Abstract: A judging device comprises a catalyst, an upstream air/fuel ratio sensor having an air/fuel ratio sensing element covered with a diffusion resistance layer, and a downstream air/fuel ratio sensor. The judging device performs main feedback control to equalize the air/fuel ratio indicated by the output value of the upstream air/fuel ratio sensor to an upstream target air/fuel ratio and sub-feedback control to equalize the output value of the downstream air/fuel ratio sensor to a downstream target value. The judging device acquires “an imbalance judging parameter” which increases with “the increase of the difference between the amount of hydrogen contained in the exhaust gas before the exhaust gas passes through the catalyst and that after the exhaust gas passes through the catalyst” according to the sub-feedback amount. When the imbalance judging parameter is larger than an abnormality judgment threshold, the judging device judges that an air/fuel ratio imbalance among the cylinders has occurred.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for regenerating an exhaust gas recirculation cooler. One example method includes, initiating an EGR cooler regeneration mode, wherein the EGR cooler regeneration mode comprises changing a fuel distribution of a donor cylinder group relative to a non-donor cylinder group of an engine, and increasing at least one of engine speed or load of the engine.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for a multicylinder internal combustion engine is provided. The method comprises determining that malfunction pertaining to the air-fuel ratio has occurred when degree of the rotational fluctuation is equal to or more than a first determination value; determining that malfunction pertaining to the air-fuel ratio has not occurred when the degree of the rotational fluctuation is equal to or less than a second determination value that is smaller than the first determination value; and changing mode of engine control when the degree of the rotational fluctuation is smaller than the first determination value and greater than the second determination value. After the changing, the determining that malfunction pertaining to the air-fuel ratio has occurred is repeated.

Abstract: A method using exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in an internal combustion engine. The engine has at least one “dedicated EGR cylinder”, whose entire exhaust is recirculated back to all the engine cylinders. The dedicated EGR cylinder is operated at a rich air-fuel ratio, and the other cylinders are operated stoichiometrically so that a conventional three way catalyst may be used to treat the exhaust. A fuel injector is used to inject fuel into the combustion chamber of the dedicated EGR cylinder after initiation of the main combustion event. This post injection method overcomes flammability limits of a dedicated EGR cylinder, and increases the hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) in its exhaust.

Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine includes: a variable valve timing mechanism that changes a valve timing; and a control unit that controls a change of the valve timing. The control unit sets an engine stop request-time target valve timing that is a target valve timing at the time when a request for an engine stop is issued, starts control for changing the valve timing coincides with the engine stop request-time target valve timing and causes the internal combustion engine to operate at an idle at the time when the request for the engine stop is issued, starts a process of stopping operation of internal combustion engine at the time when the valve timing has reached a predetermined valve timing.

Abstract: An engine system for determining an alcohol concentration in fuel is disclosed. In one example, engine throttle position, fuel pulse width, and air-fuel ratio form a basis for determining alcohol concentration of a fuel combusted in an engine. The system and its related method may improve engine operation in conjunction with detecting an alcohol concentration of a fuel.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an ignition energy provided to an engine cylinder upon reactivation from a VDE mode of operation. Ignition energy is increased by increasing an ignition coil dwell time and/or an ignition coil strike frequency. The increased ignition energy improves combustion stability during the transition out of the VDE mode of operation.

Abstract: The present invention addresses a solution of improving precision with which requested torque at a time of a transient operation is realized in a control device for an internal combustion engine that controls torque that is generated by an internal combustion engine by control of an air amount by means of a throttle. To this end, the present control device calculates a target intake pipe pressure for realizing a target air amount, and calculates predicted pump loss from the target intake pipe pressure. By adding the predicted pump loss to requested torque to the internal combustion engine, 360° indicated requested torque that should be realized in a compression/expansion strokes is calculated. An air amount for realizing the 360° indicated requested torque is calculated as the target air amount, and an opening of the throttle is determined based on the target air amount.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for estimating the flow rate of air entering an air inlet of a turbocharger compressor. A first pressure value corresponds to pressure at or near the air inlet of the compressor, and a second pressure value corresponds to pressure at or near the air outlet of the compressor. A temperature value corresponds to a temperature at or near the air inlet of the compressor, and a speed value corresponds to an operating speed of the turbocharger. The flow rate of air entering the air inlet of the turbocharger compressor is illustratively estimated as a function of the first pressure value, the second pressure value, the temperature value and the speed value.

Abstract: An actuating device for providing a physical output quantity includes: a control element for providing the physical output quantity; an actuator unit triggering the control element according to a triggering variable; and a communication unit receiving the triggering variable, which communication unit sends actuator information which contains an indication about a correlation between the provided physical output quantity of the actuating device and the triggering variable.

Abstract: A control device includes: a first phase changing portion retarding a first intake valve phase relative to a second intake valve phase; a throttle valve adjusting an intake air amount of the engine, and a control portion configured to perform an intake valve phase control which controls the first phase changing portion to retard the first intake valve phase relative to the second intake valve phase such that an air amount in the cylinder of the engine is reduced to a target value to perform rich combustion, and the control portion configured to perform a throttle valve closing control which controls the throttle valve such that the air amount in the cylinder is the target value or smaller after the air amount in the cylinder is not reduced to the target value or smaller by the intake valve phase control performed by the first phase changing portion.

Abstract: An electrical control unit includes a constant voltage supply unit which supplies a constant voltage to a fuel injector, a boosted voltage supply unit which supplies a boosted voltage to the fuel injector, a control unit which controls supply timings of the constant voltage supply unit and the boosted voltage supply unit, and an interrupter which interrupts electric current when a short-circuit occurs in the boosted voltage supply unit. When an interruption of the interrupter is not detected, the boosted voltage supply unit supplies boosted voltage to start a fuel injection and the constant voltage supply unit supplies constant voltage to continue the fuel injection. When an interruption of the interrupter is detected, the constant voltage supply unit and the boosted voltage supply unit advance an interrupted power supply start timing relative to a non-interrupted power supply start timing to prevent delay of a fuel injection start timing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the open-loop control and the closed-loop control of an internal combustion engine (1), the rail pressure (pCR) being controlled in a closed loop mode in the normal operating state and an emergency operation mode being activated once a defective rail pressure sensor (9) is detected, in which emergency operation the rail pressure (pCR) is controlled in an open loop mode. The invention is characterized in that in the emergency operation mode, the rail pressure (pCR) is gradually increased until a passive pressure relief valve (11) is activated which redirects fuel from the rail (6) to the fuel tank (2) when it is open.

Abstract: A method and control module for controlling an engine includes a requested torque module that generates a requested torque and a turbo boost level module that determines a desired boost level based on the driver requested torque. The control module further includes a pulse determination module that determines a primary fuel injection pulsewidth and a secondary fuel injection pulsewidth based on the driver requested torque and the desired boost level and controls a first injection into the cylinder with the primary fuel injection pulsewidth and a second injection into the cylinder with the secondary fuel injection pulsewidth.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the control and regulation of an internal combustion engine (1), comprising an independent common rail system on the A-side and an independent common rail system on the B-side. During normal operation, the rail pressure (pCR(A), pCR(B)) is controlled in each common rail system via a low pressure-side suction throttle (4A, 4B) as the first pressure-adjusting element in a rail pressure control loop and, at the same time, the rail pressure (pCR(A), pCR(B)) is subjected to a rail pressure disturbance variable via a high pressure-side pressure control valve (11A, 11B) as a second pressure-adjusting element, by means of which a pressure control valve volume flow is redirected via the high pressure-side pressure control valve (11A, 11B) from the rail (6A, 6B) into a fuel tank (2).

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for guiding the driver of a vehicle in selecting an accelerator pedal position and transmission gear to improve a score. The score may be a weighted average of a fuel economy score and a drivability score. A curve showing the best score for each gear may be shown on a display as a function of accelerator pedal and transmission gear number, along with the current accelerator pedal and gear number of the vehicle. The driver may improve the score by changing to an accelerator pedal and/or gear selection that is closer to the curve. The curve may be calculated, using a model based on forces and torques upon the vehicle, from data acquired by monitoring the vehicle and/or from external sources.

Abstract: A method of providing electronic trim data for a fuel injection device to an engine system, the method comprising: reading an identifier associated with the fuel injection device; accessing a database containing trim data associated with the identifier; downloading the trim data for the fuel injection device; uploading the downloaded trim data to the engine system for use in controlling fuel injection device operation.

Abstract: Examples of the present invention include air charge estimation models using linear programming support vector regression (LP-SVR). Air model parameters may be updated during operation of a vehicle, allowing the air model performance to be improved in the presence of part-to-part variation and part aging.

Abstract: A multiple mode throttle control having a plurality of different modes to command the speed of a utility vehicle engine. The modes include a normal mode in which an electronic engine control unit commands engine speed to vary based on the position of the throttle pedal; a stationary mode in which the electronic engine control unit commands the engine to run at a fixed speed while the utility vehicle remains stationary based on a setting of an operator control connected to the electronic control unit; and a mobile mode in which the electronic engine control unit commands engine speed to vary while the utility vehicle is moving based on the position of the throttle pedal but not to exceed a maximum engine speed based on the setting of the operator control.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided in which a prescribed amount of fuel is injected over a predetermined period until an air-fuel ratio sensor is activated when fuel cut control of the internal combustion engine is stopped to resume normal engine operation. If an EGR gas is inducted immediately before the fuel cut control is started, the prescribed amount is reduced.

Abstract: A method for determining a concentration of alcohol in a fuel mixture, where a characteristic curve for a parameter describing the dynamics of an injector, by which the fuel mixture is injected in an internal combustion engine, is ascertained; and where the concentration of alcohol is determined in light of a course of the characteristic curve. The invention also relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine and a system for determining a concentration of alcohol in a fuel mixture.

Abstract: A device for determining ageing of a hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic system with a multitude of hydraulic components is provided. The device comprises at least one temperature determination device and at least one ageing determination device, wherein the temperature determination device determines the respective temperature of each discrete fluid volume of the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and from the aforesaid the ageing determination device determines an increase in ageing. Generally, the temperature determination device carries out a numerical thermal simulation of the hydraulic system, component by component, including determining at least one temperature of at least one hydraulic component of the hydraulic system, which simulation is supported by measuring the temperatures of individual hydraulic components by means of temperature sensors.

Abstract: Methods and systems for engine control optimization are provided. A first and a second operating condition of a vehicle engine are detected. An initial value is identified for a first and a second engine control parameter corresponding to a combination of the detected operating conditions according to a first and a second engine map look-up table. The initial values for the engine control parameters are adjusted based on a detected engine performance variable to cause the engine performance variable to approach a target value. A first and a second sensitivity of the engine performance variable are determined in response to changes in the engine control parameters. The first engine map look-up table is adjusted when the first sensitivity is greater than a threshold, and the second engine map look-up table is adjusted when the second sensitivity is greater than a threshold.

Abstract: In a power generation controlling method, if a first peak of the inverse of the rotation number measured in a first cycle following a plurality of successive cycles is not equal to or lower than a second threshold, it is judged whether or not the first peak is equal to or higher than a third threshold, which is higher than the first threshold. Furthermore, if a second peak of the inverse of the rotation number measured in a second cycle following the first cycle is equal to or lower than a fourth threshold, a target voltage of power generation by a generator a rotating shaft of which is connected to a crank shaft of the four-stroke engine is changed from a normal state voltage to an in-acceleration voltage, which is lower than the normal state voltage.

Abstract: When an air-fuel ratio detection performed by detecting an output of a downstream sensor, which is a limiting-current type air-fuel ratio sensor arranged at a downstream side of a catalyst in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine, and calculating an air-fuel ratio at the downstream side of the catalyst in accordance with the output, if the output is within a predetermined range including an output corresponding to a theoretical air-fuel ratio, a relationship between the output and an air-fuel ratio that is calculated by calculation means is shifted more to a rich side relative to a correspondence relationship between an output of an upstream sensor, which is a similar sensor to the downstream sensor arranged at an upstream side of the catalyst in the exhaust passage of the engine, and an air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: A torque requesting module generates a first torque request for a spark ignition engine based on driver input. A torque conversion module converts the first torque request into a second torque request. A setpoint control module generates air and exhaust setpoints for the spark ignition engine based on the second torque request. A model predictive control (MPC) module identifies sets of possible target values based on the air and exhaust setpoints, generates predicted parameters based on a model of the spark ignition engine and the sets of possible target values, respectively, selects one of the sets of possible target values based on the predicted parameters, and sets target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the sets. A throttle actuator module controls opening of a throttle valve based on a first one of the target values.

Abstract: The control device for an internal combustion engine including a plurality of cylinders includes: a misfire detection unit for detecting a misfire state for each of the plurality of cylinders; a plurality of electronic throttles each provided on an intake pipe corresponding to each of the plurality of cylinders, for adjusting an intake air amount taken into each cylinder by way of a throttle opening degree; and a throttle opening degree control unit for controlling the throttle opening degree of each of the plurality of electronic throttles. When the misfire detection unit detects the misfire state in any one of the plurality of cylinders, the throttle opening degree control unit decreases a limited value of the throttle opening degree of the cylinder in the misfire state as time elapses.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine coupled capacitance-based humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined based on humidity readings while flowing gasses into an engine intake air downstream of the humidity sensor and upstream of a compressor change by less than a first threshold while pressure at the sensor changes greater then a second threshold. The variation in pressure can be changed by adjusting a throttle upstream and downstream of the compressor based on whether the humidity sensor is degraded or functional.

Abstract: A machine includes a compression ignition engine fueled from common rail fuel injectors that predominately inject natural gas fuel that is compression ignited with a small pilot injection of liquid diesel fuel. When an engine shutdown command is communicated to an electronic controller, the supply of gaseous fuel to the gas rail is stopped and the gaseous fuel common rail is depressurized by continuing to run the engine and inject gaseous and liquid fuels while commanding a liquid pressure greater than the gas pressure. After the gas rail pressure has achieved an acceptable shutdown pressure, the engine is stopped. The gas rail pressure is then reduced to atmospheric pressure followed by the liquid fuel common rail being reduced to atmosphere pressure after stopping the engine.

Abstract: A method to avoid over-dilution of an intake-air charge of an engine includes, during a first condition, applying at least some feedback control to the opening and closure of a valve that adjustably admits exhaust to the intake-air charge. During a second condition predictive of compressor surge, no feedback control is applied to the opening or the closure of the valve. Rather, feedforward control is applied to the closure of the valve so that stability in the engine is maintained even during surge conditions.

Abstract: A torque requesting module generates a first torque request for a spark ignition engine based on driver input. A torque conversion module converts the first torque request into a second torque request. A setpoint control module generates setpoints for the spark ignition engine based on the second torque request. A vacuum requesting module requests an amount of vacuum within an intake manifold of the engine. The setpoint module selectively adjusts at least one of the setpoints based on the amount of vacuum requested. A model predictive control (MPC) module: identifies sets of possible target values based on the setpoints; generates predicted parameters based on a model of the spark ignition engine and the sets of possible target values, respectively; selects one of the sets of possible target values based on the predicted parameters; and sets target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the sets.

Abstract: In a valve timing control apparatus configured to execute phase-control via a phase converter, a controller is configured to control a phase angle of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft during an engine stopping period to a target phase angle differing from a required phase angle suited for an engine operating condition. The controller is further configured to change the phase angle of the camshaft toward the required phase angle during a time period from a point of time when cranking starts to a point of time when detection of a rotational position of the camshaft initiates during an engine restarting period. The controller is still further configured to start feedback-control for the phase angle of the camshaft from the point of time of initiation of detection of the rotational position of the camshaft for bringing the phase angle of the camshaft closer to the required phase angle.

Abstract: A method for controlling a direct-injection internal combustion engine includes monitoring internal combustion engine operational parameters, determining a start of injection in response to the engine operational parameters, monitoring an intake air flow comprising a residual gas component, monitoring an exhaust gas flow, monitoring a fuel flow, determining a time constant corresponding to an intake air flow reaction time based upon the intake air flow, the exhaust gas flow, and the fuel flow, modifying the start of injection with the time constant, and operating the engine subject to the modified start of injection.

Abstract: A fuel injection amount control apparatus of an embodiment according to the present invention comprises an air-fuel ratio sensor 56 which is disposed between an exhaust gas aggregated portion HK and a three-way catalyst 43, and which outputs an output value corresponding to an amount of oxygen and an amount of unburnt substances contained in an exhaust gas that has reached an exhaust-gas-side electrode layer via a porous layer (diffusion resistance layer). This control apparatus obtains an actual detected air-fuel ratio by correcting the output value of the air-fuel ratio sensor 56 based on an alcohol concentration of a fuel detected by the alcohol concentration sensor 59 and an air-fuel ratio imbalance indicating value representing a degree of a non-uniformity among cylinder-by-cylinder air-fuel ratios. The control apparatus feedback controls on a fuel amount in such a manner that the actual detected air-fuel ratio coincides with a target value.

Abstract: A pressure determining method is provided for a fuel distribution rail of an injection system of a motor vehicle comprising maximizing the fuel rail pressure to minimize particulate emissions of the engine. The method determines a setpoint pressure based on a calculation pressure being determined from a sum of a combustion chamber pressure and a square of a ratio of a fuel mass component and a pulse width, wherein the calculation pressure is output, at least temporarily, as the setpoint pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the efficiency of a combustion engine. The method comprises measuring a quantity of a primary fuel supplied to the combustion engine. Determining an operating state of the combustion engine. Selecting a fuel mapping profile based on an operating state of the combustion engine and determining from the fuel mapping profile an amount of a secondary fuel to be injected as a fraction of the measured quantity of the primary fuel.

Abstract: A device for the electronically controlled lean out of mechanical fuel injected engines comprising a wide band air fuel ratio sensor and a printed circuit board (PCB) connected to the wide band air fuel ratio gauge/controller. The printed circuit board (PCB) is connected to the wide band air fuel ratio sensor's power, ground, and signal wires. The computer controlled stepper motor is connected to the printed circuit board (PCB). A variable valve spool is retained in a fuel block and connected to the computer controlled stepper motor. Rotating the variable valve spool continuously adjusts and controls the air fuel ratio of the engine in real time by regulating the amount of fuel returned the fuel tank and the amount of fuel delivered to the barrel valve in a mechanically fuel injected engine. A jet can be used in combination with the fuel bock to further fine tune the fuel flow.

Abstract: When two abnormal cylinders are causing variation abnormality, these abnormal cylinders are identified. A parameter correlated with a degree of fluctuation of output from an air-fuel ratio sensor installed in an exhaust passage common to a plurality of cylinders is calculated. Based on the calculated parameter, inter-cylinder air-fuel ratio variation abnormality is detected. The following steps are carried out: (A) a step of forcibly changing amounts of fuel injected for two of the plurality of cylinders and calculating the parameter, (B) a step of changing the two cylinders to other two cylinders and repeating the step (A), and (C) a step of identifying two cylinders causing variation abnormality based on a plurality of the parameters calculated in the steps (A) and (B).

Abstract: Fuel control dynamic health assessment systems and methods related to monitoring fuel flow control are provided. In one embodiment, a method for controlling a system having an engine, includes determining a predicted valve position of a valve, the valve being operable to control fuel flow to a fuel pump that pumps fuel to a common fuel rail of the engine, determining an actual valve position, determining an error between the predicted valve position and the actual valve position, and setting a degradation condition in response to the error.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at the control of an effective compression ratio setting in an engine which may use a variety of fuels or fuel blends. The effective compression ratio may be selected based upon information from a fuel sensor and stored information regarding the detected fuel composition. The effective compression ratio may be adjusted for a selected cylinder by intake or exhaust valve timing.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for restarting an engine that can be selectively deactivated during idle-stop conditions. In one embodiment, current is directed to a starter motor and an electric brake sequentially by limiting the current supplied to one while current is supplied to the other, an order of delivering the current based on a timing of a restart request relative to an electric brake request, as well as vehicle operating conditions at the time the requests were received. By coordinating the operation of a starter motor with the operation of an electric brake, loading of the engine system's electrical supply can be reduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an active cam profile from a plurality of cam profiles is disclosed. The systems and methods may be used to determine how to operate an engine torque actuator or provide an indication of cam profile switching degradation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for maintaining stoichiometry of an exhaust gas during operation of a fuel injector at a threshold pulse width. In response to operation of a fuel injector at the threshold pulse width and a rich exhaust gas air-fuel ratio, airflow is increased to the intake manifold. Engine actuators may also be adjusted to maintain torque during the increased airflow while operating the fuel injectors at the threshold pulse width.

Abstract: Engine synchronization apparatus and system for multi-engine vehicles such as boats and aircraft providing limited authority throttle cable trim effected by an apparatus interposed between the throttle plate and throttle cable of a slave engine and mounted in a floating configuration. An actuator is mounted to the apparatus to trim the distance between the throttle plate and throttle cable attachment thereby trimming the throttle cable. A system is provided in which a difference signal derived from master and slave engine tachometer signals is used to control the actuator and synchronize the engines within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining compression device degradation of an engine of a rail vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a rail vehicle system includes an engine, an air-intake passage coupled to the engine, a compression device including a compressor positioned along the air-intake passage, a barometric air pressure sensor for measuring a barometric air pressure upstream of the compressor, a manifold air pressure sensor for measuring a manifold air pressure downstream of the compressor, and a controller configured to adjust a rail vehicle operating parameter responsive to a determination of compression device degradation based on a negative pressure differential between the manifold air pressure and the barometric air pressure during a designated operating condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control device for an internal combustion engine including a first control subject (35D) capable of controlling two different control amounts (Pim and Regr) influencing each other at a low frequency and second control subjects (52 and 33) capable of controlling the control amount at a high frequency. In the present invention, the first control amount and the second control amount are changed by the first control subject, and the first control amount and the second control amount are changed by the second control subject.

Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine includes: a variable valve timing mechanism that changes a valve timing; and a control unit that controls a change of the valve timing. The control unit sets an engine stop request-time target valve timing that is a target valve timing at the time when a request for an engine stop is issued, starts control for changing the valve timing coincides with the engine stop request-time target valve timing and causes the internal combustion engine to operate at an idle at the time when the request for the engine stop is issued, starts a process of stopping operation of internal combustion engine at the time when the valve timing has reached a predetermined valve timing.

Abstract: An engine control system for an auto-stop/start vehicle includes an auto-stop/start module and an actuator control module. The auto-stop/start module selectively generates an auto-stop command for shutting down an engine while an ignition is in an ON state. The actuator control module disables fuel to the engine when the auto-stop command is generated and closes a throttle valve to a predetermined throttle opening when the auto-stop command is generated.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling exhaust emissions by adjusting an injection profile for different fuels injected into an engine cylinder from different fuel injectors during engine start and crank. By splitting fuel injection during start and cranking so that fuel of lower alcohol content is port injected and fuel of higher alcohol content is direct injected as one or multiple injections, the soot load of the engine can be reduced and fuel economy can be improved.

Abstract: A shovel includes a cabin in which a display monitor is provided, a main pump that generates a hydraulic pressure, an internal combustion engine that drives the main pump, and a display control part configured to generate display information to be displayed on the display monitor based on information communicated between the display control part and the internal combustion engine, and cause the generated display information to be displayed on the display monitor. The display control part is configured to cause a graph showing the fuel efficiency of the internal combustion engine over time and the operational work mode of the shovel corresponding to a time for which the fuel efficiency is calculated to be simultaneously displayed on the single display screen of the display monitor.