Abstract: A multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine having a camshaft-driven valvetrain with a camshaft disposed within an engine block includes at least two intake and/or exhaust valves with multiple valves operated by a common lifter and pushrod that engages a follower having multiple independent lash adjusters coupled to associated rocker arms. The lifter contacts the common camshaft lobe and a corresponding pushrod that engages a reciprocating bucket follower with a compliant coupling to corresponding rocker arms.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a plurality of intake and/or exhaust valves associated with each cylinder includes a valvetrain having a fulcrum with a plurality of pivot ball sockets each associated with a rocker arm and pivot ball disposed between the fulcrum and the rocker arm with the fulcrum extending through apertures of the rocker arms and having a plurality of slots, each slot having generally parallel opposing lateral surfaces for receiving and guiding both sides of an associated rocker arm so the rocker arm pivots about the pivot ball in a plane of the rocker arm. The fulcrum can accommodate at least two rocker arms that may operate in non-parallel planes relative to one another and can include bearing and locating surfaces integrally formed to finish dimensions to eliminate machining.

Abstract: A system and method for operating an internal combustion engine include injecting fuel through a plurality of fuel jets of a fuel injector directly into a corresponding cylinder with at least a first plurality jets oriented to primarily support operation in a stratified mode and a second plurality of jets oriented to primarily support operation in a homogeneous mode. The first plurality of jets is oriented to spray fuel generally downward toward the piston bowl and the second plurality of jets is oriented to spray fuel generally across the cylinder toward the exhaust valves. The spray jets reduce or eliminate valve, liner, and piston wetting while providing good mixing in homogeneous mode and good combustion stability for light stratified charge during cold starts to achieve desired targets for feedgas emissions and combustion efficiency.

Abstract: An engine cover for a vehicle includes a frame extending generally about the perimeter of the cover and adapted for mounting to an engine of the vehicle, and a skin extending across and secured to the frame. In one embodiment, the frame is made of a moulded plastic material and the skin is a stamped metal, such as aluminum. In another embodiment, the skin comprises multiple sections each secured to the frame so that one or more sections may be modified to alter the appearance of the cover and/or location of service items, such as an oil fill cap or dip stick for different applications while minimizing the number of components that need modification. A method for covering an engine according to the present invention includes securing at least one engine cover skin to an engine cover frame and securing the frame to an engine.

Abstract: A system and method for securing a fuel injector in an internal combustion engine include a clamp for securing adjacent injectors to a cylinder head. The clamp includes a central portion with a hole for receiving a fastener to secure the clamp to the cylinder head, and a pair of symmetrical crescent-shaped clamping forks forming a U-shaped opening to facilitate lateral sliding engagement with diametrically opposed flatted portions of corresponding fuel injectors. Each arm includes an arcuate pad that engages a corresponding shoulder of the fuel injector to provide an axial clamping force to the fuel injector. The distance between the distal ends of one fork and the semicircular portion of the opposite fork is selected to allow lateral sliding disengagement of the clamp from one of the adjacent injectors without rotation or removal of the other injector to facilitate servicing of individual injectors.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine in a vehicle include controlling the engine to achieve a desired vehicle speed/deceleration when the accelerator pedal is released. A desired vehicle deceleration may be determined based on current transmission gear, vehicle speed, and road grade. Vehicle speed/deceleration is measured using a vehicle speed sensor and/or wheel speed sensor(s) and the engine is controlled to reduce the error between the desired and measured decelerations. Electronically actuated intake and/or exhaust valves, and/or an electronically controlled throttle may be used to achieve a desired vehicle deceleration profile. A selector switch or similar device may be used by the driver to select a desired deceleration profile from two or more available profiles and/or a desired deceleration profile may be automatically selected based on current ambient and/or vehicle/engine operating conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for valve actuation use series-connected coils of upper and lower electromagnets acting as electromagnetic generators that attempt to maintain a constant magnetic flux, while their forces are essentially independent. A valve controller initiates valve actuation by reducing holding force of the holding electromagnet. As spring force begins to move an armature away from the holding electromagnet, the associated coil generates a voltage that attempts to maintain constant flux. This generated voltage causes a large increase in current that essentially transfers the flux to the other on-coming coil, which attracts and holds the armature against its associated spring force to open or close the valve. The internal voltage generated inside the two coils operates even if the coils are supplied with zero external voltage (shorted) to transfer stored energy directly between the coils. Energy may be transferred indirectly using an energy storage device.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle powertrain having an internal combustion engine include determining a difference between a desired engine torque and a current engine torque, adjusting the difference based on a stored torque offset corresponding to a current engine speed, and controlling the engine to produce a torque corresponding to the adjusted torque difference. The stored torque offset is adjusted when the engine is operating in a predetermined engine speed range based on a steady-state difference between the desired and current engine torque to reduce the steady-state difference to zero. The adjusted torque difference may be limited by a maximum-engine-torque-available parameter and a minimum-engine-torque-available parameter, which is based on an operating temperature, such as the engine coolant temperature. The system and method may also include controlling spark to rapidly reduce current engine torque to the adjusted torque difference value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing or eliminating backlash to control gear rattle include a planetary gear set with a planet carrier including a first part that supports at least one forward-torque carrying planet gear that has at least one tooth contacting a drive side of gear teeth of an associated sun gear and ring gear and a second part that supports at least one reverse-torque carrying gear that has at least one tooth contacting a coast side of gear teeth of the associated sun gear and ring gear, the second part of the carrier being rotationally biased relative to the first part to reduce or eliminate effective backlash of the gear set.

Abstract: Dual function console lighting with integrated switching includes a lamp housing held by a retainer within a bezel secured to a vehicle interior. The lamp housing includes eccentrically positioned collinear pivot arms relative to a central longitudinal axis of a lamp positioned within the housing. The pivot arms engage the retainer to hold the lamp housing within the retainer while allowing the lamp housing to pivot relative to the plane of the retainer. The retainer is rotatably held within the bezel by a plurality of snap features spaced around its circumference, allowing the lamp housing and retainer to rotate. A latching mechanism holds the lamp housing in a retracted position with a lens of the housing preferably substantially flush relative to immediately surrounding portions of the bezel. A spring provides a force to pivot the housing about the pivot arms to a second position when the latch is released.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain including a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine and a controllable transmission controls engine shutdown by shutting off a fuel supply device or devices such as a fuel pump or fuel injector(s) while the transmission is in gear to load the engine and reduce or eliminate engine run-on. The transmission may be controlled to couple the input shaft to a stationary component or simultaneously engage clutches corresponding to different gear ratios to provide a holding torque on the engine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling stopping position of a crankshaft during shutdown of a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine influence cylinder pressure independent of associated intake/exhaust valves during shutdown of the engine so the crankshaft stops in a position favorable for restarting. Embodiments include an engine having variable compression ratio cylinders with the compression ratio of the cylinders controlled to vary cylinder pressure during shutdown to control stopping position of the crankshaft, or an auxiliary control valve disposed in a cylinder wall to control pressure within the cylinders during shutdown so the crankshaft stops in a position desirable for restarting.

Abstract: A system and method for managing inertial torque reaction of a powertrain include a selectively engageable counter-rotating component to reduce or eliminate torque reaction on stationary powertrain structure. Selectively engageable counter-rotating inertia may be provided by a simple inertial mass or by an electrical machine functioning as an integral starter/generator (ISG) to provide vehicle launch assist, regenerative braking of the vehicle, and engine cranking. Embodiments include gear-driven, chain-driven, and belt-driven counter-rotating inertias selectively coupled for counter-rotation relative to the crankshaft by a clutch, a belt-driven pulley assembly, or chain-driven intermediate shaft assembly with a hydraulically actuated coupling pin.

Abstract: Systems and methods for turbocharging an internal combustion engine include operating two turbochargers in a series configuration for a first operating region and a parallel configuration for a second operating region. Systems and methods for controlling exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in a turbocharged internal combustion engine provide low pressure EGR upstream of a compressor inlet for a first operating region and high pressure EGR downstream of a compressor outlet for a second operating range to further improve turbocharger operating margin and overall efficiency.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing or eliminating noise generated in a vehicle by contact between components of similar or identical materials isolate the components using a dissimilar material disposed between the components of similar or identical materials. An isolator made of a second material, such as a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) is disposed between a glovebox hinge retainer and glovebox door hinge made of a first material that provides desired structural characteristics for an instrument panel assembly, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS). The glovebox hinge retainer may be integrally formed with the instrument panel with the isolator comprising an integrally formed projection in a glovebox surround that extends between at least one side of the hinge retainer and the glovebox door hinge after installation of the glovebox door.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling stopping position of a crankshaft during shutdown of an internal combustion engine control a fluid pressure to control a corresponding drive torque of a fluid pump. Kinetic energy of the engine at shutdown may be used to control fluid pressure in a power steering system or fuel injection system to stop the crankshaft in a position favorable for restarting.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine during starting use position sensor information in addition to cylinder combustion information to transition from simultaneous fueling to sequential fueling by selecting a cylinder to receive a first sequential fuel injection. Embodiments include a system and method for controlling a sequentially fueled port injected internal combustion engine that contingently select a cylinder to receive a first sequential fuel injection based on position information indicating that the cylinder received a simultaneous fuel injection during its intake stroke. Engine rotational speed is monitored to detect combustion and determine which cylinder fired first. A first sequential fueling pulse is provided to the contingently selected cylinder unless a preceding cylinder in the firing order fires first.

Abstract: An integrated storage system for vehicles includes an expandable container secured to and extendable from a vertical panel of the vehicle to at least one predetermined position to accommodate cargo. The container is collapsible so that it is substantially flush with the vertical panel when not in use and may be made of fabric or netting, for example. A semi-rigid end panel with a handle may be secured to the container to facilitate deploying and stowing the container. Depending on the application, the container may be removable from the vehicle to transport cargo. The storage system may be integrated into various locations including a cargo area, behind a seat or seats, in a truck bed, or in the trunk of a vehicle, for example.

Abstract: A load detecting vehicle seat assembly includes a discrete strain gage mounting plate having a specified flatness to produce desired strain gage performance. The strain gage mounting plate is disposed between a strain gage and a vehicle seat component, such as a cushion frame, so that vehicle seat loading is transferred to the strain gage through the mounting plate. The strain gage may be mounted with a central portion secured to a lower vehicle seat component and outward portions secured to an upper vehicle seat component such that only the outward portions of the strain gage contact the strain gage mounting plate, which has a controlled flatness tolerance to produce desired strain gage performance.

Abstract: A fuel system and associated method include a fuel injector and associated injector cup having an integral device that provides rotational orientation while allowing axial sliding engagement of the fuel injector relative to the cup after assembly. One embodiment includes retention tabs in the cup that engage corresponding grooves in the injector.