Abstract: A narrow test chamber has at least one heater immersed with its major faces parallel to the fuel surface, part way up the chamber. Heater resistance increases non-linearly as a critical temperature is reached. When the heater is energized, fuel begins to evaporate. Heater temperature remains below the critical temperature until the fuel level drops to or just below the heater level, whereupon heater temperature rises quickly to the critical temperature and heater current drops sharply. The time t1 required to reach this point and the heater current or energy consumed vary according to the fuel distillation Drivability Index (DI). The DI is determined from the measured heater current and t1 or from differential measurement of t1 for two heaters mounted one above the other, by calculation or from a look-up table. The DI value is then used to control engine operation to reduce pollution and improve performance.

Abstract: An exhaust system that processes exhaust generated by an engine includes a diesel particulate filter (DPF) that is disposed downstream of the engine and that filters particulates from the exhaust. An electrical heater is disposed upstream of the DPF and selectively heats the exhaust to initiate combustion of the particulates within the exhaust as it passes therethrough. Heat generated by combustion of the particulates induces combustion of particulates within the DPF.

Abstract: A control system for an engine that drives an alternator includes a first module that reduces an alternator load when the engine is cranked. A second module determines a desired exhaust energy rate (EER) of the engine. The first module regulates the alternator load based on the EER during an idle period to reduce engine emissions during a cold start period.

Abstract: An engine system includes an engine having an intake manifold, a cylinder and an intake mixture motion system. The intake mixture motion system includes a plate disposed upstream of the cylinder and an actuator that moves the plate between an open position and a closed position to direct cylinder air flow. The plate is in the closed position for a predetermined period after engine start-up. A fuel system communicates with the engine and supplies a first quantity of liquid fuel to the engine at a first A/F ratio. The fuel system supplies a second quantity of vapor fuel to the engine at a second A/F ratio to provide a fuel mixture having a third A/F ratio during the predetermined period.

Abstract: An engine control system in a vehicle including a diesel engine in the vehicle, a diesel fuel tank for supplying fuel to the diesel engine, a gasoline tank in the vehicle, a reformer for providing partial oxidation products from gasoline contained in the gasoline tank, a NOx trap coupled to the exhaust of the diesel engine.

Abstract: An engine system includes an engine with a secondary air source, a fuel system that communicates with the engine, and a controller that communicates with the fuel system. The controller controls a first quantity of liquid fuel to the engine at a first A/F ratio and a second quantity of vapor fuel to the engine at a second A/F ratio. The liquid and vapor fuel mixture has a third A/F ratio. A secondary air source provides additional air to the third A/F ratio. The controller determines an available A/F ratio of vapor fuel within the fuel tank and performs a comparison with a target A/F ratio range. The second quantity is set to zero if the A/F ratio of the vapor fuel is outside of the target A/F ratio range. The controller adjusts the first and second quantities based on a comparison between an exhaust A/F ratio and a target exhaust A/F ratio.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating regeneration in a particulate trap including the steps of locating structures in the particulate trap in areas that generate particulate build up, generating microwaves, absorbing microwaves with the particulate build up, and controlling the microwaves to initiate a burn off of particulates.

Abstract: An engine system includes an engine, a fuel system that communicates with the engine, and a controller that communicates with the fuel system. The controller controls a first quantity of liquid fuel to the engine at a first A/F ratio and a second quantity of vapor fuel to the engine at a second A/F ratio during a predetermined period after start-up. The liquid and vapor fuel mixture has a third A/F ratio. The controller determines an available A/F ratio of vapor fuel within the fuel tank and performs a comparison with a target A/F ratio range. The second quantity is set to zero if the A/F ratio of the vapor fuel is outside of the target A/F ratio range. The controller adjusts the first and second quantities based on a comparison between an exhaust A/F ratio and a target exhaust A/F ratio.

Abstract: An engine control system in a vehicle including a variable displacement internal combustion engine, a controller for controlling the displacement of the variable displacement internal combustion engine, and where the controller operates the variable displacement internal combustion engine in a partially displaced operating mode upon startup to increase exhaust gas temperature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling manifold absolute pressure in a hybrid electric vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine in parallel with an electric motor/generator. The method includes the steps of monitoring the torque demand on the hybrid electric vehicle, monitoring the manifold absolute pressure magnitude and change rate of the internal combustion engine, supplying torque from the internal combustion engine to meet the torque demand; and supplying torque from the motor/generator to load-level the torque supplied from the internal combustion engine and to maintain the manifold absolute pressure of the internal combustion engine within an acceptable range and rate.

Abstract: An engine system includes an engine having an intake manifold, a cylinder and an intake mixture motion system. The intake mixture motion system includes a plate disposed upstream of the cylinder and an actuator that moves the plate between an open position and a closed position to direct cylinder air flow. The plate is in the closed position for a predetermined period after engine start-up. A fuel system communicates with the engine and supplies a first quantity of liquid fuel to the engine at a first A/F ratio. The fuel system supplies a second quantity of vapor fuel to the engine at a second A/F ratio to provide a fuel mixture having a third A/F ratio during the predetermined period.

Abstract: A narrow test chamber has at least one heater immersed with its major faces parallel to the fuel surface, part way up the chamber. Heater resistance increases non-linearly as a critical temperature is reached. When the heater is energized, fuel begins to evaporate. Heater temperature remains below the critical temperature until the fuel level drops to or just below the heater level, whereupon heater temperature rises quickly to the critical temperature and heater current drops sharply. The time t1 required to reach this point and the heater current or energy consumed vary according to the fuel distillation Drivability Index (DI). The DI is determined from the measured heater current and t1 or from differential measurement of t1 for two heaters mounted one above the other, by calculation or from a look-up table. The DI value is then used to control engine operation to reduce pollution and improve performance.

Abstract: An engine system includes an engine, a fuel system that communicates with the engine, and a controller that communicates with the fuel system. The controller controls a first quantity of liquid fuel to the engine at a first A/F ratio and a second quantity of vapor fuel to the engine at a second A/F ratio during a predetermined period after start-up. The liquid and vapor fuel mixture has a third A/F ratio. The controller determines an available A/F ratio of vapor fuel within the fuel tank and performs a comparison with a target A/F ratio range. The second quantity is set to zero if the A/F ratio of the vapor fuel is outside of the target A/F ratio range. The controller adjusts the first and second quantities based on a comparison between an exhaust A/F ratio and a target exhaust A/F ratio.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling emissions in a parallel hybrid motor vehicle that includes an electric propulsion system in parallel with a combustion propulsion system. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, manifold absolute pressure (MAP) is monitored in the intake manifold of the combustion propulsion system. The electric propulsion system is engaged to reduce the MAP to a predetermined pressure, and then fueling and combustion of the combustion propulsion system are initiated only after the MAP is reduced to a pressure less than the predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling emissions in a parallel hybrid motor vehicle that includes an electric propulsion system in parallel with a combustion propulsion system. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, manifold absolute pressure (MAP) is monitored in the intake manifold of the combustion propulsion system. The electric propulsion system is engaged to reduce the MAP to a predetermined pressure, and then fueling and combustion of the combustion propulsion system are initiated only after the MAP is reduced to a pressure less than the predetermined pressure.

Abstract: An engine control system in a vehicle including a diesel engine in the vehicle, a diesel fuel tank for supplying fuel to the diesel engine, a gasoline tank in the vehicle, a reformer for providing partial oxidation products from gasoline contained in the gasoline tank, a NOx trap coupled to the exhaust of the diesel engine.

Abstract: An engine control system in a vehicle including a variable displacement internal combustion engine, a controller for controlling the displacement of the variable displacement internal combustion engine, and where the controller operates the variable displacement internal combustion engine in a partially displaced operating mode upon startup to increase exhaust gas temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating regeneration in a particulate trap including the steps of locating structures in the particulate trap in areas that generate particulate build up, generating microwaves, absorbing microwaves with the particulate build up, and controlling the microwaves to initiate a burn off of particulates.

Abstract: A particulate filter system for an internal combustion engine including a particulate trap, microwave-absorbing materials located in the particulate trap, and a NOx catalyst located in said particulate trap.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating regeneration in a particulate trap including the steps of locating microwave-absorbing material in the particulate trap in areas that particulates build up, generating microwaves, absorbing microwaves with the microwave-absorbing material, and controlling the microwaves to initiate a burn-off of particulates.