Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for operating an engine that includes a knock control system that may determine contributions of individual noise sources to an engine background noise level. The contributions of the individual noise sources may be the basis for establishing the presence or absence of knock in one or more engine cylinders.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for operating an engine that includes a knock control system. The methods and system provide for repurposing the engine knock control system to detect and mitigate piston slap. The methods and systems also seek to increase the signal to noise ratio for detecting piston slap.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for operating an engine that includes a knock control system that may determine contributions of individual noise sources to an engine background noise level. The contributions of the individual noise sources may be the basis for establishing the presence or absence of knock in one or more engine cylinders.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for operating an engine that includes a knock control system that may determine contributions of individual noise sources to an engine background noise level. The contributions of the individual noise sources may be the basis for establishing the presence or absence of knock in one or more engine cylinders.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for operating an engine that includes a knock control system. The methods and system provide for repurposing the engine knock control system to detect and mitigate piston slap. The methods and systems also seek to increase the signal to noise ratio for detecting piston slap.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for operating an engine that includes a knock control system that may determine contributions of individual noise sources to an engine background noise level. The contributions of the individual noise sources may be the basis for establishing the presence or absence of knock in one or more engine cylinders.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for purging condensate from a charge air cooler to an engine intake while reducing misfire events related to the water ingestion. During the purging, a spark timing is adjusted based on the amount of condensate purged per cycle. The spark timing is adjusted differently when the condensate is purged during a tip-in versus a pro-active clean-out routine.

Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling an engine in response to a pre-ignition event. A pre-ignition threshold and a pre-ignition mitigating action are adjusted based on a rate of change of cylinder aircharge. As a result, pre-ignition events occurring during transient engine operating conditions are detected and addressed different from pre-ignition events occurring during steady-state engine operating conditions.

Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling an engine in response to a pre-ignition event. A pre-ignition threshold and a pre-ignition mitigating action are adjusted based on a rate of change of cylinder aircharge. As a result, pre-ignition events occurring during transient engine operating conditions are detected and addressed different from pre-ignition events occurring during steady-state engine operating conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, at least some of which may be selectively deactivated to provide variable displacement operation, including temperature management of at least one engine/vehicle component by monitoring the temperature of the component and controlling activation of at least one cylinder to control the temperature of the component. In one embodiment, the engine/vehicle component is an emission control device, such as a catalytic converter.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, at least some of which may be selectively deactivated to provide variable displacement operation, including temperature management of at least one engine/vehicle component by monitoring the temperature of the component and controlling activation of at least one cylinder to control the temperature of the component. In one embodiment, the engine/vehicle component is an emission control device, such as a catalytic converter.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, at least some of which may be selectively deactivated to provide variable displacement operation, include managing temperature of at least one engine/vehicle component by monitoring the temperature of the component and controlling activation of at least one cylinder to control the temperature of the component. In one embodiment, the engine/vehicle component is an emission control device, such as a catalytic converter.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling temperature of an exhaust gas oxygen sensor in a system having a variable displacement engine include monitoring temperature of the sensor, comparing the sensor temperature to a corresponding desired temperature, and controlling the system to maintain the sensor temperature at or above the desired operating temperature. In one embodiment, the sensor is a heated exhaust gas oxygen (HEGO) sensor and the method includes controlling an integrated sensor heater to maintain the sensor temperature above the desired operating temperature. Depending upon the particular application, the system may also be controlled by controlling the engine to reactivate at least one deactivated cylinder to increase the temperature of the sensor alone or in combination with controlling an integrated or auxiliary sensor heater for systems using HEGO sensor(s).

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, at least some of which may be selectively deactivated to provide variable displacement operation, include managing temperature of at least one engine/vehicle component by monitoring the temperature of the component and controlling activation of at least one cylinder to control the temperature of the component. In one embodiment, the engine/vehicle component is an emission control device, such as a catalytic converter.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling temperature of an exhaust gas oxygen sensor in a system having a variable displacement engine include monitoring temperature of the sensor, comparing the sensor temperature to a corresponding desired temperature, and controlling the system to maintain the sensor temperature at or above the desired operating temperature. In one embodiment, the sensor is a heated exhaust gas oxygen (HEGO) sensor and the method includes controlling an integrated sensor heater to maintain the sensor temperature above the desired operating temperature. Depending upon the particular application, the system may also be controlled by controlling the engine to reactivate at least one deactivated cylinder to increase the temperature of the sensor alone or in combination with controlling an integrated or auxiliary sensor heater for systems using HEGO sensor(s).

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, at least some of which may be selectively deactivated to provide variable displacement operation, include managing temperature of at least one engine/vehicle component by monitoring the temperature of the component and controlling activation of at least one cylinder to control the temperature of the component. In one embodiment, the engine/vehicle component is an emission control device, such as a catalytic converter.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a variable displacement engine include starting the engine with at least one bank of cylinders deactivated to increase load on at least one other bank of activated cylinders and reduce time required for an engine and/or vehicle component to reach a desired operating temperature. In one embodiment, ignition timing or spark is retarded and air/fuel ratio is biased lean for the activated cylinder bank during and shortly after starting to further reduce the time required for catalyst light off and closed loop operation. During activation of a deactivated bank of cylinders, air/fuel ratio of one or more activated cylinders is biased rich with air/fuel ratio of the deactivated cylinders biased lean. In addition, spark is retarded during activation of the deactivated cylinders to reduce the time necessary for components associated with the deactivated cylinders to reach desired operating temperatures.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a variable displacement engine include starting the engine with at least one bank of cylinders deactivated to increase load on at least one other bank of activated cylinders and reduce time required for an engine and/or vehicle component to reach a desired operating temperature. In one embodiment, ignition timing or spark is retarded and air/fuel ratio is biased lean for the activated cylinder bank during and shortly after starting to further reduce the time required for catalyst light off and closed loop operation. During activation of a deactivated bank of cylinders, air/fuel ratio of one or more activated cylinders is biased rich with air/fuel ratio of the deactivated cylinders biased lean. In addition, spark is retarded during activation of the deactivated cylinders to reduce the time necessary for components associated with the deactivated cylinders to reach desired operating temperatures.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling temperature of an exhaust gas oxygen sensor in a system having a variable displacement engine include monitoring temperature of the sensor, comparing the sensor temperature to a corresponding desired temperature, and controlling the system to maintain the sensor temperature at or above the desired operating temperature. In one embodiment, the sensor is a heated exhaust gas oxygen (HEGO) sensor and the method includes controlling an integrated sensor heater to maintain the sensor temperature above the desired operating temperature. Depending upon the particular application, the system may also be controlled by controlling the engine to reactivate at least one deactivated cylinder to increase the temperature of the sensor alone or in combination with controlling an integrated or auxiliary sensor heater for systems using HEGO sensor(s).