Abstract: An example vehicle system includes a sensor and a processing device. The sensor is configured to identify a first location and a second location. The processing device is programmed to estimate a plurality of energy usages. Each energy usage is based at least in part on a speed of a host vehicle at the first location. The processing device is further programmed to select one of the plurality of energy usages as a target useable energy and control the host vehicle in accordance with the speed associated with the target useable energy.

Abstract: A pendulum damper fixed to a rotating element of an engine comprises a pendulum anchor, a pendulum, and a flexible metal strap attaching the pendulum and pendulum anchor. The strap is wound around the pendulum and pendulum anchor to define a bifilar pendulum. A pendulum clamp is attached to the pendulum such that part of the strap is captured between the pendulum clamp and the pendulum. A pendulum anchor clamp is attached to the pendulum anchor such that a portion of the strap is captured between the pendulum anchor clamp and the pendulum anchor. The pendulum includes a pendulum anchor-facing, flexible strap-supporting cam surface. The pendulum anchor includes a pendulum-facing, flexible strap-supporting cam surface. The surfaces of the pendulum and the pendulum anchor that face each other are mutually conjugant so that at all positions of normal pendulum motion there is only a small running clearance between the two surfaces.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing heat to a passenger cabin of a hybrid vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine are presented. The systems and methods may selectively operate the internal combustion engine with one or more engine cylinders deactivated and may selectively flow coolant to one or more cylinders to improve passenger cabin heating in response to a request for passenger cabin heat.

Abstract: Various methods for inferring oil viscosity and/or oil viscosity index in an internal combustion engine are provided. In one example, a new control method comprises cranking the engine during a start mode with an electric motor connected to a substantially constant source of electrical power, inferring engine oil viscosity based at least on engine oil temperature and speed of the engine while being cranked by the electric motor during the start mode, and correcting an operating parameter of the engine based on the inferred engine oil viscosity.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing exhaust energy delivered to a turbine of a turbine-generator coupled to a split exhaust engine system in order to reduce turbine over-speed conditions and/or to reduce a generator output. In one example, a method may include deactivating a blowdown exhaust valve utilized to deliver a blowdown portion of exhaust energy to the turbine.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing exhaust energy delivered to a turbine of a turbine-generator coupled to a split exhaust engine system in order to reduce turbine over-speed conditions and/or to reduce a generator output. In one example, a method may include retarding a first timing of a first exhaust valve utilized to deliver a blowdown portion of exhaust energy to the turbine, and/or advancing a second timing of a second exhaust valve utilized to deliver a scavenging portion of exhaust energy to an exhaust catalyst in response to a turbine speed greater than a threshold speed.

Abstract: Embodiments for controlling an exhaust back-pressure valve are provided. In one example, a method for operating an engine comprises closing an exhaust back-pressure valve in response to a component temperature, adjusting intake and/or exhaust valve operation in response to closing the exhaust back-pressure valve to reduce cylinder internal exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and while the exhaust back-pressure valve is closing, indicating degradation of an exhaust back-pressure system if a designated engine operating parameter remains constant. In this way, degradation of the exhaust back-pressure system may be diagnosed while maintaining combustion stability.

Abstract: Various systems and method for heating an engine in a vehicle are described. In one example, intake air flowing in a first direction may be heated via a gas-to-gas heat exchange with exhaust gases. The heated intake air may then be used in a subsequent gas-to-liquid heat exchange to heat a fluid circulating through the engine. In another example, intake air flowing in a second direction may be heated via a heat exchange with exhaust gases in order to cool an exhaust catalyst.

Abstract: A method for an engine, comprising: responsive to a pressure in a fuel tank being below a pressure threshold, injecting only a liquid fuel into an engine cylinder, the fuel tank storing the liquid fuel and a pressurized gaseous fuel partially dissolved in the liquid fuel. In this way, the pressurized gaseous fuel may be conserved, thus maintaining a pressure gradient within the fuel system and allowing for judicious use of the pressurized gaseous fuel, for example during cold start conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving engine torque response are presented. In one example, engine idle speed is increased to shorten engine torque response based on engine operating conditions. The methods and systems may be useful for operating an engine that is supplied a gaseous fuel.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for maintaining stoichiometry of an exhaust gas during operation of a fuel injector at a threshold pulse width. In response to operation of a fuel injector at the threshold pulse width and a rich exhaust gas air-fuel ratio, airflow is increased to the intake manifold. Engine actuators may also be adjusted to maintain torque during the increased airflow while operating the fuel injectors at the threshold pulse width.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing torque transients experienced when a dedicated EGR cylinder is transitioned in to or out of dedicated EGR mode. During a transition, each of an intake throttle and a wastegate is adjusted in opposing directions. Throttle and wastegate adjustments are coordinated with adjustments to spark timing and intake cam timing to provide sufficient torque reserve for the transition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating higher octane fuel from a fuel mixture are presented. In one example, fuel vapors may be limited or constrained from migrating to fuel tanks storing lower octane fuels. The systems may vent fuel vapors from a plurality of fuel tanks to a single fuel vapor storage canister. Alternatively, the systems may vent fuel vapors from the plurality of fuel tanks to a plurality of fuel vapor storage canisters.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine including a DEGR system during start-stop and DFSO conditions. In one example, the DEGR cylinder may be deactivated prior to deactivating the non-DEGR cylinder group and stopping the engine, to purge EGR from the intake system.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine supplied with multiple fuels in which the vapor purge flow into the engine from multiple vapor storage devices each coupled to a respective, but equal number of multiple fuel tanks controlled to have the same proportion of total vapors purged as a proportion of liquid fuel delivered to the engine from said respective one of the said multiple fuel tanks. The method includes increasing the delivery of fuel from one of the multiple fuel tanks containing fuel with the highest-octane rating of all the fuel tanks when the vapor storage canister coupled to the fuel tank with the highest-octane fuel is not being purged of its fuel vapors. Additionally, the method further comprises a feedback control responsive to an exhaust gas oxygen sensor to adjust said fuel delivered from said multiple fuel tanks to the engine to maintain engine air-fuel ratio around stoichiometry.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling and coordinating secondary air injection and blow-through to reduce turbo lag. By utilizing secondary air injection prior to providing blow-through, and deactivating the secondary air pump when a desired boost pressure for blow-through is achieved, turbine spin-up to a desired speed may be expedited and initial torque output may be increased.

Abstract: A method may comprise, on board a vehicle and executed by a vehicle controller, determining a liquid volume based on a fuel level sensor, determining a gas volume based on the liquid volume, the liquid volume comprising first and second fuels, the gas volume comprising the second fuel, determining a second fuel solubility in the first fuel based on a fuel temperature sensor, determining first and second fuel quantities based on the second fuel solubility, and adjusting engine operation based on the first and second fuel quantities.

Abstract: Embodiments for controlling an exhaust back-pressure valve are provided. In one example, a method for operating an engine comprises closing an exhaust back-pressure valve in response to a component temperature, adjusting intake and/or exhaust valve operation in response to closing the exhaust back-pressure valve to reduce cylinder internal exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and while the exhaust back-pressure valve is closing, indicating degradation of an exhaust back-pressure system if a designated engine operating parameter remains constant. In this way, degradation of the exhaust back-pressure system may be diagnosed while maintaining combustion stability.

Abstract: Systems and methods for supplying gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine are presented. In one example, a gaseous fuel pump is selectively activated to extend a vehicle's operating range. The methods and systems may be useful for operating an engine that includes directly injected gaseous fuel.

Abstract: Embodiments for operating an engine with skip fire are provided. In one example, a method comprises during a skip fire mode or during a skip fire mode transition, port injecting a first fuel quantity to a cylinder of an engine, the first fuel quantity based on a first, predicted air charge amount for the cylinder and lean of a desired air-fuel ratio, and direct injecting a second fuel quantity to the cylinder, the second fuel quantity based on the first fuel quantity and a second, calculated air charge amount for the cylinder.