Abstract: A method is described for estimating cylinder airflow in engines that operate with manifold pressure near atmospheric pressure to compensate for degraded sensor response at such conditions. The method uses an adaptive approach that is updated under preselected engine operating conditions to thereby allow improved accuracy across a variety of engine operation.

Abstract: A method for improving engine position sensing of an internal combustion engine is described. According to one aspect of the description, the determination of engine position may be improved by correcting rotational position of the internal combustion engine at a number of engine locations.

Abstract: An electronic valve actuation system and control method is described. The valve timing is changed between early and late intake valve closing depending on engine operating conditions. Further, valve timing is adjusted to control engine airflow or engine torque. Finally, air-fuel ratio is adjusted based on feedback from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor as well as an estimate of air, fuel, and residual exhausted from cylinders operating with late valve closing (after bottom dead center) timing.

Abstract: A method for calculating transient fuel wall wetting characteristics of an operating engine is described. The method accounts for cylinder valve deactivation of cylinders in the engine in calculating the dynamic fueling compensation. In one example, fuel vaporization effects from fuel puddles in deactivated cylinders is considered when calculating the fueling compensation for active cylinders.

Abstract: A method to determine and control engine torque in an internal combustion engine. The method may significantly reduce torque strategy calculations and the calibration complexity.

Abstract: A system and method to control engine valve timing to improve air-fuel control in an engine with valves that may be deactivated. Valves that may be deactivated are controlled in a manner to improve detection of individual cylinder air-fuel ratios.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of cylinder with at least an intake and exhaust valve and a piston are described. In one aspect, the method comprises maintaining at least one of the intake and exhaust valves in a closed position during a period. Further, closing the other of the intake and exhaust valves with the piston at a first position from, and then opening the other of the intake and exhaust valves at a second position of the piston closer to bottom center than said first position, during said period.

Abstract: An electronic valve actuation system and control method is described. The valve timing is changed between early and late intake valve closing depending on engine operating conditions. Further, valve timing is adjusted to control engine airflow or engine torque. Finally, air-fuel ratio is adjusted based on feedback from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor as well as an estimate of air, fuel, and residual exhausted from cylinders operating with late valve closing (after bottom dead center) timing.

Abstract: A method to compute, store, and inject adaptive valve timing corrections in a camless valvetrain architecture where a measurable (based on the resolution of the measuring methodology) error exists between the requested and delivered valve timing. This method is based on a measurement of the delivered valve timing, such as from a direct position sensor, (hall effect, LVDT, optical, etc.) or inferred position sensing based on valve actuator current (electronic actuation) or pressure (hydraulic actuation) feedback. This measured delivered valve timing information is used to compute offsets which, when applied to the desired timing, provide more accurate correlation between the delivered timing and the desired timing.

Abstract: A method for determining cylinder air charge and/or cylinder burned gas for an internal combustion engine system. The engine system includes cylinders, each one of such cylinders having at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve in communication with such cylinder. The method determines one of a plurality of different scenarios, each one of the scenarios representing a geometrical relationship between opening and closing of the intake valve relative to closing of the exhaust valve. The cylinder air charge and/or cylinder burned gas is calculated in accordance with the determined one of the plurality of scenarios. In one embodiment, the engine system stores a plurality of different software modules. The method selects one of the plurality of software modules in accordance with the determined one of the plurality of scenarios. The cylinder air charge and/or cylinder burned gas calculation comprises executing the selected one of the modules.

Abstract: A system is described for minimizing engine torque disturbances that would otherwise cause degraded drive feel by a vehicle driver. The system utilizes multiple torque transmission paths of a transaxle unit mounted to the engine. The system manipulates the torque transmitted by adjusting the clutches of multiple torque transmission paths so that the torque disturbance in the engine results in relatively constant vehicle drive torque. In one example, a potential torque increase at high speed and low airflow that may be cause using electronically actuated valves is compensated for using multiple paths of the transmission. In this way, relatively constant output torque can be maintained.

Abstract: A method is described for estimating cylinder airflow in engines that operate with manifold pressure near atmospheric pressure to compensate for degraded sensor response at such conditions. The method uses an adaptive approach that is updated under preselected engine operating conditions to thereby allow improved accuracy across a variety of engine operation.

Abstract: An electronic valve actuation system and control method is described. The valve timing is changed between early and late intake valve closing depending on engine operating conditions. Further, valve timing is adjusted to control engine airflow or engine torque. Finally, air-fuel ratio is adjusted based on feedback from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor as well as an estimate of air, fuel, and residual exhausted from cylinders operating with late valve closing (after bottom dead center) timing.

Abstract: A method for controlling cylinder charge in a direct-injection, spark-ignition engine. The engine includes an intake manifold and an electronically controlled throttle (ETC) valve controlling air flow from the atmosphere to the intake manifold of said engine. The method includes: measuring an intake manifold pressure value, Pi,; measuring a flow value, Wthr,m, which is indicative of flow through the ETC throttle; determining a desired intake manifold pressure value, Pi d; determining a desired ETC valve position, uthr,d; determining a desired flow, Wthr d, through the ETC valve; and, adjusting said ETC valve position, uthr, in accordance with: said desired ETC valve position, uthr,d; a difference between the measured intake manifold pressure value, Pi, and the determined desired intake manifold pressure value, Pi d; and a difference between the measured flow value, Wthr,m, through the ETC valve and the determined desired flow, Wthr d. In-cylinder and throttle body adaptation is also provided.

Abstract: A method is described for estimating cylinder airflow in engines that operate with manifold pressure near atmospheric pressure to compensate for degraded sensor response at such conditions. The method uses an adaptive approach that is updated under preselected engine operating conditions to thereby allow improved accuracy across a variety of engine operation.

Abstract: A method for determining cylinder air charge and/or cylinder burned gas for an internal combustion engine system. The engine system includes cylinders, each one of such cylinders having at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve in communication with such cylinder. The method determines one of a plurality of different scenarios, each one of the scenarios representing a geometrical relationship between opening and closing of the intake valve relative to closing of the exhaust valve. The cylinder air charge and/or cylinder burned gas is calculated in accordance with the determined one of the plurality of scenarios. In one embodiment, the engine system stores a plurality of different software modules. The method selects one of the plurality of software modules in accordance with the determined one of the plurality of scenarios. The cylinder air charge and/or cylinder burned gas calculation comprises executing the selected one of the modules.

Abstract: A system is described for minimizing engine torque disturbances that would otherwise cause degraded drive feel by a vehicle driver. The system utilizes multiple torque transmission paths of a transaxle unit mounted to the engine. The system manipulates the torque transmitted by adjusting the clutches of multiple torque transmission paths so that the torque disturbance in the engine results in relatively constant vehicle drive torque. In particular, during particulate filter regeneration, a potential torque increase is transmitted through multiple torque paths of the transmission to maintain output torque relatively constant.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling air charge motion in the cylinder of a direct injection spark ignition engine during transitions between different combustion modes is provided. The system includes a cam profile switching device that controls the position of an intake valve for the cylinder. The system further includes an electronic control unit configured to control the cam profile switching device to position the intake valve in a first position in advance of the transition and to move the intake valve to a second position when a predetermined condition for transitioning between the two combustion modes is met.

Abstract: A control method for an internal combustion engine has multiple cylinder groups with at least one control device positioned between an intake manifold and a cylinder group. The engine operates the cylinder groups at different air/fuel ratio and uses the control device to balance torque produced by the different cylinder groups. In one aspect of the invention, one cylinder group is operated rich and another cylinder group is operated lean thereby providing heat to an exhaust system located downstream of the engine.

Abstract: A method for controlling cylinder charge in a direct-injection, spark-ignition engine. The engine includes an intake manifold and an electronically controlled throttle (ETC) valve controlling air flow from the atmosphere to the intake manifold of said engine. The method includes: measuring an intake manifold pressure value, Pi,; measuring a flow value, Wthr,m, which is indicative of flow through the ETC throttle; determining a desired intake manifold pressure value, Pi d; determining a desired ETC valve position, uthr,d; determining a desired flow, Wthr d, through the ETC valve; and, adjusting said ETC valve position, uthr, in accordance with: said desired ETC valve position, uthr,d; a difference between the measured intake manifold pressure value, Pi, and the determined desired intake manifold pressure value, Pi d; and a difference between the measured flow value, Wthr,m, through the ETC valve and the determined desired flow, Wthr d. In-cylinder and throttle body adaptation is also provided.