Abstract: A method for detecting the anti-knocking capacity of a fuel in an internal combustion engine, which comprises the step of analyzing the single combustion cycles of the cylinders to be repeated until a counter reaches a respective threshold value; the step of calculating the mean spark advance operated by the internal combustion engine in the single combustion cycles of the cylinders that have allowed said counter to reach the respective threshold value; and the step of determining the anti-knocking capacity of the fuel as a function of the first counter that has reached the respective threshold value and as a function of the mean spark advance operated by the internal combustion engine in the single combustion cycles of the cylinders that have allowed said counter to reach the respective threshold value.

Abstract: A spark ignition engine system for communicating data includes a capacitive discharge ignition system using a microcontroller for controlling the spark ignition of a light-duty internal combustion engine; a memory device communicated with the microcontroller, wherein the micro-controller obtains engine data from the light-duty internal combustion engine and stores the engine data or software using the memory device; and a powering connection and a separate data connection that are electrically connected to different pins of the microcontroller, wherein the powering connection supplies power to the microcontroller while engine data or software is communicated via the data connection.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a single heat exchanger coupled to a main exhaust passage upstream of one or more exhaust catalysts or in between two exhaust catalysts for exhaust heat recovery and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooling. In one example, in the pre-catalyst configuration of the heat exchanger, during exhaust heat recovery, a portion of exhaust may be routed via the heat exchanger while the remaining portion of exhaust may be routed directly to the exhaust catalysts, and fueling may be adjusted on a per-cylinder basis to maintain a target exhaust air-fuel-ratio at the exhaust catalysts.

Abstract: A control device for an engine includes an electronic control unit configured to estimate a water content mixed in engine oil based on a history of a fuel injection amount during an operation of the engine and restrain freezing of water such that, when the water content thus estimated is a predetermined amount or more, the electronic control unit increases a mixing amount of the fuel into the engine oil as compared with a case where the water content thus estimated is less than the predetermined amount. The control device estimates the water content mixed in the engine oil as a function of an integrated value of water content while an oil temperature of the engine is less than a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine having an auto stop function, an electric pump motor drivably coupled to a transmission pump and a heat exchanger pump, and at least one controller. The controller is configured to control the pump motor to operate the transmission pump to supply hydraulic pressure to a transmission, and to operate the heat exchanger pump to provide flow from the engine to a heater core radiator in response to the engine being auto stopped.

Abstract: An engine diagnostic system includes an engine and a control system having a controller operatively connected to the engine. A monitoring system has a measurement device operatively connected to the engine. A diagnostic system is operatively connected to the engine. A communication system is configured to send and receive data from a remote location. The diagnostic system is configured to implement a non-starting engine diagnostic procedure, at least a portion of which is performed while the engine is cranking, and to transmit data generated during the engine diagnostic procedure to the remote location through the communication system.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder spark-ignition internal combustion engine (engine) that includes a dedicated-cylinder exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is described. The dedicated-cylinder EGR system includes a controllable exhaust gas diverter valve that selectively diverts all exhaust gas produced by one of the cylinders to an air intake system of the engine. A method for controlling the engine includes monitoring a parameter associated with operation of the dedicated-cylinder EGR system. Upon detecting a change in the parameter that indicates a change in operation of the dedicated-cylinder EGR system, a controller controls operation of the internal combustion engine to reduce an effective cylinder compression ratio.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a fuel control module, a transmission control module, and a starter control module. The fuel control module selectively stops fuel delivery to cylinders of an engine while the engine is coupled to a transmission of a vehicle when an accelerator pedal is not depressed. The transmission control module selectively decouples the engine from the transmission while fuel delivery to the cylinders is stopped. The fuel control module selectively allows the engine to stop while the vehicle is moving by not resuming fuel delivery to the cylinders when the engine is decoupled from the engine. The starter control module controls a starter to automatically restart the engine when the accelerator pedal is depressed after fuel delivery to the cylinders is stopped and the engine is decoupled from the engine.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting throttle obstructions in a vehicle. In one example, after engine start up, throttle icing condition resulting from the throttle capturing ice fragments originally formed within a charge air cooler or an intake passage upstream of throttle, may be detected. Responsive to detecting the throttle icing condition, the throttle may be adjusted to a fully open position independent of accelerator pedal position, and maintained at the fully open position for a threshold duration while maintaining a desired torque, to release the captured ice fragments from the throttle.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically varying an amount slippage of a Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) provided between an engine and a transmission of a vehicle in response to non-powertrain factors. By varying a slippage output signal, the amount of TCC slippage between the engine and the transmission can be adjusted. Small amounts of slippage, relative to large amounts of slippage, provide (a) improved vehicle fuel economy, but (b) induce more powertrain noise and vibration in the vehicle cabin. By dynamically adjusting the slippage, a tradeoff between improved fuel economy vs. a satisfying driver experience can be realized.

Abstract: A filter arrangement of a vehicle includes a filter, preferably an active carbon filter, a sprung suspension for the vibrational mounting of the filter in the vehicle, a sensor unit for determining a variable corresponding to the current weight of the filter from a vibrational movement of the filter, and an analyzing unit for calculating a filling degree of the filter from the filter weight determined, taking the empty weight of the filter into account. The filter is suspended such that the filter can vibrate about a rotational axis fixed to the vehicle.

Abstract: An injector clip includes a lower plate formed to support a fuel injection portion of an injector, a base plate is formed to engage with and support a connection portion of the injector and an engagement support portion elastically supports the lower plate and the base plate to return the fuel injection portion to an original position after being displaced. A spring arm is formed by extending from the base plate to support a fuel inlet portion of the injector. Accordingly the load resulting from fuel injection of a fuel injector is attenuated and p a fuel injection device is prevented from rotating.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes combusting a mixture of fresh air and fuel within multiple cylinders. The method also includes directing a first portion of exhaust gases into a first-stage turbine and a second-stage turbine of a turbocharger for expanding the exhaust gases, directing a second portion of exhaust gases from the exhaust manifold via an exhaust channel bypassing the first-stage turbine and recirculating a third portion of exhaust gases into an intake manifold after mixing with fresh air. The method includes controlling at least one of: reducing a normal engine speed at each engine power setting while maintaining constant engine power level by increasing a fuel injection per cycle; concurrently increasing a flow rate of the third portion of exhaust gas during recirculation; and advancing a fuel injection timing for reducing emission levels that meets Tier 4 requirements.

Abstract: Various methods are provided for operating a fuel pump. In one example, a method of operating a fuel pump comprises iteratively reducing an on-duration of a low pressure fuel pump pulse, until a peak outlet pressure of the fuel pump decreases from a peak outlet pressure corresponding to a previous pulse, to identify a minimum pulse duration, and applying a pulse having the minimum pulse duration to the fuel pump.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine (i) acquires a rotational speed signal correlated with a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, (ii) extracts, from the acquired rotational speed signal, at least first-order and lower-order than the first-order components of the rotational speed signal, (iii) extracts, from the acquired rotational speed signal, at least an n-th-order component of the rotational speed signal, (iv) determines that no disturbance has occurred when a first-order parameter regarding a magnitude of an amplitude of the extracted first-order and lower-order than the first-order components is smaller than a first threshold, and (v) determines that a disturbance has occurred when the first-order parameter is equal to or larger than the first threshold and an n-th-order parameter regarding an amplitude of the extracted n-th-order component is equal to or larger than a second threshold.

Abstract: A computer that includes at least one processor and memory. The processor of the computer can be programmed to execute instructions stored on the memory that include controlling, based on a temperature, which of a plurality of power sources of a vehicle battery are coupled to a starter circuit during a vehicle ignition event.

Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine includes a cylinder, an in-cylinder pressure sensor, a fuel injection valve, and an alcohol concentration sensor. The control device includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: carry out learning of fuel properties with the fuel injected from the fuel injection valve as a target; calculate a combustion speed parameter, showing a combustion speed, within the cylinder, of the fuel that is a learning target of the fuel properties, on a basis of the in-cylinder pressure; and determine that water is included in the fuel when the capacitance of the fuel detected by the alcohol concentration sensor is larger than a preset first threshold, and when the combustion speed of the fuel within the cylinder is smaller than a preset second threshold.

Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine has a controller configured to control a fuel injection valve arranged to directly inject a fuel into a combustion chamber, and a variable compression ratio mechanism arranged to vary an upper dead center position of a piston, and thereby to vary a compression ratio of the internal combustion engine. The controller is configured to control a fuel cut by which the fuel injection from the fuel injection valve is stopped, when a predetermined fuel cut condition is satisfied during a traveling of a vehicle. The fuel injection from the fuel injection valve is restarted when a predetermined fuel cut recovery condition is satisfied during the fuel cut.

Abstract: In a control apparatus mounted in a vehicle supporting start-stop control, for controlling a power supply system, a target charge level setter variably sets a target charge level of a second rechargeable battery when an internal-combustion engine of the vehicle is operating. The target charge level setter sets the target charge level to a higher level as load current increases, and when setting the target charge level, performs at least one of subtracting a first load quantity indicative of a current that is supplied to first electrical loads from a detected value of the load current and adding a second load quantity indicative of a current that is supplied to second electrical loads to the detected value of the load current. The first electrical loads operate when the internal-combustion engine is operating, and the second electrical loads operate when the engine is not operating.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine with a piston having a piston head with a resonance cavity opening onto the head, and where a fuel nozzle located in a cylinder head is positioned to inject a fuel such as natural gas into the combustion chamber where resonance formed within the resonance cavity will ignite the fuel without the need of a spark plug. Inlet and exhaust ports in the cylinder head allow for air and combustion gas enter or leave the combustion chamber.