Abstract: A system and method are provided for estimating NOx produced by an internal combustion engine. The flow rate of fuel supplied to the engine and a plurality of engine operating parameters are monitored. NOx produced by the engine is estimated based on a product of the flow rate of fuel and a function of the plurality of engine operating parameters. The NOx estimate is stored in memory.

Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including a step of setting a search range of the crank angle of a peak value P that is the largest integrated value in a vibration waveform of an engine detected by calculating integrated values that are integrals of output voltage values of a knock sensor for every five degrees of a crank angle such that the search range may include the crank angle increasing with increase in engine speed NE, and a step of detecting the crank angle of the largest integrated value in the search range, and setting the detected crank angle as the crank angle of peak value P in the vibration waveform. At the crank angle based on the crank angle of peak value P, the vibration waveform is compared with a knock waveform model.

Abstract: A method of detecting faults in an injector arrangement in an engine. The injector arrangement comprises at least one fuel injector having a piezoelectric actuator, and the method comprises: charging the piezoelectric actuator during a charge phase (tC); attempting to recharge the piezoelectric actuator during a test phase (tT) which commences after a time interval (?t) following the end of the charge phase (tC); sensing a current (IS) that flows through the piezoelectric actuator during the test phase (tT); and generating a short circuit fault signal if the sensed current (IS) reaches a first predetermined threshold current (ISC) which is indicative of a short circuit in the piezoelectric actuator.

Abstract: When engine stop control is executed, an ECU estimates input power to a power storage device in accordance with an estimation of power generated by a generator and estimation of total power consumption of circuitry from the generator to the power storage device in the current state of operation. Further, the ECU compares the estimated input power with a tolerable input power to the storage device. When the generated power is excessive, the state of operation of the circuitry is changed such that the total power consumption by the circuitry increases, and then, torque output of the generator is permitted, to attain desired deceleration at the engine stop. Accordingly, in the engine stop control in which stopping force is generated by the power generating operation by the rotating electric machine, excessive charging caused by excessive power input to the power storage device can be prevented.

Abstract: A requested injection time InjT that is necessary for a fuel injector to inject a fuel per one combustion cycle is computed in response to variables of an accelerator manipulated by a driver. An injectable time InjMax per one combustion cycle is computed on the basis of an engine speed, and whether the requested injection time InjT is larger than the injectable time InjMax is determined. Then, when it is positively determined that the requested injection time InjT is larger than the injectable time InjMax, the fuel pump is subjected to load-up operation so as to increase a fuel feed pressure.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, gasoline is injected directly into a combustion chamber and ignited by auto-ignition. The characteristics map range within which fuel is ignited by auto-ignition is enlarged by supercharging the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A return-flow electronic fuel pressure regulator for a fuel-injected engine fuel system is plumbed to the fuel rail and return line of the fuel system. The regulator includes a fill chamber connected to the fuel rail, a return chamber connected to the return line and a return reservoir disposed between the fill chamber and return chamber. Fuel flow from the fill chamber to the return reservoir is regulated via a diaphragm valve assembly. Fuel flow from the return reservoir to the return chamber is subject to restriction by an adjustable valve. Integral comparative pressure sensing means measures the fuel pressure drop between the return reservoir and return chamber. An electronic control module, preferably programmed to maintain a constant pressure drop between the return reservoir and return chamber, receives a signal from the pressure sensing means and outputs a power supply signal to the fuel pump to control pump speed.

Abstract: A prediction based engine control system is disclosed. The engine control system may have sensor configured to sense a current engine operation and generate a corresponding signal and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller may be configured to receive the signal, compare the current engine operation to an allowable range of engine operation, predict a future engine operation based on the signal, and limit current engine operation based on the prediction, even when the current engine operation is within the allowable range of operation.

Abstract: An engine model is configured so as to include a crankshaft periphery motion equations computing block, a friction model, an intake air pressure estimation model, an in-cylinder pressure estimation model, a combustion waveform calculation block, an atmospheric pressure correction term calculation block, and an atmospheric temperature correction term calculation block. While combustion is cut off, the friction model is learned and updated using estimated relating to the crank stop position calculated by the engine model and measured data relating to the crank stop position.

Abstract: An engine load estimating apparatus, including an actuator that changes a position of a top dead center of a piston of the engine, and a controller in communication with the actuator. The controller detects a drive output of the actuator when the actuator changes the position of the top dead center of the piston, and estimates the load of the engine based on the detected drive output of the actuator.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a flow of intake air entering an internal combustion engine. At least some of the intake air is diverted away from the engine in response to detection of a first operating condition that is indicative of a minimum engine fueling rate. A second operating condition that is indicative of a flow rate of the intake air entering the engine is monitored, and diverting at least some of the intake air away from the engine is discontinued if the second operating condition indicates that the flow rate of the intake air entering the engine is within a threshold value of a target flow rate.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a controllable throttle control device and controllable engine valves. A method for controlling the engine includes monitoring engine operation and an exhaust gas feedstream, and estimating a cylinder charge temperature based upon the monitored engine operation. Oxygen concentration of the cylinder charge is determined based upon the monitored exhaust gas feedstream, and preferred oxygen concentration of the cylinder charge and preferred cylinder charge temperature are determined. The engine valves are controlled based upon the preferred oxygen concentration of the cylinder charge, the preferred cylinder charge temperature, the oxygen concentration of the cylinder charge, and the estimated cylinder charge temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling combustion in a pilot ignition gas engine connected to an electric generator of a power generator unit installed near a coal mine. The engine utilizes recovered methane gas and ventilation air methane gas from the coal mine by adjusting methane concentration to produce a lean air-methane gas mixture. Gas engine output torque is controlled to maintain |?Td|?|?Ts|>0, where |?Td| is the absolute value of change rate of load torque Td required to drive the generator in relation to engine rotation speed, and |?Ts| is the absolute value of change rate of output torque Ts in relation to engine rotation speed at an intersection of torque curves. Excess air ratio is controlled to be 2 or larger so that lean mixture burning is performed while avoiding misfiring and knocking by controlling the mixing ratio of recovered methane gas with ventilation air methane.

Abstract: An ignition coil for an internal combustion engine can increase a contact area between an end of a GND line terminal and a bolt thereby to reduce the contact resistance therebetween. In the ignition coil, a GND potential is ensured by the GND line terminal that is electrically connected at one end thereof to an igniter and at the other end thereof to the internal combustion engine through a bolt inserted into a bolt insertion hole formed in a mounting flange. The GND line terminal is formed at the other end thereof with a bearing surface portion having a hole into which the bolt is inserted. At least part of an inner diameter of the hole in the bearing surface portion is smaller than an inner diameter of the bolt insertion hole.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having a variable valve actuator includes operating the engine in a first mode where the engine carries out spark ignition combustion of air and fuel; and changing operation to a second mode where the engine carries out homogenous charge compression ignition combustion of air and fuel. The variable valve actuator unit is adjusted in response to said change to provide a shorter valve opening or lift.

Abstract: Low emission high performance engines, multiple cylinder engines and operating methods based on compression ignition of a combustion chamber charge already containing at least some fuel and air. Air is injected into the combustion chamber after top dead center is reached to maintain combustion until all fuel is consumed. Various modes of operation are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for controlling an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, including a control unit for monitoring and limiting the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine that are designed in such a manner that after a predetermined first speed threshold an integral formation of the current present values over time occurs, and that, on reaching a predetermined integral limit value, the rotational speed is automatically limited.

Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine having a common rail system together with individual accumulators. A rotational speed-control deviation (dn) is determined from a target rotational speed (nSL) that represents the set point for an outer control loop to control the rotational speed, as well as from an actual rotational speed (nIST). A target torque (MSL) is determined from the rotational speed-control deviation (dn) via a rotational speed controller as a master controller. A target injection duration (SD(SOLL)) is determined from the target torque (MSL). The target duration injection (SD(SOLL)) represents the set point for an inner control loop for controlling cylinder-specific injection duration. An injection duration deviation is determined from the target injection duration (SD(SOLL)) and from an actual injection duration.

Abstract: A torque control system comprises a torque correction factor module, a RPM-torque transition module, and a selection module. The torque correction factor module determines a first torque correction factor and a second torque correction factor. The RPM-torque transition module stores the first torque correction factor. The selection module selectively outputs one of the first torque correction factor and the second torque correction factor based on a control mode of the torque control system.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for determining the timing of an injection cycle relative to an operating cycle of a four-stroke engine (ECH, ADM, COMP, DET), the timing being possibly correct or wrong, the method including the step of operating the engine while modifying a first operating parameter of the engine adapted to bring about on the engine operating effects which are different depending on whether the timing is correct or wrong; it consists in simultaneously modifying a second operating parameter of the engine adapted to bring about on the engine operating mode effects which compensate the effects modifying the first operating parameter of the engine when the timing is correct, and which do not compensate the efforts modifying the first operating parameter of the engine when the timing is wrong.