Abstract: An engine control system is provided. The system includes: an engine torque module that estimates torque output based on charge energy; and a cylinder mode module that controls fuel cut-off and adjusts spark timing to the engine based on the torque output.

Abstract: An engine torque control system for balancing torque output across cylinders of an internal combustion engine includes a first module that determines a derivative term for each cylinder of the engine based on rotation of a crankshaft. A second module determines a torque correction for a first cylinder based on an average derivative term associated with the first cylinder. The second module adjusts a torque output of the first cylinder based on the torque correction and adjusts a torque output of a second cylinder based on the torque correction.

Abstract: A control module comprising a cylinder torque determination module that determines an indicated torque for a cylinder in an engine based on a pressure in the cylinder, a cylinder torque balancing module that determines a derivative term for the cylinder based on rotation of a crankshaft, and a cylinder pressure error detection module that detects a pressure error for the cylinder based on the indicated torque and the derivative term. A method comprising determining an indicated torque for a cylinder in an engine based on a pressure in the cylinder, determining a derivative term for the cylinder based on rotation of a crankshaft, and detecting a pressure error for the cylinder based on the indicated torque and the derivative term.

Abstract: A method of correcting a crankshaft position may include determining first, second, and third crankshaft positions, determining first, second, and third cylinder pressures, determining first, second, and third cylinder volumes, determining the logarithm of the first, second, and third cylinder pressures and cylinder volumes, and determining a relationship between the third cylinder volume and the first and second cylinder volumes. The first, second, and third crankshaft positions may be provided during one of a piston expansion stroke and a piston compression stroke within a cylinder. The logarithm of the third cylinder pressure and cylinder volume may be evaluated with respect to a predetermined limit of a line defined by the logarithm of the first and second cylinder pressures and first and second cylinder volumes.

Abstract: An engine control system is provided. The system includes: an engine torque module that estimates torque output based on charge energy; and a cylinder mode module that controls fuel cut-off and adjusts spark timing to the engine based on the torque output.

Abstract: An engine torque control module comprises a derivative module and a cylinder torque module. The derivative module determines a derivative term for a first cylinder of an internal combustion engine based on rotation of a crankshaft and determines an average derivative term for the first cylinder based upon the derivative term. The cylinder torque module determines an operating condition of the first cylinder based on the average derivative term, adjusts a torque output of the first cylinder based on the operating condition, and adjusts a torque output of a second cylinder based on the operating condition.

Abstract: An engine starting system that regulates a position of a pinion gear of a starter motor between an engaged position and a disengaged position includes a solenoid pinion armature (SPA) that is coupled to the pinion gear and that is movable between a first position and a second position to move the pinion gear between the disengaged position and the engaged position. A damper dampens a velocity of the SPA during movement of the SPA to the second position to inhibit noise generation.

Abstract: An engine starting system that regulates a position of a pinion gear of a starter motor between an engaged position and a disengaged position includes a solenoid pinion armature (SPA) that is coupled to the pinion gear and that is movable between a first position and a second position to move the pinion gear between the disengaged position and the engaged position. A damper dampens a velocity of the SPA during movement of the SPA to the second position to inhibit noise generation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a start-stop “mild hybrid” vehicle with a starting system which utilizes traditional engine and transmission architecture. The present invention separates the pinion actuator solenoid from the starter motor power switching circuit. A power relay is provided to switch the starter motor. The pinion gear in the present invention is pre-shuttled to, and held in mesh with, the flywheel ring gear during engine stop conditions. A “prime current” is then applied to the power relay just below that which is required to energize the power relay. Upon request for an engine start, the current will increase to energize the relay and allow the starter motor to spin. A significant amount of time lag is thusly removed from the starting system permitting an expedient restart and launch. The pinion actuator solenoid in this invention may also have two coils which may be selectively energized.

Abstract: An engine control system that regulates operation of an engine includes an intake valve that regulates air intake into a cylinder of the engine and an exhaust valve that regulates exhaust from the cylinder. A control module determines a cylinder volume at intake valve closure and a cylinder volume at intake valve opening and calculates an intake pumping torque based on the cylinder volume at intake valve closure and the cylinder volume at intake valve opening. The control module determines a cylinder volume at exhaust valve closure and a cylinder volume at exhaust valve opening and calculates an exhaust pumping torque based on the cylinder volume at exhaust valve closure and the cylinder volume at exhaust valve opening. The control module calculates a net pumping torque based on the intake pumping torque and the exhaust pumping torque and regulates engine operation based on the net pumping torque.

Abstract: A system and method to control fuel delivery to an engine at startup includes a crank sensor that determines a rotational position of the engine. A control module calculates an air mass of a first cylinder based on the rotational position of the engine and delivers fuel to the first cylinder based on the air mass. The air mass is based on a volume, a pressure and a temperature of the first cylinder.

Abstract: A control system that determines a mass air flow through a throttle of an internal combustion engine (ICE) having an intake manifold includes a calculator that calculates an estimated mass air flow based on a throttle position and an adjustment module that determines an adjustment value. The adjustment value is based on the estimated mass air flow, an estimated manifold absolute pressure and a measured manifold absolute pressure. A multiplier multiplies the estimated mass air flow by the adjustment value to determine the mass air flow.

Abstract: Internal combustion engine control includes a dynamic block learn array structure which is adaptable in accord with monitored closed-loop control activity. Cells are consolidated when neighboring cells call for a substantially common control correction, with the most current block learn information replacing more obsolete block learn information. A persistent need for additional compensation despite the block learn activity triggers addition of cells to the structure, or triggers redefinition of cell boundaries to most effectively learn the appropriate compensation.

Abstract: Adjustment to the lubrication rate for a period of time after startup of a two-stroke internal combustion engine, wherein the magnitude of the adjustment over the period of time is determined from an estimate of the degree the lubricant has receded from the moving parts of the engine exposing the moving parts to an elevated potential for wear, and from an estimate of the rate at which lubricant in the engine may be recirculated to the moving parts to reduce the elevated potential.

Abstract: Air/fuel ratio control compensation is applied to an internal combustion engine having pneumatic fuel injection, wherein an engine operating condition is determined and appropriate compensation provided to the fuel command when an operating condition is sensed in which a significant fuel residue remains in the pneumatic injector after the end of an injection period.

Abstract: Engine inlet air/fuel ratio compensation is applied to an internal combustion engine having pneumatic fuel injection, wherein the difference between a value proportional to inlet air pressure and a value proportional to inlet fuel pressure is monitored and a commanded fuel or air quantity adjusted as a predetermined function of the difference.

Abstract: An idle speed regulating system is described for an internal combustion engine operating according to a fuel based control strategy, wherein the amount of fuel delivered the engine is determined directly as a function of the demand for engine output power and the amount of air supplied to the engine is controlled as a function of the quantity of delivered fuel. The system senses the actual idling rotational speed of the engine, derives a desired idling speed for the engine, and reduces the difference between the desired and actual idling speeds by adjusting the flow rate of the quantity of fuel delivered to the engine as a function of the difference between the desired and actual idling speeds. More specifically, the rate of fuel flow is adjusted in accordance with the sum of an open-loop feedforward value, a closed-loop feedback value, and preferably an adaptive learning correction value.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling the pressure in a pressurized air supply for an internal combustion engine having pneumatic direct fuel injection, wherein pressurized air from the supply is utilized to inject fuel held within a fuel injector directly into an engine cylinder, against opposing cylinder compression pressure, while the injector is opened during a cylinder injection period in the engine cycle. The system adjusts the duration of the cylinder fuel injection period in accordance with the sensed pressure in the air supply to maintain the air supply pressure above cylinder compression pressure during the injection period, thereby preventing the backflow of fuel through the cylinder fuel injector into the air supply.

Abstract: A method is described for controlling the injection of fuel in a direct injected, multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, to smooth transients in engine output torque associated with a deceleration fuel cut-off mode of engine operation. This is accomplished by detecting engine operating conditions that call for the initiation of a transition associated with the decelaration fuel cut-off engine operating mode. In response to the detected operating conditions, a transitional period is initiated, during which the injection of fuel into a varying portion of engine cylinders is then interrupted. When the transitional period is associated with entry into the deceleration fuel cut-off mode, the injection of fuel to a progressively increasing number of cylinders is interrupted. When the transitional period is associated with recovery from the deceleration fuel cut-off mode, the injection of fuel to a progressively decreasing number of engine cylinders is interrupted.

Abstract: A method is described for increasing engine braking, when a crankcase scavenged two-stroke engine is operated in a deceleration fuel cut-off mode. In response to the detection of operating conditions indicating engine operation in the deceleration fuel cut-off mode, the quantity of air inducted into the engine is decreased, for a predetermined period of time. After this period of time elapses, the quantity of air inducted into the engine is then increased. This is preferably accomplished by regulating the degree of opening of a throttle valve disposed within the engine air intake system. The initial closing of the throttle valve restricts air flow through the engine for a predetermined time, to maintain efficient catalyst operating temperatures in the engine exhaust system. During extended operation in the deceleration fuel cut-off mode, the throttle valve is opened, after the lapse of the predetermined time, to increase the quantity of air inducted by the engine.