Abstract: A method of braking for a vehicle with a multi-phase electric motor, said motor including at least one stator group including a first stator arrangement and a second stator arrangement, each arrangement including three coils, each arrangement connected to respective low side and/or high side circuitry, each low side and/or high side circuitry including respective low side switches and high side switches, said method including: for either of said second or first arrangements, i) setting any two of said switches in said low side circuitry to a closed state and the other switch in an open state, and setting all the switches in the high side to an open state; and/or ii) setting any two of said switches in said high side circuitry to a closed state and setting the other switch to an open state, and setting all the switches on the low side to an open state.

Abstract: A method of determining the acceleration of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine including one or more cylinders, with respect to each combustion event, n, among a plurality of combustion events, includes a) providing a signal indicative of crankshaft speed, with the signal including a series of minima and maxima speeds with respect to each successive combustion event and b) determining the acceleration of the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine with respect to each combustion event, n, among the plurality of combustion events, based on an initial speed value of a minima, Min (n) just before the combustion event, n, and a subsequent speed value of a maximum, Max (n) immediately subsequent to the combustion event, n, in addition to a speed of a minima for a subsequent combustion event, Min (n+1).

Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector body which accommodates a pole piece of a solenoid actuator. A top portion of the injector body includes a cylindrically formed generally open-ended recessed portion. The recessed portions accommodates a generally cylindrical pole piece, wherein the pole piece includes a bore located along a central axis to provide a fuel flow path. The top portion of the pole piece includes a cylindrically formed recess so as to form a sleeve or lip portion.

Abstract: A method of controlling a catalytic exhaust system having a first catalytic unit located upstream of a second catalytic unit includes i) providing a relationship between the temperature of the first catalytic unit, an amount of NH3 stored in the second catalytic unit, and a corresponding limit value of the amount of NH3 permitted in the first catalytic unit; ii) measuring or estimating the amount of NH3 in the second catalytic unit; iii) measuring or estimating the temperature of the first catalytic unit; iv) using the relationship and measured/estimated parameters of steps ii and iii to provide the limit value for the amount of NH3 to be stored in the first catalytic unit; and v) using the parameter from iv in the control of the catalytic exhaust system.

Abstract: A high pressure fuel pump is provided with a pumping bore and a pressure relief valve only opening to enable a return flow from the outlet conduit back to the compression chamber when the pressure in the outlet conduit exceeds a predetermined threshold. The pressure relief valve is arranged in an elongated pressure relief valve chamber extending parallel and offset to the pumping bore.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a solenoid actuated fuel injector having a solenoid actuator which moves a pintle and needle arrangement such that the needle moves away from a valve seat to an open position and also includes circuitry which applies chopped hysteresis control subsequent to an energisation phase. The method includes a) obtaining a signal of the current or voltage across the solenoid; b) analyzing the voltage or current to detect a chopped hysteresis pulse; c) determining the time point of the end of said chopped hysteresis pulse; and d) applying a braking pulse to the solenoid, the timing of which is dependent on the results of step c).

Abstract: A method of controlling the commutation of a brushless direct current motor includes providing sensors which provide a variable output dependent on rotational angle or the relative position of the stator and rotor of the motor. Output from the sensors is sampled at a time between a past commutation event and the next commutation event to be implemented. An angular position between the rotor and stator is determined at the time. The time of the next commutation event is determined based on the next commutation angle, motor speed, and the determined angular position.

Abstract: A device for controlling a camshaft phaser includes a hydraulic element with a body, a slide assembly having a slide body, and a valve assembly with a first valve, a second valve, and a third valve. The device also includes an actuator which moves along a longitudinal axis between 1) a first position in which the first valve opens or closes a first fluid communication, 2) a second position in which the second valve and the tray open or close a second fluid communication, and 3) a third position in which the third valve and the slide body open or close a third fluid communication between a retard port and a retard chamber.

Abstract: A control screw for a camshaft phase shifter of an internal combustion engine extends along a longitudinal axis. The control screw includes a screw body. The control screw also includes a tubular spool assembly having a control valve assembly with at least three rigid rings and at least two valves. Each valve includes at least one vane connected to two flexible arms. The valve is connected to two consecutive rigid rings.

Abstract: A method of controlling the fuel air mixture of an internal combustion engine following a cold restart includes determining a control parameter based on the value of current coolant temperature at time of current engine start, the value of coolant temperature at time of the previous engine start, a calibratable reference temperature, the total accumulated fuel mass injected during previous engine run time, the time the engine was off before the restart, and the time the engine was run after previous start. The method also includes controlling the fuel air mixture based on said control parameter.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly includes a body, a valve member, and a clamp member maintaining a flow director member against the body. The flow director member is sandwiched between the peripheral wall and the clamp member, and is provided with an outlet path including two distinct guidance channels extending from an upstream end and a common downstream end where is a spray hole. The outlet path creates impingement of the two flow streams flowing in the two channels before entering the spray hole.

Abstract: An ignition system including a spark plug control unit adapted to control at least two coil stages to provide a current to a spark plug, including two stages including a first transformer including a first primary winding inductively coupled to a first secondary winding; a second transformer including a second primary winding inductively coupled to a second secondary winding; the control unit enabled to simultaneously switch on and off two corresponding switches to maintain a continuous ignition fire, and includes a step-down converter stage with a switch and a diode. The method includes i) switching off the switch; and ii) toggling the two corresponding switches.

Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle system including a battery, the terminals of which supply positive and negative power rails, and including a bulk capacitor located in series with a switching device, and being electrically connected between the power rails. A heater having a heating resistance is connected in series with a heater switch, and is electrically connected between the power rails. A link is electrically connected between a point between the bulk capacitor and the switching device to a point between heating resistance and the heater switch.

Abstract: An ignition system includes a controller which controls two stages—to provide current to a spark plug. The stages include a first transformer including a first primary winding and a first secondary winding and a second transformer including a second primary winding and a second secondary winding. A switch is electrically connected between a supply high side and the high side of the first primary winding. A second switch is electrically connected between the first primary winding and the power supply low side supply. A third switch is connected between the junction of the switch and high side end of the first inductor and a point between the low side of the second primary winding and low side supply. A fourth switch is located between the low side of the second primary winding and the point. A fifth switch is located between the point and low side supply.

Abstract: A multi-charge ignition system including a spark plug control unit adapted to control at least two coil stages so as to successively energise and de-energise the coil stages to provide a current to a spark plug, the two stages including a first transformer including a first primary winding inductively coupled to a first secondary winding a second transformer including a second primary winding inductively coupled to a second secondary winding. A first switch is located between the high end side of the first primary winding and the high end side of the second primary winding, and a second switch is located between the low side of the first primary winding and high side of the second primary winding.

Abstract: A method of providing a model which provides air/fuel ratio at a point of an air/fuel sensor located in an exhaust system of an engine includes a) providing a first model which provides a first air/fuel ratio which is outlet from an exhaust manifold of the engine; b) measuring or estimating volumetric flow through the exhaust; c) applying a transfer function to the first air/fuel ratio to provide a model of the air/fuel ratio at the sensor. The transfer function includes a first order filter and is dependent on the volumetric flow. The transfer function has a time constant equivalent to a filter coefficient which is 1/time constant which is determined based on the flow rate.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a block heater has been used prior to starting an internal combustion engine includes monitoring the temperature with time of the intake air subsequent to the start of the engine. The method also includes determining whether there is a subsequent drop in the temperature after starting. If a temperature drop is determined, a parameter of the temperature drop with time is determined. If the parameter becomes larger than a predetermined threshold, block heater use is indicated.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a solenoid activated fuel injector, actuator being operated by applying a activation pulse profile to the solenoid. The method includes measuring the voltage across, or current through, the solenoid during a time period of the valve closing phase, subsequent to a valve opening phase. The method also includes determining at least one parameter from the measuring step. The method also includes controlling and varying the activation pulse profile during a subsequent activation/fueling cycle of the fuel injector based on the parameter.

Abstract: A multi-charge ignition system includes a spark plug control unit adapted to control at least two coil stages so as to successively energise and de-energise the coil stages to provide a current to a spark plug. The two stages include a first transformer including a first primary winding inductively coupled to a first secondary winding; a second transformer including a second primary winding inductively coupled to a second secondary winding. An auxiliary primary winding is connected from the common high side of the primary winding in series to an auxiliary secondary winding, the other end of said auxiliary secondary winding is electrically connected to ground/low side, and includes a switch which selectively allows current to pass through the auxiliary windings.

Abstract: A fuel pump includes a mechanical regulating valve arranged in a pump body which modulates the pressure in a high pressure space so that the pressure matches the engine demand. Modulation by the regulating valve requires adjustment of the inlet fuel quantity, adjustment of the volume of the high pressure space, and control of a return fluid communication enabling fuel to exit the high pressure reservoir.