Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating an exhaust air/fuel ratio based on outputs from an exhaust oxygen sensor. In one example, a method may include adjusting engine operation based on an air-fuel ratio estimated based on an output of the exhaust oxygen sensor and a learned correction factor. For example, the oxygen sensor may operate in a variable voltage mode in which a reference voltage of the oxygen sensor may be adjusted between a lower first voltage and a higher second voltage, and the learned correction factor is based on the second voltage.

Abstract: A method for controlling a pressure (32, 34) in an injection system (14) for an engine (12) of a vehicle (10) comprises the following steps: determining whether the vehicle (10) is decelerating; reducing the delivery rate of a high-pressure pump (16) that supplies fuel to the injection system (14); reducing the pressure in the injection system (14) to a standstill pressure (ps) by means of idle operation of the engine (12); estimating a standstill time (t1) at which the vehicle (10) comes to a standstill; and reducing the delivery rate of the high-pressure pump (16) before the standstill time (t1) is reached, such that the standstill pressure (ps) is attained in the injection system (14) at the standstill time (t1).

Abstract: A system and method is provided to analyze an intermediate pressure signal portion between an end of an injection event signal portion and a start of a subsequent injection event signal portion. The analysis is simplified by identifying a plurality of single cycle windows and calculating a single value, such as a mean or a median, for each of the windows. An intermediate portion single value is determined by averaging the single values for each of the windows. The intermediate portion single value may then be used to identify pumping events or leakage errors that occur during the intermediate pressure signal portion that affect further analysis of the intermediate pressure signal portion.

Abstract: A tank venting system of an internal combustion engine having an intake manifold, a fuel tank, and an activated carbon filter includes: a tank vent valve; at least one check valve; and a pressure sensor situated between the tank vent valve and the check valve. For diagnosing this tank venting system, a negative pressure which is lower than the ambient pressure outside the engine system is stored between the tank vent valve and the check valve. The stored pressure is changed by controlling the tank vent valve, and the change in the pressure is measured via the pressure sensor. The functioning of the tank venting line, of the check valve, and of the tank vent valve is deduced from the correlation of the opening state of the tank vent valve with the change in pressure.

Abstract: A prediction module generates predicted engine operating parameters for a set of possible target values based on a plurality of values indicative of states of the engine and a first set of predetermined values set based on characteristics of the engine. A parameter estimation module determines one or more estimated operating parameters of the vehicle based on the plurality of values indicative of states of the engine and a second set of predetermined values. A cost module determines a cost for the set of possible target values based on the predicted engine operating parameters. A selection module, based on the cost, selects the set of possible target values from a group including the set of possible target values and N other sets of possible target values, wherein N is an integer greater than zero, and sets target values based on the selected set of possible target values.

Abstract: An evaporated-fuel processing apparatus including: a sealing valve which is arranged in a communication path between the atmosphere and a fuel tank mounted on a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, and shuts an internal space of the fuel tank off from the atmosphere; an open/close member which covers a fuel filling port of the fuel tank; a refueling-intention-information acquisition unit which acquires information indicating an intention of refueling; and a control unit which issues an opening command for opening the sealing valve when the refueling-intention-information acquisition unit acquires the information indicating an intention of refueling, and allows the open/close member to open when a time elapsed from the moment at which the opening command is issued exceeds a first predetermined time.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for varying a location and rate of EGR delivered to an engine from a dedicated EGR cylinder. The dedicated EGR cylinder is configured with a plurality of exhaust valves controlled via a cam profile switching mechanism that allows the time and duration of opening of each exhaust valve to be varied. By selectively opening one exhaust valve at a time, exhaust from the dedicated EGR cylinder can be delivered to a pre-compressor location, a post-compressor location, or to the exhaust manifold, while bypassing all engine cylinders.

Abstract: Methods are provided for improving delivery of supercritical fuels via a direct injector. An injector control parameter is adjusted based on one of a fuel pump gain, an injected fuel mass, or a change in pressure in the fuel rail, and the engine operates the injector based on the adjusted parameter. Injector control parameters are only adjusted when fluid is subcritical at the fuel pump and when injector overlap is not present.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting and diagnosing a position of a fuel tank isolation valve (FTIV) of a fuel system. In one example, a method comprises adjusting a FTIV of a fuel system by sending an electrical pulse to the FTIV; and comparing a current draw of the FTIV to a known current draw profile to verify the position of the FTIV. In this way, the position of the FTIV may be diagnosed, thereby resulting in increased accuracy of subsequent valve control.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a supply channel supplying combustion air. A throttle element is arranged in the supply channel and the position of the throttle element is adjustable by an operator-controlled element. The engine has a starter device which has an operating position and a starting position. In the starting position, the starter device opens up a defined flow cross section in the supply channel. The starter device locks in the starting position. The locking is released by actuation of the operator-controlled element. To achieve good starting performance of the engine, the engine has an intermediate stop which, upon the first actuation of the operator-controlled element after the release of the locking, is active and prevents the throttle element from opening fully, and which, during the subsequent closing movement of the throttle element, is deactivated such that the throttle element can be opened fully.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the starter motor includes determining starter motor resistance associated with an engine starting event and determining a back-emf for the starter motor based upon the starter motor resistance. A state of health of the starter motor corresponding to the back-emf of the starter motor and engine cranking time is determined. Engine stop/start functionality is controlled based upon the state of health of the starter motor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a reference voltage for an intake manifold oxygen sensor based on ingestion of hydrocarbons from a fuel system canister and/or an engine crankcase. During conditions when purge or crankcase ventilation hydrocarbons are ingested in the intake aircharge, the intake oxygen sensor is transitioned from operating at a lower reference voltage to a higher reference voltage where the effects of the ingested hydrocarbons on the sensor output are nullified. An EGR dilution of the intake aircharge is estimated based on the output of the sensor at the higher reference voltage while an amount of hydrocarbons ingested is estimated based on a difference between sensor outputs at the higher and lower reference voltages.

Abstract: The invention relates to corona ignition device for igniting fuel in a combustion chamber of an engine by means of a corona discharge, comprising an insulator, a center electrode, which plugs into the insulator and carries an ignition head having a plurality of ignition needles, and a housing, into which the insulator plugs. In accordance with the invention, the ignition needles and the center electrode plug into the ignition head. The invention also relates to a method for producing an ignition head for a corona ignition device, wherein a green compact of the ignition head is produced by injection molding of metal powder, and the green compact is sintered while ignition needles and/or a center electrode plug thereinto.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting and diagnosing a position of a fuel tank isolation valve of a fuel system. In one example, a method may include adjusting the fuel tank isolation valve via electrical pulses and tracking a position of the FTIV by counting each of the electrical pulses. When a vacuum is created in the fuel system, the method may include verifying the position of the FTIV based on resulting fuel system pressures.

Abstract: An injector driver module applies power to a fuel injector of an engine for a fuel injection event. A voltage measuring module measures first and second voltages at first and second electrical connectors of the fuel injector. A parameter determination module determines a maximum value based on a first difference between the first and second voltages, determines a minimum value based on the first difference between the first and second voltages, and determines a second difference between the maximum and minimum values. A diagnostic module, based on the second difference between the maximum and minimum values, indicates whether the fuel injector injected fuel in response to the application of power.

Abstract: Methods and systems are providing for improving engine coolant level estimation to reduce engine overheating. The level of fluid in a coolant overflow reservoir is inferred based on the fluid level in a hollow vertical standpipe fluidically coupled to the reservoir at top and bottom locations, while the fluid level in the standpipe is estimated based on output from an ultrasonic signal transmitted by a sensor positioned in a recess at the bottom of the vertical standpipe. Sensor power usage is optimized based on the ratio of first order and higher order harmonic echo times in the raw data set generated by the sensor.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an error count module and a sensor diagnostic module. The error count module increases an error count when an actual air/fuel ratio generated by an oxygen sensor monitoring an exhaust system of an engine is different than a desired air/fuel ratio. The error count module selectively adjusts a rate at which the error count is increased based on an ambient temperature. The sensor diagnostic module diagnoses a fault in the oxygen sensor when the error count is greater than a first predetermined count.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an engine during conditions where ambient humidity changes over time are presented. In one non-limiting example, an engine airflow is adjusted to increase engine airflow during high humidity conditions such that an engine may provide equivalent torque output during the high humidity conditions as compared to when the engine is operated during low humidity conditions.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an improved prechamber device for an internal combustion engine. The prechamber device is positioned adjacent to a combustion chamber. The improved prechamber device is configured to improve removal of heat from the prechamber device, particularly in the area adjacent to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating an ion current which occurs as a direct current between a central electrode and one or more side electrodes of a spark plug of a spark ignition engine which is supplied repeatedly with an ignition voltage from an ignition voltage source, wherein the spark ignition engine is assigned an engine control unit, which, in an engine cycle, determines for each spark plug a target ignition point and/or an activation point for the ignition voltage source before the target ignition point, and a second voltage source is provided, which delivers a second voltage for the generation of the ion current, wherein the second voltage source lying in the engine cycle for a first time interval ?t1, which is shorter than the duration of the engine cycle, is connected to the electrodes of the spark plug, and wherein the ion current flowing as a result of the application of the second voltage to the electrodes of the spark plug takes a path which avoids the ignition voltage source.