Abstract: A method for operating an engine with a fuel reformer is presented. In one embodiment a first fuel is reformed into a gaseous fuel comprising H, CO, and CH4. The engine is operated by injecting the gaseous fuel and a second fuel to a cylinder of the engine in response to an available amount of gaseous fuel, engine speed and engine load. Further, an engine actuator may be adjusted to vary cylinder charge in response to the available amount of gaseous fuel.

Abstract: An adjustable grill shutter system is provided. In one embodiment, adjustment of the grill shutter system can be provided by a method of adjusting a grill shutter system for a vehicle, the method comprising adjusting opening of one or more grill shutters located at a front end opening of the vehicle in response to a non-driven vehicle condition.

Abstract: Methods for operating a flexible fuel engine with a fuel reformer which reforms a fuel into a gaseous fuel reformate are provided. Operating parameters of the fuel reformer and delivery of reformate to the engine are adjusted based on an alcohol content of the fuel.

Abstract: A fuel control approach that compensates for time delays to increase exhaust gas sensor feedback response speed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selectively storing gaseous reformate output by a fuel reformer for fueling an engine. Carbon monoxide produced by a fuel reformer may be continuously combusted in the engine and/or engine exhaust rather than being stored.

Abstract: A method for optimizing customer utility usage in a utility network of customer sites, each having one or more utility devices, where customer site information is communicated between each of the customer sites and an optimization server having software for optimizing customer utility usage over one or more networks, including private and public networks. A customer site model for each of the customer sites is generated based upon the customer site information, and the customer utility usage is optimized based upon the customer site information and the customer site model. The optimization server can be hosted by an external source or within the customer site. In addition, the optimization processing can be partitioned between the customer site and an external source.

Abstract: A system for optimizing customer utility usage in a utility network of customer sites, each having one or more utility devices, where customer site is communicated between each of the customer sites and an optimization server having software for optimizing customer utility usage over one or more networks, including private and public networks. A customer site model for each of the customer sites is generated based upon the customer site information, and the customer utility usage is optimized based upon the customer site information and the customer site model. The optimization server can be hosted by an external source or within the customer site. In addition, the optimization processing can be partitioned between the customer site and an external source.

Abstract: A system and method for storing and purging fuel vapors for an internal combustion engine comprising a compressor is presented. The system allows the canister to be purged even while the engine is operated at high engine load.

Abstract: A method for regenerating a particulate filter is disclosed. In one example, oxygen is pumped from the intake system of a direct injection turobocharged gasoline engine through a cylinder and into the exhaust system by a compressor. In this way, regeneration of a particulate filter may be accomplished without an auxiliary air supply.

Abstract: A system for filtering and oxidizing particulate matter produced by a gasoline direct injection engine is disclosed. In one embodiment, engine cylinder air-fuel is adjusted to allow soot to oxidize at an upstream particulate filter while exhaust gases are efficiently processed in a downstream catalyst.

Abstract: A system for filtering and oxidizing particulate matter produced by a gasoline direct injection engine is disclosed. In one embodiment, engine cylinder air-fuel is adjusted to allow soot to oxidize at an upstream particulate filter while exhaust gases are efficiently processed in a downstream catalyst.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine including an exhaust treatment system coupled to an engine exhaust, the exhaust treatment system further coupled to an engine intake via an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. One example method comprises, operating in a first mode including routing exhaust gas through the exhaust treatment system to an exhaust tailpipe; operating in a second mode including routing exhaust gas through the exhaust treatment system to an engine intake via the EGR system, and operating in a third mode including routing exhaust gas to an engine intake through the EGR system while bypassing the exhaust treatment system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media are described in which exhaust gas is routed to a hydrocarbon retaining device during starting, and purged to the engine intake manifold. Various alternative approaches are described for controlling operation and diagnosing degradation. Further, various interrelated configurations are described.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon and NOx trap and related apparatus and methods for reducing cold-start NOx emissions from an engine are provided. In one embodiment a trap includes a first, topmost layer, exposed to an exhaust gas flow path of exhaust gases from an engine, the first layer comprising a zeolite, a second layer, substantially covered by the top most layer, the second layer comprising a NOx adsorbing material and a monolithic substrate, directly supporting the second layer and indirectly supporting the first layer, the substrate providing a substantially rigid structure of the trap.

Abstract: A system for managing fuel-vapor emission from a fuel tank of a vehicle using a vortex-effect flow separator coupled in the fuel-vapor purging system of the vehicle. The warmer-flow outlet of the separator is coupled to the engine intake, and the cooler-flow outlet is coupled to the fuel tank. In this way, less fuel vapor is delivered to the engine intake.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle including an engine is provided The engine may include at least one cylinder, a boosting device to boost intake air to the at least one cylinder, a fuel tank, a fuel vapor canister to store fuel vapors vented from the fuel tank, and an emission control device to treat exhaust gas from the engine. The boosting device includes a compressor at least partially driven by an electric motor. The method includes during an engine cold start condition, operating the electric motor of the boost device to boost intake air, directing the boosted intake air through the fuel vapor canister to release a fuel vapor stored in the fuel vapor canister, directing the fuel vapor from the fuel vapor canister to the engine, and performing combustion in the at least one cylinder using the fuel vapor during the engine starting.

Abstract: A system and method for storing and purging fuel vapors for an internal combustion engine comprising a compressor is presented. The system allows the canister to be purged even while the engine is operated at high engine load.

Abstract: A method for determining degradation of an exhaust gas sensor positioned in an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is provided. The method includes modulating an air/fuel ratio of gas exhausted by the internal combustion engine to the exhaust system through a cycle that includes at least one rich-to-lean transition and at least one lean-to-rich transition, indicating a degradation condition of the exhaust gas sensor in response to at least one of a rich-to-lean response duration of the exhaust gas sensor and a lean-to-rich response duration of the exhaust gas sensor being greater than a delay threshold, and indicating the degradation condition of the exhaust gas sensor in response to a ratio of the rich-to-lean response duration to the lean-to-rich response duration being greater than an asymmetry threshold that is relative to an axis of symmetry of the rich-to-lean response duration versus the lean-to-rich response duration.

Abstract: Fuel systems and methods for controlling fuel systems in a vehicle with multiple fuel tanks are provided. An exemplary vehicle fuel system includes a first fuel tank including a first pressure sensor, and a second fuel tank. The system may further include a fuel tank isolation valve positioned to selectively decouple the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank. The system may further include an electronic controller configured to identify which of the first fuel tank and second fuel tank includes a fuel system leak by selectively decoupling the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank via the fuel tank isolation valve, responsive to an identification of the fuel system leak.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine having a hydrocarbon retaining system and an emission control device coupled to an engine exhaust, the engine exhaust comprising a venturi. One example method comprises, during a storing condition, routing exhaust gas through the venturi without generating a venturi action, and then to the hydrocarbon retaining system, while bypassing the emission control device, to store hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon retaining system, and during a purging condition, routing exhaust gas through the venturi while generating venturi action, then to the emission control device, and then to the hydrocarbon retaining system, to purge stored hydrocarbons, wherein a flow of purged hydrocarbons is drawn back to the venturi via venturi action.