Abstract: A method and system for reducing cycle to cycle variation of an engine is provided. The system may determine fuel injection characteristics and predict a gas burning rate or flame speed based on the fuel injection characteristics. The system may adjust an ignition timing in response to the predicted gas burning rate within the same engine cycle.

Abstract: A system for an engine to determine in situ under specified conditions the auto-ignition quality of the fuel used in a compression ignition engine is provided. The system may include an ion current sensor. The ion current sensor may access an engine cylinder for obtaining ion current data. A control unit may be in communication with the ion current sensor for receiving the ion current data. The control unit being configured to determine the auto-ignition quality of the fuel based on features of the ion current data.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the use of the ion current signal characteristics for onboard cycle-by-cycle, cylinder-by-cylinder measurement. The system may also control the engine operating parameters based on a predicted NOx emission level, CO emission level, CO2 emission level, O2 emission level, unburned hydrocarbon (HC) emission level, cylinder pressure, or a cylinder temperature measurement according to characteristics of the ion current signal.

Abstract: A system and method to enable electronically controlled internal combustion engines to self-adjust parameters and operate properly on different fuels that have wide ranges of physical and chemical properties. Input from a sensor is utilized that gives a signal indicative of the combustion process. The ECU processes the signal and readjusts the engine operating parameters to achieve its operating goals.

Abstract: A system and method for detection, reduction of combustion resonance and engine control is provided. The system senses ion current within one or each cylinder of a multi-cylinder engine and determines combustion resonance from the ion current signal. In addition, the system may determine an engine control strategy to reduce combustion resonance based on the feedback from the ion current signal.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing cycle to cycle variation of an engine is provided. The system may determine fuel injection characteristics and predict a gas burning rate or flame speed based on the fuel injection characteristics. The system may adjust an ignition timing in response to the predicted gas burning rate within the same engine cycle.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the use of the ion current signal characteristics for onboard cycle-by-cycle, cylinder-by-cylinder measurement. The system may also control the engine operating parameters based on a predicted NOx emission level, CO emission level, CO2 emission level, O2 emission level, unburned hydrocarbon (HC) emission level, cylinder pressure, or a cylinder temperature measurement according to characteristics of the ion current signal.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the use of the ion current signal characteristics for onboard cycle-by-cycle, cylinder-by-cylinder measurement. The system may also control the engine operating parameters based on a predicted NOx emission level, CO emission level, CO2 emission level, O2 emission level, unburned hydrocarbon (HC) emission level, cylinder pressure, or a cylinder temperature measurement according to characteristics of the ion current signal.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing cycle to cycle variation of an engine is provided. The system may determine fuel injection characteristics and predict a gas burning rate or flame speed based on the fuel injection characteristics. The system may adjust an ignition timing in response to the predicted gas burning rate within the same engine cycle.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for simultaneous ion current sensing and gas analysis. The system acquires an ion current signal and analyzes the composition of a corresponding gas sample.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the use of the ion current signal characteristics for onboard cycle-by-cycle, cylinder-by-cylinder measurement, for example soot measurement, load measurement such as indicated or brake mean effective pressure, or fuel consumption measurement in an internal combustion engine. The system may acquire an ion current signal, measures one or more of soot, load, fuel consumption and may control the engine operating parameters accordingly.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing cycle to cycle variation of an engine is provided. The system may determine fuel injection characteristics and predict a gas burning rate or flame speed based on the fuel injection characteristics. The system may adjust an ignition timing in response to the predicted gas burning rate within the same engine cycle.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the use of the ion current signal characteristics for onboard cycle-by-cycle, cylinder-by-cylinder measurement. The system may also control the engine operating parameters based on a predicted NOx emission level, CO emission level, CO2 emission level, O2 emission level, unburned hydrocarbon (HC) emission level, cylinder pressure, or a cylinder temperature measurement according to characteristics of the ion current signal.

Abstract: A system and method for detection, reduction of combustion resonance and engine control is provided. The system senses ion current within one or each cylinder of a multi-cylinder engine and determines combustion resonance from the ion current signal. In addition, the system may determine an engine control strategy to reduce combustion resonance based on the feedback from the ion current signal.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for applying an electric field in internal combustion engines to act on the combustion process to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy in an engine. The engine has an engine block forming a combustion chamber. An in-cylinder engine part is exposed within a combustion chamber of the engine and a voltage is applied between the in-cylinder engine part and the engine block.

Abstract: A system and method to enable electronically controlled internal combustion engines to self-adjust parameters and operate properly on different fuels that have wide ranges of physical and chemical properties. Input from a sensor is utilized that gives a signal indicative of the combustion process. The ECU processes the signal and readjusts the engine operating parameters to achieve its operating goals.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for simultaneous ion current sensing and gas analysis. The system acquires an ion current signal and analyzes the composition of a corresponding gas sample.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the use of the ion current signal characteristics for onboard cycle-by-cycle, cylinder-by-cylinder measurement, for example soot measurement, load measurement such as indicated or brake mean effective pressure, or fuel consumption measurement in an internal combustion engine. The system may acquire an ion current signal, measures one or more of soot, load, fuel consumption and may control the engine operating parameters accordingly.

Abstract: Presented is a technique that utilizes ion current to determine the concentration of nitrogen oxides (NOx) produced in the combustion chamber(s) of diesel engines, on a cycle by cycle basis during the combustion of conventional petroleum-based fuels, other alternate fuels, and renewable fuels. The technique uses an ion current measuring circuitry, a calibration circuit and a signal processing circuit connected to the engine control unit (ECU). The ion current sensing circuitry is positioned in the chamber(s) of the engine, to measure the ion current produced during the combustion process. The calibration circuit utilizes NOx values measured in the exhaust port or manifold of the engine to calibrate the ion current signal. The calibrated ion current signal is fed into a processor that is connected to the ECU to adjust various operating parameters to improve the trade-off between NOx and other emissions, fuel economy, and power output.

Abstract: Presented is a technique that utilizes ion current to determine the concentration of nitrogen oxides (NOx) produced in the combustion chamber(s) of diesel engines, on a cycle by cycle basis during the combustion of conventional petroleum-based fuels, other alternate fuels, and renewable fuels. The technique uses an ion current measuring means, a calibration means and a signal processing means connected to the engine control unit (ECU). The ion current sensing means is positioned in the chamber(s) of the engine, to measure the ion current produced during the combustion process. The calibration means utilizes NOx values measured in the exhaust port or manifold of the engine to calibrate the ion current signal. The calibrated ion current signal is fed into a processor that is connected to the ECU to adjust various operating parameters to improve the trade-off between NOx and other emissions, fuel economy, and power output.