Abstract: An internal combustion engine assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The engine assembly comprising: an engine; an electric motor; and a balance shaft comprising an eccentric mass, wherein the electric motor is configured to selectively rotate the balance shaft in order to balance a vibration characteristic of the engine. A method of operating the engine assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle battery system that comprises a plurality of cells that are electrically coupled to an electric motor of the vehicle is provided, the electric motor being mechanically coupled to a drive system of the vehicle. The battery system is configured to: determine a voltage requirement of the battery system at least partially based on a current operating mode or an anticipated operating mode; and adjust the configuration of the cells in order to increase or decrease the voltage of the battery system according to the requirement. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle and method reduce heating of a particulate filter during a regeneration event in response to an accelerator pedal tip-out and particulate filter temperature exceeding or anticipated to exceed a threshold by fueling the engine to reduce oxygen in the exhaust flowing to the particulate filter. An electric machine may be operated as a generator charging a battery to compensate or offset torque produced by the fueling of the engine. The current or anticipated particulate filter temperature may be estimated by a soot combustion model for a current regeneration event and/or a future regeneration event based on soot loading of the particulate filter.

Abstract: A system and method for providing torque-assist to a rotary shaft of an internal combustion engine control an electric machine in response to operation of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve to assist the rotation of the rotary shaft. The system and method facilitate periodic operation of the EGR valve to purge condensation without objectionable torque reduction when the engine is operating near full load.

Abstract: A vehicle and method for controlling a vehicle having a variable displacement engine with an auxiliary machine connected directly to the engine crankshaft and to an energy storage device includes switching from a cylinder disablement (VDE) mode to a normal mode when the torque demand and engine speed lie outside an outer range defined by a first threshold (Tout), and switching from the normal mode to the VDE mode when the torque demand and engine speed lie within an inner range, which lies within the outer range and defined by a second threshold (Tin). When operating in a band between the two thresholds, the auxiliary machine draws energy from the energy storage device and supplements the output torque from the engine if operating in the VDE mode, and derives torque from the engine crankshaft to recharge the energy storage device if operating in the normal mode.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing engine heating rate to facilitate early introduction of exhaust gas recirculation after a cold start include operating an electric machine connect to the engine to apply a load to the engine. The electric machine may be operated as a generator to produce an increased engine torque demand and increase the rate of engine heating until an engine temperature and an exhaust temperature exceed corresponding thresholds. Operation of the electric machine as a generator may be stopped in response to a battery state of charge exceeding a threshold, or engine load exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: An exemplary method of providing torque-assist to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine includes, among other things, assisting a rotation of the crankshaft using an electric machine during the transition between stages of a multi-stage forced induction system.

Abstract: A method for preventing overheating of a diesel particulate filter during regeneration when an engine is idling may include using an electric machine to apply a load to the engine and compensating for the increase in applied load by increasing an engine torque set point to reduce the concentration of Oxygen in the exhaust gas flowing to the diesel particulate filter. Increased engine torque may be provided by adjusting air-fuel ratio by enriching an air-fuel mixture supplied to the engine and the diesel particulate filter. The control may be initiated in response to entering an idle mode during regeneration or in response to a measured or estimated temperature of the diesel particular filter exceeding a threshold or limit. Estimated temperature may be predicted using a soot combustion model.

Abstract: A method of removing sulfur from a lean NOx trap of a mild hybrid vehicle while the vehicle is stationary is disclosed, the method comprising connecting an electrical system of the vehicle to a large capacity external battery, operating an integrated starter generator driven by an engine of the vehicle as a generator to load the engine thereby allowing the engine to be operated at a higher torque level and rich of stoichiometric and storing the electrical energy produced by the integrated starter generator in the large capacity battery during the time period required for the removal of sulfur from the lean NOx trap.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The engine assembly comprising: an engine; an electric motor; and a balance shaft comprising an eccentric mass, wherein the electric motor is configured to selectively rotate the balance shaft in order to balance a vibration characteristic of the engine. A method of operating the engine assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle battery system that comprises a plurality of cells that are electrically coupled to an electric motor of the vehicle is provided, the electric motor being mechanically coupled to a drive system of the vehicle. The battery system is configured to: determine a voltage requirement of the battery system at least partially based on a current operating mode or an anticipated operating mode; and adjust the configuration of the cells in order to increase or decrease the voltage of the battery system according to the requirement. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of an engine of a motor vehicle is disclosed in which the engine is restarted while the vehicle is in motion by bump starting it if the speed of the vehicle falls within predetermined speed limits but is otherwise restarted using a starter motor. The number of starts for which the starter motor is used is thereby reduced advantageously reducing wear of the starter motor and increasing the life and/or reducing the duty cycle of the battery or source of power used for the starter motor.

Abstract: A vehicle and method reduce heating of a particulate filter during a regeneration event in response to an accelerator pedal tip-out and particulate filter temperature exceeding or anticipated to exceed a threshold by fueling the engine to reduce oxygen in the exhaust flowing to the particulate filter. An electric machine may be operated as a generator charging a battery to compensate or offset torque produced by the fueling of the engine. The current or anticipated particulate filter temperature may be estimated by a soot combustion model for a current regeneration event and/or a future regeneration event based on soot loading of the particulate filter.

Abstract: A system and method for providing torque-assist to a rotary shaft of an internal combustion engine control an electric machine in response to operation of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve to assist the rotation of the rotary shaft. The system and method facilitate periodic operation of the EGR valve to purge condensation without objectionable torque reduction when the engine is operating near full load.

Abstract: A vehicle and method for controlling a vehicle having a variable displacement engine with an auxiliary machine connected directly to the engine crankshaft and to an energy storage device includes switching from a cylinder disablement (VDE) mode to a normal mode when the torque demand and engine speed lie outside an outer range defined by a first threshold (Tout), and switching from the normal mode to the VDE mode when the torque demand and engine speed lie within an inner range, which lies within the outer range and defined by a second threshold (Tin). When operating in a band between the two thresholds, the auxiliary machine draws energy from the energy storage device and supplements the output torque from the engine if operating in the VDE mode, and derives torque from the engine crankshaft to recharge the energy storage device if operating in the normal mode.

Abstract: An exemplary method of providing torque-assist to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine includes, among other things, assisting a rotation of the crankshaft using an electric machine during the transition between stages of a multi-stage forced induction system.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing rate of increase of NOx feedgas emissions during an acceleration event in a vehicle having an engine with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and an electric machine, such as an integrated starter-generator (ISG) coupled to the engine include operating the electric machine to provide an assist torque and reducing engine torque accordingly in response to predicted NOx feedgas emissions exceeding a threshold. The NOx feedgas emissions may be predicted based on an exhaust gas sensor signal or a NOx model based on engine speed, engine torque, and intake EGR ratio. The engine torque may be reduced by reducing an engine torque set point. The electric machine torque may be reduced when a driver demand torque matches the reduced engine torque set point. The electric machine may be used to charge a battery in response to the driver demand torque matching the engine torque set point.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing engine heating rate to facilitate early introduction of exhaust gas recirculation after a cold start include operating an electric machine connect to the engine to apply a load to the engine. The electric machine may be operated as a generator to produce an increased engine torque demand and increase the rate of engine heating until an engine temperature and an exhaust temperature exceed corresponding thresholds. Operation of the electric machine as a generator may be stopped in response to a battery state of charge exceeding a threshold, or engine load exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: A method for preventing overheating of a diesel particulate filter during regeneration when an engine is idling may include using an electric machine to apply a load to the engine and compensating for the increase in applied load by increasing an engine torque set point to reduce the concentration of Oxygen in the exhaust gas flowing to the diesel particulate filter. Increased engine torque may be provided by adjusting air-fuel ratio by enriching an air-fuel mixture supplied to the engine and the diesel particulate filter. The control may be initiated in response to entering an idle mode during regeneration or in response to a measured or estimated temperature of the diesel particular filter exceeding a threshold or limit. Estimated temperature may be predicted using a soot combustion model.

Abstract: A method of removing sulfur from a lean NOx trap of a mild hybrid vehicle while the vehicle is stationary is disclosed, the method comprising connecting an electrical system of the vehicle to a large capacity external battery, operating an integrated starter generator driven by an engine of the vehicle as a generator to load the engine thereby allowing the engine to be operated at a higher torque level and rich of stoichiometric and storing the electrical energy produced by the integrated starter generator in the large capacity battery during the time period required for the removal of sulfur from the lean NOx trap.