Abstract: Gear position estimation techniques for a manual transmission of a vehicle include estimating a gear ratio of the manual transmission based on measured speeds of the vehicle and its torque generating system and when the estimated gear ratio is not within a threshold amount from any known gear ratios of the manual transmission, detecting at least two gear shifts of the manual transmission and determining a set of possible axle/tire ratios each indicative of a ratio of an axle ratio of the vehicle to a tire circumference of the vehicle after each gear shift, wherein each set includes values based on the measured torque generating system and vehicle speeds and each of the known gear ratios of the manual transmission, selecting and utilizing one of the possible axle/tire ratios that is common across all of the sets of possible axle/tire ratios.

Abstract: Gear position estimation techniques for a manual transmission of a vehicle include estimating a gear ratio of the manual transmission based on measured speeds of the vehicle and its torque generating system and when the estimated gear ratio is not within a threshold amount from any known gear ratios of the manual transmission, detecting at least two gear shifts of the manual transmission and determining a set of possible axle/tire ratios each indicative of a ratio of an axle ratio of the vehicle to a tire circumference of the vehicle after each gear shift, wherein each set includes values based on the measured torque generating system and vehicle speeds and each of the known gear ratios of the manual transmission, selecting and utilizing one of the possible axle/tire ratios that is common across all of the sets of possible axle/tire ratios.

Abstract: A control system and method for a vehicle manual transmission system comprising a shiftlock system determines a maximum measured wheel speed of a plurality of measured wheel speeds, estimates a speed of an input shaft of the manual transmission system based on a measured output shaft speed, the maximum measured wheel speed, and a set of known parameters of components of the vehicle connected between a flywheel coupled to an output shaft of a torque generating system and the vehicle wheels, and when the estimated input shaft speed of the manual transmission system is greater than a threshold speed for a threshold period, commands the shiftlock system to restrict the engagement of a set of gear ratios of the manual transmission system.

Abstract: A control system and method for a vehicle manual transmission system comprising a shiftlock system determines a maximum measured wheel speed of a plurality of measured wheel speeds, estimates a speed of an input shaft of the manual transmission system based on a measured output shaft speed, the maximum measured wheel speed, and a set of known parameters of components of the vehicle connected between a flywheel coupled to an output shaft of a torque generating system and the vehicle wheels, and when the estimated input shaft speed of the manual transmission system is greater than a threshold speed for a threshold period, commands the shiftlock system to restrict the engagement of a set of gear ratios of the manual transmission system.

Abstract: Techniques for a mild hybrid vehicle utilize a control system for detecting a deceleration fuel shutoff (DFSO) event where fueling to an engine is disabled and in response to detecting the DFSO event: determining a desired pumping loss for the engine based on a parameter of a battery system, the desired pumping loss corresponding to a desired amount of electrical energy that a motor generator unit (MGU) of a belt-driven starter generator (BSG) system will generate to charge the battery system; commanding a throttle valve of the engine to an initial position determined based on the desired engine pumping loss and a speed of the engine; estimating an actual pumping loss of the engine based on an estimated airflow into the engine; and adjusting the position of the throttle valve based on a difference between the desired and actual engine pumping losses.

Abstract: Control techniques for a turbocharger of an engine utilize a wastegate valve configured to divert exhaust gas from a turbine of the turbocharger that is rotatably coupled to a compressor of the turbocharger. A controller is utilized to obtain a torque request for the engine, determine a target compressor power based on the engine torque request, determine a normalized target turbine power based on the target compressor power, determine a target position for the wastegate valve based on the normalized target turbine power and a normalized exhaust flow, and actuate the wastegate valve to the target position. Such control techniques involve the actual calculation of much less intermediate parameters, such as target turbine pressure ratio, which results in more efficient calibration and implementation.

Abstract: Control techniques for a turbocharger of an engine utilize a wastegate valve configured to divert exhaust gas from a turbine of the turbocharger that is rotatably coupled to a compressor of the turbocharger. A controller is utilized to obtain a torque request for the engine, determine a target compressor power based on the engine torque request, determine a normalized target turbine power based on the target compressor power, determine a target position for the wastegate valve based on the normalized target turbine power and a normalized exhaust flow, and actuate the wastegate valve to the target position. Such control techniques involve the actual calculation of much less intermediate parameters, such as target turbine pressure ratio, which results in more efficient calibration and implementation.

Abstract: A method can include determining, at a controller for an engine, the controller having one or more processors, a desired air-per-cylinder (APC) for the engine based on an engine torque request. The method can include determining, at the controller, a target intake manifold absolute pressure (MAP) based on a volumetric efficiency of the engine for electronic throttle control (ETC), wherein the volumetric efficiency for ETC is based on the desired APC and an actual MAP. The method can include commanding, by the controller, a throttle of the engine to deliver the target MAP. The method can include determining, at the controller, a target position for an intake valve of the engine based on a volumetric efficiency of the engine for variable valve timing (VVT), engine speed, and the actual MAP. The method can also include commanding, by the controller, the intake valve to the target position.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling engine speed based on alternator duty cycle to increase overall vehicle efficiency involve increasing engine speed only after the alternator duty cycle exceeds a duty cycle threshold that is less than the maximum duty cycle of the alternator. In this manner, quantity and/or degree of engine speed increases are decreased, which increases vehicle efficiency (e.g., increased fuel economy). Moreover, by utilizing a duty cycle threshold that is less than the maximum alternator duty cycle threshold, voltage drops at an electrical system are avoided. These techniques are also applicable to both conventional alternators and smart alternators having on-board diagnostic circuitry.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling engine speed based on alternator duty cycle to increase overall vehicle efficiency involve increasing engine speed only after the alternator duty cycle exceeds a duty cycle threshold that is less than the maximum duty cycle of the alternator. In this manner, quantity and/or degree of engine speed increases are decreased, which increases vehicle efficiency (e.g., increased fuel economy). Moreover, by utilizing a duty cycle threshold that is less than the maximum alternator duty cycle threshold, voltage drops at an electrical system are avoided. These techniques are also applicable to both conventional alternators and smart alternators having on-board diagnostic circuitry.

Abstract: A method can include determining a desired torque output from an engine system in response to a torque request, the engine system including an engine and a belt-driven starter generator (BSG). The method can include determining a current engine torque capacity. When the desired torque output is greater than the current engine torque capacity, the method can include (i) determining a maximum engine torque capacity, (ii) determining a current BSG torque capacity, (iii) commanding the BSG to operate as a torque generator or a torque consumer based on a difference between the desired torque output and the maximum engine torque capacity and a state of a battery system configured to power the BSG, and (iv) controlling the engine and the BSG to collectively generate the desired torque output at a flywheel of the engine.

Abstract: Methods and systems for minimizing the power consumed by a supercharger pump in an engine system. The methods and systems minimize the delta pressure across the pump with a control strategy for positioning the electronic throttle and supercharger bypass valve in a coordinated manner to deliver the required amount of fresh air flow into engine (i.e., the air flow associated with the driver's requested torque), while, at the same time, minimizing the power consumed by the supercharger pump for best fuel economy.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle to implement an engine torque management strategy. The engine torque management strategy implements a sophisticated engine knock control method that alleviates/mitigates the cause of the knock while also optimizing vehicle performance and engine efficiency without compromising engine hardware protection. Whenever suitable, the system and method attempt to reduce the amount of air trapped in a knocking cylinder to reduce its effective compression ratio and to eliminate the knock while keeping the same optimal spark timing for combustion efficiency.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle's exhaust gas recirculation system. The method controls the exhaust gas recirculation system in a manner that is suitable for a pedal tip-out transition while also being optimized for normal operating situations.

Abstract: Transmission gear shift control techniques can include calculating, at a controller of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, the controller including one or more processors, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) for each of: (i) a current gear of a transmission of the vehicle, (ii) a lower gear than the current gear of the transmission, and (iii) a higher gear than the current gear of the transmission, wherein the transmission is one of a manual transmission and an automatic transmission operating in a manual mode. The techniques can include determining, at the controller, which of the current gear, the lower gear, and the higher gear has a smallest BSFC to obtain a desired gear of the transmission. The techniques can also include outputting, from the controller, an indication to shift the transmission to the desired gear.

Abstract: A method can include determining a desired torque output from an engine system in response to a torque request, the engine system including an engine and a belt-driven starter generator (BSG). The method can include determining a current engine torque capacity. When the desired torque output is greater than the current engine torque capacity, the method can include (i) determining a maximum engine torque capacity, (ii) determining a current BSG torque capacity, (iii) commanding the BSG to operate as a torque generator or a torque consumer based on a difference between the desired torque output and the maximum engine torque capacity and a state of a battery system configured to power the BSG, and (iv) controlling the engine and the BSG to collectively generate the desired torque output at a flywheel of the engine.

Abstract: A method can include determining, at a controller for an engine, the controller having one or more processors, a desired air-per-cylinder (APC) for the engine based on an engine torque request. The method can include determining, at the controller, a target intake manifold absolute pressure (MAP) based on a volumetric efficiency of the engine for electronic throttle control (ETC), wherein the volumetric efficiency for ETC is based on the desired APC and an actual MAP. The method can include commanding, by the controller, a throttle of the engine to deliver the target MAP. The method can include determining, at the controller, a target position for an intake valve of the engine based on a volumetric efficiency of the engine for variable valve timing (VVT), engine speed, and the actual MAP. The method can also include commanding, by the controller, the intake valve to the target position.

Abstract: A system and method for providing engine torque load in real time. The system includes a sensor to determine, in real time, a clutch state of an alternator clutch and a controller for determining an alternator torque value and applying the alternator torque value to the engine torque load in real time.

Abstract: Transmission gear shift control techniques can include calculating, at a controller of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, the controller including one or more processors, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) for each of: (i) a current gear of a transmission of the vehicle, (ii) a lower gear than the current gear of the transmission, and (iii) a higher gear than the current gear of the transmission, wherein the transmission is one of a manual transmission and an automatic transmission operating in a manual mode. The techniques can include determining, at the controller, which of the current gear, the lower gear, and the higher gear has a smallest BSFC to obtain a desired gear of the transmission. The techniques can also include outputting, from the controller, an indication to shift the transmission to the desired gear.

Abstract: Methods and systems for minimizing the power consumed by a supercharger pump in an engine system. The methods and systems minimize the delta pressure across the pump with a control strategy for positioning the electronic throttle and supercharger bypass valve in a coordinated manner to deliver the required amount of fresh air flow into engine (i.e., the air flow associated with the driver's requested torque), while, at the same time, minimizing the power consumed by the supercharger pump for best fuel economy.