Abstract: Methods and systems for organizing vehicles within a vehicle platoon are described. In one example, temperatures and storage amounts of emissions control devices in vehicles of the vehicle platoon provide a basis for determining which vehicle is a leader and which vehicles are followers in a vehicle platoon. Vehicles having emissions devices at low temperatures may be commanded to a lead position to maintain emissions control device performance.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of a gasoline particulate filter in an exhaust system after confirming that specific conditions are met including that an exhaust tuning valve is not degraded. In one example, a method may include indicating degradation of a hose coupled across a particulate filter responsive to a difference between a first differential pressure and a second differential pressure being greater than a threshold, the first differential pressure measured by a differential pressure sensor positioned in the hose responsive to a downstream exhaust tuning valve being fully open, the second differential pressure measured by the differential pressure sensor responsive to the exhaust tuning valve being fully closed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing passive boost pressure monitoring for slow response with higher confidence. A response time of a boost pressure feedback control loop following a boost pressure deviation that is triggered by either system disturbances or operator torque demand is monitored. Slow boost behavior is correlated with boost control degradation affecting drivability and emissions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for waking up a powertrain control module of an engine-driven vehicle during engine soak to perform an offset test of an exhaust NOx sensor. In one example, a method includes determining a duration to delay waking up the powertrain control module based on exhaust temperature at vehicle-off, waking up the powertrain control module after the duration has expired, and then initiating heating of the NOx sensor. After the NOx sensor lights off, heating continues for an additional duration before offset testing of the NOx sensor is performed.

Abstract: A device for predicting an exhaust gas recirculation rate of an internal combustion engine, which comprises an inlet system and at least one exhaust gas recirculation valve, is described. The device comprises a sensor arranged in the inlet system for determining the composition of the gas, a sensor for determining the position of the exhaust gas recirculation valve, and an evaluation apparatus. The evaluation apparatus is configured to determine and output a prediction of the exhaust gas recirculation rate based on a corrected estimate of the exhaust gas recirculation rate, wherein the estimate is based on the position of the exhaust gas recirculation valve and is corrected based on the composition of the gas as determined using the sensor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling particulate filter temperature during non-combustion conditions. In one example, a method for an engine includes responsive to a particulate filter temperature above a threshold temperature and while operating the engine with deceleration fuel shut-off (DFSO), fully closing a throttle valve configured to regulate flow of intake air to the engine, and responsive to intake manifold pressure dropping below a threshold pressure while the throttle valve is fully closed, adjusting a position of the throttle valve based on the particulate filter temperature.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating maximum in-cylinder pressure for all engine cylinders while reducing the number of individual cylinders required for pressure sensing. Pressure sensing is performed for a single instrumented cylinder. For remaining non-instrumented cylinders, an engine speed-dependent correction factor is applied that compensates for compression pressure variation between cylinders due to intake valve closing differences.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of a gasoline particulate filter in an exhaust system. In one example, a method may include indicating degradation of a hose coupled across a particulate filter responsive to a difference between a first differential pressure and a second differential pressure being greater than a threshold, the first differential pressure measured by a differential pressure sensor positioned in the hose responsive to a downstream exhaust tuning valve being fully open, the second differential pressure measured by the differential pressure sensor responsive to the exhaust tuning valve being fully closed.

Abstract: Particulate matter (PM) sensors and diagnostics performed using the PM sensors are disclosed. The PM sensors and diagnostics may be used in exhaust systems, such as vehicle exhaust systems, to detect soot. In at least one embodiment, an electrostatic particulate matter (PM) sensor is provided including first and second spaced apart electrodes forming a bulk gap therebetween having a bulk distance and a localized gap therebetween having a localized distance less than the bulk distance. A controller may be configured to control a voltage between the electrodes to induce an electrostatic discharge at the localized gap at a lower voltage than at the bulk gap. Various diagnostics may be performed using the disclosed PM sensors, including a wiring/continuity diagnostic, a soot detection plausibility diagnostic, and/or an installation diagnostic.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting engine operation based on wirelessly received weather data in conjunction with engine sensor outputs. In one example, a method may comprise receiving a first measurement of a weather parameter from one or more engine sensors and a second measurement of the weather parameter from weather data, the weather data provided by a wireless weather service. The method may further comprise determining accuracies for the first and second measurements, generating an estimate of the weather parameter based on the accuracies of the first and second measurements, and adjusting at least one engine operating parameter based on the generated estimate.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnostics of a gasoline particulate filter in an exhaust system. In one example, a method may include indicating degradation of a hose coupled across a particulate filter responsive to a difference between a first differential pressure and a second differential pressure being greater than a threshold, the first differential pressure measured by a differential pressure sensor positioned in the hose responsive to a downstream exhaust tuning valve being fully open, the second differential pressure measured by the differential pressure sensor responsive to the exhaust tuning valve being fully closed.

Abstract: Embodiments for estimating intake air humidity in an engine are provided. In one example, an engine method comprises adjusting an engine parameter in response to intake air humidity estimated based on a concentration of one or more engine-out emissions. In this way, one or more exhaust emission sensors may be used to estimate intake air humidity.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting exhaust particulate filter regeneration. In one example, an engine controller may generate an exotherm at the filter by operating engine cylinders with air-fuel imbalance while using electric assist to a turbocharger to meet a torque demand and raise an intake airflow to enhance the effect of the exotherm. Once heated, the filter may be regenerated by flowing extra air to the exhaust via an air pump and injecting extra fuel to an exhaust passage via an exhaust injector.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting an active casing treatment of a compressor responsive to a predicted engine condition. In one example, a controller may actuate a sleeve of a variable geometry compressor casing to a position selected based on each of a compressor pressure ratio and a mass flow through the compressor, as well as driver behavior and predicted road conditions; and adjust each of an EGR actuator and a boost actuator based on the selected position to maintain the compressor pressure ratio during the actuating.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a turbocharged engine. In one example, a method may include concurrently adjusting an exhaust recirculation gas flow and a turbine flow while adjusting geometry of a compressor to compensate for disturbance caused by the compressor adjustment.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing passive boost pressure monitoring for slow response with higher confidence. A response time of a boost pressure feedback control loop following a boost pressure deviation that is triggered by either system disturbances or operator torque demand is monitored. Slow boost behavior is correlated with boost control degradation affecting drivability and emissions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling and diagnosing air flow through a compressor without recirculating air flow through the compressor are presented. In one example, a position of an air flow control device located within a compressor housing is adjusted responsive to a request to diagnose flow through the compressor. The diagnostic may be performed while maintaining engine torque and speed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for organizing vehicles within a vehicle platoon are described. In one example, temperatures and storage amounts of emissions control devices in vehicles of the vehicle platoon provide a basis for determining which vehicle is a leader and which vehicles are followers in a vehicle platoon. Vehicles having emissions devices at low temperatures may be commanded to a lead position to maintain emissions control device performance.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for optimal operation of a gasoline particulate filter coupled to an engine exhaust system. Based on engine operating conditions, a target soot level on the GPF may be determined, and one or more engine operating parameters may be adjusted to maintain the actual GPF soot level at the target level. In one example, if the actual GPF soot level is lower than the target level, one or more of a fuel injection timing and a fuel rail pressure may be adjusted to increase soot generation, and if the actual GPF soot level is higher than the target level, the GPF may be regenerated until the actual soot level reaches the target level.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for SCR devices cascaded along an exhaust passage. In one example, a method may include adjusting a reductant injection pressure based on a temperature of one or more of the SCR devices.