Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a wireless transceiver that receives attribute data, and a controller. The controller selectively shuts down the engine responsive to such requests based on whether a predicted fuel savings associated with a predicted engine off duration is greater than a predicted fuel usage to restart the engine.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a wireless transceiver that receives attribute data, and a controller. The controller selectively shuts down the engine responsive to such requests based on whether a predicted fuel savings associated with a predicted engine off duration is greater than a predicted fuel usage to restart the engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an electromagnetic valve actuator having an armature between upper and lower electromagnets with a stem extending through one electromagnet and guided by a bushing with increased clearance about at least a portion of the inner circumference in at least a middle portion of the bushing to reduce oil shear length and associated viscous friction in the actuator. A two-piece intake/exhaust valve guide includes a lower half with a stepped outer diameter cooperating with a counter-bored hole in the cylinder head to provide a positive stop. The upper and lower halves of the valve guide have increased clearance relative to the valve stem around at least a portion of the inner circumference to reduce oil shear length and associated viscous friction. Reducing viscous friction of the actuator and associated valve guide improves system robustness by decreasing the system sensitivity to temperature.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an electromagnetic valve actuator having an armature between upper and lower electromagnets with a stem extending through one electromagnet and guided by a bushing with increased clearance about at least a portion of the inner circumference in at least a middle portion of the bushing to reduce oil shear length and associated viscous friction in the actuator. A two-piece intake/exhaust valve guide includes a lower half with a stepped outer diameter cooperating with a counter-bored hole in the cylinder head to provide a positive stop. The upper and lower halves of the valve guide have increased clearance relative to the valve stem around at least a portion of the inner circumference to reduce oil shear length and associated viscous friction. Reducing viscous friction of the actuator and associated valve guide improves system robustness by decreasing the system sensitivity to temperature.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper cylinder 270 is provided for an electromagnetic actuated internal combustion engine cylinder valve 20. The damper includes a piston 68 slidably mounted within the damper cylinder 270. The piston 68 bifurcates the cylinder 270 into a first control volume 74 and a second control volume 76. The first and second control volumes are fluidly connected by an inboard flow path 372. Along the extreme ends of travel, the flow path 372 is blocked by the piston 68 and damping occurs through fluid transfer through an outboard flow path 374.

Abstract: An electromagnetically operated valve assembly (28) has a first solenoid (58) and a second solenoid (60). An armature (56) having a valve stem (54) coupled thereto is positioned between the first solenoid (58) and second solenoid (60). A controller (12) is coupled to the first solenoid (58), the second solenoid (60). A current sensor (49) is coupled to the first solenoid and generated a signal corresponding to the induced current in the first solenoid. The controller (12) changes a voltage applied to the first solenoid from a first polarity to a second polarity. The controller (12) is further configured to hold the voltage at the second polarity for a predetermined time period and a predetermined amplitude to decrease the induced current. The predetermined time period or the predetermined amplitude is determined based on the first signal.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper cylinder 270 is provided for an electromagnetic actuated internal combustion engine cylinder valve 20. The damper includes a piston 68 slidably mounted within the damper cylinder 270. The piston 68 bifurcates the cylinder 270 into a first control volume 74 and a second control volume 76. The first and second control volumes are fluidly connected by an inboard flow path 372. Along the extreme ends of travel, the flow path 372 is blocked by the piston 68 and damping occurs through fluid transfer through an outboard flow path 374.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for an electromechanical valve is provided. The system includes a housing defining a chamber for holding fluid extending along an axis. The system further includes a damper stem disposed in the chamber configured to move along the axis. The damper stem is configured to be directly coupled to the valve member. The system further includes a piston coupled to the damper stem dividing the chamber into a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion. The housing includes a conduit extending between the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion. The conduit has a first non-cylindrical opening communicating with the first chamber portion. When the piston moves past at least a portion of the non-cylinder opening, the cross-sectional area of the opening decreases to restrict fluid flow from the first chamber to reduce a velocity of the piston.

Abstract: A method for controlling movement of an armature for an electromagnetic valve actuator. The armature moves between pole faces of juxtaposed solenoid coils. Voltage applied to armature capturing coil is varied in a closed-loop fashion as the armature moves through a flux initialization phase, followed by an armature landing phase whereby a soft landing of the armature is achieved during valve opening movement and valve closing movement.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper for an automotive engine electromechanical cylinder valve 20 is provided. The hydraulic damper includes an inner piston 130 which is slidably mounted within an outer piston 110. The outer piston is slidably mounted within an interior hydraulic filled cavity 82 of a damper body 80. Movement of the valve body 20 along extreme positions causes the inner piston 130 to move the outer piston 110 within the interior cavity 82 to effectuate hydraulic damping of the valve body 20.

Abstract: A strategy and control system for a variable displacement engine in which cylinder deactivation is obtained by intake cam phasing and exhaust valve deactivation. Fuel control for the engine and spark deactivation are sequenced with valve deactivation to avoid transferring engine exhaust gases to the intake manifold of the engine during a transition between full cylinder operation and partial cylinder operation. Excess air flow through the exhaust system for the engine is avoided during a transition from partial cylinder operation to full cylinder operation. These features achieve stable engine performance during the transition.

Abstract: A strategy and control system for a variable displacement engine in which cylinder deactivation is obtained by intake cam phasing and exhaust valve deactivation. Fuel control for the engine and spark deactivation are sequenced with valve deactivation to avoid transferring engine exhaust gases to the intake manifold of the engine during a transition between full cylinder operation and partial cylinder operation. Excess air flow through the exhaust system for the engine is avoided during a transition from partial cylinder operation to full cylinder operation. These features achieve stable engine performance during the transition.

Abstract: An electromagnetically operated valve assembly (28) has a first solenoid (58) and a second solenoid (60). An armature (56) having a valve stem (54) coupled thereto is positioned between the first solenoid (58) and second solenoid (60). A controller (12) is coupled to the first solenoid (58), the second solenoid (60). A current sensor (49) is coupled to the first solenoid and generated a signal corresponding to the induced current in the first solenoid. The controller (12) changes a voltage applied to the first solenoid from a first polarity to a second polarity. The controller (12) is further configured to hold the voltage at the second polarity for a predetermined time period and a predetermined amplitude to decrease the induced current. The predetermined time period or the predetermined amplitude is determined based on the first signal.

Abstract: A method for controlling movement of an armature for an electromagnetic valve actuator. The armature moves between pole faces of juxtaposed solenoid coils. Voltage applied to armature capturing coil is varied in a closed-loop fashion as the armature moves through a flux initialization phase, followed by an armature landing phase whereby a soft landing of the armature is achieved during valve opening movement and valve closing movement.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve actuator (EVA) for actuating movement of a valve in a vehicle engine includes a valve assembly operatively connected to the valve for movement therewith. The valve assembly includes a shaft connected to the valve. Two armature plates are operatively associated with the shaft, and each armature plate includes a permanent magnet. An electromagnetic coil is positioned between the two armature plates for selectively electromagnetically pushing and pulling the armature plates. Two springs are engaged with the two armature plates, respectively, for biasing the armature plates in opposing directions. The permanent magnets are operative to assist the electromagnetic coil in holding the valve in a desired position to reduce power consumption or assisting in repelling the armature for accelerating valve opening or closing.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve actuator (EVA) for actuating movement of a valve in a vehicle engine includes a valve assembly operatively connected to the valve for movement therewith. The valve assembly includes a shaft connected to the valve. Two armature plates are operatively associated with the shaft, and each armature plate includes a permanent magnet. An electromagnetic coil is positioned between the two armature plates for selectively electromagnetically pushing and pulling the armature plates. Two springs are engaged with the two armature plates, respectively, for biasing the armature plates in opposing directions. The permanent magnets are operative to assist the electromagnetic coil in holding the valve in a desired position to reduce power consumption or assisting in repelling the armature for accelerating valve opening or closing.

Abstract: A control strategy for a hybrid powertrain for an automotive vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, a geared transmission mechanism for transmitting driving torque to the vehicle traction wheels, and an electric motor arranged in parallel with respect to the internal combustion engine at the torque input side of the transmission. A friction clutch connects and disconnects the engine from the torque flow path as transitions are made between an electric motor driving mode and an engine driving mode. A mechanical damper is located on the torque input side of the clutch. A transition from the electric motor drive mode to the internal combustion engine drive mode is achieved by controlling the engagement of the clutch using a closed loop clutch pressure modulation strategy and controlling the fuel supply to the engine to effect an engine drive mode without triggering undesirable inertia torque fluctuations in the powertrain.