Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine that can be operated in a homogeneous charge combustion mode as well as a method and a computer readable storage device for controlling such an engine. The engine comprises at least one fuel injector, a fuel injection controller that controls a fuel amount injected into a first cylinder, and a piston in the first cylinder whose compression causes an air and fuel mixture to be ignited. The engine further comprises at least one intake valve, at least one exhaust valve, a valve operation controller, and at least one sensor for measuring an engine operation parameter in the first cylinder. The engine is particularly characterized in that the valve operation controller is adapted to determine the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves of the first cylinder on the basis of a first fuel injection or injections.

Abstract: A method of transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition in a combustion chamber of an engine that is configured for homogeneous charge compression ignition under at least some engine operating conditions and for spark ignition under at least some engine operating conditions, the method comprising heating contents of the combustion chamber with a glow plug prior to transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition.

Abstract: A method of transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition in a combustion chamber of an engine that is configured for homogeneous charge compression ignition under at least some engine operating conditions and for spark ignition under at least some engine operating conditions, the method comprising heating contents of the combustion chamber with a glow plug prior to transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine operable in homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion mode and in conventional spark ignited combustion mode and a method for restart of HCCI combustion therein. Whilst cranking the exhaust valve is arranged to be closed before top dead center (TDC) during an exhaust stroke. The intake valve is arranged to be opened after TDC during an induction stroke. Fuel injection control means are arranged to perform a first fuel injection after closing of the exhaust valve and before TDC of the exhaust stroke. The ignition control means are arranged to cause said spark plug to ignite the first injected quantity of fuel before said opening of the intake valve. The fuel injection control means are arranged to perform at least one further fuel injection in the interval after TDC of the exhaust stroke and before TDC of a subsequent compression stroke.

Abstract: A method of transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition in a combustion chamber of an engine that is configured for homogeneous charge compression ignition under at least some engine operating conditions and for spark ignition under at least some engine operating conditions, the method comprising heating contents of the combustion chamber with a glow plug prior to transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having a variable valve actuator includes operating the engine in a first mode where the engine carries out spark ignition combustion of air and fuel; and changing operation to a second mode where the engine carries out homogenous charge compression ignition combustion of air and fuel. The variable valve actuator unit is adjusted in response to said change to provide a shorter valve opening or lift.

Abstract: The description relates to an internal combustion engine, and a method for an internal combustion engine with at least one cylinder, at each of which at least one spark providing device for ignition being provided. The engine is operated, in connection to a start procedure of the engine, in a controlled self-ignition mode comprising at least one controlled combustion without spark ignition. The controlled combustion without spark ignition can comprise homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI).

Abstract: A method of transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition in a combustion chamber of an engine that is configured for homogeneous charge compression ignition under at least some engine operating conditions and for spark ignition under at least some engine operating conditions, the method comprising heating contents of the combustion chamber with a glow plug prior to transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition.

Abstract: A method of maintaining homogeneous charge compression ignition when a temperature within a combustion chamber decreases below an autoignition temperature in an engine that is configured for homogeneous charge compression ignition under at least some engine operating conditions and for spark ignition under at least some engine operating conditions, the method comprising selectively heating contents of the combustion chamber with a glow plug.

Abstract: A method of transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition in a combustion chamber of an engine that is configured for homogeneous charge compression ignition under at least some engine operating conditions and for spark ignition under at least some engine operating conditions, the method comprising heating contents of the combustion chamber with a glow plug prior to transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine that can be operated in a homogeneous charge combustion mode as well as a method and a computer readable storage device for controlling such an engine. The engine comprises at least one fuel injector, a fuel injection controller that controls a fuel amount injected into a first cylinder, and a piston in the first cylinder whose compression causes an air and fuel mixture to be ignited. The engine further comprises at least one intake valve, at least one exhaust valve, a valve operation controller, and at least one sensor for measuring an engine operation parameter in the first cylinder. The engine is particularly characterized in that the valve operation controller is adapted to determine the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves of the first cylinder on the basis of a first fuel injection or injections.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine that can be operated in compression ignition mode, comprising a fuel injector (2) for each cylinder; a fuel injection control unit (4) for controlling fuel injection quantity and a piston (5) in each cylinder whose compression action causes a mixture of air and fuel to be ignited. The engine is further provided with inlet and outlet valves (6, 7) and sensors (12-16) for measuring various engine operating parameters, is disclosed. During compression ignition mode, the control unit controls the fuel injector to perform a first fuel injection before, and a second fuel injection after top dead center of the piston stroke during or after a negative valve overlap period. A method for operating the engine and a computer readable storage device (4) having stored therein data representing instructions executable by a computer to implement a compression ignition for an internal combustion engine is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine operable in homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion mode and in conventional spark ignited combustion mode and a method for restart of HCCI combustion therein. Whilst cranking the exhaust valve is arranged to be closed before top dead center (TDC) during an exhaust stroke. The intake valve is arranged to be opened after TDC during an induction stroke. Fuel injection control means are arranged to perform a first fuel injection after closing of the exhaust valve and before TDC of the exhaust stroke. The ignition control means are arranged to cause said spark plug to ignite the first injected quantity of fuel before said opening of the intake valve. The fuel injection control means are arranged to perform at least one further fuel injection in the interval after TDC of the exhaust stroke and before TDC of a subsequent compression stroke.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine that can be operated in compression ignition mode, comprising a fuel injector (2) for each cylinder; a fuel injection control unit (4) for controlling fuel injection quantity and a piston (5) in each cylinder whose compression action causes a mixture of air and fuel to be ignited. The engine is further provided with inlet and outlet valves (6, 7) and sensors (12-16) for measuring various engine operating parameters, is disclosed. During compression ignition mode, the control unit controls the fuel injector to perform a first fuel injection before, and a second fuel injection after top dead center of the piston stroke during or after a negative valve overlap period. A method for operating the engine and a computer readable storage device (4) having stored therein data representing instructions executable by a computer to implement a compression ignition for an internal combustion engine is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine provided with at least one cylinder and comprising a fuel injection system, an intake air charging system for supplying air under pressure to an air intake manifold, a controller for controlling the fuel injection system, a spark ignition system and the intake air charger. The control unit is adapted to switch the engine from a first combustion mode using a higher manifold pressure to a second combustion mode using a lower manifold pressure, and further adapted to control the intake air charging system to cause a surge in the intake air, in order to evacuate the higher manifold pressure. The invention further relates to a method for controlling the internal combustion engine and a vehicle provided with such an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine that can be operated in compression ignition mode, comprising a fuel injector (2) for each cylinder; a fuel injection control unit (4) for controlling fuel injection quantity and a piston (5) in each cylinder whose compression action causes a mixture of air and fuel to be ignited. The engine is further provided with inlet and outlet valves (6, 7) and sensors (12-16) for measuring various engine operating parameters, is disclosed. During compression ignition mode, the control unit controls the fuel injector to perform a first fuel injection before, and a second fuel injection after top dead center of the piston stroke during or after a negative valve overlap period. A method for operating the engine and a computer readable storage device (4) having stored therein data representing instructions executable by a computer to implement a compression ignition for an internal combustion engine is also described.

Abstract: A method of maintaining homogeneous charge compression ignition when a temperature within a combustion chamber decreases below an autoignition temperature in an engine that is configured for homogeneous charge compression ignition under at least some engine operating conditions and for spark ignition under at least some engine operating conditions, the method comprising selectively heating contents of the combustion chamber with a glow plug.

Abstract: A method of transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition in a combustion chamber of an engine that is configured for homogeneous charge compression ignition under at least some engine operating conditions and for spark ignition under at least some engine operating conditions, the method comprising heating contents of the combustion chamber with a glow plug prior to transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine, and a method for an internal combustion engine with at least one cylinder, at each of which at least one spark providing device for ignition being provided. The engine is operated, in connection to a start procedure of the engine, in a controlled self-ignition mode comprising at least one controlled combustion without spark ignition. The controlled combustion without spark ignition can comprise homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI). The invention will significantly reduce the risk of engine knocking at a hot start of the engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine that can be operated in compression ignition mode, comprising a fuel injector (2) for each cylinder; a fuel injection control unit (4) for controlling fuel injection quantity and a piston (5) in each cylinder whose compression action causes a mixture of air and fuel to be ignited. The engine is further provided with inlet and outlet valves (6, 7) and sensors (12–16) for measuring various engine operating parameters, is disclosed. During compression ignition mode, the control unit controls the fuel injector to perform a first fuel injection before, and a second fuel injection after top dead center of the piston stroke during or after a negative valve overlap period. A method for operating the engine and a computer readable storage device (4) having stored therein data representing instructions executable by a computer to implement a compression ignition for an internal combustion engine is also described.