Abstract: A thermal energy storage system that enables the discharge of refrigerated air for cooling cargo or passengers in large compartments, such as the trailer of a semi-truck, for a period of time well in excess of several hours. The thermal energy storage system is able to provide refrigeration without operating a conventional VCC unit, the truck engine, or the TRU diesel APU engine during all or a significant portion of the period of the typical range of time that a 53 foot refrigerated the truck is traveling over the road. The thermal energy storage system includes a phase change material reservoir, a cooling system-to-working fluid heat exchanger in fluid communication with the phase change material reservoir, and a phase change material-to-target heat exchanger in fluid communication with the phase change material reservoir. The phase change material reservoir contains a phase change material, a working fluid and a working fluid-to-phase change material heat exchanger.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage system (TESS) that enables the discharge of refrigerated air for cooling cargo or passengers in large compartments, such as the trailer of a semi-truck, for a period of time well in excess of several hours. The TES system is able to provide refrigeration without operating a conventional VCC unit, the truck engine, or the TRU diesel APU engine during all or a significant portion of the period of the typical range of time that a 53 foot refrigerated the truck is traveling over the road. The TES system includes a phase change material (PCM) reservoir, a cooling system-to-WF heat exchanger in fluid communication with the PCM reservoir, and a PCM-to-target heat exchanger in fluid communication with the PCM reservoir. The PCM reservoir contains a phase change material, a working fluid (WF) and a working fluid-to-PCM heat exchanger.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to control the rate of change of the variable cam phasing system during transient engine operating conditions. It does this primarily to maintain combustion stability. The invention controls the rate of change of the variable cam phasing system based upon the operating point of the engine, the desired operating point of the engine, and the rate of change of the variable cam phasing system necessary to maintain combustion stability.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement over conventional engine controls by providing a method and system that operates a variable valve system immediately subsequent to engine start, and disengages the variable valve system when engine performance is unacceptable. If the variable valve system is disengaged after engine start due to poor engine performance, a time delay occurs to allow the engine to create a sufficient amount of oil pressure to operate the variable valve system.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus to clean an oil control valve for use by an internal combustion engine. The invention causes the oil control valve to execute a cleaning routine when specific entrance criteria are met. This ensures cleaning of the valve to remove contaminants that are wedged, pinched or otherwise trapped on the valve, without interference in the operation of the engine.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus to clean an oil control valve for use by an internal combustion engine. The invention causes the oil control valve to execute a cleaning routine when specific entrance criteria are met. This ensures cleaning of the valve to remove contaminants that are wedged, pinched or otherwise trapped on the valve, without interference in the operation of the engine.

Abstract: A system (10) for controllably disabling cylinders in an internal combustion engine (12) includes a throttle (18) controlling air flow to an intake manifold (14), a number of cylinder deactivation devices (1001-100K) and an engine controller (28) controlling fueling (90), ignition timing (94) and throttle position (86). The controller (28) is operable to activate only the minimum number of cylinders required to achieve a desired engine/vehicle operating parameter value, open the throttle (18) to a computed throttle position, control ignition timing sufficiently to drive the current value of the engine/vehicle operating parameter to the desired engine/vehicle operating parameter value, and to then control the flow area of the throttle (18) while also controlling ignition timing to maintain the current value of the engine/vehicle operating parameter near the desired engine/vehicle operating parameter value. The engine/vehicle operating parameter may be engine output torque, engine speed or vehicle speed.

Abstract: A system (10) for controllably disabling cylinders in an internal combustion engine (12) includes a throttle (18) controlling air flow to an intake manifold (14), a number of cylinder deactivation devices (1001-100K) and an engine controller (28) controlling fueling (90), ignition timing (94) and throttle position (86). The controller (28) is operable to activate only the minimum number of cylinders required to achieve a desired engine/vehicle operating parameter value, open the throttle (18) to a computed throttle position, control ignition timing sufficiently to drive the current value of the engine/vehicle operating parameter to the desired engine/vehicle operating parameter value, and to then control the flow area of the throttle (18) while also controlling ignition timing to maintain the current value of the engine/vehicle operating parameter near the desired engine/vehicle operating parameter value. The engine/vehicle operating parameter may be engine output torque, engine speed or vehicle speed.

Abstract: An exhaust gas re-circulation (EGR) system is provided for use in conjunction with an internal combustion engine. The EGR system includes an intake manifold, an exhaust manifold, a passageway connected in flow communication between the exhaust manifold and the intake manifold, and an EGR valve interposed in the passageway for controlling re-circulation of exhaust gas into the intake manifold. In addition, an emissions control device (e.g., a catalytic converter) for reducing exhaust emissions in the gas flowing into the intake manifold is connected in flow communication with the EGR valve.

Abstract: An improved engine torque management control that coordinates engine throttle, spark and EGR under predefined highly throttled conditions so as to maximize the fuel economy improvement of EGR without degrading engine performance. Under the predefined conditions, EGR is increased to a level that maximizes the fuel economy improvement without causing combustion instability, and the throttle position and spark timing are controlled to compensate for the anticipated torque loss while increasing volumetric efficiency and reducing pumping losses. During idle and steady state cruising operation, EGR is increased, and engine throttle position is controlled to regulate the estimated engine output torque in accordance with the driver requested output torque. During transient torque increases, throttle control alone is used to regulate the output torque, while in transient torque decreases, the throttle position is maintained and spark timing is used to regulate the output torque.