Abstract: A rotor for use in an electrical motor which includes an anti-expansion ring centrally mounted on the rotor to restrict the extent rotor elements mounted on a rotatable shaft may expand outward due to centrifugal forces generated when the motor is operated. Such motors are suited for use in high rotational speed environments such as electrically controlled turbochargers.

Abstract: A hybrid engine and coupling system for use with a vehicle or other load which employs a motor/generator unit connected through controllable couplers to a kinetic energy storage device and to one or more internal combustion engine modules in a programmed manner. Several embodiments provide varying configurations to satisfy various power and packaging design requirements.

Abstract: A lubrication system for an internal combustion engine is described that includes a scraper ring with an oil collector located immediately beneath an upper piston ring on a reciprocating piston. The scraper ring serves to deposit oil onto the inner surface of the upper cylinder liner near the combustion chamber in reaction to the decelerating movement of the piston as the piston approaches TDC. The oil scraper collects oil in a collection groove as the piston travels along the lower portion of the cylinder and carries inertia onto the cylinder liner.

Abstract: A hybrid engine control system for use with a vehicle or other load which employs a motor/generator unit connected through controllable couplers to a kinetic energy storage device and to one or more internal combustion engine modules in a programmed manner. Several embodiments provide varying configurations to satisfy various power and packaging design requirements.

Abstract: An electrically controlled turbocharger has a motor mounted on a shaft in a motor housing between a turbine and compressor. Oil is sprayed onto the motor stator to cool the stator. An oil gallery is disposed above the stator to receive lubricating oil and contains apertures that perform as jets to allow oil to be sprayed directly on the motor stator. A coolant jacket is formed in the turbocharger housing between the turbine and the motor to allow liquid coolant to circulate therein and dissipate heat from the turbine end prior to reaching the motor components. Other embodiments provide for a stator component to be submerged in flowing cooling oil.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a fuel pressurizing system in a direct-injection, spark-ignition engine is disclosed such that the ticking sound of a solenoid valve in the high pressure pump is disabled at certain engine operating conditions. The fuel pressurizing system includes two pumps in series: a low pressure lift pump and a high pressure pump. Based on an engine operating parameter (speed, load, temperature, fuel delivery rate, as examples) the high pressure fuel pump is disabled when the engine operating parameter is below a threshold. The disablement of the pump is accomplished by turning off the normally-open solenoid valve on the inlet side of the high pressure pump, particularly at low speed and/or low torque conditions, e.g., idle, when the ticking of the injector is particularly noticeable. When the pump is disabled, fuel is supplied to the fuel injectors at lift pump pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for heating a catalytic converter which is arranged in the exhaust-gas path of an internal combustion engine with direct injection and spark ignition. In the method, a first fuel injection takes place in the intake stroke (E), whereas a second fuel injection begins in the combustion stroke after top dead center and prior to the spark ignition of the air/fuel mix. It is preferable for the second fuel injection to continue beyond the ignition instant until the pressure in the combustion chamber reaches the fuel injection pressure.

Abstract: A system and method to provide a desired torque increase from an engine in which some cylinder operate in spark ignition (SI) combustion mode only and some cylinders operate in homogeneous-charge, compression-ignition (HCCI) combustion mode only are disclosed. Such method includes: operating a first portion of engine cylinders in homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion mode while a second portion of engine cylinders are deactivated. The second portion of engine cylinders in spark ignition combustion mode is activated when a torque demand is greater than the first portion of engine cylinders is capable of supplying. Also, the second portion of engine cylinders is activated when a rate of torque demand is greater than the first portion of engine cylinders is capable of supplying.

Abstract: A method for controlling reductant injection into an exhaust stream upstream of a catalyst coupled to an internal combustion engine is disclosed. In the method, an ammonia sensor located downstream of the exhaust catalyst is used to determine ammonia concentration in the exhaust stream. The ammonia concentration is compared to an allowable threshold and an allowable fraction, i.e., a maximum limit on a fraction of ammonia in the exhaust stream compared with the ammonia supplied by the reductant injector. Additionally, based on a NOx sensor, it is determined whether NOx conversion of the catalyst has increased in response to an increase in reductant injection. If not, reductant injection quantity is reduced.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is disclosed in which some cylinders are adapted to run in homogeneous-charge compression-ignition (HCCI) combustion mode and at other cylinders are adapted to run in spark-ignition (SI) combustion mode. HCCI cylinders are at least 2 compression ratios higher than SI cylinders. A method for starting such engine is provided in which combustion is initiated in the SI cylinders and no fuel is supplied to HCCI cylinders. In one embodiment, preheating of HCCI cylinders is provided by a heat exchanger disposed in the exhaust of SI cylinders through which intake air to HCCI cylinders passes. Alternatively, preheating of HCCI cylinders is provided by opening an exhaust gas recirculation valve which is disposed in an exhaust gas recirculation duct between an exhaust of the SI cylinders and an intake of HCCI cylinders. When temperature in HCCI cylinders reaches a threshold, combustion in HCCI cylinders is initiated.

Abstract: A fuel supply system (100) for a combustion engine (180) has at least one fuel injector (110), a fuel pump (130) and a conduit (150) connecting the fuel pump (130) with the fuel injector (110). An air intake valve (160) connects the conduit (150) to the atmosphere. The air intake valve (160) is a one-way valve that prevents sub-atmospheric pressures in the conduit (150) by allowing air to enter the conduit (150) when the pressure in the conduit (140) is lower than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: In an engine in which a first portion of engine cylinders operate in HCCI combustion mode only and a second portion of engine cylinders operate in SI combustion mode only, two EGR ducts and valves are provided: a first EGR duct adapted to provide flow from an exhaust of HCCI engine cylinders to an intake of HCCI cylinders; a first EGR valve disposed in the first EGR duct; a second EGR duct adapted to provide flow from an exhaust of SI cylinders to an intake of HCCI cylinders via a first EGR valve; and a second EGR valve disposed in the second EGR duct. By adjusting the EGR valves, the intake temperature to HCCI cylinders is controlled. During cold start, the second EGR valve is opened to pull SI exhaust through HCCI cylinders for the purpose of preheating HCCI cylinders.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is disclosed in which at least one cylinder is adapted to run in homogeneous-charge compression-ignition (HCCI) combustion mode and at least one cylinder is adapted to run in spark-ignition (SI) combustion mode with the HCCI cylinder having a compression ratio at least 2 ratios higher than the SI cylinder. The intakes and exhausts of the HCCI and SI cylinders are separated with a throttle valve disposed in each intake and exhaust aftertreatment devices tailored to each combustion mode disposed in the exhausts.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine having a piston-cooling arrangement (1) which has at least one spray device (2, 27; 2, 39) which is supplied with a coolant/lubricant via at least one supply passageway (3). The supply passageway (3) is arranged in a module (4) composed of a crankshaft-bearing structural element (6) and a crankshaft-bearing cap (7). The spray device (2, 27; 2, 39) is coupled to the crankshaft-bearing cap (7), a crankshaft-bearing shell (14) in the region of the supply passageway (3). Supply passageway (3) also connect to through-opening (16), so that coolant/lubricant can be directed via the supply passageway (3) to both the spray device (2, 27; 2, 39) and a crankshaft (17). The spray device (2) is designed as an oil-spray nozzle (27) or alternatively as a spray hole (39) integrated in the crankshaft-bearing cap (7).

Abstract: A rotary position sensing assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a mounting socket rigidly attached to a structural support of a rotating component and a position sensor slidably engaged with the socket. A slidably engageable retainer maintains the sensor within the socket at a predetermined distance from the rotating component.

Abstract: A method for providing an oil change indication to an operator of an internal combustion engine having an exhaust-after-treatment system requiring regeneration, The method includes detecting regeneration events performed on the exhaust-after-treatment system; detecting oil temperature events each time unit an oil temperature is over a threshold value, and providing the oil change indication to the operator as a function of the detected regeneration events and the detected oil temperature events.

Abstract: An engine system and method are disclosed for controlling pre-ignition of an alcohol fuel. In one embodiment, the fuel injection timing is adjusted to cause the fuel to avoid combustion chamber surfaces. In another embodiment, the fuel injection timing is adjusted to spray the fuel directly onto the piston surface to cool the piston. Also disclosed is a cylinder cleaning cycle in which engine knock is purposely caused for one to hundreds of engine cycles by adjusting the fuel content away from alcohol toward gasoline. Further measures to cause knock which are disclosed: adjusting spark timing, intake boost, exhaust gas fraction in the cylinder, cam timing, and transmission gear ratio.

Abstract: Automotive vehicles are increasingly being equipped with remote starting devices. If the vehicle is within a space which is very well sealed, it is possible that the concentration of the exhaust gases may exceed desirable levels. A method and system are disclosed in which a mass-based determination of air/fuel ratio is compared with the air/fuel ratio being maintained by the exhaust gas oxygen sensor. When the air/fuel ratio based on a mass measurement deviates from the air/fuel ratio based on the exhaust gas oxygen sensor by more than a threshold difference, the remotely started vehicle is turned off.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for operating an internal combustion engine in which the intake valves are electromechanical valves and the engine has direct fuel injection. By opening the intake valves during the intake stroke when the piston is moving at its maximum speed, the turbulence through the intake valve is enhanced, thereby increasing combustion speed, and hence combustion stability at low torque, low speed operating conditions. Furthermore, if the fuel injection interval occurs when flow of gases through the intake is highest, air-fuel mixing is improved.

Abstract: A cylinder block for an internal combustion engine which, in use, supports a rotary crankshaft 40, the block having pairs of opposed lock width surfaces 37 formed thereon for forming an interference fit with respective co-operating lock width surfaces 38 on the crankshaft bearing caps 34 which in use are secured to respective bearing cap support surfaces 36 also formed on the block 31. The lock width surfaces 37, 38 are spaced from the respective bearing cap support surfaces 36 so as to improve stress cracking resistance of the block 31.