Abstract: A humidity based control system for an internal combustion engine includes a calculation module and a calibration module. The calculation module determines a humidity of air used in a combustion process of the internal combustion engine. The control module selectively controls spark timing and exhaust dilution in the internal combustion engine based on the humidity.

Abstract: An internal-combustion-engine combustion condition detection apparatus is provided with an ignition means that makes an ignition plug ignite a fuel; an ignition control means that controls the operation of the ignition means; an ion-current detection means that detects an ion current generated; an ion current detection range setting means that sets an ion-current detection range; a preignition detection means that detects preignition within a detection range to be set; a leakage current detection range setting means that sets a leakage-current detection range; and a leakage current determination means that determines whether or not a smolder exists, based on a current detected, within a detection range to be set, by the ion-current detection means. The ignition control means includes a non-combustion-stroke ignition control means; the leakage-current detection range set by the leakage current detection range setting means is set within the non-combustion stroke.

Abstract: A method and system to distribute high-power laser pulses to create sparks in individual cylinders of a multi-cylinder engine are provided. A laser provides laser output pulses. A distributor includes a linear array of mirrors with a respective mirror associated with one of the laser plugs. Each mirror is operatively controlled to move into a laser beam path to direct individual laser output pulses the associated laser plug for providing spark generation. The system enables correct cylinder firing order for predefined multi-cylinder firing sequences and allows for individual cylinder timing variation.

Abstract: The present invention is an operation control method on the basis of an ion current in an internal combustion engine, the method comprising a step of detecting the ion current generated within a combustion chamber 30 so as to control an operating state of the internal combustion engine 100 on the basis of a state of the detected ion current, wherein a control at an engine start point in time on the basis of the state of the ion current is stopped for predetermined cycles just after the engine start.

Abstract: A control apparatus and method, and an engine control unit for an internal combustion engine are provided for restraining a torque step and sudden fluctuations in rotation when an air/fuel mixture combustion mode is switched among a plurality of combustion modes, and for improving the fuel economy. A control apparatus of an internal combustion engine operated with a combustion mode switched between a stratified combustion mode and a uniform combustion mode comprises an ECU. The ECU calculates an ignition manipulated variable to cancel out a change in the engine rotational speed associated with the switching of the combustion mode when a first-time injection ratio changes during idle rotational speed control, and calculates an intake manipulated variable to cancel a change in the engine rotational speed caused by the ignition manipulated variable when the first-time injection ratio changes.

Abstract: A controller includes a first intermediate mode which, when the operation mode of an internal combustion engine is shifted from a compression ignition operation mode to a spark ignition operation mode, is interposed between both the operation modes, and a second intermediate mode which, when the operation mode of the internal combustion engine is shifted from the spark ignition operation mode to the compression ignition operation mode, is interposed between both the operation modes. An air supply amount and a fuel supply amount to a combustion chamber is controlled so that the air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture becomes rich gradually in the first intermediate mode, and the air supply amount and the fuel supply amount to the combustion chamber is controlled so that the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture becomes lean gradually in the second intermediate mode.

Abstract: An engine control system enables engine control to cause ignition timing to approximate MBT without necessarily measuring torque and combustion pressure. The negative ion current in an engine combustion chamber is measured and a first crank angle B corresponding to a first rate in change of the negative ion current curve E is identified. A second crank angle C corresponding to a second rate in change of the negative ion current curve E also is identified. The ignition timing is controlled based upon a third crank angle G that generally is a midpoint between the first crank angle B and the second crank angle C. The third crank angle G becomes a specified target crank angle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of performing feedback control of the operation of an internal combustion engine based on a signal from a vibration sensor and a crankshaft angle sensor. An energy factor can be computed based on these sensor signals which provides an estimate of the combustion phasing and combustion intensity. A vector of energy factors can be computed as a function of crank angle degree over a particular window of engine rotation of interest. Based on the energy factor vector, combustion phasing can be estimated.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for operating a two-stroke engine having a cylinder in which a combustion chamber is formed and which includes devices for metering fuel and supplying combustion air as well as an ignition device for igniting a mixture in the combustion chamber. In the method, fuel and combustion air are supplied to the engine and the mixture in the combustion chamber is ignited. The combustion chamber is delimited by a piston which drives a crankshaft rotatably journalled in a crankcase. A control is provided which controls the metering of fuel and the ignition of the mixture in the combustion chamber. In the method, the two-stroke engine is controlled in at least one operating state so that the number of combustions is less than the number of revolutions of the crankshaft in the same time interval.

Abstract: A system for determining a minimum ignition coil charge duration of an internal combustion engine to meet a desired level of combustion stability includes a sensor in communication with a controller. The sensor is configured to measure the ionization current of a cylinder of the internal combustion engine and output to the dwell controller. The controller is configured to determine a combustion stability criterion based upon the ionization signal and determine the minimum ignition coil charge duration based upon the combustion stability criterion.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and mitigating preignition for a multi-cylinder engine is provided. According to one aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided including identifying a preignition event at an affected cylinder; deactivating the affected cylinder during a deactivation period; initiating an accommodation system for one or more unaffected cylinders; and activating an indicator system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling engine operation to compensate for effects of combustion chamber deposits (CCDs) on combustion in a controlled auto-ignition engine is presented. Control methodologies comprise operation of variable valve actuation, fuel injection, spark timing, and intake air and coolant temperature to dynamically compensate for the effect of CCDs. A sensitivity to core gas temperature and chamber wall thermal conditions is shown, which is correlatable to in-cylinder CCD formation. Intake charge or coolant temperature control can be used to compensate for CCD effects. An engine control scheme relies upon a parametric input that quantifies instantaneous CCD formation in the combustion chamber. The result is further applicable to control pre-ignition in a conventional spark-ignition engine.

Abstract: An ignition timing control apparatus for an engine includes a controller that sets an ignition timing considering a change of a temperature or a pressure in a combustion chamber at a time when an opening/closing characteristic of an intake valve is changed, the opening/closing characteristic including a valve opening timing and a valve closing timing at least one of which is changed by a variable valve mechanism for the engine.

Abstract: A combustion variation value is detected, and a function that uses the detected combustion variation value is added to CVAR(i?1) to obtain CVAR(i); and using the resulting value, an exhaust gas recirculation amount and an ignition timing are obtained. A combustion variation is detected, and if the detected combustion variation value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the value of flag is set to be 1, and the exhaust gas recirculation amount and the ignition timing are reset to previous values. If the detected combustion variation value is less than the predetermined value, the value of the flag is set to be zero, and a current combustion variation manipulation correcting amount CVAR(i) is updated. If the value of flag is 1, the process is immediately terminated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to detect combustion conditions using ion signals for use in a feedback control of a diesel engine is presented. The apparatus is a spark plug type of sensor or a sensor integrated with a fuel injector. The spark plug type of sensor is used to provide a cold start mechanism combined with an ion sensing device.

Abstract: A control device for a spark-ignition engine, in which a mixture in a combustion chamber is fired by compression ignition in a part-load range under warm-running conditions, includes an EGR controller incorporating a valve operation controller for controlling internal EGR of hot burned gas and a cold EGR controller for controlling external EGR of cold burned gas. The EGR controller performs EGR control operation to leave the hot EGR gas in the combustion chamber in a lower-load, lower-speed region within a compression ignition combustion range and to introduce the cold EGR gas into the combustion chamber in a higher-load, higher-speed region within the compression ignition combustion range. The control device further includes a firing assist unit for inducing the compression ignition at least when ignitability of the mixture decreases due to introduction of the cold EGR gas in the compression ignition combustion range.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for controlling the retard limit of an engine having one or more cylinders in which combustion occurs. A sensor is employed to detect the ionization of the combustion process in the cylinders. The ionization is related to a retard limit feedback, and the sensor further transmits a signal associated with the retard limit feedback. A controller relates the retard limit feedback signal to a metric, monitors the stochastic behavior of the metric, and adjusts the ignition timing of the engine in response to the stochastic behavior to operate the engine below a retard limit target.

Abstract: In a method for reducing NOx in the exhaust gas of an externally ignited, explosion-type internal combustion engine that is operated at a lean fuel/air ratio of ?>1 and has a motor control device for controlling ?, the ? value is slidingly controlled as a function of an average mass temperature in the combustion chamber of the externally ignited, explosion-type internal combustion engine, wherein for a low average mass temperature ? is decreased and for a high average mass temperature ? is increased such that the internal combustion engine is operated in any operational state close to the misfiring limit, and thereby, with the most minimal NOx emission possible.

Abstract: Preignition in an engine is prevented by identifying engine conditions that relate to autoignition. If one or more of the engine conditions exceed a threshold, a controller retards the spark in the engine. The controller detects whether autoignition occurs in the engine due to the retarded spark advance. If autoignition is detected, the controller corrects the one or more engine conditions by at least one of reducing a throttle opening, cutting of fuel to a cylinder, adjusting a camshaft phase, and storing a diagnostic code.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling ignition timing of an engine is provided. The method includes determining a change in a combustion temperature rise within an engine based on a change in at least one engine operating parameter. The method further includes adjusting the ignition timing of the engine based on the change of combustion temperature rise.

Abstract: An in-cylinder ion sensor provides a signal representative of the air/fuel ratio of the charge mixture as an engine starts. The signal representative of the air/fuel ratio is used as a feedback signal for an electronic control unit to perform cold-start closed-loop control during an initial operating period from a cold-start before an on-board oxygen sensor is able to warm up. After reaching a functional operating temperature, the oxygen sensor provides a signal that is used as an adaptive calibration tool which allows the electronic control unit to calibrate the ion sensor signal and use that signal for controlling the air/fuel ratio during cold start operation.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement as well as a computer program for controlling an internal combustion engine are suggested. A torque model is utilized in the context of the computation of actual quantities and/or actuating quantities. In the context-of the torque model computation, the combustion center is considered which describes the angle at which a specific portion of the combustion energy is converted.

Abstract: False spark knock detection is minimized for a displacement on demand engine having activated and deactivated modes. The engine is operated in the activated mode. Knock detection is performed on all cylinders of the engine during the activated mode. The engine is operated in the deactivated mode. Knock detection is performed on activated cylinders during the deactivated mode. Knock detection is disabled for deactivated cylinders during the deactivated mode.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling ignition timing of an engine is provided. The method includes determining a change in a combustion temperature rise within an engine based on a change in at least one engine operating parameter. The method further includes adjusting the ignition timing of the engine based on the change of combustion temperature rise.

Abstract: Torque-down controlling conducted on an engine torque upon gear changing of an automatic transmission is implemented by converting a demand for a rate of torque-down against the engine torque into a down rate of combustion torque (an objective down rate). Further, from a difference between the present ignition timing of the engine and the MBT (Minimum Advance for Best Torque) ignition timing, the present down rate that is a rate of the present combustion torque against the combustion torque at the MBT ignition timing to subsequently multiplying the present down rate by the objective down rate so that a counter MBT down rate that is a down rate of the present combustion torque against the combustion torque at the MBT ignition timing is obtained. Thus, from the obtained counter MBT down rate, an amount of retard of ignition timing from the MBT ignition timing is calculated to implement the torque-down controlling.

Abstract: A process for determining an operating parameter of an internal combustion engine as a function of three control parameters (N, P, &lgr;) of this motor, comprises: a) establishing a first map of the operating parameter as a function of two control parameters, the third control parameter being fixed at a first value; b) establishing a second map of the operating parameter as a function of the two same control parameters, the third control parameter being fixed at a second value; c) establishing a relationship between the operating parameter and the third control parameter over all the range of variation of this parameter at at least one specific operating point; and d) using this relationship to determine the operating parameter as a function of the three control parameters at all points of operation of the motor.

Abstract: A boat ignition safety apparatus and method that prevents a gasoline engine of a boat from being started until the enclosed engine compartment has received proper ventilation for a predetermined period of time to ensure dangerous gasoline fumes have been removed. The invention uses an air pressure sensor to detect fresh air drawn into an engine compartment by a ventilation fan or blower. When this takes place a positive pressure develops within the engine compartment. This positive pressure is detected by the air pressure sensor and indicates that the ventilation fan or blower is operating properly. The present invention makes boating safer by ensuring adequate ventilation of volatile gasoline fumes, thereby preventing accidental explosions that can occur when a boat's engine is started.

Abstract: An engine control system in a vehicle including a variable displacement internal combustion engine, an intake manifold coupled to the variable displacement internal combustion engine, a controller for controlling the displacement of the variable displacement internal combustion engine, and where the controller varies the spark for a reactivating cylinder during the transition from deactivation to reactivation.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a condition of the burning in an internal combustion engine includes a burning-parameter controlling device for controlling a burning parameter operating on the burning in the internal combustion engine. A burning-condition detecting device operates for, in cases where the burning parameter is changed by the burning-parameter controlling device, sampling prescribed information for detecting a burning condition.

Abstract: A motorcycle including a two-cylinder engine. The engine includes a housing, first and second cylinders having first and second combustion chambers, respectively, and first and second pistons reciprocating in the first and second chambers, respectively. The motorcycle further includes a spark generating circuit including a spark plug having a spark gap exposed to the first combustion chamber, an ion sensing circuit including the spark plug and being operable to generate an ion signal indicative of an ion current generated across the spark gap, and an analysis module coupled to the ion signal circuit. The analysis module is operable to receive the ion signal and to analyze the ion signal to determine whether a no-combustion event occurs in the first cylinder. The analysis module may be further operable to determine if the spark generating circuit has an intermittent connection.

Abstract: A device and a method for detecting phase in four-stroke engines, in which an electronic control unit (ECU) detects a spark current as a measuring signal and determines whether ignition occurred for ascertaining the compression cycles of the cylinders, whereby the electronic control unit is able to cause the injection to be performed in a correct phase relation.

Abstract: There are provided a control system and method and an engine control unit for an internal combustion engine, which are capable of attaining a high combustion efficiency in both of a homogeneous and a stratified combustion modes, thereby improving drivability and fuel economy, as well as a control system for an internal combustion engine which is capable of ensuring stable combustion in both the modes. In one form of the invention, the control system includes an ECU for controlling ignition timing IG of an in-cylinder fuel injection type engine which is operated while switching the combustion mode between the homogeneous and stratified combustion modes. The ECU determines which of the homogeneous and stratified combustion modes should be selected.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1) causes an air-fuel mixture produced in a combustion chamber (23) to burn by means of ignition using a spark plug (24). A programmable controller (20) calculates a reaction probability expressing the combustibility of the air-fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber (23) and the combustion rate of the air-fuel mixture on the basis of the operating conditions of the engine 1 (S13, S27, S32). An air-fuel mixture combustion period is calculated on the basis of the volume of the combustion chamber at the combustion start timing, the reaction probability, and the combustion rate (S29, S34). On the basis of this combustion period, a target ignition timing of the spark plug (24) can be accurately set under a small calculation load.

Abstract: In a direct injection spark ignition engine which is operable in lean-burn operation modes including a pre-mixture combustion mode and a stratified combustion operation mode and a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio operation mode, which are different in the desired air/fuel ratio. The degradation of combustion state is detected through misfire detection and if it is determined to be degraded, the desired air/fuel ratio, the EGR flow rate and the ignition timing are changed when the engine is operated in the stratified combustion operation mode, while the desired air/fuel ratio, the EGR flow rate and the purge flow rate are changed when the engine is operated in the pre-mixture combustion operation mode, thereby ensuring to suppress the combustion state degradation effectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a condition of the burning in an internal combustion engine includes a burning-parameter controlling device for controlling a burning parameter operating on the burning in the internal combustion engine. A burning-condition detecting device operates for, in cases where the burning parameter is changed by the burning-parameter controlling device, sampling prescribed information for detecting a burning condition.

Abstract: A control system for a multicylinder direct injection engine determines a control variable for each cylinder based on engine speed and engine load. The control variable can be altered depending upon an operating temperature of each cylinder independently of the others. The operating temperature of each cylinder is monitored through a temperature sensor disposed on the fuel injector nozzle. The cylinders having nozzles operating at a temperature lower than a normal temperature or normal range of temperatures can have the control variable altered to increase the power of that cylinder and the temperature of that cylinder. The cylinders having nozzles operating at a temperature higher than a normal temperature or normal range of temperatures can have the control variable altered to lower the operating temperature of the nozzle.

Abstract: In a direct injection spark ignition engine which is operable in lean-burn operation modes including a pre-mixture combustion mode and a stratified combustion operation mode and a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio operation mode, which are different in the desired air/fuel ratio. The degradation of combustion state is detected through misfire detection and if it is determined to be degraded, the desired air/fuel ratio, the EGR flow rate and the ignition timing are changed when the engine is operated in the stratified combustion operation mode, while the desired air/fuel ratio, the EGR flow rate and the purge flow rate are changed when the engine is operated in the pre-mixture combustion operation mode, thereby ensuring to suppress the combustion state degradation effectively.

Abstract: There are provided a control system and method and an engine control unit for an internal combustion engine, which are capable of attaining a high combustion efficiency in both of a homogenous and a stratified combustion modes, thereby improving drivability and fuel economy, as well as a control system for an internal combustion engine which is capable of ensuring stable combustion in both the modes. In one form of the invention, the control system includes an ECU for controlling ignition timing IG of an in-cylinder fuel injection type engine which is operated while switching the combustion mode between the homogeneous and stratified combustion modes. The ECU determines which of the homogeneous and stratified combustion modes should be selected.

Abstract: A method for evaluating an ion current signal of a self-igniting internal combustion engine, with the ignition shift being derived from the time shift of the local maximum in the curve of the ion current signal relative to an injection point in time. Similarly, continuous injection in a cylinder can be detected when the ion current signal is integrated and evaluated in terms of area and/or when the position and/or height of the maximum of the ion current signal are evaluated. Carbon formation can be detected by an evaluation of the time curve of the ion current signal following an injection. For example, the parameters of the main injection can be controlled as a function of an evaluation of the measured ion current following a preinjection. When a continuous injection is detected, injection can be suppressed at least in those cylinders in which continuous injection was detected.

Abstract: A method for detecting flow-reducing changes in an exhaust-gas catalyst body is provided. The method includes measuring the ion-current signal from an ion-current probe in an internal combustion engine and monitoring the signal to determine whether its signal strength for a particular operating cycle falls below a minimum strength which can be specified as a function of the engine operating state. The method also include providing warning information to the control system when such an event occurs. The method further includes a variety of embodiments used to determine whether the ion current signal falls below a minimum strength.

Abstract: A biasing circuit for an ion current measurement system draws power from a primary side of the ignition coil, and applies a positive polarity bias voltage to a low voltage side of a secondary winding of the ignition coil. The biasing circuit includes a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) which has an on state for carrying spark current during a spark interval of operation, and further includes an off state which prevents the stored biasing voltage on a capacitor from being shunted to ground, thereby allowing ion current sensing through the low voltage side of the secondary winding. The low on-state voltage drop of the SCR during conduction of spark current minimizes losses of spark energy.