Abstract: A drive system. The drive system includes an engine configured to convert chemical energy into mechanical energy, an electronically-controlled air throttle configured to regulate air delivery to the engine, an electronically-controlled supercharger configured to selectively increase pressure of the air delivered to the engine, and a controller configured to variably engage the supercharger based on an operating parameter of the drive system.

Abstract: A drive system. The drive system includes an engine configured to convert chemical energy into mechanical energy, an electronically-controlled air throttle configured to regulate air delivery to the engine, a supercharger configured to selectively increase pressure of the air delivered to the engine, and a supercharger diagnostic system configured to diagnose supercharger over-boosting or under-boosting.

Abstract: A method for operating an engine having a variable cam timing control system, for controlling a camshaft angle in such engine. The method includes deactivating the variable cam timing system and setting the camshaft angle to a predetermined angle for a predetermined duration after failure in a sensor used to control the variable cam timing system and then reactivating the variable cam timing system after such predetermined time. The deactivating continues during the predetermined duration in the presence of a subsequent failure of the sensor during the predetermined duration. The reactivating comprises driving the cam angle to a camshaft angle established by the variable cam timing system in a predetermined manner. The reactivating occurs over a predetermined reactivation time.

Abstract: In one example, a system for an engine having an intake system and an exhaust system is described. The system comprises: an airflow sensor coupled to the intake system; an air pump having at least an inlet side and an outlet side, said inlet side having a first coupling to the intake system downstream of said airflow sensor, said outlet side having a second coupling to the exhaust system; and a controller coupled to the engine, said controller, during operation, identifying whether degradation has occurred to at least one of said first and second couplings, and providing an indication of said identified degradation. Various other examples are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for detecting a malfunction in a manifold absolute pressure sensor used in an internal combustion engine. The method includes obtaining a plurality of samples from the manifold absolute pressure sensor. A plurality of samples is obtained from a mass airflow sensor for measuring air flow to the engine. A plurality of inferred manifold absolute pressures is estimated from the plurality of samples obtained from the mass airflow sensor. A linear functional relationship is determined between manifold absolute pressure and inferred absolute pressure from the obtained samples of the manifold pressure sensor and the estimated inferred manifold absolute pressures, such functional relationship having an offset term and a slope. A comparison is made between the determined offset term and the determined slope with a predetermined offset threshold and a predetermined slope threshold level, respectively.

Abstract: In one example, a system for an engine having an intake system and an exhaust system is described. The system comprises: an airflow sensor coupled to the intake system; an air pump having at least an inlet side and an outlet side, said inlet side having a first coupling to the intake system downstream of said airflow sensor, said outlet side having a second coupling to the exhaust system; and a controller coupled to the engine, said controller, during operation, identifying whether degradation has occurred to at least one of said first and second couplings, and providing an indication of said identified degradation. Various other examples are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one example, a system for an engine having an intake system and an exhaust system is described. The system comprises: an airflow sensor coupled to the intake system; an air pump having at least an inlet side and an outlet side, said inlet side having a first coupling to the intake system downstream of said airflow sensor, said outlet side having a second coupling to the exhaust system; and a controller coupled to the engine, said controller, during operation, identifying whether degradation has occurred to at least one of said first and second couplings, and providing an indication of said identified degradation. Various other examples are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for detecting a malfunction in a manifold absolute pressure sensor used in an internal combustion engine. The method includes obtaining a plurality of samples from the manifold absolute pressure sensor. A plurality of samples is obtained from a mass airflow sensor for measuring air flow to the engine. A plurality of inferred manifold absolute pressures is estimated from the plurality of samples obtained from the mass airflow sensor. A linear functional relationship is determined between manifold absolute pressure and inferred absolute pressure from the obtained samples of the manifold pressure sensor and the estimated inferred manifold absolute pressures, such functional relationship having an offset term and a slope. A comparison is made between the determined offset term and the determined slope with a predetermined offset threshold and a predetermined slope threshold level, respectively.

Abstract: A method is described for estimating cylinder charge using either the throttle position or mass air flow sensor. The method saves calibration and development expenses by using the same manifold filling model approach regardless of which sensor, or combination of sensors, is used.

Abstract: A method is described for estimating cylinder charge using either the throttle position or mass air flow sensor. The method saves calibration and development expenses by using the same manifold filling model approach regardless of which sensor, or combination of sensors, is used.

Abstract: A safety system programmable logic controller provides for cross connection of inputs and outputs of separate independent control modules through the use of virtual wire connections passing as messages on a single logical backplane. The backplane executes a high level protocol that provides wire-like indications of communication failures mimicking those of separate physical wires.