Abstract: A system and method for detecting an operating mode of an engine or engine component modulate a first engine parameter and analyze a change in a second engine parameter in response to modulating the first engine parameter to detect a current operating mode based on changes in at least one of the first and second engine parameters. In a variable compression ratio (VCR) engine embodiment, the system and method modify ignition timing of at least one cylinder until engine knock is detected and determine whether the cylinder is operating in the lower compression ratio mode or the higher compression ratio mode by comparing the ignition timing change required to cause engine knock to a corresponding threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an operating mode of an engine or engine component modulate a first engine parameter and analyze a change in a second engine parameter in response to modulating the first engine parameter to detect a current operating mode based on changes in at least one of the first and second engine parameters. In a variable compression ratio (VCR) engine embodiment, the system and method modify ignition timing of at least one cylinder until engine knock is detected and determine whether the cylinder is operating in the lower compression ratio mode or the higher compression ratio mode by comparing the ignition timing change required to cause engine knock to a corresponding threshold.

Abstract: A vapor evacuation system that is used to intermittently remove hydrocarbon vapors from vehicle components to an available vapor storage canister using an electrically controlled small flow rate vapor-handling pump. The vapor-handling pump is intermittently turned on and off as a function of ambient temperature or inlet manifold temperature and as a function of time since last engine-on operation.

Abstract: A system (12) and method for controlling the injection of fuel into a cylinder (14) of an internal combustion engine (10) are provided. The system (12) includes a fuel injector (22), a temperature sensor (48), and an electronic control unit (ECU) (50). The fuel is parsed into a plurality of components based on the boiling points of elements of the fuel. ECU (50) stores mass fraction values for each component relative to the total mass of a sample of the fuel along with vaporization rates for each component. These values are used by the ECU (50) to account for different vaporization rates among fuel elements. In accordance with the invention, ECU (50) is further configured to adjust the mass fraction values responsive to the combustion air-fuel ratio and the engine temperature to account for the different volatility characteristics of various fuels.

Abstract: A vapor evacuation system that is used to intermittently remove hydrocarbon vapors from vehicle components to an available vapor storage canister using an electrically controlled small flow rate vapor-handling pump. The vapor-handling pump is intermittently turned on and off as a function of ambient temperature or inlet manifold temperature and as a function of time since last engine-on operation.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a quantity of fuel to be injected into a multi-cylinder, internal combustion engine during each combustion event of the engine includes an air flow sensor for sensing a quantity of air flowing through the engine. An electronic control unit is operative to determine a desired combustion fuel quantity based on the quantity of air flowing through the engine and determine a desired fuel injection quantity based on a previous fuel injection quantity delivered during a previous combustion event and the desired combustion fuel quantity. The control unit is further operative to control the amount of fuel injected into the engine for the current combustion event based on the desired fuel injection quantity.