Abstract: The present invention relates to a throttle valve adapted to equip an air intake system in an internal combustion engine, in particular an explosion engine. The throttle valve comprises: a body delimiting an air intake pipe; a valve member mounted rotatably in the pipe about an axis of rotation and comprising a spherical portion shutting off the pipe in the closed configuration; means for moving the valve member in rotation about the axis of rotation between different configurations of the throttle valve; and a bearing ring which receives a spherical outer surface of the valve member in sliding bearing contact. The throttle valve is characterized in that it also comprises a seal which is elastically deformable, which is arranged between the body and the bearing ring and which is adapted to take up forces to which the valve member and the bearing ring are subjected during a back-fire through the pipe.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine having a combustion chamber with an inlet and an outlet. Valves and valve actuators regulate open and closing of the inlet and the outlet. A plasma ignition source initiates ignition in the combustion chamber. A controller is in communication with the inlet valve actuator and outlet valve actuator. The controller is configured to detect a transition from a first combustion mode of the engine to a second combustion mode of the engine. The controller is also configured to change at least one of an opening time, a closing time, and an open duration of the first valve in response to detecting the transition.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and a method for controlling valve timing of a continuous variable valve duration engine. The method may include: classifying a plurality of control regions depending on an engine speed and an engine load; retarding an intake valve closing (IVC) timing and limiting a valve overlap between an intake valve and an exhaust valve in a first control region; advancing the IVC timing and applying a maximum duration to the exhaust valve in a second control region; advancing the IVC timing according to an increase of the engine load in a third control region; controlling a throttle valve to be fully opened and advancing the IVC timing in a fourth control region; and controlling the throttle valve to be fully opened and retarding the IVC timing in a fifth control region.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a switching period module and at least one of a valve lift control module and a start-stop control module. The switching period module determines a switching period that elapses as a valve lift actuator of an engine switches between a first valve lift position and a second valve lift position that is different than the first lift position. The switching period begins when a measured position of the valve lift actuator corresponds to the first lift position and the switching period ends when the measured position of the valve lift actuator corresponds to the second lift position. The valve lift control module controls the valve lift actuator based on the switching period. The start-stop control module determines whether to automatically stop the engine based on the switching period.

Abstract: A dual fuel injector may be used to inject both gas and liquid fuel into a cylinder of a compression ignition engine. An injector body defines a first set of nozzle outlets, a second set of nozzle outlets, a first fuel inlet and a second fuel inlet. A dual solenoid actuator includes a first armature, a first coil, a second armature and a second coil that share a common centerline. The dual solenoid actuator has a non-injection configuration at which the first armature is at an un-energized position and the second armature is at an un-energized position. The dual solenoid actuator has a first fuel injection configuration at which the first fuel inlet is fluidly connected to the first set of nozzle outlets, the first armature is at an energized position and the second armature is at the un-energized position.

Abstract: A drive control apparatus in which the target torque which is a target value of an output torque of the prime mover for driving a vehicle, is calculated, and the output torque control is performed so that the output torque of the prime mover coincides with the target torque, is provided. An estimated output torque which is an estimated value of the actual output torque of the prime mover, is calculated, and the torque difference accumulated value which approximates a time-integration value of a torque difference between the target torque and the estimated output torque, is calculated. It is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the output torque control when the torque difference accumulated value exceeds a determination threshold value which is set to a constant value.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a variable-lift camshaft follower of an internal combustion includes detecting a first knock using a spark knock sensor of the internal combustion engine; retarding ignition timing of the internal combustion engine after detecting the first knock such that the ignition timing is retarded sufficiently to ensure that spark knock is no longer possible; detecting a second knock using the spark knock sensor after retarding the ignition timing sufficiently to ensure that spark knock is no longer possible; determining that the variable-lift camshaft follower is not functioning as desired based on the second knock; and activating a malfunction alert based on the determining that the variable-lift camshaft follower is not functioning as desired.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating ambient humidity based on a wet bulb temperature and a dry bulb temperature during precipitation, and estimating ambient humidity based on the dry bulb temperature and not based on wet bulb temperature when precipitation is absent.

Abstract: A system includes a soot module, a coordinator module, a regeneration module, and actuator modules. The soot module determines a current amount of soot mass in a particulate filter of a gasoline engine, where the particulate filter is downstream from the gasoline engine and receives an exhaust gas from the gasoline engine. The coordinator module generates an enable signal, a torque reserve signal, and an equivalence ratio. The regeneration module, based on the current amount of soot mass and the enable signal, generates a regeneration signal to regenerate the particulate filter. The actuator modules, based on the regeneration signal, the torque reserve signal and the equivalence ratio, retard spark and increase an amount of air flow to the particulate filter. The actuators maintain a same amount of torque out of the gasoline engine during regeneration as output from the gasoline engine prior to the regeneration of the particulate filter.

Abstract: When a difference between a target intake air amount during the reduced-cylinder operation, which is greater than a target intake air amount during the all-cylinder operation in a normal state, and an actual intake air amount is greater than an allowable deficient intake air amount, a preparatory control for increasing the actual intake air amount and shifting an ignition timing toward a retard side with respect to an ignition timing during the all-cylinder operation in the normal state. Then, at a time when the difference between the target intake air amount and the actual intake air amount becomes equal to or less than the allowable deficient intake air amount, the reduced-cylinder operation is started, wherein the allowable deficient intake air amount is set to a larger value when a current speed stage is a high speed stage than when it is a low speed stage.

Abstract: An engine control apparatus includes an engine information detector for detecting engine information including an engine speed, a fuel amount, an air amount, a boost pressure, injection timing, an intake air temperature, an atmospheric pressure, and an atmospheric temperature, a combustion pressure sensor for detecting a combustion pressure of an engine, and a controller performing an IMEP control for adjusting a main injection amount and a combustion noise control for adjusting a pilot injection amount by using the engine information detected by the engine information detector and the combustion pressure detected by the combustion pressure sensor, and calculating a final main injection correction amount and a final pilot injection correction amount by using an IMEP pilot correction amount and an IMEP correction amount outputted from the IMEP control and a combustion noise correction amount outputted from the combustion noise control.

Abstract: A method for controlling valve timing of a turbo engine may include classifying a plurality of control regions depending on an engine load and an engine speed, applying a maximum duration to an intake valve and controlling a valve overlap between an exhaust valve and the intake valve in a first control region, maintaining the maximum duration of the intake valve in a second control region, advancing an intake valve closing (IVC) timing and an exhaust valve closing (EVC) timing in a third control region, controlling the IVC timing to be close to bottom dead center (BDC) in a fourth control region, controlling a throttle valve to be fully opened and retarding an exhaust valve opening (EVO) timing in a fifth control region, and controlling the throttle valve to be fully opened and controlling the IVC timing to prevent knocking in a sixth control region.

Abstract: A knocking detector is to detect knocking in the internal combustion engine in which a low-octane fuel is injected into a cylinder and a high-octane fuel whose octane number higher than an octane number of the low-octane fuel is injected into an inlet port. A knocking suppressor includes a first knocking suppressor and a second knocking suppressor. The first knocking suppressor is to increase a high-octane fuel ratio of an injection quantity of the high-octane fuel to a sum of an injection quantity of the low-octane fuel and the injection quantity of the high-octane fuel in order to suppress knocking in the internal combustion engine when the knocking detector detects the knocking. The second knocking suppressor is to suppress knocking of the internal combustion engine at a beginning of a period while the first knocking suppressor increases the high-octane fuel ratio.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for adjusting an air-fuel ratio for combustion in an engine. In one embodiment, a method for an engine (e.g., a method for controlling an engine system) comprises responding to a sensed change in a load on the engine, or indications of engine knock or misfire, by one or more of: altering a speed of the engine, adjusting a fueling flow rate into at least one cylinder of the engine, and adjusting a position of a valve in a bypass passage configured to direct compressed intake air away from cylinders of the engine to obtain a determined air-fuel ratio; and thereby maintaining an air-fuel ratio in a determined range.

Abstract: A method and a device for operating an exhaust gas recirculation of a self-ignition internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, the internal combustion engine including an air system for controlling the air supply into at least one combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, and it being provided in particular that a dynamic operating state of the internal combustion engine is detected and, in the event of a detected dynamic operating state, a corrective intervention in the air system of the internal combustion engine is carried out.

Abstract: A system includes an engine comprising an EGR valve that recirculates a portion of exhaust gas, a data repository that stores a first look up and one or more engine operational parameters, an engine control unit operationally coupled to the engine and the data repository, wherein the engine control unit is configured to: determine a desired EGR flow rate reference of the portion of the exhaust gas based on the one or more engine operational parameters and the first look up table, determine a current estimated EGR flow rate based on the one or more engine operational parameters, determine a designated corrected EGR flow rate reference based on the desired EGR flow rate reference and a delta EGR flow rate, determine EGR flow rate error, and determine a percentage opening of the EGR valve based at least on the EGR flow rate error.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a model predictive control (MPC) module and an actuator module. The MPC module generates a set of possible target values for an actuator of an engine and predicts an operating parameter of the engine for each of the possible target values. The MPC module determines a weighting value associated with each of the target values based on a corresponding iteration number and determines a cost for the set of possible target values based on the predicted operating parameters and the weighting values. The MPC module selects the set of possible target values from multiple sets of possible target values based on the cost and sets target values to the possible target values of the selected set. The actuator module controls an actuator of an engine based on at least one of the target values.

Abstract: A system is provided and includes a fuel module that, based on a crankshaft angle of an engine, generates a value indicative of an amount of fuel burned in a cylinder or a change in the amount of fuel burned. A heat release module, based on the value, determines an amount of heat released during a combustion event of the cylinder. A pressure module, based on the amount of heat released, estimates a pressure in the cylinder. A temperature module, based on the pressure, estimates a temperature in the cylinder. A concentration module, based on the pressure or the temperature, estimates nitrogen oxide concentration levels in the cylinder. An output module, based on the nitrogen oxide concentration levels, estimates an amount of nitrogen oxides. A control module, based on the amount of nitrogen oxides out of the cylinder, controls operation of the engine or an exhaust system.

Abstract: The control device includes an operation state detector, an intake manifold pressure detector, an air humidity detector, an air temperature detector, an atmospheric pressure detector, and a controller that controls the engine output on the basis of detection results of the detectors. The controller generates humidity information on the air which is taken in by the internal combustion engine, from the humidity, temperature, and atmospheric pressure, calculates a dry air partial pressure by correcting the pressure detected by the intake manifold pressure detector, by using the humidity information, and controls the engine output by taking the pressure detected by the intake manifold pressure detector as a wet air pressure and selecting, according to a control element, either one of the wet air pressure and the dry air partial pressure as a pressure to be used for the engine output control.

Abstract: A system for filtering and oxidizing particulate matter produced by a gasoline direct injection engine is disclosed. In one embodiment, engine cylinder air-fuel is adjusted to allow soot to oxidize at an upstream particulate filter while exhaust gases are efficiently processed in a downstream catalyst.

Abstract: In an exhaust gas control system for an internal combustion engine operable at a lean air-fuel ratio, after a request to stop the internal combustion engine has been issued, the internal combustion engine is operated at a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio or lower until an air-fuel ratio in an SCR catalyst becomes lower than or equal to the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, and then supply of fuel to the internal combustion engine is stopped.

Abstract: When a predetermined restart condition is satisfied after an engine is automatically stopped, whether or not a piston of a stopped-in-compression-stroke cylinder which is in a compression stroke falls within a specific range set at a bottom dead center side of a predetermined upper limit position is determined. When the piston of the stopped-in-compression-stroke cylinder falls within the specific range, a first compression start is executed in which fuel is injected from an injector into the stopped-in-compression-stroke cylinder for the first time and is then self-ignited. In the first compression start, a start timing of a first fuel injection operation with respect to the stopped-in-compression-stroke cylinder is set to be earlier as a stop position of the piston of the cylinder gets closer to the bottom dead center within the specific range.

Abstract: A PCM (50) that is an engine control device functions to acquire a master vac negative pressure which is the negative pressure of a stabilized chamber of a master vac (126) which amplifies a brake pedal depressing force applied to a brake pedal (102), and also acquire a brake working fluid pressure that is a braking hydraulic pressure produced by a master cylinder (144) in accordance with the brake pedal depressing force amplified by the master vac (126), and in a case where both accelerator pedal (104) and a brake pedal (102) are depressed or actuated simultaneously, determine whether or not it is necessary to decrease engine output based on such master vac negative pressure and brake working fluid pressure to execute the output decreasing control for decreasing the engine output.

Abstract: A method for the regulation of a temperature in an exhaust stream in a motor vehicle through control of its driveline: the motor vehicle includes a driveline having a combustion engine, which may be connected to a gearbox via a clutch device, and an exhaust system for removing an exhaust stream from the engine. The method includes controlling the driveline for activation or deactivation of coasting of the vehicle based on one or several first parameters P1 and one or several second parameters P2 for regulation of a temperature TEx in the exhaust system. At least one of the first parameters P1 is a first temperature difference between the first temperature T1 in the exhaust system and a reference temperature TREF. The said second parameter P2 is related to a calculated speed and/or a calculated road inclination over the road section ahead for the motor vehicle. Further, a computer program, a computer program product, a system and a motor vehicle including such a system are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating an exhaust air/fuel ratio based on outputs from an exhaust oxygen sensor. In one example, a method may include adjusting engine operation based on an air-fuel ratio estimated based on an output of the exhaust oxygen sensor and a learned correction factor. For example, the oxygen sensor may operate in a variable voltage mode in which a reference voltage of the oxygen sensor may be adjusted between a lower first voltage and a higher second voltage, and the learned correction factor is based on the second voltage.

Abstract: An exhaust purification system comprises an exhaust purification catalyst, a downstream side air-fuel ratio sensor and a control device. The control device makes the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas change to an air-fuel ratio at a rich side from the prior air-fuel ratio as air-fuel ratio rich increasing control when the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is made a rich air-fuel ratio and the output air-fuel ratio of the downstream side air-fuel ratio sensor is maintained at a lean judged air-fuel ratio or more, and judges that the downstream side air-fuel ratio sensor suffers from an abnormality, when, due to the air-fuel ratio rich increasing control, the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is made to change to the rich side air-fuel ratio and the output air-fuel ratio of the downstream side air-fuel ratio sensor changes to the lean side.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuation system includes an actuator having an electrical coil, a magnetic core, and an armature. The system further includes a controllable drive circuit for selectively driving current through the electrical coil. A control module provides an actuator command to the drive circuit effective to drive current through the electrical coil to actuate the armature. The control module includes a magnetic force control module configured to adapt the actuator command to converge magnetic force within the actuator to a preferred force level.

Abstract: A first computer-implemented diagnostic method can run in response to an imminent deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) event. A second computer-implemented diagnostic method can run on engine shutdown. Both diagnostic methods involve controlling fuel injectors and a fuel pump to make the fuel rail pressure change from a desired minimum to a desired maximum. Measurements from the fuel rail pressure sensor at these endpoints can then be used to detect a fault of the fuel rail pressure sensor. One or both diagnostic methods can be implemented.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel injection in an internal combustion engine is presented. For each injector event a drive signal is applied to the fuel injector, wherein said drive signal has a pulse width, which is calculated on the basis of a master performance function and of a minimum delivery pulse corresponding to the minimum pulse width required for the injector to open. The minimum delivery pulse is determined from the voltage across the terminals of the fuel injector's electromagnetic actuator, by comparing the duration of a segment of the voltage second derivative to a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A method for operating a common-rail system of a motor vehicle that includes a common-rail-pressure sensor configuration having at least two signal paths, and that can be operated at a maximally permissible common-rail pressure and at a minimally permissible common-rail pressure. Sensor signals are read out in each case in response to a pressure measurement in a common rail of the common-rail system via the at least two signal paths, and a signal deviation value is ascertained that characterizes a deviation between the pressure values that are each determined on the basis of the sensor signals. The method includes reducing the maximally permissible common-rail pressure by a correction value to a maximally permissible emergency common-rail pressure and/or increasing the minimally permissible common-rail pressure by a correction value to a minimally permissible emergency common-rail pressure in response to the signal deviation value exceeding a predefined value.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling the hydraulic dwell time between a first injection and a second injection performed by a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine are disclosed, in which the injector is equipped with a needle operated by a control valve. A value of a nominal electric dwell time between the first injection and the second injection is determined. An actual instant of hydraulic closing of the fuel injector after the first injection is also determined. A corrected electric dwell time is calculated as a function of the nominal electric dwell time and the actual instant of hydraulic closing of the fuel injector after the first injection. The fuel injector is operated using the corrected electric dwell time.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting a temperature of an engine fuel rail at a plurality of locations along the engine fuel rail. In one example, a method may include detecting temperatures along the engine fuel rail with a plurality of metal film thermocouples adhered to the engine fuel rail and arranged proximate to engine fuel injectors, and adjusting fuel injector operation and/or fuel rail pressure in response to the detected fuel rail temperatures.

Abstract: A direct injection diesel engine is provided with a fuel injection nozzle which is capable of performing a multistage injection. In a middle-or-high load region, in order to decrease soot, an after-injection is performed immediately after a main injection. In a case of fuel with a low Cetane number, the after-injection can cause a worsening of soot. Hence, an ignition delay interval (period of time) of the main injection is determined. In a case where the ignition time delay interval (period of time) is equal to or above a threshold value, the after-injection is inhibited.

Abstract: A piston, (1) incorporates a pair of tear-drop shaped springs (6) acting, in use, between the crown (2) of the piston and an associated connecting rod (4) so as to bias the connecting rod away from the piston crown (2). The springs (6) are supported by support members (7 and 8), the springs being located substantially in the region of the piston crown (2). A carrier (5) is positioned within the piston (1), the carrier being slidably mounted within the piston for axial movement relative thereto, and being connected to the connecting rod (4) in such a manner that the springs (6) permit the carrier (5) to move axially relative to the piston crown (2). The springs (6) are made of a beta titanium alloy such as gum metal.

Abstract: A small air-cooled internal combustion engine includes an aluminum cylinder block and an aluminum cylinder head welded to the aluminum cylinder block.

Abstract: NMSET and related device uses and improvements to the forces generated. Laminar flow control systems benefit from NMSET and related devices as they simplify installation and are easier to retrofit on existing aircraft. Necessary temperature gradients can me generated by using a heated material with the sides at different energy accommodation coefficients. Surface geometries can be used to increase the force generated. Photovoltaic film can be embedded into the membrane, providing a source of energy that can offset the power required for desired thrust. Intake scoops improve the air flow through the micro thrusters and surface geometries, and airflow diffusers increase air flow interaction with the hotter surface resulting in higher thrust outputs.

Abstract: An improved apparatus supplies gaseous fuel from a liquid state to an internal combustion engine comprising an electrical energy generating apparatus for generating electrical energy from a store of chemical energy. A liquid pumping apparatus for pumping the gaseous fuel in the liquid state includes an energy converter for converting the electrical energy to mechanical energy which drives the liquid pumping apparatus. The liquid pumping apparatus also includes a first heat exchanger for vaporizing the gaseous fuel received from the pumping apparatus and a controller programmed to operate the liquid pumping apparatus to maintain a pressure of the gaseous fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A multi stream aircraft fixed geometry nozzle includes an inner nozzle, an outer nozzle, and a supersonic ejector. The outer nozzle is configured to channel a third stream from an aft end of a third stream duct surrounding a bypass duct of a multi stream aircraft engine to the supersonic ejector to merge the third stream with the primary stream. The fixed geometry nozzle is configured to operate between an SFC mode and a thrust mode such that, when the inner nozzle accelerates the primary stream supersonically to the supersonic ejector, at which the primary stream is merged with the third stream, in the SFC mode the total pressure of the primary stream is substantially the same as the total pressure of the third stream, and in the thrust mode the total pressure of the primary stream is substantially greater than the total pressure of the third stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that lock thrust reversers and also drive fan nozzles of an aircraft. One system includes a coupling configured to selectively engage and disengage. While engaged, the coupling is configured to rotate to drive a Variable Area Fan Nozzle (VAFN), at least a portion of which is on a translating portion of a thrust reverser of an aircraft. Furthermore, while engaged the coupling is configured to prevent displacement of the translating portion.

Abstract: A small aircraft such as a UAV having a gas turbine engine with the outer bypass elements removed from the engine, and where the airframe is modified to form the bypass duct and exhaust nozzle for the fan produced bypass flow of the engine in order to reduce weight, size and cost of the small aircraft. The outer casing and the exhaust nozzle is removed from the engine and optimally integrated into the airframe structure.

Abstract: A carburetor with a throttle valve is provided in which a linkage member is in communication with the throttle valve. An idle down handle can be moved from an unactuated position to an actuated position and is in communication with the throttle valve. Movement of the idle down handle to the actuated position causes the throttle valve to be placed into the closed position. When the idle down handle is in the unactuated position the throttle linkage member can cause the throttle valve to be moved back and forth between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A method for starting gas delivery from a liquefied gas fuel system includes a fuel tank filled with liquefied gas by a filling procedure and the filling procedure resulting in the pressure in the tank being at least at an operational pressure required by the engine. The method pressure in the tank is controlled by controlling the operation of a pressure build up system including the pressure build up evaporator which is arranged in a conduit leading from the bottom section of the tank to the upper section of the tank. The pressure build up system is controlled by controlling the flow rate of the evaporated gas in the conduit while the heat transfer medium is allowed to flow unconstrained through the pressure build up evaporator.

Abstract: An insert for engine intake gaseous fuel mixing device. A body defines a longitudinal axis, leading end, trailing end, and exterior surface profile from the leading to the trailing end. Supports extend radially from the body, each support extending parallel to the axis to define separate longitudinal intake passages. The exterior surface profile of the body includes a nose section in which diameter increases from a minimum value at the leading end to a maximum value at a downstream end of the nose section. The nose section is followed by a flat section and a curved tapering section in which the profile converges toward the axis at an increasing rate from the flat section in a direction of the axis toward the trailing end. The diameter at the trailing end is at least 15 percent less than a maximum diameter of the body.

Abstract: A control apparatus of a premixed charge compression ignition engine that includes an engine body having a cylinder and intake and exhaust passages, and causes a mixture gas to self-ignite inside the cylinder is provided. The apparatus includes a fuel injector for injecting fuel into the cylinder, a water injector for injecting supercritical water or subcritical water into the cylinder, an EGR passage for communicating the exhaust and intake passages and recirculating, as EGR gas, a portion of an exhaust gas discharged from the cylinder to the intake passage, an EGR valve for adjusting an EGR gas recirculation amount, and a controller. The controller includes an engine load determining module for receiving a parameter and determining whether an engine operating state is a first state where the engine load is below a switch load or a second state where the engine load is the switch load or above.

Abstract: An active purge system module which includes a passive bypass valve assembly that allows for purge of a canister with engine vacuum or through the use of a pump, and also provides the functions of allowing air to escape the fuel tank during refueling. The valve assembly includes two valve members, which are moved between open and closed positions to direct air through the valve assembly during periods of engine vacuum, or when the valve assembly receives positive pressure from a pressure pump. The module is also used to perform a leak check when the valves are both in a closed position.

Abstract: An engine-driven generator that controls fuel vapor flow is provided. The engine-driven generator includes an engine having an air intake, wherein the engine is configured to drive a generator. The engine-driven generator also includes a fuel tank coupled to the engine and configured to provide fuel to the engine. The engine-driven generator includes a valve coupled between the air intake of the engine and the fuel tank. The engine-driven generator also includes a control device configured to transition the valve between a first position and a second position. The first position allows fuel vapor to flow between the fuel tank and the air intake of the engine and the second position inhibits the fuel vapor from flowing between the fuel tank and the air intake of the engine.

Abstract: An evaporated fuel processing apparatus includes a blocking valve configured to selectively allow and shut off communication between a canister and a fuel tank, and adsorbs evaporated fuel by the canister by opening the blocking valve during fuel filling, wherein the evaporated fuel occurs in the fuel tank, and performs a purge operation of introducing purge gas into an intake air line of an internal combustion engine with the blocking valve closed while the internal combustion engine is operating, wherein the purge gas contains a fuel component released from the canister. A diagnostic apparatus is configured to diagnose whether or not the blocking valve is abnormal, based on sensing of evaporated fuel flowing through the blocking valve while the purge operation is being performed.

Abstract: A canister structure comprising: a canister 28 in which activated carbon 44 is accommodated, the activated carbon 44 being for adsorbing evaporated fuel produced in a fuel tank; an atmosphere vent tube 30 connected to the canister28, the atmosphere vent tube 30 introducing air into the canister 28 and causing evaporated fuel adsorbed by the activated carbon 44 to be desorbed when a negative pressure acts in the canister 28; and a fuel pump controller 46 disposed in the canister28, the fuel pump controller 46 controlling flow rates of fuel being supplied from the fuel tank to an engine, and the fuel pump controller 46 generating heat due to being operated.

Abstract: A process and device for using a PSA oxygen concentrator to provide a high oxygen air intake mass into the combustion chambers of an ICE in order to improve gasoline mileage, reduce undesirable exhaust components and allow a TWC to come into full operation more quickly. A method of improving the quality of an air mass taken into the PSA device is taught. Both a retrofit methodology using commercially available PSA concentrators and a method of using component parts of same to create a differing architectural arrangement suited to fit the particular needs or spaces are presented.

Abstract: An engine, an intake passage to introduce intake air to the engine, an exhaust passage to discharge exhaust air from the engine, and a high-temperature duct connected to the intake passage to introduce high-temperature air around the exhaust passage into the engine are provided in an engine compartment. The intake passage includes an intake-air inlet port to introduce outside air as low-temperature air. A passage switching valve provided between the intake passage and the high-temperature duct switches passages of the high-temperature air from the high-temperature duct and the low-temperature air from the intake air inlet port so as to selectively flow the air downstream of the intake passage. A valve control unit controls switching according to the temperature inside the compartment.