an estimated coolant flow module and at least one of a valve control module and a pump control module. The estimated coolant flow module estimates a rate of coolant flow through a cooling system for an engine based on a pressure of coolant in the cooling system and a speed of a coolant pump that circulates coolant through the cooling system. The valve control module controls the position of a coolant valve based on the estimated coolant flow rate. The pump control module controls the coolant pump speed based on the estimated coolant flow rate.

Abstract: A coolant control system of a vehicle includes an adjusting module that: (i) receives an engine output coolant temperature measured at a coolant output of an internal combustion engine; (ii) adjusts the engine output coolant temperature based on a reference temperature to produce a first adjusted coolant temperature; (iii) receives an engine input coolant temperature measured at a coolant input of the internal combustion engine; and (iv) adjusts the engine input coolant temperature based on the reference temperature to produce a second adjusted coolant temperature. The coolant control system also includes a difference module that determines a difference between the first and second adjusted coolant temperatures. The coolant control system also includes a pump control module that controls a coolant output of a coolant pump based on the difference between the first and second adjusted coolant temperatures.

Abstract: A pump current module determines a first current flowing through an electric engine coolant pump based on a coolant valve position. A current error module receives a second current flowing through the electric engine coolant pump measured using a current sensor and determines a current error based on a difference between the first current and the second current. A fault module indicates whether a fault is present based on the current error.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a coolant valve, a valve control module, and a fault diagnostic module. The coolant valve includes a first valve chamber, a second valve chamber, and a partition disposed between the first and second valve chambers. The coolant valve further includes a first end stop disposed on a first outer perimeter surface of the first valve chamber and a second end stop disposed on a second outer perimeter surface of the second valve chamber. The valve control module rotates the coolant valve in a first direction and in a second direction that is opposite from the first direction. The fault diagnostic module diagnoses a fault in the coolant valve based on a measured position of the coolant valve as the coolant valve is rotated in the first and second directions.

Abstract: A system including a target module determining a target temperature of coolant at an input of an engine for a maximum amount of fuel efficiency. A mode module disables closed loop control based on temperatures of coolant entering the engine and at an output of a radiator. An open loop module determines first and second temperatures of coolant at inputs of a coolant control valve that receive coolant from the radiator and a channel that bypasses the radiator. A ratio module determines a ratio based on the first and second temperatures and the temperatures of the coolant entering the engine and at the radiator output. A closed loop module generates a correction value based on the target temperature and the temperature of the coolant entering the engine. A position module adjusts the coolant control valve based on the ratio, the correction value and whether closed loop control is disabled.

Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rate-estimation module and a control module. The EGR rate-estimation module receives a first signal indicating a first relative humidity of a flow of air and a second signal indicating a second relative humidity of a mixed flow of air and exhaust gas. The EGR rate-estimation module determines an estimated EGR rate based on the first relative humidity and the second relative humidity, wherein the estimated EGR rate corresponds to a flow rate of a flow of exhaust gas to an engine. The control module selectively adjusts an engine operating parameter based on the estimated EGR rate.

Abstract: A system includes a coolant management module that, determines whether an engine of a vehicle is off, determines, in response to a determination that the engine is off, whether a heater associated with the engine is on, receives one of a plurality of engine coolant temperature (ECT) measurements and a respective location associated with the received ECT measurement, and communicates the respective location and an instruction to direct engine coolant flow from the respective location to one of the heater and engine. The system also includes a coolant control module that selectively actuates one or more coolant control valves based on the respective location and the instruction.

Abstract: A coolant control system of a vehicle includes a coolant valve control module and a pump control module. The coolant valve control module determines a position of a coolant valve. The pump control module determines a speed of a coolant pump based on the position of the coolant valve and a desired coolant output temperature, measures a coolant output temperature, determines a difference between the desired coolant output temperature and the measured coolant output temperature, generates a correction factor based on the difference between the desired coolant output temperature and the measured coolant output temperature, and applies the correction factor to the speed of the coolant pump.

Abstract: A fuel control system of a vehicle includes an injection control module and a command module. The injection control module determines a first target amount of fuel for a combustion event of an engine. A command module selectively command the injection control module to provide two fuel injections when a torque request decreases. In response to the command, the injection control module: determines second and third target amounts of fuel based on the first target amount; provides a first fuel injection during the combustion event based on the second target amount; and provides a second fuel injection during a compression stroke of the combustion event based on the third target amount.

Abstract: A system includes a soot module, a coordinator module, a regeneration module, and actuator modules. The soot module determines a current amount of soot mass in a particulate filter of a gasoline engine, where the particulate filter is downstream from the gasoline engine and receives an exhaust gas from the gasoline engine. The coordinator module generates an enable signal, a torque reserve signal, and an equivalence ratio. The regeneration module, based on the current amount of soot mass and the enable signal, generates a regeneration signal to regenerate the particulate filter. The actuator modules, based on the regeneration signal, the torque reserve signal and the equivalence ratio, retard spark and increase an amount of air flow to the particulate filter. The actuators maintain a same amount of torque out of the gasoline engine during regeneration as output from the gasoline engine prior to the regeneration of the particulate filter.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving fuel economy in an internal combustion engine. The method may involve sensing a temperature of an engine block and determining a block thermal energy representing an ability of the block to reject heat. An open loop control scheme may be used together with the block thermal energy to predict if a coolant in the block is about to enter a boiling condition and, when this is about to occur, to open a block valve to permit a flow of coolant through the block. A closed loop control scheme may be used together with the sensed temperature of the block to determine if a coolant boiling condition is about to occur, and to control the block valve to permit a flow of coolant through the block which is just sufficient to prevent the onset of coolant boiling in the block.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for optimizing fuel economy during an engine warm up phase of operation of an internal combustion engine. An exhaust manifold may have a coolant jacket through which a coolant may flow. A temperature of the coolant in the exhaust manifold may be determined to detect when it is at a predetermined maximum threshold, which represents a temperature threshold just below a temperature at which the coolant will begin to boil. When this threshold is reached, then a determination may be made as to a minimum rate of flow of the coolant through the exhaust manifold which maintains the coolant at about the predetermined maximum threshold, and the coolant may be flowed through the exhaust manifold at the determined minimum rate of flow.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a coolant valve, a valve control module, and a fault diagnostic module. The coolant valve includes a first valve chamber, a second valve chamber, and a partition disposed between the first and second valve chambers. The coolant valve further includes a first end stop disposed on a first outer perimeter surface of the first valve chamber and a second end stop disposed on a second outer perimeter surface of the second valve chamber. The valve control module rotates the coolant valve in a first direction and in a second direction that is opposite from the first direction. The fault diagnostic module diagnoses a fault in the coolant valve based on a measured position of the coolant valve as the coolant valve is rotated in the first and second directions.

Abstract: A coolant control system of a vehicle includes first and second target flowrate modules, a target speed module, and a speed control module. The first target flowrate module determines a first target flowrate of coolant through an engine. The second target flowrate module, when a change in heat input to the engine is greater than a predetermined value, sets a second target flowrate to greater than the first target flowrate. The target speed module determines a target speed of an engine coolant pump based on the second target flowrate. The speed control module controls a speed of the engine coolant pump based on the target speed.