Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to an exhaust system (207) for exhausting combustion gases from an internal combustion engine (101). The exhaust system (207) includes an exhaust conduit (215) for conveying exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine (101). A particulate filter (214) is providing for filtering particulates from the exhaust gases conveyed by the exhaust conduit (207). A supply inlet (216) is arranged to introduce gas into the particulate filter (214) to promote regeneration. The supply inlet (216) is disposed upstream of the particulate filter (214) and downstream of a catalytic convertor (209). A control valve (218) is provided for controlling the supply of gas to the particulate filter (214) to control regeneration. Aspects of the present invention also relate to a vehicle (100) incorporating a controller (104); and a method of controlling operation of the control valve (218) to control regeneration of the particulate filter (214).

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to controller (104) for controlling operation of a direct injection internal combustion engine (101) having a combustion chamber (103A) (103) for performing a plurality of operating cycles. The internal combustion engine (101) is configured to exhaust gases through an exhaust system (207) comprising a particulate filter (214). The controller (104) is configured to receive a fuel cut signal indicative of a request to inhibit fuel injection into the combustion chamber (103A) (103). In dependence on the fuel cut signal, the controller (104) controls a fuel supply system (316) to inhibit fuel injection into the combustion chamber (103A) (103) to perform one or more fuel cut operating cycle. The controller (104) determine a particulate loading of the particulate filter (214) in the exhaust system (207).

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to an exhaust system (207) for exhausting combustion gases from an internal combustion engine (101). The exhaust system (207) includes an exhaust conduit (215) for conveying exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine (101). A particulate filter (214) is providing for filtering particulates from the exhaust gases conveyed by the exhaust conduit (207). A supply inlet (216) is arranged to introduce gas into the particulate filter (214) to promote regeneration. The supply inlet (216) is disposed upstream of the particulate filter (214) and downstream of a catalytic convertor (209). A control valve (218) is provided for controlling the supply of gas to the particulate filter (214) to control regeneration. Aspects of the present invention also relate to a vehicle (100) incorporating a controller (104); and a method of controlling operation of the control valve (218) to control regeneration of the particulate filter (214).

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a controller (104) and method (400) for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine (101). The controller (104) is configured to: receive a first request signal indicative of a request to stop fuel being supplied to the engine (101), and cause an intake valve (301) of a cylinder (103) of the internal combustion engine (101) to remain closed during the current revolution of the internal combustion engine (101) and revolutions of the internal combustion engine (101) immediately following the current revolution of the internal combustion engine (101) in dependence on at least one of: the intake valve (301) being closed at the time of receiving the first request signal; or a next opening of the intake valve having not been scheduled.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller for a starter motor operable to receive a first input indicative of an engine shutdown being required, a second input indicative of a change-of-mind event having occurred after initiation of engine shutdown and a third input indicative of the engine position. After receipt of the first input the controller is operable to monitor the third input and to determine an expected engine rotation direction indicative of the expected rotation direction of the engine after a predetermined delay. If the expected engine rotation direction is positive and the second input is received then the controller is configured to control the output means to cause the starter motor of the engine to be actuated upon receipt of the second input.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a controller (104) and method (400) for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine (101). The controller (104) is configured to: receive a first request signal indicative of a request to stop fuel being supplied to the engine (101), and cause an intake valve (301) of a cylinder (103) of the internal combustion engine (101) to remain closed during the current revolution of the internal combustion engine (101) and revolutions of the internal combustion engine (101) immediately following the current revolution of the internal combustion engine (101) in dependence on at least one of: the intake valve (301) being closed at the time of receiving the first request signal; or a next opening of the intake valve having not been scheduled.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a controller (104) and method (400) for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine (101). The controller (104) is configured to: receive a first request signal indicative of a request to stop fuel being supplied to the engine (101), and cause an intake valve (301) of a cylinder (103) of the internal combustion engine (101) to remain closed during the current revolution of the internal combustion engine (101) and revolutions of the internal combustion engine (101) immediately following the current revolution of the internal combustion engine (101) in dependence on at least one of: the intake valve (301) being closed at the time of receiving the first request signal; or a next opening of the intake valve having not been scheduled.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a control advanced system for controlling a valve actuator for an internal combustion engine, the control system comprising one or more controllers, the control system being configured to: receive a requirement signal retarded indicative of a requirement for valve actuation with a first valve timing characteristic; receive an expected flow signal indicative of expected mass flow rate of air, associated with the first valve timing characteristic; control the valve actuator to provide the first valve timing characteristic; receive an actual flow signal indicative of actual mass flow rate of air, associated with the control of the valve actuator; cause comparison of the actual flow signal with the expected flow signal; and cause an action to be performed in dependence on the comparison, wherein the action comprises a compensation action and/or a fault reporting action and/or determining camshaft phase information.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a controller (104) and method (400) for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine (101). The controller (104) is configured to: receive a first request signal indicative of a request to stop fuel being supplied to the engine (101), and cause an intake valve (301) of a cylinder (103) of the internal combustion engine (101) to remain closed during the current revolution of the internal combustion engine (101) and revolutions of the internal combustion engine (101) immediately following the current revolution of the internal combustion engine (101) in dependence on at least one of: the intake valve (301) being closed at the time of receiving the first request signal; or a next opening of the intake valve having not been scheduled.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller for a starter motor operable to receive a first input indicative of an engine shutdown being required, a second input indicative of a change-of-mind event having occurred after initiation of engine shutdown and a third input indicative of the engine position. After receipt of the first input the controller is operable to monitor the third input and to determine an expected engine rotation direction indicative of the expected rotation direction of the engine after a predetermined delay. If the expected engine rotation direction is positive and the second input is received then the controller is configured to control the output means to cause the starter motor of the engine to be actuated upon receipt of the second input.

Abstract: A method (30) of protecting an internal combustion engine (12) of a vehicle (10) from damage by induction of liquid, the method (30) comprising: detecting (31) liquid in a gas induction system (11) to the engine (12); and causing (32) valve control means (44) to at least perform one or both of the following: inhibiting gas intake into a combustion chamber (47) of the engine (12) during a gas intake stage (50) of a combustion cycle of the combustion chamber (47); causing gas exhaust from a combustion chamber (47) of the engine (12) during a gas compression stage (51) of the combustion cycle of the combustion chamber (47), wherein the valve control means (44) comprises at least one of a hydraulic circuit or an electromagnetic actuator for controlling, at least in part, the inhibiting gas intake into a combustion chamber (47) and/or at least one of a hydraulic circuit or an electromagnetic actuator for controlling, at least in part, the causing gas exhaust from a combustion chamber (47).

Abstract: A method (30) of protecting an internal combustion engine (12) of a vehicle (10) from damage by induction of liquid, the method (30) comprising: detecting (31) liquid in a gas induction system (11) to the engine (12); and causing (32) valve control means (44) to at least perform one or both of the following: inhibiting gas intake into a combustion chamber (47) of the engine (12) during a gas intake stage (50) of a combustion cycle of the combustion chamber (47); causing gas exhaust from a combustion chamber (47) of the engine (12) during a gas compression stage (51) of the combustion cycle of the combustion chamber (47), wherein the valve control means (44) comprises at least one of a hydraulic circuit or an electromagnetic actuator for controlling, at least in part, the inhibiting gas intake into a combustion chamber (47) and/or at least one of a hydraulic circuit or an electromagnetic actuator for controlling, at least in part, the causing gas exhaust from a combustion chamber (47).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle control unit (20). The vehicle control unit (20) comprises an input (26) for detecting a start demand and a driving condition. The vehicle control module also comprises a control module (28) arranged to control an engine start attribute according to a first profile (34) and a second profile (36). The vehicle control module (20) also comprises a selection module (30) arranged to select between the first and second profiles (34, 36) based on detecting a predetermined driving condition, in response to detecting a start demand.

Abstract: A control method for controlling a transmission of a vehicle, the method comprising: receiving at least one measurement relating to a hydraulic lag of a continuously variable valve lift system that occurs in a cold condition, the continuously variable valve lift system being associated with an engine of the vehicle; determining, based on the at least one measurement relating to the hydraulic lag, an engine speed threshold above which engine power output is impaired as a result of the hydraulic lag; monitoring the engine speed; and generating an alert if the engine speed exceeds the engine speed threshold.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to methods of stop/start of an internal combustion engine provided with a CVVL system; also a control unit and a vehicle for employing the methods.

Abstract: A method is described of injecting fuel into an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine utilises direct fuel injection and comprises a plurality of cylinders, each of which has an associated piston. The method comprises simultaneously applying different injection patterns to at least two of the cylinders in dependence on initial positions of their respective pistons. The method comprises injecting a first cylinder of the internal combustion engine according to an optimum injection pattern, and, simultaneously, injecting a second cylinder of the internal combustion engine according to a start-up injection pattern. The start-up injection pattern is determined in dependence on the optimum injection pattern and the initial position of the piston associated with said second cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle control unit (20). The vehicle control unit (20) comprises an input (26) for detecting a start demand and a driving condition. The vehicle control module also comprises a control module (28) arranged to control an engine start attribute according to a first profile (34) and a second profile (36). The vehicle control module (20) also comprises a selection module (30) arranged to select between the first and second profiles (34, 36) based on detecting a predetermined driving condition, in response to detecting a start demand.

Abstract: A control method for controlling a transmission of a vehicle, the method comprising: receiving at least one measurement relating to a hydraulic lag of a continuously variable valve lift system that occurs in a cold condition, the continuously variable valve lift system being associated with an engine of the vehicle; determining, based on the at least one measurement relating to the hydraulic lag, an engine speed threshold above which engine power output is impaired as a result of the hydraulic lag; monitoring the engine speed; and generating an alert if the engine speed exceeds the engine speed threshold.

Abstract: A method is described of injecting fuel into an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine utilises direct fuel injection and comprises a plurality of cylinders, each of which has an associated piston. The method comprises simultaneously applying different injection patterns to at least two of the cylinders in dependence on initial positions of their respective pistons. The method comprises injecting a first cylinder of the internal combustion engine according to an optimum injection pattern, and, simultaneously, injecting a second cylinder of the internal combustion engine according to a start-up injection pattern. The start-up injection pattern is determined in dependence on the optimum injection pattern and the initial position of the piston associated with said second cylinder.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to methods of stop/start of an internal combustion engine provided with a CVVL system; also a control unit and a vehicle for employing the methods.