Abstract: Methods of analyzing a cyclo-mechanical engine include detecting an engine signal associated with a plurality of cycles of the cyclo-mechanical engine, comparing a first sample of the engine signal with a second sample of the engine signal to determine a cycle length of the cyclo-mechanical engine, and analyzing the engine signal to detect a variation in the cycle length of the cyclo-mechanical engine over time based on the determined cycle length. Related systems and computer program products are also disclosed.

Abstract: An engine control device for a vehicle is provided, which comprises a control unit configured to be connected to the engine of a vehicle and to control the switching of the engine from a first idle rotation speed to a second idle rotation speed in which the number of engine revolutions is lower compared to the number of revolutions of the first idle speed. The control device also includes a first sensor, configured to be connected to the engine and to instantaneously sense and transmit to the control unit the number of revolutions completed by the engine in the unit of time. The control device further includes a second sensor for detecting the presence of an operator at the vehicle controls, and the second sensor is configured to transmit to the control unit a signal indicating the presence of an operator at the vehicle controls.

Abstract: A vehicle starter motor arrangement comprises a battery, a first vehicle starter motor including a first pinion and a second vehicle starter motor including a second pinion. The first vehicle starter motor is connected in series to the battery and the second vehicle starter motor is connected in series to the first vehicle starter motor. Accordingly, the battery, the first vehicle starter motor, and the second vehicle starter motor are all connected in series. The first pinion gear and the second pinion gear are configured to engage an engine ring gear when electrical current flows through the first vehicle starter motor and the second vehicle starter motor.

Abstract: A method of predicting NOx generation amount may include calculating NO generation rate by using a combustion pressure of an engine and driving variables of the engine, obtaining NO generation period by using the combustion pressure of the engine, calculating NO generation amount based on the NO generation rate and the NO generation period, and predicting the NOx generation amount by obtaining NO2 generation amount based on a ratio between NO and NO2 according to the NO generation amount and a driving condition of the engine.

Abstract: A method and computer readable medium are disclosed to control operation of an internal combustion engine having an electronic control unit (ECU) with memory to burn off HC in an engine exhaust system and limit hydrocarbon and NOx content in the engine exhaust stream while operating the engine in idle mode.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for extending an engine-off period of a hybrid vehicle while reducing engine cold-start emissions. During an engine pull-up to meet operator demand, the engine is held at a higher power for a longer duration to aggressively heat the exhaust catalyst. Subsequently, the engine is pulled up to a lower power and held at the lower power for shorter bursts of time to activate the exhaust catalyst.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: an exhaust gas recirculation system in an internal combustion engine for recirculating part of exhaust gas to an intake passage of the internal combustion engine via a recirculation valve; and a cooling device for cooling recirculated gas, recirculated by the exhaust gas recirculation system, with refrigerant. An engine ECU informs a failure of the cooling device with a display unit when a cooling efficiency for cooling the recirculated gas, determined on the basis of a state value of the recirculated gas, becomes lower than a first determination value. The engine ECU additionally controls an opening degree of the recirculation valve such that an amount of the recirculated gas is reduced when the cooling efficiency for cooling the recirculated gas, determined on the basis of the state value of the recirculated gas, becomes lower than a second determination value lower than the first determination value.

Abstract: An engine non-stop warning apparatus for a vehicle provided with an engine stop control section configured to stop an engine on condition that a stop switch is continuously pressed for a specified time duration during operation of the engine includes an engine stop determination section configured to determine whether or not the engine is going to stop or stopping by the lapse of the specified time duration after the stop switch is pressed during the operation of the engine, and an engine non-stop warning section configured to warn a vehicle user that the engine is not stopping in a case the engine stop determination section determines that the engine is not going to stop or stopping by the lapse of the specified time duration after the stop switch is pressed during the operation of the engine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an onboard system for determining vehicle emissions. The emissions are determined in real-time and may be transmitted to a remote terminal for storage and/or analysis. Data is supplied solely to an emissions unit from a vehicle diagnostic system: the vehicle diagnostic system receives vehicle data from vehicle systems and sub-systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for and a method of controlling a variable valve timing mechanism. The valve timing mechanism changes over between a first cam for which the closing timing IVC of the intake valve is after intake bottom dead center, and a second cam for which the closing timing IVC is closer to intake bottom dead center than the closing timing IVC with the first cam. Here at the time of stopping the internal combustion engine, the valve timing mechanism changes over to the first cam, and the initial intake stroke performs operation at low effective compression ratio. In the second and subsequent intake strokes, the valve timing mechanism changes from the first cam to the second cam.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes: an engine; a power transmission device that transmits power from the engine to drive wheels; a mechanical pump that supplies oil for operating the power transmission device to the power transmission device by driving of the engine; and an electric pump that supplies the oil to the power transmission device by driving of a motor. The vehicle control system is capable of executing stopped economy running control for stopping the engine when a vehicle is stopped, and travel economy running control for stopping the engine while the vehicle is traveling. During the execution of the stopped economy running control, learning control is executed whereby a control value for controlling the oil pressure is updated such that the actual oil pressure generated by the electric pump is converged to a target value. During the execution of the travel economy running control the learning control is prohibited.

Abstract: Various methods and arrangements for determining a combustion control parameter for a working chamber in an engine are described. In one aspect, an engine controller includes a firing counter that stores a firing history for the working chamber. A combustion control module is used to determine a combustion control parameter, which is used to help manage combustion in the working chamber. The combustion control parameter is determined based at least in part on the firing history.

Abstract: Technologies for detecting malfunctioning of an engine are disclosed. The technologies include filtering an operation signal of the engine, converting the filtered signal to a direct current signal, and determining whether the engine is malfunctioning based on an amplitude of the direct current signal. The operation signal may be filtered using a band-pass filter.

Abstract: In a vehicle with a driving power source (an engine, a motor generator, or a similar component) to output driving power for running to a driving wheel, in a case where a restart is requested on the driving power source in an accelerator-on state after a stop operation is performed on the driving power source (a hybrid system) during running of a vehicle, the driving power corresponding to an accelerator position at the time of restart request is not directly output. Instead, the driving power is output to the driving wheels while being gradually increased. This reduces deterioration of drivability in recovery of the driving power.

Abstract: A sliding mode controller for one or more valves in an engine induction or exhaust system provides improved thermal control over an engine. Double discrete variable rate filters generate position and velocity profiles for various intake and exhaust valves. Alternatively, double discrete fixed rate filters may be used to generate position and velocity profiles. A control law includes a Signum function and is modified with a “boundary layer” to control valve chattering. Alternatively, gain scheduling may be used to remove valve chattering. A low pass filter on the controller output can be used to remove chattering phenomena.

Abstract: Methods are provided for performing diagnostic routines in a hybrid vehicle. In one example approach, a method for operating a hybrid vehicle comprises inhibiting engine shutdown and enabling deceleration fuel shut off to perform a monitoring test while a vehicle speed is above a threshold speed.

Abstract: Arrangements for stabilizing valve timing adjustment mechanisms such as cam phasers during operation of an engine are described. The described approaches are particularly well suited for use during skip fire control, although they may be used advantageously in other applications as well. In general, the phase of an adjustable phase camshaft is controlled relative to a crankshaft of an engine. In one aspect, at least one of (i) firing events in a skip fire firing sequence, and (ii) dynamically determined valve actuation events are used in the control of the camshaft phase during operation of the engine. In some embodiments, hydraulic pressure within a cam phaser is varied in a manner that maintains the phase of the camshaft substantially more stable through transitory variations in torque applied to the camshaft by the actuation of the valves than would occur without the variations in hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an airflow determination module and a cylinder activation module. The airflow determination module determines an amount of airflow through a ventilation system for a crankcase of an engine. The cylinder activation module, when a cylinder of the engine is deactivated while the engine is running, selectively activates the cylinder based on the amount of airflow through the ventilation system.

Abstract: An on-board vehicle computer system is configured to detect a condition of a vehicle; identify a de-rate cause for the vehicle in a hierarchical set of de-rate causes, wherein the de-rate cause is associated with the condition; select a de-rate type from a set of possible de-rate types based at least in part on the de-rate cause; select an initial de-rate level from a set of possible de-rate levels based at least in part on the de-rate cause; present an operator notification associated with the de-rate cause via an operator interface; activate a de-rate for the vehicle according to the de-rate type and the initial de-rate level; detect a change in the vehicle condition; and update the initial de-rate level based at least in part on the change in the vehicle condition.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having cylinders in fluid communication with an intake air flow, a mass air flow (MAF) sensor positioned with respect to the intake air flow which outputs a pulse train signal describing the frequency of the intake air flow, and a controller. The controller includes a calibrated non-linear conversion curve recorded in memory. The controller executes a method to convert the frequency data into a corresponding mass air flow using the calibrated non-linear conversion curve, determines the instantaneous mass air flow value at each leading or trailing edge of the pulse train signal, and accumulates the instantaneous mass air flow values over a calibrated duration. A time-weighted average of the accumulated mass air flow values is then used to execute a control action. The controller includes a host computer device and memory storing the curve and instructions for executing the method.

Abstract: Based on a detection signal of a fuel pressure sensor provided in a first fuel injector, an ECU determines whether a fuel pressure in a first fuel injector is increased over a specified amount when a second fuel injector provided with no fuel pressure sensor terminates a fuel injection. When the ECU determines that the fuel pressure in the first fuel injector is increased over a specified amount, it is diagnosed that the second fuel injector does not have a malfunction of continuous injection.

Abstract: In one aspect, a vehicle monitoring apparatus includes an interface configured to connect to a diagnostic port of a vehicle, a processor coupled to the interface and configured to communicate with the diagnostic port and a sensor coupled to the processor and configured to detect a factor indicating the presence of a driver in the vehicle. The sensor causes the apparatus to transition from a first power mode to a second power mode upon detection of the factor. The apparatus draws more power from the vehicle in the second power mode than in the first power mode. The apparatus also includes a housing that includes the processor and the sensor.

Abstract: A control device for a hybrid vehicle causes the hybrid vehicle to travel in limp-home mode with motive power from an engine when either a motor or a battery for travel cannot be used. The engine incorporated in the hybrid vehicle includes an EGR device for recirculating part of exhaust gas to an intake system of the engine again. Even if an operation state of the engine satisfies a prescribed EGR permission condition for operating the EGR device, during the travel in limp-home mode with an abnormality detection flag being set to 1, the control device prohibits operation of the EGR device.

Abstract: A method for an engine fuel system comprises, during an engine-off condition, indicating a refueling event based on a rate of change in fuel tank pressure, and aborting a diagnostic leak detection test based on the refueling event indication. Indicating a refueling event further comprises indicating a refueling event based on the rate of change in fuel tank pressure being greater than a first threshold when the canister vent valve is open, and greater than a second threshold when the canister vent valve is closed, the first threshold being less than the second threshold.

Abstract: A detecting device (1) detects a combustion state of an internal combustion engine (2) that transmits power via a crankshaft (11). The detecting device (1) includes a calculation unit (1b) that calculates a mass burn fraction by detecting a crank angle, on the basis of a frequency component showing a state change amount of a state change of a detection target according to a change in a cylinder pressure depending on a combustion cycle of the engine (2), and including a harmonic wave component of a fundamental wave of the frequency component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling a vehicle, more particularly, the power train of a compacting machine for earth moving operations, comprising a hydraulic travel pump and a hydraulic travel motor. Control is effected according to a specified control profile when a specified driving operation is to be carried out in that an adjustment of the travel pump is carried out which is independent of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. This makes it possible to retain, on the one hand, the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine in the case of abrupt stops of movement or changes in the direction of movement and, on the other hand, to adapt the rotational speed of the engine in the case of somewhat longer uninterrupted pauses between two changes in the traveling behavior, wherein comparatively large fluctuations in the rotational speed are avoided.

Abstract: A system for establishing a torque limit for a vehicle is provided. The system uses impending terrain and speed conditions to determine an optimum torque, which improves engine efficiency and reduces fuel consumption.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine that can estimate a quantity of heat generated is provided. An arithmetic processing unit 20 can calculate PV? variable according to a crank angle ? and dPV?/d? as a rate of change in PV?. For convenience' sake, a “crank angle at which dPV?/d? is a maximum while PV? is increasing” is to mean a “crank angle at a combustion proportion of 50%” and be referred to also as “?CA50”. PV? calculated for ?CA50 is to be referred to also as “PV?CA50”. In addition, for convenience' sake, a difference between PV? (which is zero in the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) and PV?CA50 at a start of combustion is also referred to as ?PV?CA50. A total quantity of heat generated Q is assumed to be twice as much as a value of ?PV?CA50.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for an engine system which includes a throttle turbine generator having a turbine which drives an auxiliary generator and disposed in a throttle bypass are described. In some examples, a throttle bypass valve is controlled to adjust airflow through the throttle bypass responsive to airflow to cylinders of the engine. In other examples, an operating parameter such as throttle position is controlled based on transient operating conditions of the engine. In still other examples, charging of a battery is coordinated between the auxiliary generator and a primary generator.

Abstract: A method for controlling flow of a cooling liquid in a combustion engine, including a casing and a water pump. A material temperature estimate, corresponding to the hottest point in the casing, is carried out from a stored power calculation calculated by a restored power integral corresponding to power restored to the cooling liquid if the cooling liquid were set in motion.

Abstract: A method is provided to prevent an undesirable flooding or breaching of an activated charcoal filter during the operation of a hybrid vehicle or of a motor vehicle with automatic start/stop. The method includes monitoring during the operation of the vehicle at least one factor that has an effect on the fuel evaporation and using the monitored factor to prevent an undesirable flooding or breaching of the activated charcoal filter.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code having programming instructions tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium. The programming instructions are operable to receive a current waveform of a communication between a plurality of participants. Additionally, the programming instructions are operable to create a voiceprint from the current waveform if the current waveform is of a human voice. Furthermore, the programming instructions are operable to determine one of whether a match exists between the voiceprint and one library waveform of one or more library waveforms, whether a correlation exists between the voiceprint and a number of library waveforms of the one or more library waveforms and whether the voiceprint is unique.

Abstract: In a method for operating a laser spark plug, the laser spark plug is actuated using an actuating device, in order to generate at least one laser ignition pulse, at least one variable characterizing the laser ignition pulse is ascertained using measuring techniques, and, from the at least one variable characterizing the laser ignition pulse, an operating condition of the laser spark plug is inferred.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for an engine having a valve for controlling dilution of intake air. The method comprises, during engine fueling, indicating a degradation of the valve when the valve is commanded closed but sensor output corresponds to an oxygen level below that of air. The method further comprises, absent engine fueling, indicating degradation of the sensor when the valve is commanded closed but the sensor output corresponds to an oxygen level below that of air.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle 1 includes as drive sources an internal combustion engine 20, to which fuel stored in a fuel tank 21 is supplied, and a second M/G 32, to which electricity stored in a battery 40 is supplied. The vehicle 1 also includes a battery charger 70 for charging the battery 40 from the outside of the vehicle 1. For each of a plurality of refuelings to the fuel tank 21, the history of the time of refueling and the amount of refueling are stored. Based on the history, the degree of deterioration of fuel in the fuel tank 21 is calculated.

Abstract: Location information may be used to adjust the engine start/stop characteristics of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) in order to increase the amount of electric vehicle (EV) mode driving, particularly near a destination in which an ignition-off event may occur. Common ignition-off locations may be learned and stored in a database along with the number of ignition-off occurrences associated with each learned location. The vehicle may calculate current distance to a nearest ignition-off location stored in the database using positioning system coordinates and may determine whether to adjust one or more engine pull-ups based at least in part on the distance and the corresponding number of ignition-off occurrences.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a thermal management system and method that can recommend operational behavior to an operator of an engine system to optimize fuel economy over a period of time in which a components of the engine system is in a warm up and/or regeneration state. In one representative embodiment, the expected temperature change of the engine component at a later time is determined based on inefficient operation of the engine, such as a transmission down shift resulting in higher engine speed and lower engine torque, and the expected temperature change of the engine component resulting from operating the engine under current conditions or expected conditions at that later time is determined. A determination is made as to whether the inefficient engine operation is the optimal operation in view of fuel economy and a recommendation is generated for the operator based if optimal operation is determined.

Abstract: A control pattern corresponding to a ultra high expansion cycle is executed, wherein an actual timing IVCa of an intake valve closing timing is controlled to agree with a steady adapted value IVCt, an actual value ?ma of a mechanical compression ratio is controlled to agree with a steady adapted value ?mt, and an ignition timing SA is controlled to agree with a steady adapted timing SAt. There are four cases that might be generated, including a case in which the IVCa is shifted toward a retard angle side or toward an advance angle side from the IVCt due to a response delay of a variable intake valve timing apparatus, and a case in which ?ma is shifted to a greater side or to a smaller side from the ?mt due to the response delay of a variable compression ratio mechanism.

Abstract: A rotation detecting device and a rotation detecting method determines normal rotation/reverse rotation of a rotating shaft based on a rotation signal different between the normal rotation and the reverse rotation of the rotating shaft. The rotation signal is set to have a pulse width different between the normal rotation and the reverse rotation of a crankshaft that is an output shaft of an internal combustion engine. By determining whether or not the pulse width is greater than a threshold value, the normal rotation or the reverse rotation of the crankshaft is detected. Whether or not the crankshaft is rotating normally is determined based on engine rotating speed, a cylinder in which a piston is in a predetermined position, an engine load, a starter switch, intake pressure, battery voltage, and the like. When the condition for the normal rotation is satisfied, the threshold of the pulse width is set based on a pulse width of a rotation signal measured at this time.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying and analyzing a route using an inexpensive GPS system is provided. The system and method provides a location for storing GPS and vehicle operating data for at least one route, requiring a plurality of runs over the at least one route. Once a predetermined minimum number of runs have been reached, the system and method define a route segment, interpolate additional data points using the GPS and vehicle operating data, synchronize the data over the plurality of runs, and analyze the data. The analyzed data is then provided to a module capable of controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine. The analyzed data is forward-looking in that it permits anticipation of vehicle operation, and more particularly, engine and transmission operation.

Abstract: A control device for a motor vehicle, with which a control input carried out by at least one finger can be detected, includes a transmitter unit to transmit a signal to the finger, a receiving unit to receive a signal reflected from the finger, a control surface element, which is able to be spatially positioned in relation to the finger to carry out an operational entry, and an evaluation unit to determine a spatial position of the finger in relation to the control surface element using the received signal.

Abstract: A control apparatus for the internal combustion engine has a multicore processor mounted with a plurality of the cores, calculates various tasks regarding an operation of the internal combustion engine, and distributes the tasks to the plurality of the cores respectively to perform a calculation, and a controller that makes the number of cores for use in the calculation smaller while fuel cutoff is carried out than before the fuel cutoff is carried out. The controller selects, as a designated core, at least one of the cores for use in a specific calculation associated with combustion of the internal combustion engine. The controller stops the designated core from being used while fuel cutoff is carried out.

Abstract: A system and method for recuperating energy from a motor vehicle is described in which during an engine overrun period kinetic energy from the slowing motor vehicle is used to drive a high pressure fuel pump at a high demand level so as to store fuel at high pressure in a fuel accumulator for later use by an engine of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a motor generator capable of controlling the revolution speed of the engine, and an ECU configured to control ignition timing of the engine. The ECU modifies, in the case where the revolution speed of the engine is not controlled by the motor generator, the ignition timing for startup of the engine to a further timing advancing side, as compared to the case where the revolution speed of the engine is controlled by the motor generator.

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 machine powertrain includes an engine operably connected to a torque converter and a transmission. A switch associated with the torque converter provides a locking signal indicative of a locked or unlocked condition of the torque converter. A throttle sensor associated with the throttle provides a throttle signal. An electronic controller receives the locking signal and the throttle signal, and controls operation of the engine at least partially based on the throttle signal and the locking signal. The electronic controller determines whether a locked or unlocked condition of the torque converter is present based on the locking signal, determines whether a part throttle operating condition or a full throttle operating condition is present based on the throttle signal, and selects a load-control power curve when the part throttle operating condition is present and when the torque converter switches from the unlocked to the locked condition.

Abstract: A method for analyzing the efficiency of a high-pressure pump of a fuel injection system includes analyzing the efficiency of the high-pressure pump with respect to individual pumping strokes of the high-pressure pump, detecting and analyzing the pressure build-up and the pressure drop for the individual pumping strokes, and drawing conclusions about the state of individual components of the high-pressure pump from the analysis of the pressure build-up or the pressure drop.

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 variable cylinder engine is provided. The engine includes an engine body having a plurality of cylinders, a cooling mechanism for cooling the engine body by using a coolant, and a controller for controlling a temperature of the coolant and changing the number of active cylinders according to an operating state of the engine. The controller reduces the number of active cylinders in a reduced-cylinder operating range set within a partial engine load range, and expands the reduced-cylinder operating range to a higher engine load side as the coolant temperature becomes lower.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an engine to allow a driver to obtain a working range of the engine in excess a base working range thereof.