Abstract: A method of cleaning an EGR valve operatively connected to an exhaust flow from an engine includes determining when cleaning is required, and when cleaning is required, operating the engine in a high temperature mode in which the temperature of exhaust gas exiting the engine is increased while producing a flow of exhaust gas having a low unburnt hydrocarbon content. The method further includes opening the EGR valve to allow hot exhaust gas to flow therethrough so as to remove combustion by-products that are fouling the EGR valve. Furthermore, the method includes producing an estimate of accumulated combustion by-product fouling of the EGR valve. The estimate is then used to determine whether and when to clean the EGR valve.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for coordinating operation of a high pressure EGR control loop with a boost pressure control loop. In one example, following a tip-in, turbine vane position may be adjusted as a function of a maximum permissible exhaust pressure upstream of a turbocharger turbine. The maximum permissible exhaust pressure may be determined as a function of a HP EGR valve position at the time of the tip-in.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring and adapting sensors and actuators in the induction system and exhaust system of an internal combustion engine during a period of time in which fresh air is flowing through the internal combustion engine without fuel delivery. According to the disclosure, the period of time in which fresh air is flowing through the internal combustion engine when fuel delivery is turned off and the monitoring and adapting is being carried out is extended by transferring torque produced by electric motor to the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an exhaust gas recirculation valve. In one example, a system may include a valve being cleaned following a delay subsequent an engine shut-down.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus and related methods is disclosed. The monitoring apparatus includes a banding structure. The banding structure is connectable to a housing. At least one non-wired, conductive element is connected to the banding structure and positioned along a length of the banding structure, wherein the at least one non-wired, conductive element is connected to form a circuit through the housing. A cut-band detection element is in communication with the circuit, wherein the cut-band detection element detects a break in the circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for adjusting an exhaust gas recirculation rate to provide accurate air-fuel ratio. The disclosure provides a method for calculating an exhaust-gas recirculation rate based on a measured exhaust-gas lambda and a turbocharger speed. Through the use of the exhaust-gas lambda and the turbocharger speed it is possible to calculate an exhaust-gas recirculation rate while dispensing with the difficult and unreliable determination of the mass air flow for determining an exhaust-gas recirculation rate, thus providing a stable method which further reduces fuel consumption and emissions.

Abstract: A method for controlling a compressor of a turbocharger is disclosed. In one example, the method comprises varying a maximum permitted compressor outlet temperature based upon a function of compressor outlet temperature and operating time, and controlling the operation of the compressor so that the maximum permitted compressor outlet temperature is not exceeded. In this way a higher boost pressure can safely be used during the early life of the compressor but excessive coking of the compressor with a resultant loss of efficiency later in the life of the compressor is reduced.

Abstract: A fluid container is disclosed for retaining and dispensing a fluid into the mouth of an individual. The fluid container comprises a deformable body and defining an exterior surface and an interior chamber. An output end has an output orifice for positioning the fluid exterior to the interior chamber. A valve engages the output orifice for controlling the fluid flowing through the output orifice.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for adjusting an exhaust gas recirculation rate to provide accurate air-fuel ratio. The disclosure provides a method for calculating an exhaust-gas recirculation rate based on a measured exhaust-gas lambda and a turbocharger speed. Through the use of the exhaust-gas lambda and the turbocharger speed it is possible to calculate an exhaust-gas recirculation rate while dispensing with the difficult and unreliable determination of the mass air flow for determining an exhaust-gas recirculation rate, thus providing a stable method which further reduces fuel consumption and emissions.

Abstract: A method for controlling a compressor of a turbocharger is disclosed. In one example, the method comprises varying a maximum permitted compressor outlet temperature based upon a function of compressor outlet temperature and operating time, and controlling the operation of the compressor so that the maximum permitted compressor outlet temperature is not exceeded. In this way a higher boost pressure can safely be used during the early life of the compressor but excessive coking of the compressor with a resultant loss of efficiency later in the life of the compressor is reduced.

Abstract: A fluid container is disclosed for retaining and dispensing a fluid into the mouth of an individual. The fluid container comprises a deformable body and defining an exterior surface and an interior chamber. An output end has an output orifice for positioning the fluid exterior to the interior chamber. A valve engages the output orifice for controlling the fluid flowing through the output orifice.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the air-fuel ratio demanded by a fuel controller in order to maintain optimum performance of a catalytic converter. Provided is an open loop fuel controller comprising a detector arranged down stream of a catalyst for detecting rich breakthrough; a catalyst model having an estimator for estimating a stored oxygen level in the catalyst; a comparator for comparing an estimated stored oxygen level with a plurality of predetermined thresholds; demand adjusting means for adjusting an air fuel ratio demand in dependence upon a received signal from said comparator and upon a received signal from said detector. A method of open loop fuel control is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the air-fuel ratio demanded by a fuel controller in order to maintain optimum performance of a catalytic converter. The invention provides a controller for requesting an air fuel ratio according to a switching value derived from an estimated oxygen storage value of a catalyst, in which the controller is arranged to perform the following steps a) request a maximum ratio of air to fuel when the switching value is less than a first threshold; b) gradually decrease the requested air to fuel ratio from said maximum ratio; c) request a minimum ratio of air to fuel when the switching value is greater than a second threshold; and d) gradually increase the requested air to fuel ratio from said minimum ratio.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the air-fuel ratio demanded by a fuel controller in order to maintain optimum performance of a catalytic converter. Provided is an open loop fuel controller comprising a detector arranged down stream of a catalyst for detecting rich breakthrough; a catalyst model having an estimator for estimating a stored oxygen level in the catalyst; a comparator for comparing an estimated stored oxygen level with a plurality of predetermined thresholds; demand adjusting means for adjusting an air fuel ratio demand in dependence upon a received signal from said comparator and upon a received signal from said detector. A method of open loop fuel control is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronically driven pressure boosting system that is used to boost the torque output of an internal combustion engine. The system comprises an electrically driven pressure charging device, an electrical supply system for providing electrical power to drive the pressure charging device including a battery and an engine-driven battery recharger, and an electronic control system for controlling the operation of the pressure charging device and the electrical supply system. The electronic control system determines one or more allowable operating limits to the operation of the pressure charging device based on the state of the electrical supply system, and drives the pressure charging device using the engine-driven battery recharger when the state of the electrical supply system is within an acceptable range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronically driven pressure boosting system that is used to boost the torque output of an Internal combustion engine. Engine operating parameters are fed to an engine control unit (ECU) controlling a supercharger that boosts engine torque. The ECU monitors at least one of the engine operating parameters and calculates the likelihood that the engine torque needs to be boosted by the supercharger. When the supercharger is operating at an idle speed, the ECU controls the idle speed so that a lag time varies inversely with the calculated likelihood that the supercharger needs to boost engine torque.

Abstract: This invention relates to an engine torque controller for spark ignition internal combustion engines and more specifically for direct injection engines. The invention provides a torque controller and a method of controlling torque for an engine in which torque is controlled in dependence upon a filtered difference signal where the filtered difference signal is the difference between a desired torque signal and a signal representing an estimate of the current torque.