Abstract: An engine consumes fuel and air to generate an exhaust gas stream. An exhaust system channels the exhaust gas stream from the engine to a tailpipe. An aftertreatment system is included in the exhaust system and includes a catalyst. A transmission system is coupled with the engine. The transmission system includes a transmission and a torque converter coupled with the transmission through a shaft. A lock is included in the transmission system to selectively prevent rotation of the shaft to increase a load on the engine by the torque converter.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for controlling operation of an engine of a vehicle during an idle mode of operation for the engine, the engine having a plurality of different types of fuel injectors and a combustion chamber, including: obtaining, via one or more first sensors of the vehicle, first sensor data as to a speed of the vehicle; obtaining, via one or more second sensors of the vehicle, second sensor data as to a measure of roughness of the engine; and adjusting, via instructions provided by a processor of the vehicle, a fuel injection ratio of respective amounts of fuel provided by the plurality of different types of fuel injectors to the combustion chamber, based on both the speed of the vehicle and the measure of roughness of the engine.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a drive system in a hybrid electric vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the drive system has combustion engine and an electric motor, and a method includes: obtaining, via one or more sensors, sensor data pertaining to the hybrid electric vehicle; determining, via a processor, whether cold start emission reduction is required, based on the sensor data; and providing an increase in torque provided by the electric motor, via instructions provided by the processor to the drive system, when it is determined that the cold start emission reduction is required.

Abstract: Presented are multi-pulse fuel injection systems for monitoring engine fuel injectors for missed pulses, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such systems. A method of operating a fuel injection system includes an engine controller determining if the system's injectors are operating in a multi-pulse mode for injecting multiple fuel pulses per combustion cycle to an engine's cylinders and, if so, monitoring pulse signals transmitted to the injectors for injecting the multiple fuel pulses. For each combustion cycle for each injector, the controller flags a cylinder misfire if any one of the fuel pulses for that combustion cycle is missed. For each cylinder, the controller calculates a misfire ratio of a total number of cylinder misfires to a total number of combustion cycles; if one of these misfire ratios exceeds a calibrated misfire limit, the controller commands a resident subsystem to execute control operations to mitigate the misfires.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for controlling fuel injection by a fuel injector of a direct injection engine. In one embodiment, a method includes: storing, in a first data storage device, a first table of values; storing, in a second data storage device, a second table of values; and adjusting, via instructions provided by a processor of the vehicle, a minimum mass value used to control the fuel injection based on an injector learned value, the first table, and the second table, wherein the injector learned value is set based on an amount of injector learning completed.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for controlling fuel injection by a fuel injector of a direct injection engine. In one embodiment, a method includes: storing, in a first data storage device, a first table of values; storing, in a second data storage device, a second table of values; and adjusting, via instructions provided by a processor of the vehicle, a minimum mass value used to control the fuel injection based on an injector learned value, the first table, and the second table, wherein the injector learned value is set based on an amount of injector learning completed.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for controlling particulate filter regeneration for a particulate filter of a drive system of a vehicle, including: obtaining sensor data pertaining to the drive system via one or more sensors of the vehicle; determining, via a processor of the vehicle, when particulate filter regeneration is warranted, using the sensor data; and providing particulate filter regeneration while performing scavenging with respect to the drive system, via instructions provided by the processor, when it is determined that particulate filter regeneration is warranted.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing fuel economy and maintaining particulate emissions below a threshold of an engine system in a vehicle. An engine system has port fuel injection, direct injection, variable compression ratio, and independent compression/expansion. A processor predicts settings for the four systems that optimize for a fuel economy that is maximized. A particulate rate of the engine system is computed based on the settings. A determination is made of whether the particulate rate is below a threshold. When the particulate rate is below the threshold, command signals are delivered to actuators of the systems to move to the settings. When the threshold is exceeded, the settings are revised to maintain the particulate below the threshold while optimizing for fuel economy.

Abstract: Methods and systems for flex fuel engines that have both port fuel injection and direct injection. Operating an engine system includes determining a percent of ethanol in a fuel and determining whether the percent of ethanol is greater than a predetermined threshold. When the percent of ethanol is greater than the predetermined threshold, fuel is supplied only through the direct injection injectors. When the percent of ethanol is not greater than the predetermined threshold, fuel is supplied through a combination of the direct injection injectors and port fuel injection injectors.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling regeneration of a particulate filter of an engine system are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, a request for particulate filter regeneration; in response to the request, determining, by the processor, at least one of a compression ratio and an expansion ratio; generating, by the processor, control signals to actuators of the engine system to adjust the at least one of the compression ratio and the expansion ratio to achieve a desired exhaust temperature; generating, by the processor, control signals to actuators of the engine system to optimize torque output based on the desired exhaust temperature, engine speed, and a desired engine load; and initiating, by the processor, regeneration of the particulate filter based on the command signals.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for controlling emissions for a drive system for a vehicle. In one embodiment, the system includes: one or more first sensors configured to measure an engine temperature pertaining to an engine of the vehicle; one or more second sensors configured to measure an ambient temperature surrounding the vehicle; one or more third sensors configured to detect an amount of running time in which the engine has been running; and a processor coupled to the one or more first sensors, the one or more second sensors, and the one or more third sensors and configured to at least facilitate controlling emissions for the drive system based on the engine temperature, the ambient temperature, and the amount of running time in which the engine has been running.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, methods and systems are provided for controlling knocking for an engine of a vehicle having a plurality of different types of fuel injectors and a combustion chamber. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes one or more sensors of the vehicle and a processor. The one or more sensors are configured to measure an intensity of engine knocking for the engine. The processor is coupled to the one or more sensors, and is configured to at least facilitate adjusting a fuel injection ratio of respective amounts of fuel provided by the plurality of different types of fuel injectors to the combustion chamber, based on the intensity of the engine knocking.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel injector includes determining a fuel pressure and a total fuel mass MTF to be injected per combustion cycle, defining first and second pulse widths PW1 and PW2 corresponding to first and second commanded fuel masses CM1 and CM2 wherein CM1+CM2=MTF, actuating the injector for the first and second pulse widths, detecting an opening delay for the injector, and storing the opening delay. The method may further include increasing PW1 and decreasing PW2 by a predetermined amount, repeating selected steps until PW2 is less than or equal to a predetermined minimum pulse width, changing the fuel pressure by a predetermined pressure amount, cycling through selected steps until the fuel pressure reaches a predetermined target fuel pressure, and commanding the injector to open earlier than a normally commanded opening time by a lead time based on stored opening delay data.

Abstract: A catalyst control system includes a stop and start module that, during a period that the vehicle is ON between (i) a first time when the vehicle is turned ON and (i) a second time when the vehicle is next turned OFF, selectively shuts down and starts a spark ignition engine of the vehicle. A catalyst light off (CLO) control module initiates a first CLO event for a first engine startup during the period and, when a temperature of a catalyst that receives exhaust output by the engine is less than a predetermined temperature, selectively initiates a second CLO event for a second engine startup during the period. A fuel control module richens fueling of the engine during the first and second CLO events of the period. A spark control module retards spark timing of the engine during the first and second CLO events of the period.

Abstract: A catalyst control system includes a stop and start module that, during a period that the vehicle is ON between (i) a first time when the vehicle is turned ON and (i) a second time when the vehicle is next turned OFF, selectively shuts down and starts a spark ignition engine of the vehicle. A catalyst light off (CLO) control module initiates a first CLO event for a first engine startup during the period and, when a temperature of a catalyst that receives exhaust output by the engine is less than a predetermined temperature, selectively initiates a second CLO event for a second engine startup during the period. A fuel control module richens fueling of the engine during the first and second CLO events of the period. A spark control module retards spark timing of the engine during the first and second CLO events of the period.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes an upstream oxygen monitoring module that monitors an upstream exhaust oxygen sensor and determines an upstream transition period based on a time at which the upstream exhaust oxygen sensor detects a rich-to-lean fueling transition. A delay determining module determines a delay period associated with the upstream exhaust oxygen sensor's detection of the fueling transition. An upstream correcting module determines a corrected upstream transition period based on the upstream transition period and the delay period. A downstream oxygen monitoring module monitors a downstream exhaust oxygen sensor and determines a downstream transition period based on the response of the downstream exhaust oxygen sensor to the fueling transition. An oxygen storage capacity (OSC) determining module determines an OSC period based on the corrected upstream transition period and the downstream transition period.

Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes a timer module, a stochastic pre-ignition (SPI) mitigation module, and a boost control module. The timer module tracks a period of operation of an engine where vacuum within an intake manifold is less than a first predetermined vacuum. The SPI mitigation module generates an SPI signal when the period is greater than a predetermined period and the vacuum is less than a second predetermined vacuum. The second predetermined vacuum is less than the first predetermined vacuum. The boost control module reduces output of a turbocharger in response to the generation of the SPI signal.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a stochastic pre-ignition module and a fuel control module. The stochastic pre-ignition module determines whether operating conditions of an engine satisfy predetermined criteria associated with stochastic pre-ignition. The fuel control module enriches an air/fuel ratio of the engine when the engine operating conditions satisfy the predetermined criteria.

Abstract: An engine control system of a vehicle includes a starter control module and an abort module. When a clutch pedal is depressed and a user activates an ignition system, the starter control module engages a starter motor with an engine and applies current to the starter motor. The abort module selectively generates an abort signal when the clutch pedal is released. The starter control module disengages the starter motor and disables current flow to the starter motor when the abort signal is generated.

Abstract: A stochastic pre-ignition (SPI) mitigation system includes a detection module, an engine load module, and an evaluation module. The detection module generates a pre-ignition determination signal indicating detection of a SPI event in a cylinder of an engine. The engine load module determines load on the engine and generates an engine load signal based on the load. The evaluation module determines whether to operate in a single-pulse mode or a multi-pulse mode and generating a mode signal to operate in a selected one of the single-pulse mode and the multi-pulse mode based on the pre-ignition determination signal and the engine load signal. The single pulse mode includes injecting a single pulse of fuel into the cylinder during a first per combustion cycle of the cylinder. The multi-pulse mode includes injecting multiple pulses of fuel into the cylinder during a second combustion cycle of the cylinder.