Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system includes an oxidation catalyst and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst disposed in an exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine. A stay warm thermal management strategy is employed after warm-up of the aftertreatment system is complete to maintain the aftertreatment system above a temperature providing a desired performance threshold of one or more components of the aftertreatment system, such as the oxidation catalyst or the SCR catalyst.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for optimizing a valve orifice shape. According to one representative embodiment, a method includes determining a specified relationship between a valve position and an output characteristic, and determining an orifice profile. The method also includes determining a relationship of an orifice area to the output characteristic. Further, the method includes shaping an orifice in a valve based on the orifice profile and the specified relationship between the valve position and the output characteristic. According to the method, the valve should approximately exhibit the specified relationship.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely determining real-time operating fuel efficiencies based on dynamic operating characteristics of a vehicle to generate an optimal refueling management approach for the vehicle by providing refueling locations and associated refueling amounts for each refueling location, to achieve improved vehicle fuel economy, is provided.

Abstract: A velocity profile can be used in conjunction with vehicle operating condition data to determine a gear shift schedule that mitigates the amount of service brake effort required to slow a vehicle by making optimal use of engine speed, friction and engine brakes. The gear shift point drives the engine to a higher operating speed and greater frictional torque, slowing the vehicle, which can then coast to a desired speed. The gear shift point can be timed to minimize fuel consumption during the maneuver. Thus, a vehicle downshift event is created based on the transmission gear recommendation. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination by minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining drivability.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system and method for determining cylinder deactivation in a vehicle engine to optimize fuel consumption while providing the desired or demanded power. In one aspect, data indicative of terrain variation is utilized in determining a vehicle target operating state. An optimal active cylinder distribution and corresponding fueling is determined from a recommendation from a supervisory agent monitoring the operating state of the vehicle of a subset of the total number of cylinders, and a determination as to which number of cylinders provides the optimal fuel consumption. Once the optimal cylinder number is determined, a transmission gear shift recommendation is provided in view of the determined active cylinder distribution and target operating state.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for optimizing a valve orifice shape. According to one representative embodiment, a method includes determining a specified relationship between a valve position and an output characteristic, and determining an orifice profile. The method also includes determining a relationship of an orifice area to the output characteristic. Further, the method includes shaping an orifice in a valve based on the orifice profile and the specified relationship between the valve position and the output characteristic. According to the method, the valve should approximately exhibit the specified relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for reducing the emission of nitrogen oxides in an internal combustion engine system. Exhaust gas directly or indirectly downstream of the internal combustion engine is at least selectively stored in an exhaust gas storage region. Upon the occurrence of at least one enablement condition, indicative of a potential period where the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) will increase, the stored exhaust gas is inserted into the internal combustion engine to assist in reducing the emission of the nitrogen oxides. The exhaust gas storage volume regularly, or the exhaust gas storage volume may be filled during strategic periods when the emissions of nitrogen oxides are low and/or there is a low need for the recirculation of exhaust gas.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing engine knock associated with an internal combustion engine. An exhaust gas recirculation sub-system is fluidly connected to the internal combustion engine and includes a compressor and an exhaust gas storage tank fluidly connected to the compressor. In response to measuring that engine knock is occurring, compressed exhaust gas is injected from the exhaust gas storage tank into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A system for establishing a torque limit for a vehicle is provided. The system uses impending terrain and speed conditions to determine an optimum torque, which improves engine efficiency and reduces fuel consumption.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a thermal management system and method that can recommend operational behavior to an operator of an engine system to optimize fuel economy over a period of time in which a components of the engine system is in a warm up and/or regeneration state. In one representative embodiment, the expected temperature change of the engine component at a later time is determined based on inefficient operation of the engine, such as a transmission down shift resulting in higher engine speed and lower engine torque, and the expected temperature change of the engine component resulting from operating the engine under current conditions or expected conditions at that later time is determined. A determination is made as to whether the inefficient engine operation is the optimal operation in view of fuel economy and a recommendation is generated for the operator based if optimal operation is determined.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying and analyzing a route using an inexpensive GPS system is provided. The system and method provides a location for storing GPS and vehicle operating data for at least one route, requiring a plurality of runs over the at least one route. Once a predetermined minimum number of runs have been reached, the system and method define a route segment, interpolate additional data points using the GPS and vehicle operating data, synchronize the data over the plurality of runs, and analyze the data. The analyzed data is then provided to a module capable of controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine. The analyzed data is forward-looking in that it permits anticipation of vehicle operation, and more particularly, engine and transmission operation.

Abstract: A velocity profile can be used in conjunction with vehicle operating condition data to determine a gear shift schedule that mitigates the amount of service brake effort required to slow a vehicle by making optimal use of engine speed, friction and engine brakes. The gear shift point drives the engine to a higher operating speed and greater frictional torque, slowing the vehicle, which can then coast to a desired speed. The gear shift point can be timed to minimize fuel consumption during the maneuver. Thus, a vehicle downshift event is created based on the transmission gear recommendation. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination by minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining drivability.

Abstract: An engine starting system and technique include selecting a target engine speed profile from a plurality of engine speed profiles based on operator inputs and operating parameters of the vehicle. A feedback control strategy is used to substantially conform the engine speed with the target speed profile during starting until a target speed is reached in which fueling is initiated to start the engine.

Abstract: A method in a system having a transmission and a drive system component is disclosed. The transmission includes two or more gears defining one or more gear ratios and a gear-selection controller having shifting schedules and the drive system component includes a drive system component controller. The method comprises dynamically generating adjustment information having information selected from the group consisting of (i) a desired gear selection; (ii) a desired drive system component speed operating point (iii) engine fuel economy improvement information related to a selection of a desired gear of the two or more gears; (iv) a drive system component energy efficiency map, and (v) a combination thereof, and wherein the generated information relates to one or more given drive system component power levels and adjusting the shifting schedules using the adjustment information.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a thermal management system and method that can recommend operational behavior to an operator of an engine system to optimize fuel economy over a period of time in which a components of the engine system is in a warm up and/or regeneration state. In one representative embodiment, the expected temperature change of the engine component at a later time is determined based on inefficient operation of the engine, such as a transmission down shift resulting in higher engine speed and lower engine torque, and the expected temperature change of the engine component resulting from operating the engine under current conditions or expected conditions at that later time is determined. A determination is made as to whether the inefficient engine operation is the optimal operation in view of fuel economy and a recommendation is generated for the operator based if optimal operation is determined.

Abstract: Systems and methods of vehicle fuel quantity management are provided to assist in determining an optimal quantity of fuel to carry on-board a vehicle. Certain routes are sufficiently short so to not require a completely filled fuel tank to traverse. Additionally, most routes have an abundance of vehicle fueling stations that provide ample refueling opportunities, thus permitting an operator to carry less fuel than might be required to complete a route. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure balance initial fuel loading and fuel stops to optimize the amount of freight weight that can be carried for a given route. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination while maintaining drivability.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling combustion in an internal combustion engine having a fuel delivery system includes a cylinder contents prediction module configured to predict at least one condition within a combustion cylinder of the internal combustion engine. The apparatus also includes a fueling parameter selection module configured to generate a fuel command for the fuel delivery system. The fuel command is based at least partially on the predicted at least one condition within the combustion cylinder.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a thermal management system and method that can recommend operational behavior to an operator of an engine system to optimize fuel economy over a period of time in which a components of the engine system is in a warm up and/or regeneration state. In one representative embodiment, the expected temperature change of the engine component at a later time is determined based on inefficient operation of the engine, such as a transmission down shift resulting in higher engine speed and lower engine torque, and the expected temperature change of the engine component resulting from operating the engine under current conditions or expected conditions at that later time is determined. A determination is made as to whether the inefficient engine operation is the optimal operation in view of fuel economy and a recommendation is generated for the operator based if optimal operation is determined.

Abstract: A vehicle speed-based operational cost optimization module provides an optimized velocity profile over a given route while also considering imposed constraints such as deviation from time targets, deviation from maximum governed speed limits, etc. Given current vehicle speed, engine state and transmission state, the present disclosure optimally manages the engine map to provide a recommended vehicle speed that optimizes fuel consumption. Exemplary embodiments provide for offline and online optimizations relative to fuel consumption. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination by minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining drivability.

Abstract: Some exemplary embodiments include methods of operating a hybrid powertrain system including an engine and a motor/generator. One exemplary method includes sensing a characteristic of the motor/generator, determining a first net torque of the engine based upon a model, determining a second net torque of the engine based upon the characteristic of the motor/generator, and diagnosing the system based upon the first net torque and the second net torque. Further exemplary embodiments include hybrid powertrain methods, hybrid powertrain systems, and articles of manufacture configured to store computer executable instructions for hybrid powertrains. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings.