Abstract: A catalyst temperature control system of a vehicle includes a fuel control module configured to control fuel injection based on a target air/fuel ratio that is fuel lean relative to a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio and a target fuel injection start timing. An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) control module is configured to control an EGR valve based on a target EGR opening. An adjustment module is configured to, when a temperature of a catalyst in an exhaust system is less than a sum of a predetermined light-out temperature of the catalyst and a predetermined temperature and the target air/fuel ratio is fuel lean relative to the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio, based on a comparison of an engine speed and a predetermined engine speed, selectively adjust at least one of: a target throttle opening, a target spark timing, the target fuel injection start timing, the target air/fuel ratio, and the target EGR opening.

Abstract: A catalyst temperature control system of a vehicle includes a fuel control module configured to control fuel injection based on a target air/fuel ratio that is fuel lean relative to a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio and a target fuel injection start timing. An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) control module is configured to control an EGR valve based on a target EGR opening. An adjustment module is configured to, when a temperature of a catalyst in an exhaust system is less than a sum of a predetermined light-out temperature of the catalyst and a predetermined temperature and the target air/fuel ratio is fuel lean relative to the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio, based on a comparison of an engine speed and a predetermined engine speed, selectively adjust at least one of: a target throttle opening, a target spark timing, the target fuel injection start timing, the target air/fuel ratio, and the target EGR opening.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for purifying an exhaust gas feedstream expelled from an internal combustion engine that is operable at an air/fuel ratio that is lean of stoichiometry is described. The exhaust aftertreatment system includes a plasma reactor disposed upstream of a selective catalytic reactor device. The plasma reactor is electrically connected to a plasma controller. The plasma controller controls the plasma reactor to generate ozone from constituents of the exhaust gas feedstream, and the ozone reacts to oxidize nitrogen oxide contained in the exhaust gas feedstream to form nitrogen dioxide. The nitrogen dioxide reacts with a reductant in the selective catalytic reactor device to form elemental nitrogen and water.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for purifying an exhaust gas feedstream that is expelled from an internal combustion engine that is operable at an air/fuel ratio that is lean of stoichiometry is described. The exhaust aftertreatment system includes a barrier discharge plasma reactor that is disposed upstream relative to a catalytic reactor and electrically connected to a plasma controller. The barrier discharge plasma reactor is controlled to generate ozone from constituents of the exhaust gas feedstream when the internal combustion engine is operating at a lean air/fuel ratio and at a low temperature condition. The generated ozone reacts, in the catalytic reactor, to oxidize non-methane hydrocarbons contained in the exhaust gas feedstream when the internal combustion engine is operating at lean air/fuel ratio and at low temperature conditions.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for purifying an exhaust gas feedstream expelled from an internal combustion engine that is operable at an air/fuel ratio that is lean of stoichiometry is described. The exhaust aftertreatment system includes a plasma reactor disposed upstream of a selective catalytic reactor device. The plasma reactor is electrically connected to a plasma controller. The plasma controller controls the plasma reactor to generate ozone from constituents of the exhaust gas feedstream, and the ozone reacts to oxidize nitrogen oxide contained in the exhaust gas feedstream to form nitrogen dioxide. The nitrogen dioxide reacts with a reductant in the selective catalytic reactor device to form elemental nitrogen and water.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for purifying an exhaust gas feedstream that is expelled from an internal combustion engine that is operable at an air/fuel ratio that is lean of stoichiometry is described. The exhaust aftertreatment system includes a barrier discharge plasma reactor that is disposed upstream relative to a catalytic reactor and electrically connected to a plasma controller. The barrier discharge plasma reactor is controlled to generate ozone from constituents of the exhaust gas feedstream when the internal combustion engine is operating at a lean air/fuel ratio and at a low temperature condition. The generated ozone reacts, in the catalytic reactor, to oxidize non-methane hydrocarbons contained in the exhaust gas feedstream when the internal combustion engine is operating at lean air/fuel ratio and at low temperature conditions.

Abstract: A method for controlling ammonia generation in an exhaust gas feedstream output from an internal combustion engine equipped with an exhaust aftertreatment system including a first aftertreatment device includes executing an ammonia generation cycle to generate ammonia on the first aftertreatment device. A desired air-fuel ratio output from the engine and entering the exhaust aftertreatment system conducive for generating ammonia on the first aftertreatment device is determined. Operation of a selected combination of a plurality of cylinders of the engine is selectively altered to achieve the desired air-fuel ratio entering the exhaust aftertreatment system.

Abstract: A spark-ignition, direct-injection internal combustion engine is coupled to an exhaust aftertreatment system including a three-way catalytic converter upstream of an NH3-SCR catalyst. A method for operating the engine includes operating the engine in a fuel cutoff mode and coincidentally executing a second fuel injection control scheme upon detecting an engine load that permits operation in the fuel cutoff mode.

Abstract: A method for controlling ammonia generation in an exhaust gas feedstream output from an internal combustion engine equipped with an exhaust aftertreatment system including a first aftertreatment device includes executing an ammonia generation cycle to generate ammonia on the first aftertreatment device. A desired air-fuel ratio output from the engine and entering the exhaust aftertreatment system conducive for generating ammonia on the first aftertreatment device is determined. Operation of a selected combination of a plurality of cylinders of the engine is selectively altered to achieve the desired air-fuel ratio entering the exhaust aftertreatment system.

Abstract: A method for controlling ammonia generation in an exhaust gas feedstream output from an internal combustion engine equipped with an exhaust aftertreatment system having a first aftertreatment device includes executing an ammonia generation cycle to generate ammonia on the first aftertreatment device. The ammonia generation cycle includes monitoring an air-fuel ratio in the exhaust gas feedstream at a first location in the exhaust aftertreatment system, and monitoring an air-fuel ratio in the exhaust gas feedstream at a second location in the exhaust aftertreatment system. The air-fuel ratio at the first location is compared to the air-fuel ratio at the second location. If the air-fuel ratio at the second location is richer than the air-fuel ratio at the first location, operation of the engine is adjusted until the air-fuel ratio at the second location is equal to the air-fuel ratio at the first location.

Abstract: A spark-ignition, direct-injection internal combustion engine is coupled to an exhaust aftertreatment system including a three-way catalytic converter upstream of an NH3-SCR catalyst. A method for operating the engine includes operating the engine in a fuel cutoff mode and coincidentally executing a second fuel injection control scheme upon detecting an engine load that permits operation in the fuel cutoff mode.

Abstract: A system and method of engine thermal management. Energy may be received from a solar energy source electrically connected to a vehicle propulsion system. At least some of the energy from the solar energy source may be used to heat a component of the vehicle propulsion system. A control module may provide at least some of the energy from the solar energy source to a heater, for example, to heat a component of the vehicle propulsion system prior to starting the vehicle propulsion system. The heater may heat the vehicle propulsion system to temperatures within a predetermined range associated with optimal efficiency of the vehicle propulsion system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to operate a spray-guided spark-ignition direct fuel injection internal combustion engine are provided. The invention comprises injecting a first quantity of fuel during a combustion cycle. Spark ignition is initiated, and, injection of a second quantity of fuel is controlled effective to propagate a flame kernel generated by the spark ignition, after the initiation of the spark ignition during the combustion cycle.