Abstract: An engine control module and method configured to correct an engine crank sensor signal for errors in an apparent location of a tooth edge on a crank wheel is provided. A correction factor is determined based on a first formula if a comparison of adjacent pulse intervals to predetermined thresholds indicates that a tooth edge appears to be abnormally late, and determined based on a second formula if a comparison of adjacent pulse intervals to other predetermined thresholds indicates that a tooth edge appears to be abnormally The correction factor is set to a null value if the correction factor is not determined based on the first formula or the second formula; and operating an engine based on the correction factor.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having valve deactivation capability for at least one cylinder, or for an entire bank of cylinders in a multiple-bank engine, is provided with a temperature probe in the exhaust stream of that cylinder or cylinder bank. The temperature probe is connected to an Engine Control Module programmed to determine the rate of temperature change during valve deactivation, to compare the determined value to an acceptable range of rates, and to signal, when the rate exceeds an acceptable range. When the valves of a cylinder are properly deactivated, the temperature in the exhaust pipe decreases slowly. However, when valve deactivation fails, the cylinders pump non-combusted air from the intake manifold into the exhaust manifold, resulting in a relatively rapid decrease in exhaust temperature. This abnormal rate of temperature decrease thus can be used as an indicator of failure of the VVA system.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a variable valve actuation (VVA) device or subsystem is operating in an improper mode of operation is performed in real-time by an embedded engine or powertrain controller configured to monitor and evaluate an already-available knock sensor output signal. The knock sensor output is captured during a predefined sampling window, defined to include a valve closing event when the VVA device is operating in a proper mode. The captured knock sensor output signal is processed to detect the presence (or absence) of a valve closing event. The absence of a valve closing event when one is expected is indicative of a malfunctioning VVA device.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having valve deactivation capability for at least one cylinder, or for an entire bank of cylinders in a multiple-bank engine, is provided with a temperature probe in the exhaust stream of that cylinder or cylinder bank. The temperature probe is connected to an Engine Control Module programmed to determine the rate of temperature change during valve deactivation, to compare the determined value to an acceptable range of rates, and to signal,when the rate exceeds an acceptable range. When the valves of a cylinder are properly deactivated, the temperature in the exhaust pipe decreases slowly. However, when valve deactivation fails, the cylinders pump non-combusted air from the intake manifold into the exhaust manifold, resulting in a relatively rapid decrease in exhaust temperature. This abnormal rate of temperature decrease thus can be used as an indicator of failure of the VVA system.

Abstract: A method for providing supplemental internal air cooling to a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine. The method involves deactivating the fuel injector to one cylinder for a predetermined time period or temperature decrease, based upon engine operating conditions, and then reactivating the fuel injector. This results in cool air being pumped through the fuel-deactivated cylinder by the reciprocating action of the piston therein, which air-cools the walls, piston, and head of that cylinder from the inside. In response to a controlling algorithm in an Engine Control Module, various of the engine fuel injectors may be deactivated and then reactivated sequentially to provide distributed cooling over the entire engine. The invention is especially useful for motorcycle engines having two or more cylinders when the motorcycles are used at low or stop-and-go speeds, such as in parades or other ceremonial functions.

Abstract: In a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having intake valve deactivation apparatus providing de-activation of the intake valves of selected cylinders during engine operation, correct cylinder activation status is verified by measuring gas pressure in a conduit conducting combustion related gases through the cylinders of the engine, detecting consecutive pulses in the pressure due to predetermined activations of the intake valves, comparing the time periods between the consecutive pulses to reference time periods based on crankshaft position and corresponding to expected time periods between the consecutive pulses and providing verification signals and cylinder identification of faulty intake valve deactivation or activation in response to the comparisons.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing the operational state of a variable valve lift device (VVL) is provided. The method includes providing a first signal indicative of an estimated position of the VVL, the first signal having a first signal-to-noise ratio; determining that the first signal represents either a first condition indicating that the VVL is operating in one of two modes of operation, a second condition indicating that the VVL is not operating in the two modes of operation, and a third condition where the first signal is not in the first or second conditions; and adjusting a camshaft phase angle when the first signal is in the third condition so that the first signal has a second signal-to-noise ratio, wherein the second signal-to-noise ratio is greater than the first signal-to-noise ratio, whereby the operational state of the VVL is identified as one of the first and second conditions.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an operational state of a variable valve lift (VVL) device in an engine, wherein the VVL device is capable of operating in two modes of operation. The method includes measuring a rotational speed of an engine crankshaft while the engine is running or cranking, correlating the measured crankshaft speed with an estimated engine cylinder pressure or torque, comparing the estimated engine cylinder pressure or torque with an expected range of engine cylinder pressure or torque values for the two modes of operation for the VVL device, determining if the estimated engine cylinder pressure or torque falls within the expected range of engine cylinder pressure or torque values, and activating an alert if the estimated engine cylinder pressure or torque falls outside the expected range of engine cylinder pressure or torque values to provide notification that the VVL device is operating in an improper mode of operation.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring performance of an internal combustion engine equipped with individually actuated valve control mechanisms, such as a two-step finger-follower rocker-arm assembly, using a strategy that identifies cylinder-to-cylinder variations, is disclosed. The method and system preferably include monitoring engine operating conditions, based upon input from an exhaust gas sensor and engine sensors, and determining an engine operating point. Individual cylinder fueling modifiers are determined, each corresponding to one of the cylinders at the determined engine operating point, based upon input from the exhaust gas sensor. It is determined that the each individually actuated valve control mechanism is operating properly when a difference between the individual cylinder fueling modifier and a predetermined individual cylinder fueling modifier, each said modifier determined for the corresponding cylinder at the determined engine operating point, is less than a predetermined difference.