Abstract: A pressure control valve system includes a pressure control valve, an electric actuator, an upstream pressure sensor, a downstream pressure sensor, and a controller. The electric actuator adjustably opens and closes the pressure control valve. The upstream pressure sensor measures pressure upstream of the pressure control valve and outputs a plurality of sequential upstream pressure signals over a plurality of successive periods in time. The downstream pressure sensor measures pressure downstream of the pressure control valve and outputs a plurality of sequential downstream pressure signals over the plurality of successive periods in time. The a controller receives the upstream and downstream pressure signals and outputs a plurality of sequential command signals to the electric actuator. Each sequential command signal is based on a respective one of the plurality of sequential downstream and upstream pressure signals for a respective one of the plurality of successive periods in time.

Abstract: An integrated starter and on-board electrical system disconnecting module for connecting to a starter battery and to an on-board electrical system by a transducer is disclosed. A method for limiting the starting current in a motor vehicle and the use of the integrated starter and on-board electrical system disconnecting module in multi-voltage on-board electrical systems, in particular during a start-stop operation of plug-in hybrid vehicles and for hybrid on-board electrical systems, are also disclosed. The transducer can be connected to a starter circuit including the starter battery from an on-board electrical system side, via a starter control device and via an on-board electrical system disconnector. The on-board electrical system can be uncoupled from the starter circuit and the starter control device and the on-board electrical system disconnector are integrated in the module.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing on-board separation of a fuel into a higher octane fuel fraction and a lower octane fuel fraction using a membrane under osmosis conditions. By performing the separation under osmosis conditions, the feed for separation can be exposed to the membrane without requiring prior heating. This can avoid the need for having a separate heat exchanger system for heating the feed to the membrane to a desired temperature range. Additionally or alternately, the permeate from the membrane separation can be at a pressure of roughly 100 kPa-a or higher. This can avoid the need for having an eductor to provide a pressure below 100 kPa-a for the permeate side of the membrane. The fuel fractions produced during the membrane separation can then be used as fuel in a dual-fuel spark ignition engine.

Abstract: An engine control system, vehicle system, and method are provided that are arranged to direct dynamically fuel management of an engine. The engine is operated a first firing fraction, a first cam phase, and a first throttle control position. A desired second firing fraction and a desired second cam phase are then determined. A torque request and a throttle area are determined. Further, a desired second throttle control position is determined based on at least the throttle area, the torque request, the desired second firing fraction, and the desired second cam phase. The method, control system, and vehicle system are configured to transition from the first firing fraction to the desired second firing fraction while transitioning from the first throttle control position to the desired second throttle control position. As such, delivered torque can be accurately controlled without the need for spark retard during the transition between firing fractions.

Abstract: A method and a system for operating an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to an internal combustion engine (ICE) are disclosed. The ETM operates as a motor with a first control strategy and as a generator with a second control strategy, the second control strategy being distinct from the first control strategy. The system comprises an engine control unit adapted for controlling an operation of the ETM according to the first and second control strategies. Electric and assisted start procedures are available for starting the ICE by delivering electric power from a power source to the ETM which is co-axially mounted to a crankshaft of the ICE. Assisted start includes delivering the electric power to the ETM while a recoil starter is used to rotate the crankshaft. A manual start procedure is also available. The power source is charged by the ETM when the ICE is running.

Abstract: A fuel vapor treatment apparatus includes a canister into which fuel vapor generated in a fuel tank is introduced, and the canister is configured to absorb the fuel vapor. An outside air introducing passage is connected with the canister and introduces outside air to the canister. The purge passage connects the canister and a portion of an air intake passage, the portion being located downstream of a throttle valve. The purge valve is provided in the purge passage and switches a channel of the purge passage to one of an open state and a closed state. A flow straightening device is provided in an area extending from a connecting place at which an exit portion of the purge valve is connected to the purge passage, to a connecting place at which the purge passage is connected to the air intake passage.

Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine includes a crown portion having a bowl that includes a plurality of protrusions. Each of the plurality of protrusions includes a first side surface and a second side surface. Other features including at least one ledge formed between protrusions in segments, and a generally flat, inward facing surface on the protrusions may also be used.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine to diagnose and compensate for cylinder imbalance in an engine. In one example, a method may include diagnosing a torque imbalance in a multi-cylinder engine by operating the engine at a lean air-fuel ratio (AFR) while an amount of ammonia stored in an selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system is greater than a threshold amount and a temperature of the engine is greater than a threshold temperature; and responsive to the diagnosed torque imbalance, adjusting fueling and spark timing for each cylinder, the adjustments based on an AFR offset of each cylinder determined while adjusting the lean AFR.

Abstract: A method for operating an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to an internal combustion engine (ICE) are disclosed. An engine control unit (ECU) controls the ETM to operate as a motor with a first control strategy and as a generator with a second control strategy. The second control strategy is distinct from the first control strategy. The ECU controls switching the operation of the ETM from the first control strategy to the second control strategy when a sensor senses that a rotational speed of the ICE is equal to or above a minimum revolution threshold.

Abstract: A small combustion engine mechanism including an engine, a driven device powered by the engine. The engine having a ratcheting reel mechanism, a recoil starter housing, a shaft member coupled to the reel mechanism, and a bearing member coupled to the recoil starter housing. The shaft member being supported by the bearing member. The engine also has a tool engaging member coupled to the shaft member, the tool engaging member being accessible to a tool driver.

Abstract: An intake device for a pump includes an inlet section extending in a first direction for guiding a fluid, an outlet section for delivering the fluid to an inlet of the pump, the outlet section extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a diverting section for diverting the fluid from the first to the second direction, the diverting section connecting the inlet and outlet sections, and having a bottom wall opposing the an outlet opening and a back wall opposing an inlet opening, the inlet section tapering towards the diverting section to decrease a cross sectional area of the inlet section, the diverting section includes a splitter member arranged on the bottom wall that tapers in the second direction towards the outlet opening, and the outlet section includes an essentially bell shaped reducing part for decreasing a cross sectional area of the outlet section.

Abstract: An engine control device includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to perform a spark discharge with an ignition plug for each cylinder by cutting off energization after elapse of a predetermined period from start of energization to an ignition coil for each cylinder of the engine, to stop the spark discharge caused by the ignition plug for each cylinder after supply of fuel to the engine is stopped when operation of the engine is stopped, and to control an ignition plug so as to stop the spark discharge caused by the ignition plug from a cylinder after a rotation speed of a crankshaft decreases gradually and the rotation speed of the crankshaft reaches a preset threshold value or less, after the stop of the supply of fuel to the engine.

Abstract: An end cap for a fuel filter includes a metal body with a first surface opposite a second surface. A hole extends through the first surface and the second surface of the body. A metal spring is connected to the first surface of the metal body and extends at least partially over the hole.

Abstract: A turbomachine includes a spool and a turbine section including a turbine and a turbine center frame. The turbine includes a first plurality of turbine rotor blades and a second plurality of turbine rotor blades alternatingly spaced along the axial direction and rotatable with one another. The turbomachine also includes a bearing assembly substantially completely supporting rotation of the turbine, the bearing assembly including a total of four bearings, each of the four bearings aligned with, or positioned aft of, the turbine center frame.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a forced-induction engine having a low pressure exhaust gas recirculation (LPEGR) system comprise determining a desired differential pressure (dP) at an inlet of a boost device based on an engine mass air flow (MAF) and a speed of the engine, wherein the engine further comprises a dP valve disposed upstream from an EGR port and a throttle valve disposed downstream from the boost device, determining a desired EGR mass fraction based on at least the engine MAF and the engine speed, determining a maximum throttle inlet pressure (TIP) based on the engine speed, the desired EGR mass fraction, and a barometric pressure, and performing coordinated control of the dP valve and the throttle valve based on the desired dP and the maximum TIP, respectively, thereby extending EGR operability to additional engine speed/load regions and increasing engine efficiency.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel injector includes determining a fuel pressure and a total fuel mass MTF to be injected per combustion cycle, defining first and second pulse widths PW1 and PW2 corresponding to first and second commanded fuel masses CM1 and CM2 wherein CM1+CM2=MTF, actuating the injector for the first and second pulse widths, detecting an opening delay for the injector, and storing the opening delay. The method may further include increasing PW1 and decreasing PW2 by a predetermined amount, repeating selected steps until PW2 is less than or equal to a predetermined minimum pulse width, changing the fuel pressure by a predetermined pressure amount, cycling through selected steps until the fuel pressure reaches a predetermined target fuel pressure, and commanding the injector to open earlier than a normally commanded opening time by a lead time based on stored opening delay data.

Abstract: An outlet valve includes an outlet valve housing with an outlet valve bore including an outlet valve seating surface. The outlet valve also includes an outlet valve member which moves within the outlet valve bore second portion between a closed position and an open position. A surface of the outlet valve bore guides the outlet valve member during movement between the closed position and the open position. The surface of the outlet valve bore and the outlet valve seating surface are provided on a continuous piece of material of the outlet valve housing. An outlet valve spring biases the outlet valve member toward the closed position and a retainer is fixed to the outlet valve housing which grounds the outlet valve spring to the outlet valve housing.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an injector. In one example, the injector comprises at least two passages, wherein outlets of each of the passages are differently shaped than corresponding inlets of the passages. Further, in one or more examples, each of the outlets may be shaped and sized differently with respect to each other.

Abstract: An intake and exhaust system for preventing generation of condensed water may include: an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system circulating some of combustion gas from an exhaust pipe to an intake pipe; an active purging system compressing and supplying evaporation gas generated from a fuel tank to the intake pipe; and a controller to control the EGR system and the active purging system. In particular, the controller calculates a saturated water vapor pressure based on temperature at a position between the EGR system and the intake pipe, and calculates a saturated water vapor pressure based on temperature of the intake pipe and then compares one of the two saturated water vapor pressures with a water vapor pressure of intake air so as to reduce an EGR rate of the EGR system or a purging rate of the active purging system based on the comparison result.

Abstract: A method includes reducing automatically a speed of an engine from a first speed value to a second speed value in response to both the first speed value being at or above a first speed threshold value and a rate of change of one or both of (i) engine power and (ii) the engine speed is substantially zero for a designated period.