Abstract: An engine control system in a vehicle including a variable displacement internal combustion engine, a controller for controlling the displacement of the variable displacement internal combustion engine, an exhaust manifold coupled to the variable displacement internal combustion engine, a NOx trap coupled to the exhaust manifold, and where the controller varies the displacement of the variable displacement internal combustion engine to optimize the regeneration of the NOx trap.

Abstract: A vehicle engine control system controls an engine that includes a plurality of cylinders and that generates exhaust gas. An air-assisted direct injection fuel system supplies an air/fuel mixture to the cylinders. A catalytic converter reduces harmful emissions from the exhaust gas after the catalytic converter reaches a light-off temperature. A controller communicates with the engine, the catalytic converter and the air-assisted direct injection fuel system. The controller optimizes cam phasing, the air/fuel mixture and spark angle for full and partial engine operating modes. The controller deactivates at least one of the cylinders of the engine before the catalytic converter achieves the light-off temperature to hasten light-off of the catalytic converter.

Abstract: A combustion chamber for a swirl flow two valve spark ignition direct injection engine includes a cylinder with a closed end having a wedge shaped combustion chamber recess. A fuel injector extends through the closed end near a shallow side of the wedge recess. A spark plug extends through the closed end at a deeper part of the wedge recess opposite from the injector. A single pair of laterally spaced intake and exhaust valves control intake and exhaust ports opening into the wedge recess. A piston in the cylinder has an outer diameter and includes a head end having a raised pedestal with a shallow upwardly angled face ending at a raised ridge and enclosing a shallow bowl in the head end. The bowl is generally oval with a major dimension generally aligned with a cylinder centerline through the valves.

Abstract: An exhaust system provides the benefits of equal or near equal length exhaust pipes for vehicles (for example with transverse engines) having differing length exhaust pipes connected with a single muffler. In accordance with the invention, the muffler has separate first and second internal inlet pipes which have lengths differing by a predetermined length dimension equal or nearly equal to the difference in exhaust pipe lengths. The inlet pipes are connected so that the total lengths of the pairs of inlet pipes and connected exhaust pipes provide a total length of exhaust flow path which is generally equal for gas flow from both engine banks to the interior of the muffler. An optional feature is dual restricted and valve-controlled outlet flow paths which maintain a minimum back pressure at low flows to aid EGR distribution and allow high flow rates at low back pressure for high performance output of the engine with a performance sound.

Abstract: A combustion chamber for a swirl flow two valve spark ignition direct injection engine includes a cylinder with a closed end having a wedge shaped combustion chamber recess. A fuel injector extends through the closed end near a shallow side of the wedge recess. A spark plug extends through the closed end at a deeper part of the wedge recess opposite from the injector. A single pair of laterally spaced intake and exhaust valves control intake and exhaust ports opening into the wedge recess. A piston in the cylinder has an outer diameter and includes a head end having a raised pedestal with a shallow upwardly angled face ending at a raised ridge and enclosing a shallow bowl in the head end. The bowl is generally oval with a major dimension generally aligned with a cylinder centerline through the valves.

Abstract: An engine control system in a vehicle including a variable displacement internal combustion engine, a controller for controlling the displacement of the variable displacement internal combustion engine, an exhaust manifold coupled to the variable displacement internal combustion engine, a NOx trap coupled to the exhaust manifold, and where the controller varies the displacement of the variable displacement internal combustion engine to optimize the regeneration of the NOx trap.

Abstract: A vehicle engine control system controls an engine that includes a plurality of cylinders and that generates exhaust gas. An air-assisted direct injection fuel system supplies an air/fuel mixture to the cylinders. A catalytic converter reduces harmful emissions from the exhaust gas after the catalytic converter reaches a light-off temperature. A controller communicates with the engine, the catalytic converter and the air-assisted direct injection fuel system. The controller optimizes cam phasing, the air/fuel mixture and spark angle for full and partial engine operating modes. The controller deactivates at least one of the cylinders of the engine before the catalytic converter achieves the light-off temperature to hasten light-off of the catalytic converter.

Abstract: A combined oil pump and balance module for mounting in an oil sump of a reciprocating piston engine includes a housing supporting a rotatable balance shaft carrying at opposite ends balance weights for offsetting unbalance forces of the engine. The balance weights are enclosed in open top enclosures from which oil is pumped by vanes on the weights and an associated gear, driven by the engine crankshaft. A pair of oil pumps are mounted on opposite ends of the housing inboard of the weights. The pumps draw oil from the sump through housing passages and deliver the oil to one or more engine oil systems. In one embodiment, the first pump feeds oil to a lubrication system and to the second pump, which delivers oil at a higher pressure to a hydraulic actuating system of the engine.

Abstract: A valve train with components connected by ball and socket joints is provided with projecting assembly guides adjacent the sockets of selected joints. The assembly guides include guide surfaces angling toward the sockets to guide the ball end of a push rod or other actuator into the socket of an associated rocker arm or other component. The guide surfaces may be generally conical or comprised of multiple spaced surfaces. The assembly guides facilitate assembly of valve trains, especially where components with multiple ball and socket joints are involved.

Abstract: A valve train for a twin cam engine has three valves per cylinder, including a pair of side-by-side intake valves and a single exhaust valve on an opposite, exhaust side of the combustion chamber. Dual camshafts in a V-type engine separately drive the intake and exhaust cams through a single dual arm intake rocker arm and a single exhaust rocker arm per cylinder, which provides much improved inlet port airflow for improved specific output compared to a single inlet valve engine. The single exhaust valve provides better catalytic converter performance due to lower exhaust heat loss than in four-valve engines of the same output capability. The intake and exhaust valve trains provide coplanar action of the push rods, rocker arms and valve stem axes, yielding an efficient and simplified valve train with a high flow combustion chamber. Additional features and advantages are disclosed.

Abstract: A valve train layout for an overhead valve engine uses a single camshaft actuating two inlet valves and a single exhaust valve. The two inlet valves are preferably aligned on an inner side of a cylinder with the exhaust valve on an outer side. The inlet valves are preferably actuated by a cam follower and single push rod driving a rocker arm with dual arms and separate lash adjusters actuating the inlet valves. The exhaust valve is preferably actuated by a cam follower with a lash adjuster driving a single push rod operating a primary rocker arm that drives a secondary push rod pivoting an exhaust rocker arm to actuate the exhaust valve. In one embodiment, the primary rocker arm for the exhaust valve pivots on a common axis with the intake rocker arm. In an alternative embodiment, the primary rocker arm pivots on a canted pivot axis.

Abstract: A valve train with components connected by ball and socket joints is provided with projecting assembly guides adjacent the sockets of selected joints. The assembly guides include guide surfaces angling toward the sockets to guide the ball end of a push rod or other actuator into the socket of an associated rocker arm or other component. The guide surfaces may be generally conical or comprised of multiple spaced surfaces. The assembly guides facilitate assembly of valve trains, especially where components with multiple ball and socket joints are involved.