Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine limits emission of undesirable compounds of nitrogen and oxygen and provides increased transient power.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the characteristics of engine oil in a lubrication system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. Generally speaking, the method includes the steps of determining a target viscosity for the engine oil based on engine speed and engine load, determining a working viscosity which may be directly measured or determined based on engine oil temperature and engine oil type, comparing the target viscosity to the working viscosity, deriving a target engine oil temperature, and directing engine oil to one of an oil cooler, an oil heater, or neither when and until the target engine oil temperature is achieved.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the quantity of compressed air that may enter into an engine cylinder during the intake stroke of a piston during an engine braking event. A control throttle may be positioned to restrict the quantity of compressed air that may enter into the cylinder during the intake stroke. The control throttle may also be positioned downstream of the engine and configured to adjustably restrict the quantity of exhaust gas that may be delivered to a turbine. By restricting the exhaust gas delivered to the turbine, the power generated by the turbine that is used by the compressor to compress intake air may also be reduced. Moreover, by controlling the power available to the compressor, the quantity of compressed intake air may be controlled, which allows for control of the quantity of compressed air that enters into the cylinder during the compression stroke.

Abstract: In response to activation of a compression release brake when a motor vehicle having a turbocharged internal combustion engine is operating at some elevation above sea level and a turbocharger compressor is operating in a region of an operating map which is creating boost air in an engine intake manifold which would cause the compression release brake to decelerate the vehicle more slowly at that elevation than it would at sea level for the same operating conditions of the vehicle and engine other than altitude, the compression release brake decelerates the vehicle less slowly by causing an exhaust gas recirculation system to reduce at least one of a) mass of exhaust diverted to an intake system of the engine and b) cooling of the diverted exhaust.

Abstract: When the difference by which pressure in an engine exhaust manifold exceeds pressure in an engine intake manifold becomes less than a selected difference while an intake valve operating mechanism is closing cylinder intake valves at a selected time in the engine cycle, while an EGR system is conveying the engine exhaust component of an air/exhaust mixture from an exhaust system to an intake system, and a certain quantity of NOx is present in engine exhaust entering the exhaust manifold, the quantity of NOx present in engine exhaust entering the exhaust manifold is reduced below that certain quantity by causing the intake valve operating mechanism to close the cylinder intake valves earlier in the engine cycle than the selected time.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating an engine to limit soot emissions during fuel-enriched operation. The method includes operating the engine using a first fuel injection pattern and timing to inject fuel into a combustion chamber of the engine. The method further includes receiving a request for an increased engine power output and operating the engine using a second fuel injection pattern and timing to inject more fuel into the combustion in response to the request for the increased power output, where the second fuel injection pattern and timing is configured to minimize soot emissions during enriched fuel operations, such as during transient operations.

Abstract: An engine controller causes a propulsion engine of a motor vehicle to be fueled in a fueling mode of operation and not to be fueled in a non-fueling mode of operation. A controlled device, such as a clutch or regulator, controls operation of a pneumatic compressor which forces compressed air into a storage tank. The controlled device is controlled according to a strategy which distinguishes between the fueling mode and the non-fueling mode for improving overall vehicle fuel economy.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a modified header design for absorbing high thermal loads, is described. The heat exchanger includes housing, core including a plurality of tubes providing flow passages within the housing and header plate positioned at an end of the housing and connected to the core. The header plate and flow passages join forming a thermal deflecting junction. In addition, a header for use with an exhaust gas heat exchanger, is disclosed. The header includes a header plate having a planer base wall and a flange extending from the base wall for receiving an end of at least one exhaust gas tube, a heat deflecting junction where the header plate meets the end of the tube. The header also includes a joint formed from the flange connecting to the tube, and positioned a suitable distance from the heat deflecting junction.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the quantity of compressed air that may enter into an engine cylinder during the intake stroke of a piston during an engine braking event. A control throttle may be positioned to restrict the quantity of compressed air that may enter into the cylinder during the intake stroke. The control throttle may also be positioned downstream of the engine and configured to adjustably restrict the quantity of exhaust gas that may be delivered to a turbine. By restricting the exhaust gas delivered to the turbine, the power generated by the turbine that is used by the compressor to compress intake air may also be reduced. Moreover, by controlling the power available to the compressor, the quantity of compressed intake air may be controlled, which allows for control of the quantity of compressed air that enters into the cylinder during the compression stroke.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a plurality of actuators that assists in controlling the operation of a motorized vehicle. The apparatus includes a centralized actuator control module that is positioned remotely from an engine control unit. The centralized actuator control module includes a processor that is configured to control the operation of the actuators. The apparatus may include a first communication cable that is configured to deliver information between the centralized actuator control module and the engine control unit. An actuator communication cable may be configured to deliver power from the centralized actuator control module to one or more of the plurality of actuators. The apparatus may include a second communication cable configured to deliver sensed data to the centralized actuator control module that the centralized actuator control module uses to determine whether to operate one or more of the actuators.

Abstract: A valve assembly and air flow management assembly for use in an exhaust gas recirculation system capable of providing substantially zero air flow at closure, is described. The valve assembly includes a valve housing having a central axis bore, a rotatable support shaft disposed centrally within the housing, a flapper having an outer circumferential edge, the flapper operably connected to the support shaft and, a ring seal integral with the outer circumferential edge of the flapper, wherein the ring seal closes an opening between the flapper and the bore when the flapper is in the closed position. The outer circumferential edge of the flapper further includes a groove having the ring seal disposed within the groove, wherein the seal floats within the groove, eliminating thermal stress and providing improved sealing capabilities.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the characteristics of engine oil in a lubrication system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. Generally speaking, the method includes the steps of determining a target viscosity for the engine oil based on engine speed and engine load, determining a working viscosity which may be directly measured or determined based on engine oil temperature and engine oil type, comparing the target viscosity to the working viscosity, deriving a target engine oil temperature, and directing engine oil to one of an oil cooler, an oil heater, or neither when and until the target engine oil temperature is achieved.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a modified header design for absorbing high thermal loads, is described. The heat exchanger includes a housing having an interior space, a core within the interior space of the housing, the core comprising a plurality of flow passages, and a header positioned at an end of the housing and in communication with the core, wherein the header includes a thermal absorbing formation. The thermal absorbing formation may take the form of a continuous raised rib around an inner circumference of the header. The raised rib absorbs excess heat and reduces thermal strain on the heat exchanger.

Abstract: In response to activation of a compression release brake when a motor vehicle having a turbocharged internal combustion engine is operating at some elevation above sea level and a turbocharger compressor is operating in a region of an operating map which is creating boost air in an engine intake manifold which would cause the compression release brake to decelerate the vehicle more slowly at that elevation than it would at sea level for the same operating conditions of the vehicle and engine other than altitude, the compression release brake decelerates the vehicle less slowly by operating a valve mechanism to reduce flow through a charge air cooler and increase flow through a charge air cooler by-pass.

Abstract: In response to activation of a compression release brake when a motor vehicle having a turbocharged internal combustion engine is operating at some elevation above sea level and a turbocharger compressor is operating in a region of an operating map which is creating boost air in an engine intake manifold which would cause the compression release brake to decelerate the vehicle more slowly at that elevation than it would at sea level for the same operating conditions of the vehicle and engine other than altitude, the compression release brake decelerates the vehicle less slowly by causing an exhaust gas recirculation system to reduce at least one of a) mass of exhaust diverted to an intake system of the engine and b) cooling of the diverted exhaust.

Abstract: While an engine is miming with all engine cylinders being fueled, a historical record of engine output torque and engine speed is compiled. When the historical record discloses a change in engine operation from a relatively greater output torque and engine speed to a relatively lesser output torque and speed, fueling of at least one engine cylinder ceases while engine output torque and engine speed remain substantially unchanged at the relatively lesser output torque and speed by continuing fueling of other engine cylinders and by causing at least one mechanism to control the timing of operation of cylinder intake and exhaust valves of the at least one engine cylinder to substantially minimize pumping loss attributable to the at least one engine cylinder.

Abstract: When the difference by which pressure in an engine exhaust manifold exceeds pressure in an engine intake manifold becomes less than a selected difference while an intake valve operating mechanism is closing cylinder intake valves at a selected time in the engine cycle, while an EGR system is conveying the engine exhaust component of an air/exhaust mixture from an exhaust system to an intake system, and a certain quantity of NOx is present in engine exhaust entering the exhaust manifold, the quantity of NOx present in engine exhaust entering the exhaust manifold is reduced below that certain quantity by causing the intake valve operating mechanism to close the cylinder intake valves earlier in the engine cycle than the selected time.

Abstract: The present technology provides one or more methods of operating an engine in a motor vehicle. In at least one embodiment, the existence of an engine idle condition is determined. The method may also include determining whether an operator is present in the vehicle. In some embodiments, the engine operates at a performance idle speed when an engine idle condition exists and an operator is present in the vehicle. In further embodiments, the engine operates at a fuel economy idle speed when an idle condition exists and no operator is present in the vehicle. In still further embodiments, the fuel economy idle speed will be lower than the performance idle speed. The present technology anticipates engine workload and controls engine idle speeds. Based on the anticipated workloads, the present technology can reduce engine stalling while also reducing emissions and increasing fuel economy.

Abstract: A system is provided for boosting the pressure of air delivered to the intake manifold of an engine during a transient event. The system includes an air flow line that is configured to deliver air to an inlet of a low pressure compressor. The system also includes a high pressure compressor. The system further includes a bypass system having at least one bypass valve and a bypass line. The bypass system is configured to allow at least a portion of the air in the air flow line to bypass the low pressure compressor when the bypass valve is in an open position. The bypass valve may be actuated to an open position during transient events so as to increase the speed at which the pressure, and thus air flow mass, of air being supplied to an engine obtained desired levels.

Abstract: A method for driving exhaust gas recirculation comprising the steps of restricting exhaust gas flow into the turbine inlet to create backpressure in the exhaust system under low engine operating conditions, and providing an unrestricted exhaust gas flow to the turbine under normal engine operating conditions. Restriction of exhaust gas flow is accomplished through the use of an exhaust gas throttle valve disposed upstream of the turbine inlet. The valves can be adjustable knife edge flap valves or D-shaped valves situated in each passageway of a divided exhaust manifold, which are closed to varying degrees to generate desired levels of backpressure while allowing exhaust gas to pass though open regions of the partially obstructed flow pathway to reach the engine turbocharger. This allows the turbine to continue to spin, while at the same time exhaust gas back pressure upstream of the turbocharger is used to drive exhaust gas recirculation.