Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine includes monitoring an engine operating state and selectively operating the engine in a multiple-injection, multiple-ignition combustion mode comprising three injection events based upon the engine operating state. The selective operation includes controlling a first injection during a recompression period of the combustion cycle, controlling a second injection event effective to establish a homogeneous fuel charge prior to a main combustion, and controlling a third injection late in the compression phase of the combustion cycle.

Abstract: Combustion mode transitions in a hybrid powertrain are managed by coordinated control of engine valve train, engine fueling and electric machine torque generation.

Abstract: A method for estimating an oxygen concentration in an intake manifold of a diesel engine utilizing exhaust gas recirculation includes monitoring engine operation, monitoring an exhaust gas recirculation valve, and monitoring an exhaust air fuel ratio. When the engine operates in steady state with the exhaust gas recirculation valve in the closed position, a volumetric efficiency for the engine is updated. A partial pressure due to exhaust gas recirculation within the intake manifold based upon the updated volumetric efficiency is determined, and an estimated oxygen concentration within the intake manifold based upon the partial pressure due to exhaust gas recirculation within the intake manifold and the exhaust air fuel ratio is determined. Operation of the engine is controlled based upon the estimated oxygen concentration within the intake manifold.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder internal combustion engine is operative in a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode. The operation includes monitoring engine operation, and globally adapting fueling for all the cylinders based upon an engine intake mass air flow and an air/fuel ratio. The fueling for each cylinder is individually adapted based upon states of a combustion parameter for all the cylinders.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine configured to operate in a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode and equipped with a mass airflow metering device includes monitoring an engine combustion state, monitoring states of engine operating parameters, calculating a nominal intake air mass flowrate corresponding to the states of the engine operating parameters, estimating an intake air mass flowrate corresponding to the nominal intake air mass flowrate and the engine combustion state, measuring intake air mass flowrate with the mass airflow metering device, comparing the estimated and measured intake air mass flowrates, and detecting a fault related to the mass airflow metering device when a difference between the estimated and measured intake air mass flowrates exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is selectively operative in one of a plurality of combustion modes. A method for controlling the engine includes commanding the engine operation to transition from a first combustion mode to a second combustion mode. Engine valve operation is commanded to a desired valve overlap and valve overlap is monitored. Engine operation is changed to the second combustion mode when the engine valve overlap achieves a predetermined range or threshold.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine system is equipped with a controllable engine valve actuation system. Controlling lift of an engine valve includes periodically monitoring engine valve lift and engine crank angle. A preferred engine valve lift profile is determined in a crank angle-domain. A preferred engine valve position is determined in the crank angle-domain. The preferred engine valve position is interpolated to determine a preferred engine valve position in the time-domain. The control circuit is actuated to control the engine valve in the time-domain.

Abstract: A method for controlling combustion in a multi-cylinder spark-ignition direct-injection internal combustion engine includes determining a desired combustion phasing for maintaining acceptable combustion properties, monitoring combustion phasing of each cylinder, selecting a target combustion phasing corresponding to one of the cylinders having a most retarded combustion phasing, adjusting spark timing in each cylinder not having the most retarded combustion phasing to achieve the target combustion phasing to balance the combustion phasing in all the cylinders at the target combustion phasing, and adjusting an external EGR percentage to converge the balanced combustion phasing in all the cylinders toward the desired combustion phasing.

Abstract: A method for controlling a multi-cylinder direct-injection internal combustion engine includes establishing an external exhaust gas recirculation valve from a present position to a target position to achieve a target exhaust gas recirculation, and synchronizing combustion initiation timing with actual exhaust gas recirculation as actual exhaust gas recirculation changes from a first exhaust gas recirculation value corresponding to the present position of the external exhaust gas recirculation valve to a second exhaust gas recirculation value corresponding to the target position of the external exhaust gas recirculation valve.

Abstract: A method for controlling combustion in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine operating in a controlled auto-ignition mode includes providing combustion control parameters, determining peak cylinder pressures and crank angle location of the peak cylinder pressures. Cylinder volumes at the peak cylinder pressures and at intake valve closings are determined and cylinder pressures at intake valve closings are determined. A combustion parameter for each cylinder is calculated based upon the peak cylinder pressure, the cylinder pressure at the intake valve closing, the crank angle location of the peak cylinder pressure, the cylinder volume coincident with the peak cylinder pressure, and the cylinder volume at the intake valve closing. A target combustion parameter is determined and the calculated combustion parameter for each cylinder is compared to the target combustion parameter.

Abstract: A method for controlling combustion mode transitions for an engine of a hybrid powertrain includes commanding an increase in engine torque, adjusting motor torque output from a torque machine responsive to the operator torque request and the commanded increase in engine torque, executing the combustion mode transition, and operating the torque machine in a torque reclamation state.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes two-step variable lift control mechanisms configured to control magnitude of valve lift of intake and exhaust valves to one of two discrete steps including low-lift valve open positions and high-lift valve open positions. A method for operating the engine includes commanding a transition from a first combustion mode to a second combustion mode. Upon commanding the transition, closing of a plurality of secondary throttle valves configured to control intake airflow to a plurality of intake runners upstream of a plurality of intake valves is initiated. Positions of the plurality of secondary throttle valves are then adjusted to achieve a preferred air charge. The two-step variable lift control mechanisms are then commanded to switch from a first of the two discrete steps to a second of the two discrete steps.

Abstract: A control system for an engine includes a feedback determination module, a feed-forward determination module, and a valve control module. The feedback determination module generates an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) feedback value based on engine speed and a difference between desired and measured combustion phasing. The feed-forward determination module generates an EGR feed-forward value based on a difference between desired and measured mass air flow (MAF) rates. The valve control module controls an EGR valve based on the EGR feedback and feed-forward values, an intake manifold absolute pressure (MAP), an engine speed, and an exhaust back pressure (EBP).

Abstract: A method for controlling a direct injection internal combustion engine and a torque machine configured to transfer torque to a driveline responsive to an operator torque request includes operating the direct injection internal combustion engine to transfer torque to the driveline, monitoring the operator torque request, determining a time constant associated with the operator torque request, detecting a fast transient condition associated with the operator torque request, providing a restricted engine torque command as a function of the operator torque request and the time constant, and during fast transient conditions controlling engine operation to achieve the restricted engine torque command, and operating the torque machine responsive to a motor torque command, the motor torque command corresponding to a difference between the operator torque request and the restricted engine torque command.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine having a plurality of controllable engine actuators includes operating the engine in a first combustion mode using a first control scheme while simultaneously simulating operating the engine in a second combustion mode using a second control scheme and in accordance with simulated control settings for the plurality of controllable engine actuators, and transitioning operation of the engine to the second combustion mode using the second control scheme and initially in accordance with the simulated control settings for the plurality of controllable engine actuators.

Abstract: Combustion mode transitions in a hybrid powertrain are managed by coordinated control of engine valve train, engine fueling and electric machine torque generation.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine system is equipped with a controllable engine valve actuation system. Controlling lift of an engine valve includes periodically monitoring engine valve lift and engine crank angle. A preferred engine valve lift profile is determined in a crank angle-domain. A preferred engine valve position is determined in the crank angle-domain. The preferred engine valve position is interpolated to determine a preferred engine valve position in the time-domain. The control circuit is actuated to control the engine valve in the time-domain.

Abstract: A method for estimating an oxygen concentration in an intake manifold of a diesel engine utilizing exhaust gas recirculation includes monitoring engine operation, monitoring an exhaust gas recirculation valve, and monitoring an exhaust air fuel ratio. When the engine operates in steady state with the exhaust gas recirculation valve in the closed position, a volumetric efficiency for the engine is updated. A partial pressure due to exhaust gas recirculation within the intake manifold based upon the updated volumetric efficiency is determined, and an estimated oxygen concentration within the intake manifold based upon the partial pressure due to exhaust gas recirculation within the intake manifold and the exhaust air fuel ratio is determined Operation of the engine is controlled based upon the estimated oxygen concentration within the intake manifold.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine configured to operate in a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode and equipped with a mass airflow metering device includes monitoring an engine combustion state, monitoring states of engine operating parameters, calculating a nominal intake air mass flowrate corresponding to the states of the engine operating parameters, estimating an intake air mass flowrate corresponding to the nominal intake air mass flowrate and the engine combustion state, measuring intake air mass flowrate with the mass airflow metering device, comparing the estimated and measured intake air mass flowrates, and detecting a fault related to the mass airflow metering device when a difference between the estimated and measured intake air mass flowrates exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a controllable throttle and controllable engine valves and is selectively operative in one of a plurality of combustion modes. An engine control method includes monitoring engine operation, determining a desired air flow, estimating a cylinder air charge, and estimating an intake air partial pressure. The throttle control device and engine valves are controlled based upon the intake air partial pressure and the cylinder air charge to achieve the desired air flow.