Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle engine comprising estimating a value for the actual engine torque, comparing this with a further calculated (expected) torque value, and controlling the engine consequent to said comparing, the value for the actual engine torque being determined from the following steps: ?a) from a crankshaft signal, providing a plot or signal indicative of instantaneous crankshaft speed; ?b) differentiating said plot or signal indicative of instantaneous crankshaft speed with respect to time to determine acceleration values; ?c) within a crankshaft/time interval, determining a maximum and a minimum acceleration value from step b); ?d) determining the difference between said maximum and minimum acceleration values; ?e) determining a torque value dependent on said difference from step d).

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle engine comprising estimating a value for the actual engine torque, comparing this with a further calculated (expected) torque value, and controlling the engine consequent to said comparing, the value for the actual engine torque being determined from the following steps: • a) from a crankshaft signal, providing a plot or signal indicative of instantaneous crankshaft speed; • b) differentiating said plot or signal indicative of instantaneous crankshaft speed with respect to time to determine acceleration values; • c) within a crankshaft/time interval, determining a maximum and a minimum acceleration value from step b); • d) determining the difference between said maximum and minimum acceleration values; • e) determining a torque value dependent on said difference from step d).

Abstract: A method of determining the acceleration of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine including one or more cylinders, with respect to each combustion event, n, among a plurality of combustion events, includes a) providing a signal indicative of crankshaft speed, with the signal including a series of minima and maxima speeds with respect to each successive combustion event and b) determining the acceleration of the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine with respect to each combustion event, n, among the plurality of combustion events, based on an initial speed value of a minima, Min (n) just before the combustion event, n, and a subsequent speed value of a maximum, Max (n) immediately subsequent to the combustion event, n, in addition to a speed of a minima for a subsequent combustion event, Min (n+1).

Abstract: A method of determining the instantaneous acceleration of an internal combustion engine comprising one or more cylinders, with respect to a combustion event, n, comprising: a) providing a signal indicative of crankshaft speed, said signal comprising a series of minima and maxima with respect to each successive combustion event; b) determining the accelerations based on: the initial speed value of the minima, Min(n) just before the combustion event, n, and the subsequent speed value of the maximum immediately subsequent to the combustion event, Max (n), as well as the speed of the minima for the subsequent combustion event, Min (n+1).

Abstract: A method is specified for controlling a combustion engine in a motor vehicle, namely for optimally adjusting an air/fuel ratio which is distinguished in that the air/fuel ratio is the result of a regulation process. Individual aspects of the invention further address a regulation method particularly suitable for such regulation in consideration of the available input values and readings. For the purposes of supporting regulation, an adaptation method is specified which can also be used independently of the regulation method or with other regulation methods and which enables the regulation to be continuously adapted to the respective operating conditions, such as, for example, the engine operational performance, and signs of wear and tear and disruptions due to deposits etc. which accompany it.

Abstract: A method for engine control in a motor vehicle is specified, in particular a method for controlling a combustion engine in a motor vehicle, namely for optimally adjusting a quantity of exhaust gas, which is recirculated, in an exhaust gas recirculation branch, from an exhaust manifold situated after the engine on the output side to an intake manifold situated before the engine on the input side, and a device functioning according to the method, which enables controlling and, where applicable, regulation of the recirculated exhaust gas quantity, whereby the regulation, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, is supplemented with possibilities for parameter adaptation.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for monitoring catalyst performance in an exhaust system comprises a plurality of treatment devices catalytically treating an exhaust gas stream, and a plurality of gas sensors for monitoring the catalyst performance of the treatment devices to determine when sulfur poisoning occurs. An on-board diagnostic system receives signals from the gas sensors, and, based upon response time differentials between sensors, determines whether the treatment devices are experiencing sulfur poisoning.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for monitoring catalyst performance in an exhaust system comprises a plurality of treatment devices catalytically treating an exhaust gas stream, and a plurality of gas sensors for monitoring the catalyst performance of the treatment devices to determine when sulfur poisoning occurs. An on-board diagnostic system receives signals from the gas sensors, and, based upon response time differentials between sensors, determines whether the treatment devices are experiencing sulfur poisoning.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for monitoring catalyst performance in an exhaust system comprises a plurality of treatment devices catalytically treating an exhaust gas stream, and a plurality of gas sensors for monitoring the catalyst performance of the treatment devices to determine when sulfur poisoning occurs. An on-board diagnostic system receives signals from the gas sensors, and, based upon response time differentials between sensors, determines whether the treatment devices are experiencing sulfur poisoning.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for monitoring catalyst performance in an exhaust system comprises a plurality of treatment devices catalytically treating an exhaust gas stream, and a plurality of gas sensors for monitoring the catalyst performance of the treatment devices to determine when sulfur poisoning occurs. An on-board diagnostic system receives signals from the gas sensors, and, based upon response time differentials between sensors, determines whether the treatment devices are experiencing sulfur poisoning.