Abstract: A compression ratio varying mechanism of an engine includes an upper link connected to the piston, and a lower link connected to the crankshaft and to the upper link. A control link is connected to the lower end of the upper link and/or to the upper end of the lower link. A lever arm is connected to a lever control shaft, and is controlled in its orientation thereby. The control link is connected to the lever arm, and is substantially the same length as the lever arm. The crankpin offset, the length of the lower link, and the position of the lever control shaft are such that the position of the connection between the control link and the upper and lower links coincides with the position of the lever control shaft at the Bottom Dead Center position of the piston and crankshaft.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling variable speed coolant pumps for vehicle cooling systems utilizes a controller that incorporates measured heat rejection and hydraulic system performance data of the cooling system. The controller calculates coolant flow and pressures at reduced coolant pump speeds. The controller then predicts coolant temperatures at the reduced water pump speeds, and establishes a maximum allowable heat flux to avoid boiling of the coolant. The controller then optimizes the speed of the variable speed coolant pump to prevent the coolant from exceeding the maximum allowable heat flux. The maximum allowable heat flux may be determined by keeping the heat flux within a region characterized by interface evaporation pure convection and/or within a region characterized by nucleate boiling bubbles condensing. The controller may also determine power savings created by optimizing the speed of the coolant pump.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for estimating engine exhaust nitrogen oxide sensor signal instability in transient conditions, for example when rapid changes occur in driver demanded torque, and for eliminating fluctuations in EONOx sensor signal status, in order to have more robust on-board diagnostics monitoring and exhaust nitrogen oxide control. The system and method predicts EONOx sensor signal instability by comparing a calculated pedal based driver demand torque delta to calculated instability thresholds and instability threshold hysteresis margins, and generates instability flags. The system and method further validates any predicted EONOx sensor signal instability by observation. Upon validation of the predicted EONOx sensor signal instability, the system and method latches the EONOx sensor signal status to a stable value.

Abstract: A virtual diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) quality monitor repeatedly performs an intrusive test for disclosing use of adulterated DEF by injecting a controlled quantity of DEF into a diesel engine exhaust aftertreatment system upstream of an SCR catalyst while the engine operates and then processing certain data obtained from the test.

Abstract: A system for conducting a rationality check of a transmission grade sensor includes a controller configured to calculate a change in elevation over time based on a change in barometric pressure. The controller calculates another change in elevation based on an average grade determined from a transmission grade sensor. The controller compares the second change in elevation to the first change in elevation and, if there is a significant discrepancy between them, calculates a grade correction factor. The controller then modifies the shift logic and/or shift schedule of the transmission based on the average grade from the transmission grade sensor and on the grade correction factor.

Abstract: A system and method for dissipating vehicle under hood heat accumulated during stationary engine operation at high load or RPM and/or under high temperature ambient conditions is installed in a vehicle having an engine positioned within an engine compartment, and a cooling fan selectively driven by way of a fan clutch. The system includes a controller connected to the engine and to the fan clutch. The controller determines whether the period of stationary engine operation occurs at or above a threshold engine load or RPM, at or above a threshold engine operating temperature, at or above a threshold ambient temperature, and/or for or longer than a threshold stationary engine operation duration. If so, the at least one controller increases a low idle set point of the engine and commands the fan clutch to engage or remain engaged for a cool-down period following the period of stationary engine operation.

Abstract: A vehicle has a waste heat recovery (WHR) system and an engine. The WHR system includes a WHR working fluid circuit with a pump, a power turbine, and a condenser. An engine coolant circuit circulates coolant between the engine and an engine coolant heat exchanger/working fluid boiler in the WHR working fluid circuit. At least one exhaust gas heat exchanger/superheater in the WHR working fluid circuit receives waste heat from an exhaust circuit and/or from an exhaust gas recirculation circuit. A working fluid cooled charge air cooler in the WHR working fluid circuit receives waste heat from compressed charge air in a charge air intake circuit. A recuperator may transfer waste heat from working fluid passing from the power turbine to the condenser to working fluid passing from the working fluid cooled charge air cooler to the engine coolant heat exchanger/working fluid boiler.

Abstract: A device and method for preventing and removing piston deposit build-up on a piston cylinder assembly of an engine, including a diesel engine, is disclosed. A cylinder having an inner sleeve for receiving a piston, has a piston scraping ring positioned on the cylinder sleeve. The piston scraping ring includes an inner surface, and has a curved or hook shaped feature on its inner surface. The curved or hook shaped feature, named the ‘power groove’ for the purposes of this application, allows for reduced wear between the piston rings and the cylinder sleeve by reducing the pressure on the piston rings by expanding and reversing the flow of combustion gases. Additionally, this reversal of the combustion gases results in a decrease in blow-by gases passing between the piston rings and cylinder sleeve thereby improving sealing between the piston and the cylinder.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting engine settings and/or calibrations is based on engine and/or vehicle parameters, and/or environmental conditions, and is further based upon a forecasted drive cycle, forecasted driving condition, vehicle vocation, vehicle geographic location, vehicle load, type of operation, season of the year, vehicle system or subsystem condition and/or operation, and/or other factors. An engine of the vehicle has an ECU configured to store and implement an engine control map. At least one algorithm is operable to determine an engine control map specific to an engine operating parameter, a vehicle operating parameter, an environmental condition, and/or an expected range of settings and calibrations. At least one device is configured to wirelessly upload to the vehicle the specific engine control map, and then load or flash the specific engine control map to the ECU.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multiple embodiments of apparatus and method for providing an operator of a vehicle with output from at least one detector associated with the vehicle. According to one embodiment, at least one detector is operatively associated with a vehicle. At least one parameter of the vehicle is monitored with the at least one detector operatively associated with the vehicle. Output is generated with the at least one detector. The operator of the vehicle is provided with the output of the at least one detector such that operator distraction is not increased.

Abstract: One embodiment is a system comprising an engine structured to output torque to an accessory drive, a rotary load structured to be selectably driven by the accessory drive, and an electronic control system. The electronic control system is operable to selectably engage and disengage the rotary load effective to vary the load on the engine, monitor engine load values in coordination with engagement of the rotary load, store a data set comprising the monitored engine load values in association with values of one or more associated system conditions in a non-transitory memory medium, update a mathematical model of the system stored in the non-transitory memory medium in response to the engine load values to converge one or more model parameters, diagnose or prognosticate a failure state of the rotary load in response to a change in the one or more model parameters, and output a perceptible diagnostic indication of the failure state in response to the diagnosis or prognostication.

Abstract: A virtual diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) quality monitor repeatedly performs an intrusive test for disclosing use of adulterated DEF by injecting a controlled quantity of DEF into a diesel engine exhaust aftertreatment system upstream of an SCR catalyst while the engine operates and then processing certain data obtained from the test.

Abstract: A variable geometry mixer for mixing reductant with engine exhaust includes at least one movable mixer blade or set of movable vanes. The variable geometry mixer is operable to extend the mixer blade(s) into the flow of exhaust under low exhaust flow conditions and to retract the mixer blade(s) out of the flow of exhaust under high exhaust flow conditions, or to increase the angle of the movable vanes under low exhaust flow conditions and to decrease the angle of the movable vanes under high exhaust flow conditions. The movable mixer blade(s) may adjoin at least one fixed geometry defining component. Control of the angle or position of the mixer blade(s) or movable vanes may be based on exhaust flow conditions, exhaust temperature, reductant dosing quantity, a particulate filter regeneration event, vehicle information, vehicle engine information, vehicle location, topographical information, and/or environmental information.

Abstract: A vehicle has a waste heat recovery (WHR) system and an engine. The WHR system includes a WHR working fluid circuit with a pump, a power turbine, and a condenser. An engine coolant circuit circulates coolant between the engine and an engine coolant heat exchanger/working fluid boiler in the WHR working fluid circuit. At least one exhaust gas heat exchanger/superheater in the WHR working fluid circuit receives waste heat from an exhaust circuit and/or from an exhaust gas recirculation circuit. A working fluid cooled charge air cooler in the WHR working fluid circuit receives waste heat from compressed charge air in a charge air intake circuit. A recuperator may transfer waste heat from working fluid passing from the power turbine to the condenser to working fluid passing from the working fluid cooled charge air cooler to the engine coolant heat exchanger/working fluid boiler.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine determines an estimated NOx value as a function of at least one engine operating parameter. The method also determines an actual NOx value using a NOx sensor positioned in an exhaust gas stream of the internal combustion engine. The method detects at least one condition indicative of whether or not the actual NOx value is accurate. The actual NOx value is used for controlling engine operation when the at least one condition indicates that the actual NOx value is accurate, while the estimated NOx value is used for controlling engine operation when the at least one condition indicates that the actual NOx value is inaccurate.

Abstract: A method of controlling a variable geometry turbocharger is provided. A predefined desired boost pressure of a turbocharger is obtained from a memory. A predefined desired mass flow rate in an intake manifold of an engine is obtained from the memory. A theoretical amount of power required by the turbocharger to generate the desired boost pressure and the desired mass flow rate is calculated. An actual mass flow rate in the intake manifold is determined. An actual amount of power required by the turbocharger to generate the desired boost pressure and the actual mass flow rate is calculated. At least one adjustable vane of the turbine of the turbocharger is adjusted to allow the theoretical amount of power required of the turbocharger to generally equal the actual amount of power by adjusting the boost pressure.

Abstract: A device and method for preventing and removing piston deposit build-up on a piston cylinder assembly of an engine, including a diesel engine, is disclosed. A cylinder having an inner sleeve for receiving a piston, has a piston scraping ring positioned on the cylinder sleeve. The piston scraping ring includes an inner surface, and has a curved or hook shaped feature on its inner surface. The curved or hook shaped feature, named the ‘power groove’ for the purposes of this application, allows for reduced wear between the piston rings and the cylinder sleeve by reducing the pressure on the piston rings by expanding and reversing the flow of combustion gases. Additionally, this reversal of the combustion gases results in a decrease in blow-by gases passing between the piston rings and cylinder sleeve thereby improving sealing between the piston and the cylinder.

Abstract: A method for determining the degree of saturation of a solid ammonia storage material in a storage unit includes activating a heater to release ammonia from the storage material until the pressure of the storage unit reaches a predetermined pressure. The method then deactivates the heater and determining a decay rate of the pressure of the storage unit while the heater is deactivated. The method estimates the degree of saturation of the ammonia storage medium in response to the decay rate. According to some embodiments, determining the decay rate may include measuring the time required for the pressure of the storage unit to drop from a first pressure threshold to a second pressure threshold.

Abstract: A controller for a vehicle pneumatic system loads a compressor responsive to engine power absorption by the engine and air storage facility air pressure readings up to a pressure limit. The controller is responds to power demand on the engine in excess of an engine speed related global maximum and air pressure readings down to a global minimum for unloading the compressor. The controller provides for loading and unloading the compressor to maintain storage facility pressure within an operating maximum and an operating minimum which lie between the global maximum and global minimum pressures. The controller responds to air pressure readings reaching or falling below the global minimum for loading the compressor and to air pressure readings reaching or exceeding the global maximum for unloading the compressor.

Abstract: A control strategy for a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine has a repeating cycle of accelerating the vehicle during a more fuel efficient acceleration phase of the cycle followed by a deceleration phase of the cycle which uses little or no fuel.