Abstract: A secondary controller for controlling the performance of a moving automobile is described. The secondary controller can be configured to communicate with one or more vehicle controllers, such as the engine control unit, while the automobile is being driven. The secondary controller can send control commands to the vehicle controller to effect the operation of the vehicle's power train. The secondary controller can receive power train related data from the engine control unit and based upon the received power train data determine when to send the control commands. In one embodiment, the secondary controller communicates with the vehicle controller via the vehicle's diagnostic port, such as an OBD-II port. In another embodiment, the secondary controller can be configured to control the operational displacement of a variable displacement engine while the vehicle is driven.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for engine operation with a degraded turbocharger. In one embodiment, a method for an engine comprises reducing mass flow through a first turbocharger while continuing engine operation and adjusting operation of a second turbocharger in response to detected degradation of the first turbocharger.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving vehicle performance by application of pneumatic boost to vehicle engines, including diesel engines having at least one turbocharger supplying air to the engine, in a manner which increases engine torque output while minimizing the potential for exceed various operating limits to the maximum practicable extent. The vehicle's pneumatic booster system controller implements strategies for shaping the rate of the air injection during a boost event, tailoring the air injection to obtain maximum engine torque output while respecting the operating limits, by controlling the timing, duration, quantity and/or injection pattern during a boost event to achieve a refined distribution of compressed air injection over the course of the boost event to provide desired engine torque output and fuel efficiency while minimizing the potential for exceeding a wide variety of operation limits, regulatory, engineering and passenger comfort limits.

Abstract: A control device for a hybrid vehicle includes setting unit and supplied heat amount control unit. The setting unit sets the amount of heat for heating supplied by an electric heating system and a heater core such that a battery SOC and coolant temperature are arranged at a predetermined operating point after a predetermined time. The control unit controls this amount of heat based on the setting by the setting unit. The predetermined point is an operating point, which is the closest to a line passing through a predetermined value in a battery SOC target range and a predetermined value in a coolant temperature target range and having a preset change rate, and which is settable within the predetermined time. The change rate is the same as a gradient of an approximate line in case of selection of any one engine operating point on an optimum fuel economy line.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine in a hybrid vehicle in response to fuel and water dilution of engine lubricating oil. An engine oil dilution counter may be adjusted based on a number of engine hot starts and duration of engine operation above a threshold temperature. In addition, the counter may be adjusted if the engine is started to deplete stale fuel in the fuel tank.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a misfire indication module, a valve control module, and a fault indication module. The misfire indication module selectively indicates that misfire occurred within a cylinder of an engine. The valve control module controls lifting of a valve of a cylinder of the engine and, in response to the misfire indication module indicating that misfire occurred within the cylinder, transitions lifting of the valve from one of a low lift state and a high lift state to the other one of the low lift state and the high lift state. The fault indication module selectively indicates that a fault is present in a variable valve lift (VVL) mechanism of the cylinder based on whether the misfire indication module indicates that misfire occurred within the cylinder after the transition to the other one of the low lift state and the high lift state.

Abstract: A control device applied to a system having an engine configured such that an expansion ratio can be changed is characterized to comprise an expansion ratio acquisition part for acquiring the expansion ratio, and a temperature estimation part for estimating a temperature of an exhaust gas discharged from the engine or a member positioned in a passage for the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A control device for a hybrid vehicle includes an engine operating point setting device, a coolant temperature prediction device, a battery state-of-charge prediction device, and a determination device. The determination device determines whether an amount of heat of coolant is short or excess based on coolant temperature predicted by the coolant temperature prediction device and determines whether an amount of charge of a battery is short or excess based on SOC of the battery predicted by the battery state-of-charge prediction device. When at least one of the amount of heat and the amount of charge is short or excess as a result of the determination by the determination device, the engine operating point setting device sets an engine operating point, which is shifted in a direction to eliminate the shortage or the excess.

Abstract: Various injector cooling structures and related engine systems and methods are provided. In one example, an injector cooling structure includes a cooling channel defined by a cooling jacket of a turbine. A cooling bore is provided at least partially within the cooling jacket, with the cooling bore configured to receive a pintle of an injector. The cooling channel is configured to circulate coolant for cooling the injector.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine, in particular a gas engine having at least two cylinders, includes acquiring a cylinder-specific first cylinder signal (pmax, E) from each cylinder. At least one combustion parameter (Q, Z) of the corresponding cylinder is controlled as a function of the first cylinder signal (pmax, E), and a cylinder-specific reference cylinder value (pmax?, E?) is set for the first cylinder signal (pmax, E) for each cylinder. The at least one combustion parameter (Q, Z) of the cylinder is adjusted as a function of the deviation of the first cylinder signal (pmax, E) from the reference cylinder value (pmax?, E?), and the first cylinder signal (pmax, E) tracks the reference cylinder value (pmax?, E?).

Abstract: A method for operating a fuel vapor recirculation system in a motor vehicle having a fuel tank. In the method, in the operating strategy of the fuel vapor recirculation system, predictive route data of the motor vehicle are taken into account.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, a variable compression ratio mechanism which can change the mechanical compression ratio and a variable valve timing mechanism which can control a closing timing of an intake valve are provided. When the variable compression ratio mechanism breaks down, the mechanical compression ratio and the intake valve closing timing are made to change from a current operating point toward a low mechanical compression ratio side demanded operating point without entering the no-entry region.

Abstract: An electronic control unit for an internal combustion engine that includes an engine-driven alternator diagnoses on the bases of an air-fuel ratio correction amount in air-fuel ratio feedback control whether a rich abnormality that the air-fuel ratio of air-fuel mixture is excessively rich is occurring in a fuel injection system. When the state of charge of a battery charged with electric power generated by the alternator is higher than or equal to a predetermined value, charging control for setting a voltage generated by the alternator at a voltage lower than a normal generated voltage is executed. When the state of charge of the battery is higher than or equal to the predetermined value, charging control for charging the battery at the voltage is prohibited when a degree of mixing of fuel in lubricating oil of the internal combustion engine is higher than or equal to a predetermined degree.

Abstract: A method and a system for correcting an engine torque based on a vehicle load may include: determining whether a vehicle load determination condition is satisfied continuously for a predetermined maintaining time, determining an average engine torque for the predetermined maintaining time if the vehicle load determination condition is satisfied continuously, determining whether the average engine torque is larger than a predetermined engine torque, determining a ratio of the average engine torque and the predetermined engine torque if the average engine torque is larger than the predetermined engine torque, determining a correction factor using the ratio of the average engine torque and the predetermined engine torque, and determining the engine torque using the correction factor and a predetermined normal torque filter.

Abstract: A control system for an engine includes an valve actuator, a cylinder pressure module, and a valve control module. The valve actuator opens a valve of a cylinder at a first target opening timing during a first combustion cycle of the cylinder. The cylinder pressure module receives a cylinder pressure measured by a cylinder pressure sensor of the cylinder and, at a predetermined crankshaft angle after the valve opens during the first combustion cycle, sets a valve opening pressure equal to the cylinder pressure. The valve control module receives a reference cylinder pressure and generates a second target opening timing for a second combustion cycle of the cylinder based on the valve opening pressure and the reference cylinder pressure. The second combustion cycle is after the first combustion cycle. During the second combustion cycle, the valve actuator opens the valve at the second target opening timing.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting hydrocarbon ingestion into an engine based on the simultaneous monitoring of cylinder imbalance and an elevated exhaust exotherm. Crankshaft acceleration data is monitored during steady-state and transient engine conditions while exhaust temperatures are estimated during non-regeneration conditions. Engine speed and load is limited to reduce further hydrocarbon ingestion.

Abstract: An engine control apparatus which may be employed in automotive vehicles. The engine control apparatus is equipped with at least one of a combustion parameter or a controlled variable arithmetic expression. The combustion parameter arithmetic expression defines combustion conditions of the engine needed to achieve required values of engine output-related values such as exhaust emissions. The controlled variable arithmetic expression defines how to operate actuators for an operation of the engine to meet desired combustion conditions of the engine. The use of the combustion parameter or controlled variable arithmetic expression achieves simultaneous agreement of the engine output-related values with required values without mutual interference between combustion parameters associated with the combustion conditions.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a mode control module and a valve control module. The mode control module selectively sets a desired ignition mode for an engine to one of a spark ignition (SI) mode and a homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) mode. Using a fully flexible valve actuator, the valve actuator module selectively adjusts closing timing of an exhaust valve in response to: the desired ignition mode transitioning from the HCCI mode to the SI mode; and the desired ignition mode transitioning from the SI mode to the HCCI mode.

Abstract: A fuel quality monitoring system includes a fuel composition sensor configured to provide an indication of a composition of a liquid fuel within a fuel tank, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the indication of the monitored fuel composition from the fuel composition sensor; detect an amount of an impurity from the received indication; and compare the amount of the impurity to a threshold. If the amount of the impurity exceeds the threshold, the controller is configured to adjust an operating parameter of an engine to account for the detected impurity. When the amount of the impurity exceeds a threshold which makes engine combustion unmanageable, the fuel is restricted from entering the engine or fuel tank.

Abstract: A system and method of maintaining a vehicle on a driver intended path is disclosed. The method includes steps of detecting a failure in a power steering system and controlling a braking system to maintain the motor vehicle approximately on a driver intended path. The driver intended path can be a straight path or a curved path.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting cylinder valve timings to enable a group of cylinders to operate and combust while another group of cylinders on a second are selectively deactivated. Valve timing may be adjusted to allow flow of air through the inactive cylinders to be reduced, lowering catalyst regeneration requirements upon reactivation. The valve timing may alternatively be adjusted to enable exhaust gas to be recirculated to the active cylinders via the inactive cylinders, providing cooled EGR benefits.

Abstract: A system and method of maintaining a vehicle on a driver intended path is disclosed. The method includes steps of detecting a failure in a power steering system and controlling a braking system to maintain the motor vehicle approximately on a driver intended path. The driver intended path can be a straight path or a curved path.

Abstract: A system and method of providing supplementary oil flow to an oil circuit of an internal combustion engine is described. The primary oil supply is from a mechanical oil pump. The supplementary oil supply is provided using a control system, one or more sensors, and an electrical oil pump. The system is beneficial in circumstances where the mechanical oil pump provides insufficient oil flow, including during engine shutdown.

Abstract: The opening control mechanism includes a frame, a support shaft, a first pulley, a second pulley, a first elastic member and a second elastic member. A position taken by the second pulley when no force acts on the grip is referred to as a second reference position. The second pulley can be rotated in a second direction of rotation, starting from the second reference position. A processing unit performs a specified operation when the second pulley has been rotated in the second direction of rotation, starting from the second reference position, by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle, having at least one adjusting device by means of which at least one compression ratio of the internal combustion engine is variably settable. At least one detection device is provided by means of which at least one signal (20, 22) which characterizes an actuation effort for setting the compression ratio is detectable. The invention further relates to a method for checking an adjusting device of such an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for conserving energy used by an energy consuming device. In certain embodiments, an energy conservation system can be configured to deliver energy to the energy consuming device for a period, followed by a period where energy delivery is dampened and/or cut. By cycling the delivery of energy in this fashion, the energy conservation can achieve a pulsed efficiency.

Abstract: A continuous variable valve lift engine may include determining whether an engine is in an idle state and an oil temperature of an engine is within a predetermined range, controlling, the engine in a predetermined control state when the engine is in the idle state and the oil temperature is within the predetermined range, and measuring, an error occurrence time when an error occurs in controlling the engine in the control state, and controlling the engine while switching the engine to a predetermined passive state when the error occurrence time is more than a preset time.

Abstract: Methods systems and device for detecting humidity in air through use of an ammonia sensor included in the exhaust of an engine, such as a diesel engine are provided. In one example, a method for an engine having an exhaust with an ammonia sensor includes adjusting an operating parameter in response to ambient humidity, the ambient humidity based on a first ammonia sensor reading at a first exhaust air-fuel-ratio and a second ammonia sensor reading at a second exhaust air-fuel-ratio.

Abstract: A brake monitoring system for a machine has at least one traction motor coupled to drive wheels of the machine. An operator input device receives a requested retarding torque from an operator of the machine and sends a signal to a controller that is configured to compare the required retarding torque to a maximum retarding torque available at a particular speed of the traction motor. The controller selectively generates a warning signal based on a comparison of the required retarding torque to a maximum retarding torque available.

Abstract: Embodiments for determining NH3 slip past a catalyst are provided. In one example, a filtering method for a NOx sensor of an exhaust gas system having an SCR catalytic converter comprises determining NOx concentration upstream of the catalytic converter, measuring NOx concentration downstream of the catalytic converter, modeling NOx conversion, modeling NH3 slip behavior, calculating a NOx error of the NOx modeling, calculating an NH3 error of the NH3 modeling, assigning data of the NOx sensor as NH3 measured values when a ratio of the NOx error to the NH3 error is greater than an upper threshold value, and assigning data of the NOx sensor as NOx measured values when the ratio of the NOx error to the NH3 error is smaller than a lower threshold value. In this way, NOx slip and NH3 slip may be determined from a common sensor.

Abstract: A control system includes an axle torque arbitration module, a power security module, a propulsion torque arbitration module, and an actuation module. The axle torque arbitration module determines an axle torque request based on a driver input and a vehicle speed. The power security module determines a secured torque request based on the axle torque request, the vehicle speed, and an engine speed. The propulsion torque arbitration module determines a propulsion torque request based on the axle torque request and the secured torque request. The actuation module controls at least one of air, spark, and fuel provided to a cylinder of an engine based on the propulsion torque request.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor generator for outputting driving force for running, a PCU for driving the motor generator, and an ECU for controlling the PCU. The ECU detects whether a driving wheel of the vehicle is passing over a bump on a road surface. In response to detecting that the vehicle is passing over a bump, the ECU controls the PCU such that an upper limit value of a running speed of the vehicle is restricted to a value lower than that when the vehicle is not passing over a bump.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for a vehicle includes a comparison module, a disabling module, and a fault indication module. The comparison module indicates whether a temperature of engine coolant is less than a first predetermined temperature. The disabling module disables the comparison module until the temperature of the engine coolant is greater than a second predetermined temperature. The fault indication module diagnoses a fault in response to the comparison module indicating that the temperature of the engine coolant is less than the first predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A method and system for adjusting an operation of a wireless communication device based on information related to at least one of an operating status of a vehicle system and a weather condition. The method includes a step of receiving at least one information source related to an operation status of at least one vehicle system of a motor vehicle. The method further includes a step of analyzing the information to determine an ambient moisture condition. The method also includes adjusting an operating parameter of the wireless communication device and then operating the wireless communication device according to the adjusted operating parameter to compensate for attenuation to a wireless signal caused by the ambient moisture.

Abstract: A vehicle idle-speed warning system and vehicle idle-speed detection method thereof are provided. It is non-invasive, that is, there is no need to change or modify any part of the constructing parts in the engine compartment. The present invention can be adopted stand-alone, or be applied to existing popular apparatuses, such as GPS, driving recorders, smart handheld devices, and vehicle electronic equipments. With the composing elements of a motion information module, an input module, an output module, a timer module and an information processing module, the present invention can accurately determine whether the vehicle under surveillance is in idle state and for how long it is in the idle state, and send an alarm signal automatically. With the implementation of the present invention, drivers can always be alarmed with the vehicle idling situations to prevent possible dangers or coming tickets due to the violation of traffic regulations in certain countries.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing emissions behind a catalytic converter in an exhaust gas stream of the engine. The method includes, but is not limited to controlling a power supply to a glowplug of a compression-ignition engine. The glowplug is activated if a set of at least two input values remains in a first characteristic region of an input parameter space for at least a predetermined activation time. The first characteristic region consists of one ore more contiguous regions of the input parameter space.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing data in an influencing device, whereby the influencing device is connectable to a vehicle control unit and to a data processing unit. If the influencing device receives a first trigger or a second trigger, the first trigger is checked for a valid assignment to a function implemented in the hardware or software. If there is a valid assignment, the assigned function is started. A first address and/or a second address and/or the value are checked for a valid assignment to a first sub-function or a second sub-function. Depending on the called sub-function, the value is checked and/or manipulated and depending on the result of the check, the checked value and/or the manipulated value are sent by the influencing device to the vehicle control unit and/or to the data processing unit and/or stored in the memory of the influencing device.

Abstract: An electronic oil pump has at least one lubricant inlet, at least one lubricant outlet, at least one piston being movable between a full stroke position and a fully retracted position, an electrical actuator operatively connected to the at least one piston, a first electrical lead connected to a first element of the pump for electrically connecting the first element to an electronic control unit (ECU), and a second electrical lead connected to a second element of the pump for electrically connecting the second element to the ECU. When the at least one piston is in the full stroke position, an electrical path between the first and second electrical leads is closed. When the at least one piston is in a position other than the full stroke position, the electrical path is opened. A method of controlling an engine having the oil pump is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing late burn induced cylinder pre-ignition events. In response to a late burn combustion event in a cylinder, ignition coil dwell time is extended in the cylinder to reduce unintended combustion delays. In addition, pre-ignition mitigating actions are performed in a neighboring cylinder that may be prone to pre-ignition induced by the late combustion event.

Abstract: An abnormality detection apparatus for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine changes a fuel injection quantity of a predetermined target cylinder to detect an abnormality of an internal combustion engine based on values of rotational variations relating to the target cylinder detected before and after the change of the fuel injection quantity. The abnormality detection apparatus corrects the values of the rotational variations relating to the target cylinder detected before and after the change of the fuel injection quantity based on at least one of the number of revolutions of the engine and an engine load at a corresponding detection time.

Abstract: The invention aims at providing an internal combustion engine control device 1 which can make suppression of a rise in the temperature of an engine control ECU 2, and fuel cut control of an engine compatible with each other.

Abstract: A system and a method for executing tasks for an internal combustion engine (14) has two control devices (1, 2), with the two control devices (1, 2) being provided in order to process the tasks independently of one another, with the first control device (1) having a first release signal and a first switchover signal, with the second control device having a second release signal and a second switchover signal, with, by exchanging the two release signals and the two switchover signals, it being defined that only one of the two control devices (1, 2) executes a defined task at the same time.

Abstract: A dynamic feedforward amount to realize a predetermined transient response characteristic by compensating a transient response characteristic of an engine having a Variable Nozzle Turbo (VNT) and an Exhaust Gas Recirculator (EGR) is calculated for a nozzle opening degree of the VNT and a valve opening degree of the EGR. The transient response characteristic of the engine responds to a setting value of an injection quantity or the like. Then, command values of the nozzle opening degree of the VNT and the valve opening degree of the EGR are calculated by using the dynamic feedforward amount. In the transient state, the followingness to the target value is improved.

Abstract: A control system (36) for comparing engine speed data to an engine speed threshold above which the engine is considered to be running (40), for comparing engine temperature data to an engine temperature threshold (60), and once engine speed data has become greater than the engine speed threshold, for causing engine torque to be limited to an engine torque limit until the first to occur of: engine temperature data exceeding the engine temperature threshold, a first timer (44), started upon engine speed data having become greater than the engine speed threshold, having timed to a time that is a function of engine temperature data, and a second timer (54), started upon engine speed data having become greater than the engine speed threshold and engine oil pressure data having become greater than an engine oil pressure threshold, having timed to a time that is also a function of engine temperature data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power transmission apparatus to detect the deterioration state of a timing belt in use, thereby making it possible to detect at a high accuracy whether or not the timing belt reaches an exchanging time. The power transmission apparatus comprises a crankshaft pulley, an intake camshaft pulley, and a timing belt wound around the crankshaft pulley and the intake camshaft pulley. The timing belt contains a stress light emission material capable of emitting light when receiving an external force. The power transmission apparatus further comprises an optical sensor and an ECU. The optical sensor is disposed to measure light emitted from the timing belt. The ECU is operative to judge whether or not the timing belt is deteriorated and to judge that the timing belt reaches the exchanging time when the timing belt is judged to be deteriorated.

Abstract: A method for implementing an energy management of a vehicle which is movable via an electric drive, the electric drive being able to be driven by electrical energy stored in an electrical energy store, the method including: inputting a destination; and searching for a route to the destination, on which an available electrical energy source able to be used to recharge the electrical energy store is available within a minimum distance; the minimum distance corresponding to a path along which the vehicle is minimally still able to drive using the energy stored in the electrical energy store.

Abstract: A laser ignition device for an internal combustion engine, encompassing an ignition laser having a combustion chamber window, such that until startup of the laser ignition device, the combustion chamber window is equipped with a protective layer.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an exhaust system, and a controller. The exhaust system includes a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device, and a rear nitrogen oxide (NOx) sensor. The controller, which is in communication with the NOx sensor, includes a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory. A plurality of data maps and a plurality of binary maps are recorded in memory. Each data map is indexed by a different pair of exhaust system performance values. Each cell of each data map is populated by estimated downstream NOx levels. The binary maps are indexed by one of the pairs of exhaust system performance values. Each cell of each binary map is populated by a binary value, i.e., a 0 or 1. The controller uses the data maps and the binary maps to execute a control action with respect to the exhaust system, such as verifying plausibility of the rear NOx sensor.

Abstract: A method to start operation of an internal combustion engine of a hybrid powertrain includes initiating rotation of a crankshaft of the engine with at least one electric machine in accordance with a first ramping profile until a first predetermined speed is achieved in response to an engine start event during a cold start condition. Engine speed is monitored and the engine is fired while controlling the engine speed to maintain the first predetermined speed with the at least one electric machine. The first ramping profile is adjusted at a rate corresponding to an estimated rate at which the engine speed is increasing during the engine firing. When at least one predetermined combustion quality parameter is achieved, the engine speed is controlled in accordance with a second ramping profile until a second predetermined speed is achieved based on controlling combustion parameters of the engine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out a zero point adaptation of a lambda probe (16) in an exhaust gas discharge section (4) of an internal combustion engine (2), wherein fresh air is pumped, during an after-run period following a deactivation of the internal combustion engine (2), from an air supply system (3) into the exhaust gas discharge section (4) such that fresh air flows around the lambda probe (16).