Abstract: Various methods for compensating a deflected linkage in a wastegate arrangement are provided. In one example, current is applied to an actuator to move a wastegate valve coupled through a linkage to the actuator for diverting gasses from a turbocharger. The position of the actuator is indicated, and a correction to said indicated actuator position is applied compensating for deflection of the linkage based at least on said applied current. Said applied current is adjusted when said corrected actuator position reaches a position corresponding to a desired valve position.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine exhaust emissions while enabling exhaust catalyst regeneration following an engine lean event. Prior to a VDE event, or prior to an engine idle-stop, ammonia is produced and stored on an exhaust underbody SCR catalyst. Then, during the engine restart after the VDE mode or the idle-stop, the stored ammonia is used to treat exhaust NOx species while an upstream exhaust underbody three-way catalyst is regenerated.

Abstract: A system and method for compensating for, or alleviating accumulation of, coking residues on fuel injectors is disclosed. The method includes adjusting an engine operating parameter based on a shift in a fuel injector current profile during an initial current rise of injector activation.

Abstract: A method to avoid over-dilution of an intake-air charge of an engine includes, during a first condition, applying at least some feedback control to the opening and closure of a valve that adjustably admits exhaust to the intake-air charge. During a second condition predictive of compressor surge, no feedback control is applied to the opening or the closure of the valve. Rather, feedforward control is applied to the closure of the valve so that stability in the engine is maintained even during surge conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine exhaust emissions while enabling exhaust catalyst regeneration following an engine lean event. Prior to a VDE event, or prior to an engine idle-stop, ammonia is produced and stored on an exhaust underbody SCR catalyst. Then, during the engine restart after the VDE mode or the idle-stop, the stored ammonia is used to treat exhaust NOx species while an upstream exhaust underbody three-way catalyst is regenerated.

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 controlling exhaust emissions by adjusting an injection profile for different fuels injected into an engine cylinder from different fuel injectors during engine start and crank. By splitting fuel injection during start and cranking so that fuel of lower alcohol content is port injected and fuel of higher alcohol content is direct injected as one or multiple injections, the soot load of the engine can be reduced and fuel economy can be improved.

Abstract: A method, comprising: operating an engine cylinder with fuel from a first injector and not a second injector and activating the second injector in response to a rail pressure increase of a fuel rail, the fuel rail coupled to the second injector. In this way, degradation of the second injector may be reduced by activating the second injector and allowing fuel flow through the second injector to reduce the pressure and temperature of the fuel rail.

Abstract: A vacuum source arbitration system is disclosed. In one example, vacuum is supplied to a vacuum reservoir via an ejector during a first condition, and vacuum is supplied to the vacuum reservoir via an engine intake manifold during a second condition. The approach may provide a desired level of vacuum in a reservoir while reducing engine fuel consumption.

Abstract: A vacuum source arbitration system is disclosed. In one example, vacuum is supplied to a vacuum reservoir via an ejector during a first condition, and vacuum is supplied to the vacuum reservoir via an engine intake manifold during a second condition. The approach may provide a desired level of vacuum in a reservoir while reducing engine fuel consumption.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine exhaust emissions while enabling exhaust catalyst regeneration following an engine lean event. Prior to a VDE event, or prior to an engine idle-stop, ammonia is produced and stored on an exhaust underbody SCR catalyst. Then, during the engine restart after the VDE mode or the idle-stop, the stored ammonia is used to treat exhaust NOx species while an upstream exhaust underbody three-way catalyst is regenerated.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine exhaust emissions while enabling exhaust catalyst regeneration following an engine lean event. Prior to a VDE event, or prior to an engine idle-stop, ammonia is produced and stored on an exhaust underbody SCR catalyst. Then, during the engine restart after the VDE mode or the idle-stop, the stored ammonia is used to treat exhaust NOx species while an upstream exhaust underbody three-way catalyst is regenerated.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for flowing crankcase gases through an aspirator arranged in a PCV line. The aspirator regulates PCV flow, and may also generate vacuum depending on a position of a pintle extendable across a horizontal passage of the aspirator. When regulating PCV flow and not generating vacuum, the aspirator is fully closed and crankcase gases in the horizontal passage are metered through an orifice in the pintle. When generating vacuum, the aspirator is at least partially opened and PCV flow through the horizontal passage generates vacuum at a vacuum port of the aspirator.

Abstract: A method for operating an engine of a vehicle. During a warm-up period following a cold start of the vehicle, a cylinder of the engine is charged to a reduced air-charge pressure, and fuel is injected into the cylinder. After the warm-up period, the cylinder is charged to a non-reduced air-charge pressure, greater for an equivalent driver demand than the reduced air-charge pressure, and fuel is injected into the cylinder.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system coupled to an engine in a vehicle. One example method comprises, controlling an amount of EGR according to a minimum of a first EGR amount corresponding to a temperature of a first location and a second EGR amount corresponding to a condensate formation of a second location.

Abstract: A vacuum source arbitration system is disclosed. In one example, vacuum is supplied to a vacuum reservoir via an ejector during a first condition, and vacuum is supplied to the vacuum reservoir via an engine intake manifold during a second condition. The approach may provide a desired level of vacuum in a reservoir while reducing engine fuel consumption.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring a catalytic converter (32) during engine (catalyst) warm-up by first and second heated exhaust gas oxygen sensors (60, 70) located upstream and downstream, respectively, of the catalytic converter. A microprocessor determines a change of signal output of the downstream sensor relative to signal output of the upstream sensor during engine (catalyst) warm-up initiated by engine cold starting during the catalyst warm-up period. A catalyst light-off temperature is determined by the microprocessor when the change occurs. The catalyst light-off temperature thus determined is compared to a stored reference catalyst light-off temperature that is indicative of a properly functioning (e.g. fresh) catalyst to assess the extent or degree of degradation of the catalyst.

Abstract: A method for controlling the idle speed of an internal combustion engine includes an adjustment responsive to a steering wheel angle sensor or a steering wheel torque sensor. The steering wheel angle sensor and the steering wheel torque sensor predict a power steering pump torque requirement which is used to minimize engine speed fluctuations.