Abstract: A method of controlling an internal combustion engine is described. The engine is capable of operating in at least two engine operating modes. As an example, the engine can operate in a stratified or a homogeneous combustion mode. The engine operating mode is selected based on a determined atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A direct injection engine is coupled to a vacuum brake booster wherein vacuum created from engine pumping is used to supplement driver braking force. The brake booster is coupled through a check valve to the engine intake manifold. A method is disclosed for estimating pressure in the brake booster based on operating conditions. A method is also disclosed for estimating operating parameters based on measured brake booster pressure. Further, a method is disclosed for diagnosing degradation, or monitoring, a brake booster pressure sensor based on operating conditions. In addition, a method is disclosed for diagnosing degradation in other vehicle and engine sensors based on measured brake booster pressure.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a variable displacement engine include starting the engine with at least one bank of cylinders deactivated to increase load on at least one other bank of activated cylinders and reduce time required for an engine and/or vehicle component to reach a desired operating temperature. In one embodiment, ignition timing or spark is retarded and air/fuel ratio is biased lean for the activated cylinder bank during and shortly after starting to further reduce the time required for catalyst light off and closed loop operation. During activation of a deactivated bank of cylinders, air/fuel ratio of one or more activated cylinders is biased rich with air/fuel ratio of the deactivated cylinders biased lean. In addition, spark is retarded during activation of the deactivated cylinders to reduce the time necessary for components associated with the deactivated cylinders to reach desired operating temperatures.

Abstract: A system and a method for providing fuel and reductant to a vehicle from a fuel dispensing station are disclosed which allow for providing both fluids to a vehicle equipped with a fuel and reductant tank and allows for providing only fuel to a vehicle without a reductant tank.

Abstract: A method for controlling intake valves in an internal combustion with intake valves operated by more than one type of actuation device includes steps to accomplish smooth transitions among intake valve operating modes.

Abstract: A method is presented for controlling fuel tank pressure in an internal combustion engine. The engine, the fuel tank and the carbon canister are connected in a three-way connection. The engine can be selectively isolated by a purge control valve, and the fuel tank can be selectively isolated by a fuel tank control valve. The operation of both valves is coordinated by an electronic engine controller. By isolating the fuel tank during the carbon canister purge, vapor spikes into the engine are eliminated, thus preventing engine stalls. Also, canister durability is improved by continuously storing and purging vapors in opposite directions.

Abstract: A method is presented for correcting estimates of engine output torque and accessory load torque. Engine output torque estimates are corrected when the accessory is disengaged from the engine. Accessory load torque is learned, or corrected, when the accessory is engaged to the engine. In one example, these corrections are made when engine output torque is known to be substantially zero from torque converter speed ratio or from the timing of the overrunning clutch engagement. This information is then used to control engine output torque to improve drive feel and vehicle performance.

Abstract: A method is presented for diagnosing a condition in the fuel vapor purge system. The engine, the fuel tank and the carbon canister are connected in a three-way connection. The engine can be selectively isolated by a purge control valve, and the fuel tank can be selectively isolated by a fuel tank control valve. The operation of both valves is coordinated by an electronic engine controller. By isolating the fuel tank, and comparing the actual rate of change of the internal tank pressure (from the tank pressure sensor) to the estimated rate of change (from engine operating conditions) it is possible to determine if a condition occurred, and whether it is in the tank or in the vapor purge lines.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which includes an insert installed in the fuel filler neck on board a vehicle. The insert ensures that only nozzles dispensing both fuel and reductant are allowed to couple with the filler neck.

Abstract: A method of continuously estimating barometric pressure values for use in an engine control system. The vehicle includes an manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor, ambient air temperature sensor and a throttle position sensor. The method comprises the steps of determining the manifold absolute pressure, ambient air temperature, and throttle position. When the throttle position is at wide-open throttle, the method generates a barometric pressure value ({circumflex over (P)}anew) as a function of the manifold absolute pressure value (P) and previously estimated barometric pressure. Otherwise, the method generates a barometric pressure value as a function of the manifold absolute pressure value (P), and an estimated intake manifold pressure ({circumflex over (P)}) and estimated mass airflow (). In a further embodiment, a mass airflow sensor is also used to generate the estimated barometric pressure value when the engine is not operating at wide-open throttle.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine to improve air/fuel ratio control particularly during transient operating modes include estimating cylinder air charge during a future fuel injection event. The system and method use a dynamic airflow actuator position model to determine future actuator position which is then used by an airflow model and manifold filling model to provide the estimated future cylinder air charge. The system and method use observer-based and adaptive control to compensate for modeling errors and sensor dynamics while assuring stability and accurate prediction of airflow actuator position and airflow.

Abstract: A method of generating a shift schedule and combustion mode schedule to optimize performance characteristics of a lean capable, multiple combustion mode engine associated with a manual transmission with a time-variant after-treatment system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of generating a lowest cost value for fuel economy and vehicle emissions as a function of an engine operating mode, wherein the engine operating mode is selected from a group consisting of a homogeneous stoichiometric mode, a homogeneous lean mode, and a stratified mode. The lowest cost value is stored in a shift schedule and combustion mode schedule along with the engine operating parameters that achieved the lowest cost value. Then, at a particular vehicle speed and wheel torque, the actual transmission gear is compared to the optimal transmission gear as determined by the shift schedule and combustion mode schedule.

Abstract: A method of generating a shift schedule and combustion mode schedule to optimize performance characteristics of a lean capable, multiple combustion mode engine with a time-variant after-treatment system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of generating a lowest cost value for fuel economy and vehicle emissions as a function of an engine operating mode, wherein the engine operating mode is selected from a group consisting of a homogeneous stoichiometric mode, a homogeneous lean mode, and a stratified mode. The lowest cost value is stored in a shift schedule and combustion mode schedule along with the engine operating parameters that achieved the lowest cost value.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having at least one cylinder is provided. The engine includes an intake manifold and an outlet control device for controlling flow from the intake manifold into the cylinder. The method includes generating an operator command. The method further includes controlling flow into the cylinder by changing the outlet control device to control flow into the cylinder based on the operator command.

Abstract: A method for controlling mode transitions, such as from stratified to homogeneous mode, in a direct injection engine adjusts a number of cylinders carrying out combustion to prevent engine torque disturbances. Cylinder activation is used when changes in cylinder air/fuel ratio cannot be compensated using ignition timing adjustments. In addition, the number of cylinders to activate is also determined and measures are taken if the number of cylinders determined are not available to be activated.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having both an electronically controlled inlet device, such as an electronic throttle unite, and an electronically controlled outlet device, such as a variable cam timing system is disclosed. The method of the present invention achieves cylinder air charge control that is faster than possible by using an inlet device alone. In other words, the method of the present invention controls cylinder air charge faster than manifold dynamics by coordination of the inlet and outlet device. This improved control is used to improve various engine control functions.

Abstract: An engine control system for managing lean NOx trap decontamination uses associated fuel economy impacts to determine when decontamination is enabled. In particular, a maximum achievable benefit provided by lean operation with a decontaminated NOx trap, a present fuel economy benefit being provided by lean operation, and a fuel economy penalty for performing decontamination are used. When a resulting benefit is greater than a penalty, decontamination is enabled.

Abstract: A control method for an internal combustion engine has multiple cylinder groups with at least one control device positioned between an intake manifold and a cylinder group. The engine operates the cylinder groups at different air/fuel ratios and uses the control device to balance torque produced by the different cylinder groups. In one aspect of the invention, one cylinder group is operated rich and another cylinder group is operated lean thereby providing heat to an exhaust system located downstream of the engine.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation systems directs exhaust gasses from an exhaust manifold to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust gasses travel from the exhaust manifold, first passing through a flow control valve and then through a measuring orifice before entering the intake manifold. Pressure difference across the orifice is used, along with correction factors based on the pressure difference and pressure downstream of the orifice, to measure and control exhaust gas flow. Further, manifold pressure is determined from downstream pressure and the used along with the measured exhaust gas flow to calculated a cylinder air charge amount.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation systems directs exhaust gasses from an exhaust manifold to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust gasses travel from the exhaust manifold, first passing through a flow control valve and then through a measuring orifice before entering the intake manifold. Pressure difference across the orifice is used, along with correction factors based on the pressure difference and pressure downstream of the orifice, to measure and control exhaust gas flow.