Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and method for reducing fuel consumption include upper and lower engine speed limits set based upon whether the state of charge of a battery electrically connected to an electric machine, which may be implemented by an integrated starter-generator is sufficiently high to permit the electric machine to provide a temporary torque boost to an engine of the motor vehicle. If the state of charge of the battery is sufficiently high to permit temporary torque boosting, then the upper and lower engine speed limits are reduced from baseline upper and lower limits to adjusted upper and lower limits to reduce fuel consumption of the engine without adversely affecting NVH.

Abstract: A method of and a system for controlling the regenerative braking of a vehicle includes initiating a regenerative braking mode in response to an initiating control input to an accelerator of the vehicle, the initiating control input comprising a reduction in the degree of actuation of the accelerator of the vehicle, modifying a level of regenerative braking in the regenerative braking mode in response to at least one of a further reduction in the degree of actuation of the accelerator, application of a brake of the vehicle, application of a clutch of the vehicle, and a change of gear of the vehicle, and maintaining a modified level of regenerative braking after the additional control input has been terminated.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for ventilating a crankcase in a boosted engine. An example method may include selectively enabling one of crankcase ventilation and aspirator motive flow via an electrically controlled valve, the aspirator motive flow being enabled in response to a demand for vacuum from a vacuum consumer. In this way, the crankcase of the boosted engine may be ventilated until the vacuum consumer demands vacuum.

Abstract: Method and systems are provided for adjusting an engine torque in response to changes in a desired engine torque. In one example, a method may comprise responsive to increasing desired engine torques, monotonically decreasing an alternator torque to a first level from a second level when not injecting fuel to engine cylinders, and stepping up the alternator torque from the first level to the second level while initiating engine combustion, and then monotonically decreasing the alternator torque from the second level to the first level in response to the alternator torque reaching the first level. In this way, a method may comprise adjusting a load exerted on an engine by an alternator mechanically coupled to said engine during both cylinder combustion, and during non-fueling conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for starting/stopping an engine in a moving vehicle include stopping the engine, by a controller, in response to a time needed to start the engine from a stopped state and attain an engine speed corresponding to a driveshaft speed when stopping the engine being less than a target time, and starting the engine in response to the time needed reaching the target time. A start/stop vehicle having an engine includes a driveshaft speed sensor and a controller configured to stop the engine while the vehicle is moving with a vehicle speed below a threshold speed in response to a time associated with starting the engine and powering a driveshaft to attain a driveshaft speed measured by the driveshaft speed sensor and stored from a previous engine stopping event being less than a threshold time.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to controlling a compressor. In one example, method of controlling a compressor comprises regulating a discharge capacity of the compressor via a control current supplied to a control device, holding the control current supplied to the control device at substantially zero amperes for a first duration, and stepping the control current from substantially zero amperes to a sustainable current that provides a sustainable level of a performance parameter of the compressor.

Abstract: Method and systems are provided for adjusting an engine torque in response to changes in a desired engine torque. In one example, a method may comprise responsive to increasing desired engine torques, monotonically decreasing an alternator torque to a first level from a second level when not injecting fuel to engine cylinders, and stepping up the alternator torque from the first level to the second level while initiating engine combustion, and then monotonically decreasing the alternator torque from the second level to the first level in response to the alternator torque reaching the first level. In this way, a method may comprise adjusting a load exerted on an engine by an alternator mechanically coupled to said engine during both cylinder combustion, and during non-fueling conditions.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operating mode of a motor vehicle includes transitioning between driving and coasting modes and vice-versa automatically in response to a driver trigger. The method controls an engine of the motor vehicle to bring a driveline driven by the engine via an electronically controlled clutch into a lash state before engaging or disengaging the electronically controlled clutch thereby preventing driveline disturbances from being produced by the transition.

Abstract: A system and method for starting/stopping an engine in a moving vehicle include stopping the engine, by a controller, in response to a time needed to start the engine from a stopped state and attain an engine speed corresponding to a driveshaft speed when stopping the engine being less than a target time, and starting the engine in response to the time needed reaching the target time. A start/stop vehicle having an engine includes a driveshaft speed sensor and a controller configured to stop the engine while the vehicle is moving with a vehicle speed below a threshold speed in response to a time associated with starting the engine and powering a driveshaft to attain a driveshaft speed measured by the driveshaft speed sensor and stored from a previous engine stopping event being less than a threshold time.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for ventilating a crankcase in a boosted engine. An example method may include selectively enabling one of crankcase ventilation and aspirator motive flow via an electrically controlled valve, the aspirator motive flow being enabled in response to a demand for vacuum from a vacuum consumer. In this way, the crankcase of the boosted engine may be ventilated until the vacuum consumer demands vacuum.

Abstract: Method and systems are provided for adjusting an engine torque in response to changes in a desired engine torque. In one example, a method may comprise responsive to increasing desired engine torques, monotonically decreasing an alternator torque to a first level from a second level when not injecting fuel to engine cylinders, and stepping up the alternator torque from the first level to the second level while initiating engine combustion, and then monotonically decreasing the alternator torque from the second level to the first level in response to the alternator torque reaching the first level. In this way, a method may comprise adjusting a load exerted on an engine by an alternator mechanically coupled to said engine during both cylinder combustion, and during non-fueling conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an engine. The system comprises a direct injection engine having a cylinder in which a piston is slidingly supported to form in combination with a cylinder head a combustion chamber; a fuel injector for the cylinder having a catalytic coated tip portion that projects into the combustion chamber; and an electronic controller to control the operation of the engine and operates the engine in a heating mode of operation if heating of the fuel injector tip is requested. Various methods for heating the fuel injector tip are proposed including operating the engine on a reduced number of cylinders and varying one or both of fuel injection timing and quantity of fuel injected and the ignition timing in order to increase the temperature of combustion.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing the fuel used by an engine of a motor vehicle. The method limits the speed at which the engine can rotate when a predefined engine upper speed limit NECOUL for the particular gear in which the motor vehicle is currently operating has been reached or limiting the road speed of the motor vehicle when a predefined vehicle road speed has been reached. The use of engine or road speed limiting combined with the alerting of the driver via an indicator that an upshift is desired to improve fuel economy encourages the driver to execute an upshift when.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and method for reducing fuel consumption include upper and lower engine speed limits set based upon whether the state of charge of a battery electrically connected to an electric machine, which may be implemented by an integrated starter-generator is sufficiently high to permit the electric machine to provide a temporary torque boost to an engine of the motor vehicle. If the state of charge of the battery is sufficiently high to permit temporary torque boosting, then the upper and lower engine speed limits are reduced from baseline upper and lower limits to adjusted upper and lower limits to reduce fuel consumption of the engine without adversely affecting NVH.

Abstract: A method and system for dealing with a change of mind event during an automatic shut-down of an engine 6 having a dual mass flywheel 8 is provided that reduces or eliminates the risk of excessive dual mass resonance during a restart of the engine 6 is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for operating vehicle accessories is described. The method and system allocate an available amount of engine torque between different accessories depending on boundary conditions and nominal vehicle operating conditions. In one example, the accessories may include an air conditioner compressor, an alternator, and various vehicle electrical loads that are in electrical communication with the alternator.

Abstract: A method of and a system for controlling the regenerative braking of a vehicle includes initiating a regenerative braking mode in response to an initiating control input to an accelerator of the vehicle, the initiating control input comprising a reduction in the degree of actuation of the accelerator of the vehicle, modifying a level of regenerative braking in the regenerative braking mode in response to at least one of a further reduction in the degree of actuation of the accelerator, application of a brake of the vehicle, application of a clutch of the vehicle, and a change of gear of the vehicle, and maintaining a modified level of regenerative braking after the additional control input has been terminated.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating vacuum from crankcase ventilation flow. During both directions of gas flow between an engine intake manifold and a crankcase, gases are directed through one or more aspirators to produce vacuum. The drawn vacuum may then be used to operate various engine vacuum actuators.

Abstract: A method and system for operating vehicle accessories is described. The method and system allocate an available amount of engine torque between different accessories depending on boundary conditions and nominal vehicle operating conditions. In one example, the accessories may include an air conditioner compressor, an alternator, and various vehicle electrical loads that are in electrical communication with the alternator.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to controlling a compressor. In one example, method of controlling a compressor comprises regulating a discharge capacity of the compressor via a control current supplied to a control device, holding the control current supplied to the control device at substantially zero amperes for a first duration, and stepping the control current from substantially zero amperes to a sustainable current that provides a sustainable level of a performance parameter of the compressor.