Abstract: A method of controlling a solenoid valve of an automotive system, the valve being charged by a pulse width modulated signal (PWM) and determining an actuation of an automotive system component is provided. The method comprises the following: determining a target end of command of the valve as a function of a PWM state and a time interval from a last change of PWM state; monitoring a current value, a PWM phase period and the PWM state of a last pulse width modulated signal; and correcting in the next pulse width modulated signal at least one of said current value and PWM phase period, so that a next end of command of the valve will occur at the target end of command.

Abstract: A method of identifying a faulted component in an automotive system including an internal combustion engine managed by an Electronic Control Unit. The internal combustion engine is operated according to a predefined detection routine. A noise signal emitted by the activated internal combustion engine is recorded in a data carrier or memory system. The recorded noise signal is analyzed by a signal treatment algorithm to determine a plurality of vibration modes of the automotive system from the noise signal.; The amplitude of the noise signal is compared at each vibration mode with an acceptable amplitude threshold. A faulted component of the automotive system is determined if the amplitude of the correspondent vibration mode is greater than the acceptable amplitude threshold.

Abstract: A method of controlling a solenoid valve of an automotive system, the valve being charged by a pulse width modulated signal (PWM) and determining an actuation of an automotive system component is provided. The method comprises the following: determining a target end of command of the valve as a function of a PWM state and a time interval from a last change of PWM state; monitoring a current value, a PWM phase period and the PWM state of a last pulse width modulated signal; and correcting in the next pulse width modulated signal at least one of said current value and PWM phase period, so that a next end of command of the valve will occur at the target end of command.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating the temperature in an internal combustion engine. The method includes, but is not limited to the steps of providing a sensor resistor (RTD) in the internal combustion engine, the sensor resistor (RTD) having a predetermined resistance-temperature characteristic, measuring a sensor voltage (VRTD) across the sensor resistor (RTD), calculating a resistance value of the sensor resistor (RTD) based on the sensor voltage (VRTD) and estimating the temperature using the resistance value and the resistance-temperature characteristic. The method further comprises the steps of connecting, in series to the sensor resistor (RTD), a first branch of a current mirror arrangement, connecting a reference resistor (R0) in series to a second branch of the current mirror arrangement, measuring a reference voltage (V0) across the reference resistor (R0) and calculating the resistance value of the sensor resistor (RTD) based on the sensor voltage (VRTD) and the reference voltage (V0).

Abstract: A pressure monitoring system for a combustion engine includes, but is not limited to of combustion chambers and pressure sensors associated to at least some of the combustion chambers. A multiplexer has inputs connected to at least a first one and a second one of the pressure sensors. A non-zero phase shift exists between the operating cycles of first and second ones of the combustion chambers associated to the first and second pressure sensors. A controller controls the multiplexer to output data from the first pressure sensor while the first combustion chamber is in a predetermined portion of its operating cycle and pressure data from the second pressure sensor while the second combustion chamber is in the predetermined portion of its operating cycle.

Abstract: At each engine cycle, nearby the TDCC, an injector is driven so as to perform a fuel injection sequence according to a predetermined pattern (A-Z), including a plurality of successive, separate fuel injection pulses (pulse 1-pulse N) having respective predetermined durations. The start of the first injection pulse (Pulse 1) of the sequence is defined as a predetermined angular distance from the TDCC. For each injection pulse (pulse 2-pulse N) following the first one (pulse 1) the respective start is selectively determined either as a time distance from the end of the immediately preceding injection pulse (pulse 1-pulse N?1) or as an angular distance from the relevant TDCC, in dependence on the instantaneous value of at least one predetermined parameter.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a glow plug (GP) associated with a cylinder chamber of a Diesel engine. The method includes, but is not limited to the steps of driving in an on-off manner in a period of time an electronic switch (M) connected essentially in series with the glow plug (GP) between the terminals of a d.c. voltage supply (B), sensing the voltage (V) across the glow plug (GP) and the current (I) flowing through the glow plug (GP) and performing a voltage closed loop control for controlling the temperature of the glow plug (GP). The method further includes, but is not limited to the steps of calculating a normalized current error (?I) as a function of said sensed current (I), calculating a normalized voltage error (?V) as a function of said sensed voltage (V), calculating a weight function (K) as a function of predetermined parameters (?, ?, n) and calculating a global error (?) as a function of said normalized current error (?I), normalized voltage error (?V) and weight function (K).

Abstract: A glow plug control unit is provided that includes a first switch for connecting power supply lines to a glow plug. The glow plug control unit further includes a voltage measurement unit for measuring the voltage at the power supply lines. A current measurement unit is built for measuring the current through the first switch and a control circuit is built for controlling the first switch and, in a current control mode, for regulating the current through the first switch.

Abstract: A method and circuit are provided for estimating the temperature in an internal combustion engine. The method includes, but is not limited to the steps of providing a sensor resistor (RTD) in the internal combustion engine, the sensor resistor (RTD) having a predetermined resistance-temperature characteristic, and estimating the temperature based on the resistance-temperature characteristic.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating the temperature in an internal combustion engine. The method includes, but is not limited to the steps of providing a sensor resistor (RTD) in the internal combustion engine, the sensor resistor (RTD) having a predetermined resistance-temperature characteristic, measuring a sensor voltage (VRTD) across the sensor resistor (RTD), calculating a resistance value of the sensor resistor (RTD) based on the sensor voltage (VRTD) and estimating the temperature using the resistance value and the resistance-temperature characteristic. The method further comprises the steps of connecting, in series to the sensor resistor (RTD), a first branch of a current mirror arrangement, connecting a reference resistor (R0) in series to a second branch of the current mirror arrangement, measuring a reference voltage (V0) across the reference resistor (R0) and calculating the resistance value of the sensor resistor (RTD) based on the sensor voltage (VRTD) and the reference voltage (V0).

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a glow plug (GP) associated with a cylinder chamber of a Diesel engine. The method includes, but is not limited to the steps of driving in an on-off manner in a period of time an electronic switch (M) connected essentially in series with the glow plug (GP) between the terminals of a d.c. voltage supply (B), sensing the voltage (V) across the glow plug (GP) and the current (I) flowing through the glow plug (GP) and performing a voltage closed loop control for controlling the temperature of the glow plug (GP). The method further includes, but is not limited to the steps of calculating a normalized current error (?I) as a function of said sensed current (I), calculating a normalized voltage error (?V) as a function of said sensed voltage (V), calculating a weight function (K) as a function of predetermined parameters (?, ?, n) and calculating a global error (?) as a function of said normalized current error (?I), normalized voltage error (?V) and weight function (K).

Abstract: At each engine cycle, nearby the TDCC, an injector is driven so as to perform a fuel injection sequence according to a predetermined pattern (A-Z), including a plurality of successive, separate fuel injection pulses (pulse 1-pulse N) having respective predetermined durations. The start of the first injection pulse (Pulse 1) of the sequence is defined as a predetermined angular distance from the TDCC. For each injection pulse (pulse 2-pulse N) following the first one (pulse 1) the respective start is selectively determined either as a time distance from the end of the immediately preceding injection pulse (pulse 1-pulse N?1) or as an angular distance from the relevant TDCC, in dependence on the instantaneous value of at least one predetermined parameter.

Abstract: A glow plug control unit is provided that comprises a first switch for connecting power supply lines to a glow plug. The glow plug control unit further comprises a voltage measurement unit for measuring the voltage at the power supply lines. A current measurement unit is built for measuring the current through the first switch and a control circuit is built for controlling the first switch and, in a current control mode, for regulating the current through the first switch.

Abstract: A pressure monitoring system for a combustion engine includes, but is not limited to of combustion chambers and pressure sensors associated to at least some of the combustion chambers. A multiplexer has inputs connected to at least a first one and a second one of the pressure sensors. A non-zero phase shift exists between the operating cycles of first and second ones of the combustion chambers associated to the first and second pressure sensors. A controller controls the multiplexer to output data from the first pressure sensor while the first combustion chamber is in a predetermined portion of its operating cycle and pressure data from the second pressure sensor while the second combustion chamber is in the predetermined portion of its operating cycle.