Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling fuel injection via a port fuel injector. At low load conditions, a lift pump coupled to a port injector may be deactivated, allowing fuel rail pressure to drop to fuel vapor pressure. Fuel may be delivered to engine cylinders while fuel rail pressure remains at fuel vapor pressure, with the lift pump still deactivated, for a duration until the accumulated amount of fuel delivered via port injection exceeds a threshold. Thereafter, the lift pump may be reactivated, allowing the fuel pump to be maintained disabled for longer periods of time, and providing fuel economy benefits.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for carrying out on-board diagnostics of a plurality of components of an exhaust heat exchange system. In one example, degradation of one or more of a heat exchanger and a coolant system fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger may be detected based on a first temperature estimated upstream of the heat exchanger, a second temperature sensor estimated downstream of the heat exchanger, a coolant temperature, and a pressure estimated upstream of the heat exchanger. Also, degradation of a diverter valve of the heat exchange system may be detected based on inputs of a position sensor coupled to the diverter valve.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a single heat exchanger coupled to a main exhaust passage upstream of one or more exhaust catalysts or in between two exhaust catalysts for exhaust heat recovery and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooling. In one example, in the pre-catalyst configuration of the heat exchanger, during exhaust heat recovery, a portion of exhaust may be routed via the heat exchanger while the remaining portion of exhaust may be routed directly to the exhaust catalysts, and fueling may be adjusted on a per-cylinder basis to maintain a target exhaust air-fuel-ratio at the exhaust catalysts.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for filtering particulate matter in an exhaust passage of an engine system. In one example, a method may include during a cold start condition comprising an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, directing engine exhaust gas to an exhaust particulate filter, and during a warm engine condition, directing engine exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter, wherein the warm engine condition comprises the engine temperature being greater than or equal to the threshold engine temperature and fuel being combusted in the engine. In this way, the exhaust particulate filter may be reliably regenerated during engine shutdown events such as DFSOs while reducing filter degradation, and lowering PM emissions.

Abstract: A vehicle charge station includes at least a first interface and second interface coupled with a power converter and a controller. The controller is configured to, in response to detecting a battery electric vehicle (BEV) classified vehicle coupled with the power converter via the first interface while flowing a charge current to a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) classified vehicle via the second interface, redirect the charge current from the second interface to the first interface. Also, a method of controlling a charge station includes receiving first vehicle data from a first vehicle connected to a first interface and transferring power to the first interface. The method then receives second vehicle data from a second vehicle connected to a second interface and, in response to a comparison of the first vehicle data and the second vehicle data indicating a higher priority for the second vehicle, redirects power from the first interface to the second interface.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing an exhaust diverter valve in an engine system and adjusting the diverter valve position to regulate vehicle exhaust noise so that the same exhaust diverter valve can be used to reduce emissions and expedite engine heating during a cold-start as well as regulate exhaust noise. In one example, a method for diverter valve diagnostics may include determining diverter valve degradation during an engine cold-start, when the diverter valve is closed, based on the change in the temperature upstream of the diverter valve from the temperature at engine start. In another example, a method for exhaust noise adjustment may include adjusting the diverter valve position to provide a target exhaust backpressure that produces a desired change in vehicle exhaust noise.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for exhaust heat recovery and EGR cooling via a single heat exchanger. In one example, a method may include selecting a specific mode of operation of an engine exhaust system with the heat exchanger based on engine operating conditions and an estimated fuel efficacy factor. The fuel efficiency factor may take into account fuel efficacy benefits from EGR and exhaust heat recovery.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for exhaust heat recovery and hydrocarbon trapping at an exhaust bypass assembly. Exhaust gas may flow in both directions through an exhaust bypass passage and each of a HC trap and a heat exchanger coupled to the bypass passage. The HC trap may be purged with the hot exhaust and heat from the exhaust may be recovered at the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a HC trap in a bypass passage. In one example, a method may include closing a diverter valve to flow exhaust gas from a main exhaust passage to the bypass passage during a cold-start.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring an emission device coupled to an engine. In one example approach, the method comprises: following a deceleration fuel shut-off duration, indicating degradation of the emission device based on an amount of rich products required to cause a sensor to become richer than a threshold. The amount of rich products required may be correlated to an amount of oxygen stored in the emission device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing an intake oxygen sensor. In one example, a method may include indicating degradation of an intake oxygen sensor based on a first time constant of an output of the intake oxygen sensor and a second time constant of an output of a throttle inlet pressure sensor. The method may further include adjusting EGR flow based on the output of the intake oxygen sensor and the output of the throttle inlet pressure sensor when the intake oxygen sensor is not degraded.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a HC trap in a bypass passage. In one example, a method may include closing a diverter valve to flow exhaust gas from a main exhaust passage to the bypass passage during a cold-start.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for filtering particulate matter in an exhaust passage of an engine system. In one example, a method may include during a cold start condition comprising an engine temperature being less than a threshold engine temperature, directing engine exhaust gas to an exhaust particulate filter, and during a warm engine condition, directing engine exhaust gas to bypass the exhaust particulate filter, wherein the warm engine condition comprises the engine temperature being greater than or equal to the threshold engine temperature and fuel being combusted in the engine. In this way, the exhaust particulate filter may be reliably regenerated during engine shutdown events such as DFSOs while reducing filter degradation, and lowering PM emissions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for carrying out on-board diagnostics of a plurality of components of an exhaust heat exchange system. In one example, degradation of one or more of a heat exchanger and a coolant system fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger may be detected based on a first temperature estimated upstream of the heat exchanger, a second temperature sensor estimated downstream of the heat exchanger, a coolant temperature, and a pressure estimated upstream of the heat exchanger. Also, degradation of a diverter valve of the heat exchange system may be detected based on inputs of a position sensor coupled to the diverter valve.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine exhaust aftertreatment system to increase the efficiency of an exhaust underbody catalyst and reduce engine emissions. In one example, a bypass passage may be coupled to a main exhaust passage and during conditions which may adversely affect functionality of the underbody catalyst, exhaust may be opportunistically routed via the bypass passage avoiding the underbody catalyst. Exhaust heat may be recovered via a heat exchanger coupled to the bypass passage, and the heat may be used for engine heating, and passenger cabin heating.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for exhaust gas heat recovery at a split exhaust gas heat exchanger. Exhaust gas may flow in both directions through an exhaust bypass passage and the heat exchanger coupled to the bypass passage. Warm or cold EGR may be delivered from the exhaust passage to the engine intake manifold and heat from the exhaust gas may be recovered at the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an engine including a humidity sensor. Degradation of the humidity sensor may be determined based on a change in intake air relative humidity as compared to a change in intake air temperature or pressure, under selected conditions. An amount of exhaust gas recirculated to an engine intake is adjusted differently based on whether the humidity sensor is degraded or functional.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling exhaust flow and recovering heat from exhaust gas under different operating conditions. In one example, motive flow of fresh air via an ejector coupled to an exhaust bypass assembly may be utilized to divert exhaust through a heat exchanger during cold-start conditions and heat extracted from the exhaust gas may be utilized for passenger cabin heating and other vehicle heating demands. The exhaust bypass assembly may also be used for EGR delivery wherein the exhaust heat exchanger may be used as an EGR cooler.

Abstract: Embodiments for diagnosing a humidity sensor are provided. One example method comprises, responsive to a humidity sensor test cycle, pumping air conditioning and windshield washer gas flows past a humidity sensor, and indicating humidity sensor degradation based on a response of the humidity sensor to the air conditioning and windshield washer gas flows. In this way, degradation of the humidity sensor may be indicated if the humidity sensed by the humidity sensor does not change responsive to the humidity sensor test cycle being initiated.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for exhaust gas heat recovery at an exhaust gas heat exchanger. Exhaust gas may flow in both directions through an exhaust bypass passage and the heat exchanger coupled to the bypass passage. Hot or cold EGR may be delivered from the exhaust passage to the engine intake manifold and heat from the exhaust gas may be recovered at the heat exchanger.