Abstract: An inter-cylinder air-fuel ratio imbalance determination apparatus (determination apparatus) according to the present invention obtains, based on the output value of the air-fuel ratio sensor, an imbalance determination parameter which becomes larger as an air-fuel ratio fluctuation of an exhaust gas passing through a position at which the air-fuel ratio sensor is disposed becomes larger, during a parameter obtaining period. The determination apparatus energizes the heater of the air-fuel ratio sensor in such a manner that a temperature of the air-fuel ratio element during the parameter obtaining period is higher than a temperature of the air-fuel ratio element during a period other than the parameter obtaining period. Accordingly, the imbalance determination parameter is obtained while the responsiveness of the air-fuel ratio sensor is high, and thus, the inter-cylinder air-fuel-ratio imbalance determination having a high accuracy can be made.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine system that converts thermal energy from an exhaust of an engine to mechanical energy includes a heat exchanger thermally coupled to an exhaust from an internal combustion process. The heat exchanger receives a heat transfer fluid therein. A generator is coupled to the heat exchanger. The heat transfer fluid expands and evaporates in the generator in response to heat from the exhaust of the internal combustion process. The expansion of the heat transfer fluid vapor converts thermal energy of the heat transfer fluid to mechanical energy.

Abstract: An engine has a PCV passage connected to an intake system for recirculating a blow-by gas to the intake system and an air flow meter provided upstream of a connection between the PCV passage and the intake system in the intake system for sensing an intake air flow rate. An electronic control unit (ECU) performing various types of control of the engine diagnoses a clogging abnormality of the PCV passage based on pulsation width of the intake air flow rate sensed with the air flow meter. A thermal type sensor having a heating section and a temperature sensing section provided on a semiconductor substrate is used as the air flow meter.

Abstract: A fault analysis method for a lambda probe of an internal combustion engine, in particular for detecting a heater input, has the following steps: measurement of an air ratio in the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine by a lambda probe, control of the air ratio in the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine by a lambda probe by a lambda controller intervention in accordance with the measured air ratio, and evaluation of the lambda controller intervention in order to detect a fault.

Abstract: A high flow EGR system for an internal combustion engine having a pair of series connected EGR coolers and a water droplet condensation collector and reservoir connected to the gas flow. The reservoir feeds a pump which is actuated to inject the liquid to the engine adjacent each cylinder for uniform distribution of the water to the engine cylinders. The pump is controlled to inject the water at appropriate conditions during the engine operating cycle.

Abstract: The pollution control system includes a controller coupled to a sensor monitoring an operational characteristic of a combustion engine, such as engine RPM. A PCV valve having an inlet and an outlet is adapted to vent blow-by gas out from the combustion engine. A fluid regulator associated with the PCV valve and responsive to the controller selectively modulates engine vacuum pressure to adjustably increase or decrease a fluid flow rate of blow-by gas venting from the combustion engine. The controller selectively adjustably positions the fluid regulator to vary the degree of vacuum pressure to optimize the recycling of blow-by gases.

Abstract: An onboard cooling system diagnostic strategy utilizes at least one temperature sensor fluidly positioned between an electronically controlled engine and a thermostat. The diagnostic algorithm operates by monitoring coolant temperature during engine startup. By comparing the actual coolant temperature during engine start-up to a predicted coolant temperature that should occur if no cooling system error is present, a cooling system fault condition may be identified. If a cooling system fault is detected, the diagnostic logic may activate the engine cooling fan or intrusively open an electrically controlled thermostat while monitoring the coolant temperature response to the intrusive action. If there is a substantial change in coolant temperature responsive to the intrusive action, this phenomenon can be utilized to correctly distinguish between a thermostat failure and a vehicle configuration error corresponding to an overcooled vehicle.

Abstract: A control system of an internal combustion engine in which as fuel, a first fuel of ammonia and a second fuel easier to burn than ammonia are used. These two types of fuel are burned in the combustion chamber. A basic ammonia ratio is set in accordance with an engine load and engine speed. The set basic ammonia ratio is corrected based on at least one of a combustion state, knocking strength, temperature of an exhaust gas or temperature of a catalyst arranged in an engine exhaust passage, NOx concentration in the exhaust gas, actual compression ratio, air-fuel ratio, and fuel properties.

Abstract: A stop-start control apparatus for a port injection engine (1) including cylinders (2) stops the engine (1) by stopping fuel injection from each injector (13), when a predetermined stop condition is fulfilled. An estimated position of a piston (5) in each cylinder (2) after the engine (1) is stopped is determined during a stop process period from when the predetermined stop condition is fulfilled until when the engine (1) is stopped, and a compression stroke cylinder in which the piston (5) is to be stopped in a compression stroke is identified. An amount of fuel to be injected from the injector (13) for the compression stroke cylinder during the stop process period is set based on the estimated position of the piston (5) in the compression stroke cylinder. The injector (13) injects the fuel in the set fuel amount so that the fuel is contained in the compression stroke cylinder when the engine is stopped.

Abstract: An apparatus for a vehicle with an engine is provided that accomplishes exhaust heat recovery and exhaust gas recirculation with a common heat exchanger used for both purposes. The apparatus includes an exhaust system through which exhaust gas is discharged from the engine. A heat exchanger is positioned within the exhaust system. Coolant flow passages are provided in thermal communication with the engine and with the heat exchanger. A bypass valve is operable in a first position to direct the exhaust gas through the heat exchanger to transfer heat to the coolant flow passages in a coolant heating mode, and operable in a second position in which the exhaust gas bypasses the heat exchanger in a bypass mode during which no significant coolant heating occurs via the heat exchanger. A portion of the exhaust gas is recirculated to the engine after cooling via the heat exchanger.

Abstract: During starting of an engine that has a circulation path through which argon, used as working gas, is circulated back to a combustion chamber and that uses hydrogen as fuel during operation, oxygen is supplied in such a manner that the oxygen supply ratio is higher than that used during normal operation. Thus, the entirety of hydrogen supplied into the combustion chamber reacts with oxygen and is burned. When the engine is being started, because gas is not turbulent enough, hydrogen and oxygen are likely to be mixed poorly. Therefore, when oxygen is supplied in such a manner that the ratio of oxygen supply amount to the hydrogen supply amount is higher than the theoretical ratio, even if oxygen and hydrogen are not mixed so well, the chance that hydrogen contacts oxygen is increased. As a result, combustion takes place in a more appropriate manner, which improves the engine startability.

Abstract: An engine having one of a plurality of exhaust valves in each cylinder that may be deactivated is disclosed. In one example, one exhaust valve of each cylinder is deactivated in response to engine speed. The engine may have improved engine torque at low engine speeds and reduced time to torque (e.g., turbo lag).

Abstract: A method for providing intake air to an engine in a vehicle includes forming a mixture of fresh air and treated exhaust, and compressing the mixture upstream of a first throttle valve coupled to an intake manifold of the engine. The method further includes, during a higher engine-load condition, admitting the mixture to the intake manifold via the first throttle valve, and, during a lower engine-load condition, admitting fresh air to the intake manifold via a second throttle valve.

Abstract: A method for reducing a temperature of an engine component is disclosed. In one example, an air-fuel ratio provided to an engine is adjusted to reduce a temperature of an engine component. The approach may be useful for controlling temperature and emissions from a turbocharged engine.

Abstract: A method is described for operating an engine of a vehicle, the engine having a combustion chamber. The method may include controlling a stability of the vehicle in response to a vehicle acceleration; and adjusting spark timing in the combustion chamber of the engine in response to a knock indication, and further adjusting spark timing in response to the vehicle acceleration to reduce surge.

Abstract: A method for operating an engine is disclosed. In one example, the method adjusts a torque limit of the engine in response to an amount of EGR in an engine cylinder. The approach may reduce the possibility of pre-ignition for boosted engines.

Abstract: An engine control system includes a power supply module, a measurement module, and a calibration module. The power supply module disables power supplied to N components of an engine when M cylinders of the engine are deactivated, wherein M and N are integers greater than or equal to one. The measurement module measures outputs of the N engine components. The calibration module calibrates the measurement module based on unpowered measurements from one or more of the N engine components during a period after the power supplied to the N components is disabled.

Abstract: Methods are provided for operating an engine with a variable fuel blend in a cylinder, where the variable fuel blend varies a peak achievable engine torque for a given operating condition. One example method comprises selectively operating an engine actuator that affects engine torque and engine fuel economy at the given operating condition, and extending operation of the actuator to higher engine torques as a peak engine torque for the given operating condition increases.

Abstract: A composite device assembled into a top of a head combustion chamber as a formed in place multiple spark ignition structure with embedded electrodes connected in a series electrical circuit spaced from a single centrally located ignition source to receive an arc from a central spark plug electrode to initiate a series multiple spark ignition within the series electrical circuit.

Abstract: Engine surge includes oscillations in engine torque resulting in bucking or jerking motion of a vehicle that may degrade driver experience. The present application relates to increasing reformate entering an example engine cylinder in response to engine surge.