Abstract: A method of operation for an engine including an electrically actuated engine valve in a cylinder head, with at least an actuator coupled to the valve, the method including applying a potential to generate a current indicative of temperature in the actuator at least partially during a substantially non-moving condition of the actuator and adjusting a timing of the application of the potential based on valve location in the cylinder head.

Abstract: A system for controlling a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine with electromagnetic valve actuation, comprising of at least one cylinder with an engine cylinder valve, a second controller operably coupled to the engine cylinder valve, said second controller configured to adjust at least one of the valve opening and closing timing of the engine cylinder valve, and a first controller connected with the second controller over a first link and a second link, wherein the first controller is configured to send an engine position indication signal to the second controller over the first link and receive a status signal from the second controller over the second link, and wherein the first controller outputs a synchronization degradation signal responsive to a synchronization error between the engine position indication signal and the status signal.

Abstract: A method for operation of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine may include one or more combustion chambers, a fuel delivery system including a direct fuel injector coupled to each combustion chamber, an ignition system including one or more spark plugs coupled to each combustion chamber, a piston disposed within each combustion chamber, and an intake and an exhaust valve coupled to each combustion chamber, the internal combustion engine providing motive power to the vehicle. The method may include discontinuing combustion operation within the internal combustion engine responsive to idle-stop operation. The method may further include, during a direct-start, performing multi-strike ignition operation per combustion cycle via one or more selected spark plug(s) for at least a first combustion cycle in a combustion chamber following the discontinuation of combustion operation, the one or more selected spark plug(s) coupled to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A method for determining degraded valve operation. According to the method, valve degradation can be determined from the duration of a spark event. This method allows for the determination of both intake and exhaust valve degradation.

Abstract: A method for operation of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine may include one or more combustion chambers, a fuel delivery system including a direct fuel injector coupled to each combustion chamber, an ignition system including one or more spark plugs coupled to each combustion chamber, a piston disposed within each combustion chamber, and an intake and an exhaust valve coupled to each combustion chamber, the internal combustion engine providing motive power to the vehicle. The method may include discontinuing combustion operation within the internal combustion engine responsive to idle-stop operation. The method may further include, during a direct-start, performing multi-strike ignition operation per combustion cycle via one or more selected spark plug(s) for at least a first combustion cycle in a combustion chamber following the discontinuation of combustion operation, the one or more selected spark plug(s) coupled to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for starting an engine in a vehicle, the engine including a starter, the vehicle including a plurality of energy storage devices electrically coupled to the starter. One example method comprises, during a first charging condition, electrically coupling the plurality of energy storage devices in parallel to each other; and during a second discharging condition, electrically coupling the plurality of energy storage devices in series to each other and to the starter to actuate the starter and rotate the engine.

Abstract: A vehicle drive system for adjusting vehicle fuel economy is described. In one example, the vehicle drive system includes an operator interface for adjusting vehicle operation so as to increase or decrease fuel consumption according to a driver preference.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively deactivated during engine idle-stop conditions and selectively reactivated during engine restart conditions. One example method comprises, during an engine restart from an idle stop, performing a first combustion event in a cylinder with a piston at an engine crankshaft position that is after a crankshaft position at which said cylinder's exhaust valve opens, and before a crankshaft position at which the cylinder's intake valve closes, during a cycle of said cylinder.

Abstract: A method for determining degraded valve operation. According to the method, valve degradation can be determined from the duration of a spark event. This method allows for the determination of both intake and exhaust valve degradation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assisted direct start control are provided. An example method of controlling a system including an engine includes operating in a first mode during a first vehicle grade and during automatic re-starting from an engine stopped condition. The first mode includes starting the engine in a driving gear, and adjusting engine torque responsive to launch behavior. The method may further include operating in a second mode during a second vehicle grade and during automatic re-starting from an engine stopped condition. The second mode includes starting the engine in the driving gear, and adjusting one or more of a transmission forward clutch and wheel brakes responsive to launch behavior.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively shut-down during engine idle-stop conditions, the vehicle system further including a hydraulically actuated transmission component. One example method comprises, during an idle-stop engine shut-down, adjusting a hydraulic actuation of the transmission component to adjust drag torque on the engine to stop the engine.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle, the powertrain including an engine and an automatic transmission, the powertrain coupled to driving wheels of the vehicle, and the vehicle operated by an operator. One example method comprises, selectively shutting down engine operation responsive to operating conditions and without receiving an engine shutdown request from the operator, maintaining the automatic transmission in gear during the shutdown, and during an engine restart from the shutdown condition, and with the transmission in gear, transmitting reduced torque to the transmission.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling engine shutdown in a vehicle. One example method includes, after discontinuation of combustion and during engine spin down, reducing cylinder air charge while maintaining intake manifold pressure above a threshold value.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an engine of a vehicle, the engine including an intake manifold, a cylinder, and an adjustable throttle upstream of the intake manifold. One example method includes operating the engine with combustion, and in response to operating conditions, during a stopped vehicle idle condition, and without a shut-down request by the operator, automatically initiating an engine shut down. Further, the example method may include during the automatically initiated engine shut down, adjusting the throttle to maintain manifold pressure at a first value, where during progression of the shut down, the first value is adjusted based on an operating parameter and restarting the engine before it reaches zero speed in response to a restart request.

Abstract: A method of operation for an engine including an electrically actuated engine valve in a cylinder head, with at least an actuator coupled to the valve, the method including applying a potential to generate a current indicative of temperature in the actuator at least partially during a substantially non-moving condition of the actuator and adjusting a timing of the application of the potential based on valve location in the cylinder head.

Abstract: A method of operating an engine having a plurality of cylinders, the method comprising of transitioning the engine from a first mode to a second mode, and temporarily adjusting an amount of torque produced by a cylinder of the engine for at least one cycle responsive to a difference in an amount of torque produced by a previous firing cylinder and a subsequent firing cylinder.

Abstract: A system for controlling a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine with electromagnetic valve actuation, comprising of at least one cylinder with an engine cylinder valve, a second controller operably coupled to the engine cylinder valve, said second controller configured to adjust at least one of the valve opening and closing timing of the engine cylinder valve, and a first controller connected with the second controller over a first link and a second link, wherein the first controller is configured to send an engine position indication signal to the second controller over the first link and receive a status signal from the second controller over the second link, and wherein the first controller outputs a synchronization degradation signal responsive to a synchronization error between the engine position indication signal and the status signal.

Abstract: A method for determining degraded valve operation. According to the method, valve degradation can be determined from the duration of a spark event. This method allows for the determination of both intake and exhaust valve degradation.

Abstract: A vehicle drive system comprising of a variable displacement engine including a plurality of cylinders, where at least one of the plurality of cylinders selectively deactivates to decrease engine displacement; a torque converter operatively coupled to the variable displacement engine configured to operate with variable slip; a driver interface for receiving a preference setting from a driver; a control system for receiving the driver preference setting, and adjusting torque converter slip based on the driver preference setting.

Abstract: A method of operating an engine having a plurality of cylinders, the method comprising of transitioning the engine from a first mode to a second mode, and temporarily adjusting an amount of torque produced by a cylinder of the engine for at least one cycle responsive to a difference in an amount of torque produced by a previous firing cylinder and a subsequent firing cylinder.