Abstract: A stop/start system and method for an engine of a vehicle include a valve control system configured for full lift control of respective intake and exhaust valves of a plurality of cylinders of the engine and a controller of the engine configured to perform an engine stop event including initiating a fuel shutoff (FSO) event whereby fueling to the engine is disabled and the engine fully stops after a stop period and, in response to initiating the FSO event, commanding the valve control system to close each intake valve prior to closing its respective exhaust valve to (i) expel any residual gases from the cylinders during respective exhaust strokes prior to closing the respective exhaust valves, and (ii) prevent air-only intake and compression within the cylinders during the stop period to thereby mitigate or eliminate noise/vibration/harshness (NVH) caused by the air-only intake and compression.

Abstract: A combustion control method and system for an engine of a vehicle comprises a controller configured to access a trained feedforward artificial neural network configured to model a volumetric efficiency (VE) of the engine based on measured engine speed, engine intake manifold absolute pressure, intake and exhaust camshaft positions, intake air temperature, and engine coolant temperature, generate a base VE of the engine using the trained feedforward artificial neural network and the measured parameters, estimate an air charge mass flowing to each cylinder of the engine based on the base VE of the engine, and control combustion in the cylinders of the engine based on the estimated air charge mass to improve at least one of combustion stability, torque response, and fuel economy.

Abstract: A vehicle jump detection method and system for a vehicle includes an electronic control module (ECM), at least one ride height sensor (RHS) in signal communication with the ECM and configured to measure a vertical wheel travel distance from a predetermined point on the vehicle, at least one accelerometer in signal communication with the ECM and configured to measure a vertical acceleration of the vehicle frame, and a vehicle speed sensor in signal communication with the ECM. The ECM is configured to independently determine, based on one or more signals from the at least one RHS, the at least one accelerometer, and the vehicle speed sensor, if (i) wheels of a front axle are in the air, (ii) wheels of a rear axle are in the air, and (iii) if the wheels of both the front and rear axles are in the air.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a forced-induction engine having a low pressure cooled exhaust gas recirculation (LPCEGR) system comprise determining a target boost device inlet pressure for each of one or more systems that could require a boost device inlet pressure change as part of their operation and boost device inlet pressure hardware limits for a set of components in the induction system, determining a final target boost device inlet pressure based on the determined sets of target boost device inlet pressures and boost device inlet pressure hardware limits, and controlling a differential pressure (dP) valve based on the final target boost device inlet pressure to balance (i) competing boost device inlet pressure targets of the one or more systems and (ii) the set of boost device inlet pressure hardware limits in order to optimize engine performance and prevent component damage.

Abstract: Turbocharged engine water vapor ingestion control techniques determine a dew point of a charge air cooler (CAC) in an induction system of the engine based on measured humidity and temperature of a mixture of (i) air drawn into the induction system and (ii) exhaust gas produced by the engine that is cooled and recirculated by a low pressure cooled exhaust gas recirculation (LPCEGR) system of the engine back into the induction system. When the mixture temperature is less than the CAC dew point, a condensate accumulation in the CAC is determined. When the CAC condensate accumulation does not satisfy a set of one or more thresholds, the mixture temperature is increased. When the CAC condensate accumulation satisfies the set of one or more thresholds, an amount of the exhaust gas that is cooled and recirculated by the LPCEGR system is decreased until the mixture temperature meets the CAC dew point.

Abstract: A low speed pre-ignition detection, mitigation, and driver notification system and method utilize a controller to analyze a knock signal from a knock sensor to detect LSPI knock of the engine and in response to detecting the LSPI knock, enrich a fuel/air ratio of the engine and limit a torque output of the engine to a level that is less than a maximum torque output of the engine, and when enriching the fuel/air ratio of the engine and limiting the torque output of the engine does not mitigate the LSPI knock, output at least one message for a driver of the vehicle instructing the driver to take remedial action to mitigate the LSPI knock.

Abstract: A low speed pre-ignition detection, mitigation, and driver notification system and method utilize a controller to analyze a knock signal from a knock sensor to detect LSPI knock of the engine and in response to detecting the LSPI knock, enrich a fuel/air ratio of the engine and limit a torque output of the engine to a level that is less than a maximum torque output of the engine, and when enriching the fuel/air ratio of the engine and limiting the torque output of the engine does not mitigate the LSPI knock, output at least one message for a driver of the vehicle instructing the driver to take remedial action to mitigate the LSPI knock.

Abstract: A control system and method for an engine including a turbocharger without a surge valve involve utilizing one or more pressure sensors configured to measure air pressure in an intake system of the engine, the intake system comprising a compressor of the turbocharger and a throttle valve downstream from the compressor, and a controller configured to control the engine to avoid surge at the compressor and eliminate a need for the surge valve by determining a desired position for the throttle valve based on a driver requested engine torque, determining a minimum mass flow through the compressor that avoids surge based on the measured air pressure in the intake system and a predetermined compressor map, and commanding the throttle valve to a target position to maintain at least the minimum compressor mass flow, wherein the target position is greater than the desired position, thereby avoiding surge at the compressor.

Abstract: Turbocharged engine water vapor ingestion control techniques determine a dew point of a charge air cooler (CAC) in an induction system of the engine based on measured humidity and temperature of a mixture of (i) air drawn into the induction system and (ii) exhaust gas produced by the engine that is cooled and recirculated by a low pressure cooled exhaust gas recirculation (LPCEGR) system of the engine back into the induction system. When the mixture temperature is less than the CAC dew point, a condensate accumulation in the CAC is determined. When the CAC condensate accumulation does not satisfy a set of one or more thresholds, the mixture temperature is increased. When the CAC condensate accumulation satisfies the set of one or more thresholds, an amount of the exhaust gas that is cooled and recirculated by the LPCEGR system is decreased until the mixture temperature meets the CAC dew point.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a forced-induction engine having a low pressure cooled exhaust gas recirculation (LPCEGR) system comprise determining a target boost device inlet pressure for each of one or more systems that could require a boost device inlet pressure change as part of their operation and boost device inlet pressure hardware limits for a set of components in the induction system, determining a final target boost device inlet pressure based on the determined sets of target boost device inlet pressures and boost device inlet pressure hardware limits, and controlling a differential pressure (dP) valve based on the final target boost device inlet pressure to balance (i) competing boost device inlet pressure targets of the one or more systems and (ii) the set of boost device inlet pressure hardware limits in order to optimize engine performance and prevent component damage.

Abstract: Engine low pressure cooled exhaust gas recirculation (LPCEGR) control techniques comprise receiving a measured position of an accelerator pedal and, based on this measurement, detecting a transient tip-out event or a transient tip-in event. In response to detecting the transient tip-out event, an EGR depletion rate is temporarily increased by at least one of (i) downstream throttle valve control to maintain at least a minimum engine airflow or to regulate a rate of decrease of the airflow into the engine, (ii) cylinder bank fuel shutoff, and (iii) pre-scheduled EGR valve control based on the measured accelerator pedal position. In response to detecting the transient tip-in event, an EGR delivery rate is temporarily increased by at least one of (i) the pre-scheduled EGR valve control and (ii) controlling intake/exhaust valves of cylinders of the engine to enable a scavenging mode.

Abstract: A control system and method for an engine including a turbocharger without a surge valve involve utilizing one or more pressure sensors configured to measure air pressure in an intake system of the engine, the intake system comprising a compressor of the turbocharger and a throttle valve downstream from the compressor, and a controller configured to control the engine to avoid surge at the compressor and eliminate a need for the surge valve by determining a desired position for the throttle valve based on a driver requested engine torque, determining a minimum mass flow through the compressor that avoids surge based on the measured air pressure in the intake system and a predetermined compressor map, and commanding the throttle valve to a target position to maintain at least the minimum compressor mass flow, wherein the target position is greater than the desired position, thereby avoiding surge at the compressor.

Abstract: Techniques for setting a boost target for a turbocharged engine comprise (i) operating the engine in a scavenging mode such that opening of intake and exhaust valves of cylinders of the engine overlap and (ii) while transitioning the engine in/out of the scavenging mode: determining an engine torque request, creating a torque reserve by setting independent targets for throttle inlet pressure (TIP) and intake manifold absolute pressure (MAP), determining a target TIP based on a target total air charge, engine speed, and a previously-determined target engine volumetric efficiency (VE), controlling a wastegate valve based on the target TIP, determining a target MAP based on the engine torque request, and controlling a throttle valve based on the target MAP. During steady-state scavenging operation, the controller calculates a conventional target TIP based on the engine torque request and controls the wastegate valve based on the conventionally calculated target TIP.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a turbocharged gasoline engine utilize a controller configured to receive a set of parameters including a measured pressure delta across an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve disposed in a low pressure EGR (LPEGR) system of the engine and a measured pressure at an outlet of a differential pressure (dP) valve disposed in and distinct from a throttle valve of an induction system of the engine. The controller is further configured to determine a set of modeled pressures based on the set of parameters, a target EGR valve mass flow, a target EGR valve delta pressure, a current dP valve mass flow, and a pressure at an outlet of the air filter, determine target positions for the EGR valve and the dP valve based on the set of modeled pressures, and control the EGR valve and the dP valve based on their respective target positions.

Abstract: Techniques for setting a boost target for a turbocharged engine comprise (i) operating the engine in a scavenging mode such that opening of intake and exhaust valves of cylinders of the engine overlap and (ii) while transitioning the engine in/out of the scavenging mode: determining an engine torque request, creating a torque reserve by setting independent targets for throttle inlet pressure (TIP) and intake manifold absolute pressure (MAP), determining a target TIP based on a target total air charge, engine speed, and a previously-determined target engine volumetric efficiency (VE), controlling a wastegate valve based on the target TIP, determining a target MAP based on the engine torque request, and controlling a throttle valve based on the target MAP. During steady-state scavenging operation, the controller calculates a conventional target TIP based on the engine torque request and controls the wastegate valve based on the conventionally calculated target TIP.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a turbocharged gasoline engine utilize a controller configured to receive a set of parameters including a measured pressure delta across an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve disposed in a low pressure EGR (LPEGR) system of the engine and a measured pressure at an outlet of a differential pressure (dP) valve disposed in and distinct from a throttle valve of an induction system of the engine. The controller is further configured to determine a set of modeled pressures based on the set of parameters, a target EGR valve mass flow, a target EGR valve delta pressure, a current dP valve mass flow, and a pressure at an outlet of the air filter, determine target positions for the EGR valve and the dP valve based on the set of modeled pressures, and control the EGR valve and the dP valve based on their respective target positions.

Abstract: Techniques for learning endstop position(s) of an actuator for a wastegate valve include detecting a learn condition and, in response to detecting the learn condition, performing a learn procedure for the actuator endstop position(s). The learn procedure includes commanding the actuator to a desired position past the endstop position corresponding to a fully-closed wastegate valve while rate-limiting a velocity of the actuator. When the difference reaches its maximum allowed value and the velocity falls below a fraction of its rate limit, the endstop position is learned. When the wastegate valve is requested open, the actuator is then controlled using the learned endstop position. Reference stiffness for a fully-closed wastegate valve could be obtained, and subsequent stiffness checks could then be periodically performed and, if less than the reference stiffness, a duty cycle of the actuator could be increased during open-loop control.

Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes an oxygen mass flow rate module, an oxygen per cylinder module, and a fuel control module. The oxygen mass flow rate module generates a mass flow rate of oxygen flowing into an engine based on a mass air flow rate (MAF) into the engine and a percentage of oxygen by volume measured using an intake oxygen (IO) sensor in an intake system. The oxygen per cylinder module generates a mass of oxygen for a combustion event of a cylinder of the engine based on the mass flow rate of oxygen flowing into the engine. The fuel control module controls fueling to the cylinder for the combustion event based on the mass of oxygen.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling condensation formation in an engine having EGR and forced induction includes a controller for determining a water vapor mass fraction of an exhaust stream based on a water vapor mass fraction of an intake stream and water vapor from combustion. An estimated condensation temperature (CT) is determined for a current EGR level based on the water vapor mass fractions and is compared to an intake stream temperature upstream of the compressor inlet. The controller commands the current EGR level as a maximum EGR level upon determining the intake stream temperature is less than the CT, and an increase in the current EGR level upon determining the intake stream temperature is greater than the CT. An air charge temperature (ACT) of the forced induction system may be controlled based on utilizing a target ACT as the CT to be controlled by a coolant pump.

Abstract: A technique is provided for compensating an untrimmed oxygen (O2) sensor utilized in operation of an exhaust gas recalculation (EGR) system associated with an engine. The technique includes, in one implementation, receiving a measurement from the O2 sensor at a known pressure, where the O2 sensor is positioned on an intake side of an engine system. Humidity compensation and pressure compensation are then determined for the O2 sensor measurement, where the pressure compensation is based in part on the humidity compensation. The EGR system is controlled using the untrimmed O2 sensor measurement that has been compensated for pressure and humidity.