Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine that can be operated in a homogeneous charge combustion mode as well as a method and a computer readable storage device for controlling such an engine. The engine comprises at least one fuel injector, a fuel injection controller that controls a fuel amount injected into a first cylinder, and a piston in the first cylinder whose compression causes an air and fuel mixture to be ignited. The engine further comprises at least one intake valve, at least one exhaust valve, a valve operation controller, and at least one sensor for measuring an engine operation parameter in the first cylinder. The engine is particularly characterized in that the valve operation controller is adapted to determine the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves of the first cylinder on the basis of a first fuel injection or injections.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to an engine system, and a method in an engine system comprising an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder (2) at which a piston (3), at least one inlet valve (5), at least one exhaust valve (7), and fuel injection means (11), for injection of fuel directly into the cylinder (2), are provided. The method comprises performing the following steps in at least one of the at least one cylinder: controlling (204) at least one of the at least one intake valve (5) so as to introduce air into the cylinder (2), performing (203, 206) at least one main combustion fuel injection (P21, P22) for a main combustion with air introduced into the cylinder (2), controlling (201), during an exhaust stroke and an intake stroke, the intake and exhaust valves (5, 7) so as to form a negative valve overlap (NVO) to capture main combustion residues, and performing (202) at least one pilot fuel injection (P1) during the negative valve overlap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine that can be operated in a homogeneous charge combustion mode as well as a method and a computer readable storage device for controlling such an engine. The engine comprises at least one fuel injector, a fuel injection controller that controls a fuel amount injected into a first cylinder, and a piston in the first cylinder whose compression causes an air and fuel mixture to be ignited. The engine further comprises at least one intake valve, at least one exhaust valve, a valve operation controller, and at least one sensor for measuring an engine operation parameter in the first cylinder. The engine is particularly characterized in that the valve operation controller is adapted to determine the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves of the first cylinder on the basis of a first fuel injection or injections.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to an engine system, and a method in an engine system comprising an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder (2) at which a piston (3), at least one inlet valve (5), at least one exhaust valve (7), and fuel injection means (11), for injection of fuel directly into the cylinder (2), are provided. The method comprises performing the following steps in at least one of the at least one cylinder: controlling (204) at least one of the at least one intake valve (5) so as to introduce air into the cylinder (2), performing (203, 206) at least one main combustion fuel injection (P21, P22) for a main combustion with air introduced into the cylinder (2), controlling (201), during an exhaust stroke and an intake stroke, the intake and exhaust valves (5, 7) so as to form a negative valve overlap (NVO) to capture main combustion residues, and performing (202) at least one pilot fuel injection (P1) during the negative valve overlap.

Abstract: Method for potentiating the utilizable torque output capacity of a hybrid electric vehicle is provided. The method includes controlling operation of an engine of a hybrid electric vehicle using a generator, the engine and generator being interconnected through a planetary gear system, the generator having approximately equal torque output capacity as the engine based on connective gear ratio selection. An engine controller is utilized for managing the engine's operation thereby permitting the engine to be operated at a torque output level substantially equal to the maximum torque output of the generator without a significant margin of excess control capacity of the generator over the engine. An overpower condition is detected in which the torque output of the engine is surpassing the maximum torque output of the generator. The engine is controlled to a torque output that is less than the maximum torque output of the generator.

Abstract: Method for potentiating the utilizable torque output capacity of a hybrid electric vehicle is disclosed. The method includes controlling operation of an engine of a hybrid electric vehicle using a generator, the engine and generator being interconnected through a planetary gear system, the generator having approximately equal torque output capacity as the engine based on connective gear ratio selection. An engine controller is utilized for managing the engine's operation thereby permitting the engine to be operated at a torque output level substantially equal to the maximum torque output of the generator without a significant margin of excess control capacity of the generator over the engine. An overpower condition is detected in which the torque output of the engine is surpassing the maximum torque output of the generator. The engine is controlled to a torque output that is less than the maximum torque output of the generator.