Abstract: An internal combustion engine is operative in a spark ignition combustion mode and a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode. Operating the engine includes commanding a transition from a first combustion mode to a second combustion mode. A change in openings and closings of the intake and exhaust valves is commanded to a preferred duration of a negative valve overlap period corresponding to operating in the second combustion mode. Fuel injection parameters and spark ignition events are adjusted to effect operation in the second combustion mode only when a realized duration of the negative valve overlap period exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for transitioning a spark-ignition direct injection internal combustion engine between a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode and a homogeneous spark-ignition combustion mode includes operating the engine in a stratified-charge spark-ignition combustion mode during the transitioning.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder spark-ignition direct-injection internal combustion engine is re-fired subsequent to a fuel cutoff event wherein fuel to all cylinders is cutoff. Re-firing the engine includes selectively firing individual cylinders during re-firing engine cycles exclusively at a predetermined fixed fuel mass until all cylinders have been fired at least once, whereafter subsequent firing of individual cylinders is not limited to the predetermined fixed fuel mass.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is operative in a spark ignition combustion mode and a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode. Operating the engine includes commanding a transition from a first combustion mode to a second combustion mode. A change in openings and closings of the intake and exhaust valves is commanded to a preferred duration of a negative valve overlap period corresponding to operating in the second combustion mode. Fuel injection parameters and spark ignition events are adjusted to effect operation in the second combustion mode only when a realized duration of the negative valve overlap period exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a controllable throttle control device and controllable engine valves. A method for controlling the engine includes monitoring engine operation and an exhaust gas feedstream, and estimating a cylinder charge temperature based upon the monitored engine operation. Oxygen concentration of the cylinder charge is determined based upon the monitored exhaust gas feedstream, and preferred oxygen concentration of the cylinder charge and preferred cylinder charge temperature are determined. The engine valves are controlled based upon the preferred oxygen concentration of the cylinder charge, the preferred cylinder charge temperature, the oxygen concentration of the cylinder charge, and the estimated cylinder charge temperature.

Abstract: A model-based estimation of mass airflow is provided which provides an accurate estimation of mass airflow without introducing undesirable time delays characteristic of filtered mass airflow signals.

Abstract: A direct injection spark ignition multi-cylinder internal combustion engine operative in a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode includes a direct fuel injection system, a spark ignition system and a controllable engine valve system. The air/fuel ratio in the exhaust gas feedstream and an intake mass air flow are measured and an actual air/fuel ratio is calculated based upon the intake mass air flow and engine fueling. Magnitude of a negative valve overlap period between an exhaust valve closing and an intake valve opening is adjusted based upon the measured mass air flow. Timing of pre-injection fueling is adjusted during the negative valve overlap period based upon the measured air/fuel ratio.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to control combustion in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine operating in a controlled auto-ignition mode with minimum combustion phasing error using a least amount of fuel reforming. This comprises monitoring combustion in each cylinder, and determining a target combustion phasing. Fuel delivery to each cylinder is selectively controlled effective to achieve the target combustion phasing, and, effective to achieve the target combustion phasing further comprises controlling the fuel delivery effective to equilibrate combustion phasing of the cylinders.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is selectively operative in a spark ignition combustion mode and a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode. An EGR valve operative to control flow of exhaust gas to an intake manifold is monitored, including commanding the EGR valve to a closed position and monitoring operation of the internal combustion engine. An intake manifold pressure due to a fresh air charge is estimated based upon the operation of the engine. The intake manifold pressure is measured, and the estimated intake manifold pressure is compared to the measured intake manifold pressure.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an engine includes a spark ignition (SI) control module operating the engine in a spark ignition mode in a high lift valve state and a pre-HCCI control module entering a matching state when homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) mode conditions are met. When a matching condition is met, the pre-HCCI control module enters a pre-homogeneous charge compression ignition mode and performs spark retardation, stratified operation or lean operation and commands a low lift valve state. The system also includes an HCCI control module entering an HCCI mode and when in the low lift valve state.

Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling engine valves of an internal combustion engine adapted to selectively operate at one of a first open position and a second open position, including controlling engine operation during a transition from a first to a second combustion mode. The method comprises determining a desired engine airflow based upon an operator torque request. A cylinder intake volume is determined for the desired engine airflow when operating at the first open position. A control scheme is determined to control the engine valves to attain the cylinder intake volume for the desired engine airflow when operating at the second open position. The control scheme is executed and the engine valve is transitioned to the second open position when the cylinder intake volume to operate at the second open position is within a range of authority of the engine valves.

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: A method for transitioning a spark-ignition direct injection internal combustion engine between a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode and a homogeneous spark-ignition combustion mode includes operating the engine in a stratified-charge spark-ignition combustion mode during the transitioning.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an engine includes a spark ignition (SI) control module operating the engine in a spark ignition mode in a high lift valve state and a pre-HCCI control module entering a matching state when homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) mode conditions are met. When a matching condition is met, the pre-HCCI control module enters a pre-homogeneous charge compression ignition mode and performs spark retardation, stratified operation or lean operation and commands a low lift valve state. The system also includes an HCCI control module entering an HCCI mode and when in the low lift valve state.

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: A method to control operation of an engine during a transition from a first to a second combustion mode is provided. The engine includes a controllable throttle valve, a variable valve actuation system for controlling openings and closings of intake and exhaust valves, and, an intake and an exhaust. Mass airflow, intake manifold pressure, and cylinder volume to operate the engine in the second combustion mode and meet an operator torque request are determined. Current states for mass airflow, intake manifold pressure, and cylinder volume are determined. An opening position of the controllable throttle valve and the openings and the closings of the intake and exhaust valves are controlled during the transition to the second combustion mode based upon differences between the current states for mass airflow, intake manifold pressure, and cylinder volume, and, the mass airflow, the intake manifold pressure, and the cylinder volume.

Abstract: A method for providing in-vehicle fuel-related information is disclosed. A geographic location of a vehicle is determined. A driving distance remaining for the vehicle is estimated based on a current fuel level and a fuel consumption rate of the vehicle. Fuel providers are located within a search area of the driving distance remaining for the vehicle, and one or more of the fuel providers are output. A travel cost for the vehicle may also be calculated.

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 is selectively operative in a spark ignition combustion mode and a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode. An EGR valve operative to control flow of exhaust gas to an intake manifold is monitored, including commanding the EGR valve to a closed position and monitoring operation of the internal combustion engine. An intake manifold pressure due to a fresh air charge is estimated based upon the operation of the engine. The intake manifold pressure is measured, and the estimated intake manifold pressure is compared to the measured intake manifold pressure.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a controllable throttle control device and controllable engine valves. A method for controlling the engine includes monitoring engine operation and an exhaust gas feedstream, and estimating a cylinder charge temperature based upon the monitored engine operation. Oxygen concentration of the cylinder charge is determined based upon the monitored exhaust gas feedstream, and preferred oxygen concentration of the cylinder charge and preferred cylinder charge temperature are determined. The engine valves are controlled based upon the preferred oxygen concentration of the cylinder charge, the preferred cylinder charge temperature, the oxygen concentration of the cylinder charge, and the estimated cylinder charge temperature.