Abstract: Methods and apparatus for accurately predicting a fuel injector tip temperature (FITT) are described. One technique for predicting the temperature of a fuel injector tip in an engine suitably includes the steps of estimating an initial temperature of the fuel injector tip and calculating a steady state temperature of the fuel injector tip. A filter coefficient is determined as a function of a rate of airflow into the engine, and the temperature of the fuel injector tip is predicted as a function of said initial temperature, the steady state temperature, and the filter coefficient. In a further embodiment, the steady state temperature is filtered into a feedback temperature at a rate that is determined by the filter coefficient.

Abstract: A computer-implemented apparatus and method for inferring power steering load and for controlling airflow to an engine of a vehicle having an engine speed. A sensor which is connected to the engine senses the engine speed of the engine. An engine speed reference data table stores at least one engine reference speed, and a reference comparator module which is connected to the sensor and to the reference data table performs a comparison between the sensed engine speed and the engine reference speed. The airflow to the engine is controlled based upon the comparison.