Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program that includes: calculating a median value and a standard deviation based on a calculated value based on the detected vibration of the engine; and subtracting a product of the standard deviation and a coefficient from the median value to calculate a magnitude of mechanical vibration specific to the engine. Knocking determination is carried out by comparing a knock magnitude calculated by dividing the magnitude value of the peak magnitude of the detected vibration of the engine by the magnitude of mechanical vibration specific to the engine with a predetermined determination value. Based on the knocking determination result, ignition timing of the engine is controlled.

Abstract: An engine control system comprises a fuel quality calculation module and a fueling module. The fuel quality calculation module calculates a fuel quality value for fuel provided to an engine based on at least one operating parameter of the engine. The fueling module selectively increases an amount of fuel provided to the engine based on the fuel quality value.

Abstract: An ignition coil assembly mounted on a valve cover whereby the plurality of coils connected to the ignition coil assembly are individually removable. The ignition coil assembly comprises a base plate and coil bracket that rotateably couple, preferably with a hinging element, allowing for access and removal of individual coils as from the engine or valve cover. The coil bracket is also able to be removed from the base member. A preferred embodiment involves locking the assembly in place with fasteners. A method for manufacture of the ignition coil assembly with the steps of rotateably coupling the base plate and coil bracket. A method for replacing ignition coils from an engine comprising separating the coil bracket from the base plate, removing and replacing individual ignition coils, and locking the coil bracket to the base plate.

Abstract: A fuel economy method and system consists of using a signal control unit connected to a throttle of a vehicle and to a mass sensor for sensing a mass of a load carried by the vehicle. When the sensor senses that the mass is within a predetermined mass range below a pre-determined load mass value, the signal control unit reduces the range of power output of the engine. The unmodified engine power output range and modified engine power output range extend from a minimum engine power output to, respectively, an unmodified maximum engine power output and to a modified maximum engine power output lower than the unmodified engine power output and thereby requiring less fuel. Accordingly, the range of engine power output, and notably the maximum engine power output available, is reduced when the mass is in the pre-determined mass range, thus reducing fuel consumption compared to the unmodified engine power output range.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel injected multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes electronically storing a first value or reference value indicative of an engine speed response to a commanded fueling duration change during fueling the engine with a first fuel or reference fuel, such as a known type of diesel fuel. The method further includes operating the internal combustion engine in a fuel testing mode during fueling with a second fuel or test fuel, such as an unknown type of diesel fuel. The fuel testing mode includes determining a second value or test value indicative of an engine speed response to a commanded fueling duration change, comparing the test value with the reference value and outputting a fuel attribute signal which is based at least in part on comparing the reference value and the test value.

Abstract: A method, in certain embodiments, includes controlling a first parameter set (e.g., fuel injection timing, engine speed, etc.) of an engine to reduce specific fuel consumption to account for a plurality of different fuels alone or in combination with one another. The method also may include controlling a second parameter set (e.g., engine duration, engine speed, manifold air pressure, fuel supply temperature, fuel supply pressure, etc.) of the engine to reduce the possibility of exceeding design limits associated with the engine to account for the plurality of different fuels alone or in combination with one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the open-loop control of an internal combustion engine, which is operated with a fuel blend of an initial and at least one second fuel, the internal combustion engine having a fuel metering system, a tank fill-level gauge for determining the tank content and a change in the tank content, a sensor for the detection of the cylinder charge for determining an air mass supplied to the internal combustion engine and at least one exhaust gas probe for determining and controlling the oxygen content in the exhaust gas in a closed-loop. According to the invention, two methods, which are independent from each other, are used for determining the composition of the fuel blend.

Abstract: There is provided a control scheme for restarting an internal combustion engine of a hybrid powertrain during ongoing vehicle operation. The method includes generating a torque output from an electrical machine to rotate the engine, and determining an engine crank torque. The torque output from the electrical machine is selectively controlled based upon the engine crank torque. The engine is fired when rotational speed of the engine exceeds a threshold. An engine torque simulation model accurately determines engine compression pressures in real-time to accommodate changes in engine operating conditions, based upon present engine operating conditions.

Abstract: A combustion control system includes a magnetic torque sensor disposed between an engine and a load. The magnetic torque sensor is configured to directly measure engine torque and output a torque signal indicative of the engine torque. A control unit is communicatively coupled to the magnetic torque sensor. The control unit is configured to receive the torque signal and determine one or more combustion parameters based on the torque signal. The control unit is also configured to control one or more manipulating parameters of the engine based on the one or more combustion parameters so as to control combustion in the engine.

Abstract: A decompression braking device in an endothermic engine (1) is provided of the type comprising a lever axle (2) on which a plurality of eccentric bushings (31) of a corresponding plurality of levers (3) provided with tappets (4) are rotationally and eccentrically mounted for actuating a plurality of exhaust valves (5), and a camshaft (30) for actuating the plurality of levers (3), the device is characterized in that it comprises an actuating member (6, 61) mounted externally to the lever axle (2) and connected to the latter by linkages (8, 9, 10), such that a respective rotation of the bushings (31) by a predetermined angular value (?), with consequent displacement of the hinging axis of the levers (3), corresponds to each excursion of the actuating member (6, 61).

Abstract: A method for adjusting a lookup table that includes preset on-time values for an injector of an engine linked to fuel injection quantity values (?). The following steps are executed in a situation when the output shaft of the engine is disconnected from the output shaft of the gearbox. A torque loss value (Tloss) and a combustion efficiency value (?F) are determined or received. An actual fuel injection quantity value (?actual) is calculated, based on the torque loss value and the combustion efficiency value. An on-time value (tg) linked to the actual fuel injection quantity value is determined from the lookup table and the on-time value is compared with a presently applied on-time value (tb) that is established by an engine control with the aid of a regulator and the lookup table. The lookup table is adjusted based on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: In a fuel system of an internal combustion engine, the fuel quantity injected into a combustion chamber is a function of an activation period, during which a fuel injection device is activated. A pressure sensor detects the pressure in the fuel rail and provides a signal. The pressure in the fuel rail may be regulated to a setpoint pressure using a setting unit and employing the signal provided by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A robotic wheelhouse hemming apparatus includes a base. A multi-axis robot is mounted on the base. The robot includes an arm. A roller hemming head is mounted on an end of the arm for roller hemming. A slide mechanism is mounted for multi-directional movement on the base. A support is mounted on the slide mechanism. An anvil is supported on the support. A registration member is integral with the support and is engagable by the roller hemming head. The robot arm is operable to manipulate the roller hemming head into engagement with the registration member, and subsequent movement of the robot arm moves the support on the slide mechanism, thereby adjusting the position of the anvil relative to a workpiece to be hemmed.

Abstract: An electronic control unit 50 determines whether the ambient air in the vicinity of an oxygen concentration sensor 55 in an exhaust passage 30 has become equal to the atmospheric state as a fuel cut-off operation is executed. If the ambient air in the vicinity of the oxygen concentration sensor 55 is equal to the atmospheric state, the electronic control unit 50 executes a learning process, in which a detection value C of the oxygen concentration sensor 55 is stored as a learned value Cstd in a memory 56. The electronic control unit 50 continues the learning process until a predetermined time period set based on an exhaust gas transport delay elapses from when the fuel cut-off operation is terminated.

Abstract: A combustion system for a vehicle may include a piston in which a first combustion recess is formed in an upper end surface thereof, and at least one second combustion recess is further formed at the bottom of the first combustion recess, a first intake port and a second intake port for supplying a cylinder with air, and a controller that differently controls amounts of recirculation exhaust gas being supplied to the first intake port and the second intake port.

Abstract: In a method for improving the running smoothness of an internal combustion engine (1) which has at least one combustion chamber and at least one controllable actuator whose position has an influence on the combustion in the at least one combustion chamber, an irregular running value (f) of the internal combustion engine (1) is determined and compared with a predefined first irregular running limit value (f1thres), and in the event of the irregular running value (f) exceeding a predefined first irregular running limit value (f1thres), the actuator is moved from a starting position into an end position while the combustion in all of the combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine (1) is continued.

Abstract: A control device 10 for an internal combustion engine 80 includes an injector drive circuit 90 that drives an injector 30 that injects fuel and a temperature detection device that at least detects timing when a temperature condition that the temperature of the injector drive circuit 90 exceeds predetermined temperature is satisfied. The control device 10 includes a heat-generation-suppression control means 104 that performs control for suppressing the heat generation of the injector drive circuit 90. The heat-generation-suppression control means 104 selects, on the basis of a driving state of a vehicle, at least one parameter among an electric current applied to the injector, fuel pressure supplied to the injector 30, the number of revolutions of the internal combustion engine, and voltage from a battery to be boosted and performs control for limiting a value of the selected parameter on the basis of the timing.

Abstract: The combination of a piston with an integrated spark plug to be used in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The plug-in-piston configuration allows for maximum combustion and fuel efficiency as well as increased power output. Further, the configuration minimizes the release of unburned fuel and pollutants into the atmosphere. A method is also disclosed by which electrical energy is communicated to a spark plug.

Abstract: A control system for an outboard motor provides an EGR valve and an idle exhaust relief valve which are under the control of a controller that opens and closes the valves as a function of the rotational speed of a crankshaft of the engine. The EGR valve controls the flow of exhaust gas from an exhaust gas conduit to an air intake manifold. The idle exhaust relief valve controls the flow of exhaust gas from the exhaust conduit to a location at atmospheric pressure. In addition, the idle exhaust relief valve is used to allow air to flow from the atmosphere into the exhaust conduit when the engine is turned off.

Abstract: A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine having at least one mass flow line and a cooling device for cooling the mass flow in the mass flow line, as well as a bypass, having a bypass valve, that bypasses the cooling device. When the bypass valve is opened, the mass flow is conducted at least partly through the bypass. When the bypass valve is closed, the mass flow is conducted through the cooling device. Downstream from the cooling device and from the bypass in the mass flow line, a temperature of the mass flow in the mass flow line is determined. In at least one operating state of the internal combustion engine, a first temporal temperature gradient is determined with closed bypass valve. In the at least one operating state of the internal combustion engine, a second temporal temperature gradient is determined with closed position of the bypass valve.