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: An internal combustion engine system includes an engine, an air intake system configured to provide intake air to the engine, and an exhaust system configured to receive exhaust gas from the engine. The engine system further includes a secondary air system including a pump, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, and a valve system operably associated with the secondary air system and the EGR system. The valve system is configured to operate in a secondary air mode where the pump is utilized to supply secondary air to the exhaust system, and an EGR mode where the pump is utilized to supply EGR to the air intake system.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine system includes an engine, an air intake system configured to provide intake air to the engine, and an exhaust system configured to receive exhaust gas from the engine. The engine system further includes a secondary air system including a pump, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, and a valve system operably associated with the secondary air system and the EGR system. The valve system is configured to operate in a secondary air mode where the pump is utilized to supply secondary air to the exhaust system, and an EGR mode where the pump is utilized to supply EGR to the air intake system.

Abstract: An emissions control system for a vehicle having an exhaust system with an exhaust gas conduit and a catalytic converter configured to receive exhaust gas from an engine is provided. In one example implementation, the system includes an engine controller configured to control the engine to adjust an air to fuel ratio (lambda) thereof. The engine controller is configured to operate the engine with at least one of the following lambda control strategies (i) a first control strategy comprising operating at a first reference lambda modified by a first percent kick, and a first rich lambda lag time shorter than a first lean lambda lag time, and (ii) a second control strategy comprising operating at a second reference lambda modified by a second percent kick, and a second rich lag time longer than a second lean lambda lag time, to thereby simultaneously meet predetermined NOx and CO emissions targets.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the use of the ion current signal characteristics for onboard cycle-by-cycle, cylinder-by-cylinder measurement. The system may also control the engine operating parameters based on a predicted NOx emission level, CO emission level, CO2 emission level, O2 emission level, unburned hydrocarbon (HC) emission level, cylinder pressure, or a cylinder temperature measurement according to characteristics of the ion current signal.

Abstract: An emissions control system for a vehicle having an exhaust system with an exhaust gas conduit and a catalytic converter configured to receive exhaust gas from an engine is provided. In one example implementation, the system includes an engine controller configured to control the engine to adjust an air to fuel ratio (lambda) thereof. The engine controller is configured to operate the engine with at least one of the following lambda control strategies (i) a first control strategy comprising operating at a first reference lambda modified by a first percent kick, and a first rich lambda lag time shorter than a first lean lambda lag time, and (ii) a second control strategy comprising operating at a second reference lambda modified by a second percent kick, and a second rich lag time longer than a second lean lambda lag time, to thereby simultaneously meet predetermined NOx and CO emissions targets.

Abstract: A control system and method for a vehicle having a powertrain comprising a torque generating system and an automatic transmission each utilize a pedal position sensor configured to measure a position of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle and a controller configured to, based on the accelerator pedal position, detect a pedal tip-in or tip-out event and, in response to detecting the pedal tip-in or tip-out event: (i) determine a desired output torque for the torque generating system corresponding to the pedal tip-in or tip-out event and (ii) command the torque generating system to gradually transition, over a period, from its current output torque to the desired output torque to mitigate clunk caused by abrupt contact between gear teeth of the torque generating system shaft and the automatic transmission shaft.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the use of the ion current signal characteristics for onboard cycle-by-cycle, cylinder-by-cylinder measurement. The system may also control the engine operating parameters based on a predicted NOx emission level, CO emission level, CO2 emission level, O2 emission level, unburned hydrocarbon (HC) emission level, cylinder pressure, or a cylinder temperature measurement according to characteristics of the ion current signal.

Abstract: A control system and method for a vehicle having a powertrain comprising a torque generating system and an automatic transmission each utilize a pedal position sensor configured to measure a position of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle and a controller configured to, based on the accelerator pedal position, detect a pedal tip-in or tip-out event and, in response to detecting the pedal tip-in or tip-out event: (i) determine a desired output torque for the torque generating system corresponding to the pedal tip-in or tip-out event and (ii) command the torque generating system to gradually transition, over a period, from its current output torque to the desired output torque to mitigate clunk caused by abrupt contact between gear teeth of the torque generating system shaft and the automatic transmission shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain control technique includes obtaining, by a controller, a set of parameters each indicative of a gear shift operation for an automatic transmission. Cased on the set of parameters, the controller detects whether a gear shift operation of the automatic transmission is imminent. In response to detecting that the gear shift operation of the automatic transmission is imminent, the controller (i) determines a desired reduction in powertrain output torque for performing the gear shift operation and (ii) controls the powertrain to temporarily reduce its torque output via a technique other than spark retardation. After reducing the powertrain output torque, the controller commands the automatic transmission to perform the gear shift operation. The temporary powertrain output torque reduction is achieved by controlling a variable valve control (VVC) system of an engine, such as commanding a lower valve lift profile, or decreasing power supplied to an electric motor.

Abstract: An air intake system includes a plurality of intake runners configured to supply intake air to the engine, and an independent resonator system operably associated with the plurality of intake runners and including a plurality of individual resonator assemblies. Each individual resonator assembly is fluidly coupled to one intake runner of the plurality of intake runners. The plurality of individual resonator assemblies is configured to interact with at least one of sound and pressure waves generated in the engine to reduce engine noise and/or increase engine torque.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the use of the ion current signal characteristics for onboard cycle-by-cycle, cylinder-by-cylinder measurement. The system may also control the engine operating parameters based on a predicted NOx emission level, CO emission level, CO2 emission level, O2 emission level, unburned hydrocarbon (HC) emission level, cylinder pressure, or a cylinder temperature measurement according to characteristics of the ion current signal.

Abstract: An air intake system includes a plurality of intake runners configured to supply intake air to the engine, and an independent resonator system operably associated with the plurality of intake runners and including a plurality of individual resonator assemblies. Each individual resonator assembly is fluidly coupled to one intake runner of the plurality of intake runners. The plurality of individual resonator assemblies is configured to interact with at least one of sound and pressure waves generated in the engine to reduce engine noise and/or increase engine torque.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for simultaneous ion current sensing and gas analysis. The system acquires an ion current signal and analyzes the composition of a corresponding gas sample.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the use of the ion current signal characteristics for onboard cycle-by-cycle, cylinder-by-cylinder measurement, for example soot measurement, load measurement such as indicated or brake mean effective pressure, or fuel consumption measurement in an internal combustion engine. The system may acquire an ion current signal, measures one or more of soot, load, fuel consumption and may control the engine operating parameters accordingly.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the use of the ion current signal characteristics for onboard cycle-by-cycle, cylinder-by-cylinder measurement. The system may also control the engine operating parameters based on a predicted NOx emission level, CO emission level, CO2 emission level, O2 emission level, unburned hydrocarbon (HC) emission level, cylinder pressure, or a cylinder temperature measurement according to characteristics of the ion current signal.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for applying an electric field in internal combustion engines to act on the combustion process to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy in an engine. The engine has an engine block forming a combustion chamber. An in-cylinder engine part is exposed within a combustion chamber of the engine and a voltage is applied between the in-cylinder engine part and the engine block.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for simultaneous ion current sensing and gas analysis. The system acquires an ion current signal and analyzes the composition of a corresponding gas sample.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the use of the ion current signal characteristics for onboard cycle-by-cycle, cylinder-by-cylinder measurement, for example soot measurement, load measurement such as indicated or brake mean effective pressure, or fuel consumption measurement in an internal combustion engine. The system may acquire an ion current signal, measures one or more of soot, load, fuel consumption and may control the engine operating parameters accordingly.