Abstract: A method and system of determining a vehicle's driving characteristics such as the vehicle mass, drag force coefficients and driving surface inclination. The vehicle's mass, drag force coefficients and inclination are determined using signals input from the vehicle's accelerometer.

Abstract: An on-board diagnostic system for detecting malfunction conditions in a hydraulic valve train of a MultiAir™ engine. The system comprises a plurality of pressure sensors for generating pressure signals located in a hydraulic circuit of the hydraulic valve train; and an engine control module for performing a waveform analysis of the pressure signals to detect malfunction conditions in the hydraulic valve train. The engine control module performs a frequency and/or time delay waveform analysis.

Abstract: A method is described for improving fuel economy in a vehicle having an engine, a generator driven by the engine, and an energy storage unit by using an energy storage efficiency model. The method includes evaluating a current efficiency state of the engine, evaluating a current efficiency state of the generator, evaluating a current efficiency state of the energy storage unit, and, controlling the generator to provide an optimized voltage output, based on the results of the evaluations and the energy storage efficiency model. A voltage regulator implementing this method is also described.

Abstract: A method of planning a vehicle route includes estimating fuel requirements of identified alternative routes or route segments using navigation, vehicle, and powertrain information. The method also includes displaying for a vehicle operator a list of alternate routes that features either absolute or relative values representative of such estimated fuel requirements. The method further includes adapting values used to estimate fuel requirements based upon current powertrain operating parameters, and alerting the vehicle operator when actual vehicle fuel economy along a selected route varies significantly from the estimated fuel requirement.

Abstract: A method and system of determining a vehicle's driving characteristics such as the vehicle mass, drag force coefficients and driving surface inclination. The vehicle's mass, drag force coefficients and inclination are determined using signals input from the vehicle's accelerometer.

Abstract: A method of planning a vehicle route includes estimating fuel requirements of identified alternative routes or route segments using navigation, vehicle, and powertrain information. The method also includes displaying for a vehicle operator a list of alternate routes that features either absolute or relative values representative of such estimated fuel requirements. The method further includes adapting values used to estimate fuel requirements based upon current powertrain operating parameters, and alerting the vehicle operator when actual vehicle fuel economy along a selected route varies significantly from the estimated fuel requirement.

Abstract: A method of altitude compensation of exhaust gas recirculation in an intake manifold for an internal combustion engine includes the steps of calculating vacuum at sea level, calculating vacuum at present altitude of the engine, determining whether the calculated vacuum at sea level is equal to the calculated vacuum at present altitude, and correcting the exhaust gas recirculation in the intake manifold if the calculated vacuum at sea level does not equal the calculated vacuum at present altitude.

Abstract: A method of estimating exhaust gas recirculation in an intake manifold for an internal combustion engine includes the steps of determining a volumetric efficiency value of the intake manifold, determining whether a speed of the engine is accelerating, getting a manifold unfilling constant if the speed of the engine is not accelerating, getting a manifold filling constant if the speed of the engine is accelerating, calculating a K-factor based on the volumetric efficiency value and either the manifold filling constant or manifold unfilling constant, and using the K-factor to modify spark of the engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided having a luminosity detector and an arrangement for measuring and controlling combustion phasing based on the location of particular gain independent parameters of the luminosity signal. The gain independent luminosity parameters are used to provide a basis for adjusting various parameters of the engine like fuel injection timing so that at least one gain independent parameter is located at a desired timing point in the combustion cycle to control combustion phasing. Alternatively, these gain independent luminosity parameters are used to determine the time in the combustion cycle at which certain combustion conditions occur. In this embodiment, the determined time of a combustion condition provides a basis for adjusting engine parameters so that the combustion condition occurs at a desired time in the combustion cycle to control combustion phasing.

Abstract: A means and method for measuring and controlling smoke emissions from an internal combustion engine using a luminosity probe which measures the luminosity of soot in a combustion chamber of the engine. The luminosity signals generated by the probe are then used to measure smoke emissions based on an equation developed by the inventors which correlates the actual smoke being emitted from the exhaust with a predicted smoke emission value resulting from the luminosity signals. This smoke emission measurement can, in turn, be used in an engine control loop to control smoke emissions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling spark reignition in an internal combustion engine based on the detected luminosity or pressure in the combustion chamber is provided. Only the luminosity or pressure measurement may be used as a basis for this control. This method and apparatus is also capable of providing same cycle control of spark reignition.