Abstract: A system for detecting and controlling air-fuel ratio imbalance conditions between cylinders of an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders is disclosed.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control device sets a target air-fuel ratio and performs an air-fuel ratio control based on the target air-fuel ratio for an engine of a spark ignition type. The air-fuel ratio control device includes a lean combustion determination unit that determines whether a lean combustion is performed in the engine at the target air-fuel ratio, the target air-fuel ratio being set leaner than the theoretical air-fuel ratio; a target NOx setting unit that sets a target NOx concentration according to an operation state of the engine; an acquisition unit that acquires an actual NOx concentration detected by using a NOx concentration detection unit in an exhaust passage of the engine; and a correction unit that corrects the target air-fuel ratio based on the target NOx concentration and the actual NOx concentration when determination is made that lean combustion is performed.

Abstract: A method of controlling an engine includes setting a target torque of the engine, controlling an engine torque based on the target torque, setting an allowable torque that is greater than the target torque, detecting a plurality of differing operating state parameters as indicators indicating an actual operating state of the engine, individually calculating actual torques that are actual engine torques based on the plurality of detected operating state parameters, selecting a largest value among the calculated actual torques as a final actual torque, comparing the selected actual torque to the allowable torque, and generating a control signal according to a result of comparison between the actual torque and the allowable torque.

Abstract: In an electronic control unit, a basic injection quantity calculation part calculates a basic injection quantity value as a target of fuel value, which an injector injects, by using an actual accelerator operation angle value, an actual engine rotation speed value and at least one of an actual vehicle speed value and an actual acceleration value. When the actual vehicle speed value or the acceleration value deviates largely from the estimated value, a correction value calculation part calculates an injection quantity correction value for the basic injection quantity value and a final injection quantity calculation part calculates a final injection quantity value by correcting the basic injection quantity value with the correction value. A driving control part controls driving of the injector so that the injector injects fuel of the final injection quantity value determined by correcting the basic injection quantity value with the correction value.

Abstract: A riding yard maintenance vehicle may include a positioning module. The positioning module may include processing circuitry configured to receive information indicative of vehicle position of the riding yard maintenance vehicle, receive an indication of a triggering event that indicates a presence of an obstacle proximate to the riding yard maintenance vehicle, and cause recordation of an obstacle identifier in association with the vehicle position responsive to receipt of the indication.

Abstract: To simplify a configuration of a plasma generation device that generates plasma by means of an electromagnetic wave using thermal electrons as a trigger. The plasma generation device 30 includes: a thermal electron emission member 14 that emits thermal electrons when heated; a heating device 13 that heats the thermal electron emission member 14 by means of an electromagnetic wave; and an electric field concentration member 61 that concentrates in the vicinity of the thermal electron emission member 14 an electric field of the electromagnetic wave generated by the heating device 13. The plasma generation device 30, while causing the heating device 13 to heat the thermal electron emission member 14, causes the electric field concentration member 61 to concentrate the electric field of the electromagnetic wave in the vicinity of the thermal electron emission member 14, thereby generating plasma in the vicinity of the thermal electron emission member 14.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an internal combustion engine body formed with a combustion chamber and an ignition device that ignites an air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. Repetitive combustion cycles, including ignition of the air-fuel mixture by the ignition device and combustion of the air-fuel mixture, are executed. The internal combustion engine further has an electromagnetic (EM) wave-emitting device that emits EM radiation to the combustion chamber; a plurality of receiving antennas located on a zoning material that defines the combustion chamber, where the antennas resonate to the EM radiation emitted to the combustion chamber from the EM wave-emitting device; and a switching means that switches the receiving antenna resonating to the EM radiation emitted to the combustion chamber from the EM wave-emitting device among the plurality of receiving antennas.

Abstract: It is configured such that plasma generated at a time of ignition should diffuse over an entire combustion chamber in a spark ignition type internal combustion engine in order to improve fuel efficiency. An ignition device for a spark ignition type internal combustion engine is provided including an ignition plug and a transmission antenna provided in the vicinity of the ignition plug and adapted to transmit an electromagnetic wave to a combustion chamber. The ignition device allows a spark discharge generated between a central electrode and a ground electrode of the ignition plug to react with an electric field created via the transmission antenna in the combustion chamber so as to generate plasma and ignite fuel air mixture. A receiving antenna is arranged on a combustion chamber-facing surface of at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve, and is adapted to receive the electromagnetic wave transmitted from the transmission antenna.

Abstract: A method and a device operate an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders with which are associated respective injection valves for metering fuel, and having an exhaust gas probe which is arranged in an exhaust gas tract and the measurement signal of which is characteristic of the air/fuel ratio in the respective cylinder, and having a crankshaft angle sensor the measurement signal of which is representative of a crankshaft angle of the crankshaft. Within a predefined operating range of the internal combustion engine, and when at least one predefined condition is fulfilled, a rough-running based cylinder-individual diagnosis (CYBL-HOM) with regard to harmful emissions is carried out before activation of a cylinder-individual lambda control (CILC) is enabled.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the quantity of compressed air that may enter into an engine cylinder during the intake stroke of a piston during an engine braking event. A control throttle may be positioned to restrict the quantity of compressed air that may enter into the cylinder during the intake stroke. The control throttle may also be positioned downstream of the engine and configured to adjustably restrict the quantity of exhaust gas that may be delivered to a turbine. By restricting the exhaust gas delivered to the turbine, the power generated by the turbine that is used by the compressor to compress intake air may also be reduced. Moreover, by controlling the power available to the compressor, the quantity of compressed intake air may be controlled, which allows for control of the quantity of compressed air that enters into the cylinder during the compression stroke.

Abstract: A control device 100 of an internal combustion engine has a control unit that controls an amount of an intake-air, which is a gas before being taken into a combustion chamber 13 of an internal combustion engine 5, so that either when a specific component other than an oxygen is removed from the intake-air or when the specific component is added to the intake-air, a changing amount of an oxygen concentration in the intake-air caused by removal or addition of the specific component is reduced.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving vehicle torque control accuracy. Data points of an engine torque data set are adjusted en masse by an on-board vehicle controller while also being adjusted individually by an off-board controller. By adjusting engine operation based on a torque data set that is updated by each of the on-board and off-board controllers, engine torque errors can be reliably determined and compensated for.

Abstract: A method of controlling components in an air intake system for an internal combustion engine (10) uses sequential control. The method includes sequentially controlling the operation of a plurality of components (130, 132, 134) of an air intake system to control an excess air ratio for the engine, including identifying a deviation between an actual value of a parameter indicative of an excess air ratio and a desired value, controlling the first component (130) at a first time, and controlling the second component (132) at a second time that is later than the first time. The controlled components may be a turbo air bypass valve and a turbo wastegate valve.

Abstract: An object of this invention is, with respect to a torque-demand-control type controller that subjects two kinds of actuators provided upstream and downstream in an intake passage to coordinated operations based on a requested torque for an internal combustion engine, to enable realization of a pulse-like torque change in a torque decreasing direction that is requested, for example, when performing an upshift operation in an electronically controlled automatic transmission. To achieve this object, according to a controller for an internal combustion engine of this invention, when a pulse component in a torque decreasing direction is included in a requested torque, a second requested torque that does not include the pulse component is generated. In this case, a first actuator provided on the downstream side in the intake passage is operated based on the requested torque.

Abstract: An engine system is provided. The engine system includes an ambient condition module configured to generate a signal indicative of a state of ambient air. The engine system also includes an operational parameter sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of one or more operational parameters associated with the engine. The engine system further includes a controller communicably coupled to the ambient condition module and the operational parameter sensor. The controller is configured to receive the signal indicative of the pressure of ambient air and the signal indicative of the one or more operational parameters associated with the engine. The controller estimates the temperature of at least one of a valve, a piston, a liner, a cylinder head, and a pre-chamber of the engine as a function of the received signals and parameters associated with fuel delivery to the engine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an engine control method, which comprises: receiving an indication of the pedal position; pre-processing the indication of the pedal position to determine whether the received indication of the pedal position corresponds to the antisurge mode activation condition; in response to the received indication of the pedal position corresponding to the antisurge mode activation condition, using the boost pressure and the engine speed to look up the static control parameter lookup table to select a control parameter indicating an air flow requirement; and sending the selected control parameter to the ECU so as to control the engine using the air flow requirement indicated by said control parameter.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an intake channel which opens via a first valve into a crankcase of the engine. The first valve opens at a first frequency (f1). The engine has a second valve, which controls the quantity of fuel supplied into the intake channel. The quantity of fuel is controlled by controlling the time interval during which the second valve is open during each engine cycle (x). A control device is provided to control the quantity of fuel supplied. In a first operating state, the second valve is opened at a second frequency (f2, f3, f4) which is coordinated with the first frequency (f1). In a second operating state, the second valve is opened independently of the first frequency (f1).

Abstract: A system and attendant structural assembly operative to establish a coordinated mixture of gaseous and distillate fuels for an engine including an electronic control unit (ECU) operative to monitor predetermined engine data determinative of engine fuel requirements and structured to regulate ratios of the gaseous and distillate fuel of an operative fuel mixture for the engine. The system and assembly includes at least one mixing assembly comprising an integrated throttle body and air gas mixer directly connected to one another, wherein the throttle body is disposed in fluid communication with a pressurized gaseous fuel supply and the air gas mixer is disposed in fluid communication with a flow of intake air to a combustion section of the engine. In use, the throttle body is structured to direct a variable gaseous fuel flow directly to the air gas mixer for dispensing into the intake air flow to the combustion section.

Abstract: A system and attendant structural assembly operative to establish a coordinated mixture of gaseous and distillate fuels for an engine including an electronic control unit (ECU) operative to monitor predetermined engine data determinative of engine fuel requirements and structured to regulate ratios of the gaseous and distillate fuel of an operative fuel mixture for the engine. The system and assembly includes at least one mixing assembly comprising an integrated throttle body and air gas mixer directly connected to one another, wherein the throttle body is disposed in fluid communication with a pressurized gaseous fuel supply and the air gas mixer is disposed in fluid communication with a flow of intake air to a combustion section of the engine. In use, the throttle body is structured to direct a variable gaseous fuel flow directly to the air gas mixer for dispensing into the intake air flow to the combustion section.

Abstract: A control device of an internal combustion engine performs an air-fuel ratio feedback control to set an air-fuel ratio to a target air-fuel ratio, and determines abnormality of a fuel system based on a feedback correction amount by the air-fuel ratio feedback control. The control device of an internal combustion engine includes: a double tank type oil pan including: an inner tank and an outer tank for storing oil; and a mechanism which switches between connection and disconnection of the inner tank and the outer tank; and a controller configured to control the mechanism to connect the inner tank and the outer tank in a case where the feedback correction amount is equal to or larger than a first predetermined value. Thus, it is possible to prevent the air-fuel ratio from getting rich, and it is possible to appropriately prevent the erroneous determination of abnormality of the fuel system.

Abstract: A system includes an ignition detection module, a pressure sensor, a pressure variation module, and a pressure sensor diagnostic module. The ignition detection module detects when an engine is started. The pressure sensor generates a first pressure signal indicating a first pressure within a fuel system of the engine when the engine is started and when a purge valve of the fuel system is closed. The pressure variation module determines an amount of variation in the first pressure signal over a first period. The pressure sensor diagnostic module determines a state of the pressure sensor based on the amount of variation in the first pressure signal over the first period.

Abstract: An automatic transmission performs a shift-up operation when the accelerator pedal is released from a depression during a vehicle is running. An engine rotation speed immediately alter the shift up operation is predicted on the basis of the engine rotation speed and a gear ratio of the transmission after the shift-up operation. When a fuel recovery is predicted to be performed immediately after the shift-up operation, the fuel recovery is advanced such that it is performed in the inertial phase of the transmission.

Abstract: A torque requesting module generates a first torque request for a spark ignition engine based on driver input. A torque conversion module converts the first torque request into a second torque request. A setpoint module generates setpoints for the spark ignition engine based on the second torque request. A model predictive control (MPC) module: identifies sets of possible target values based on the setpoints; generates predicted parameters based on a model of the spark ignition engine and the sets of possible target values, respectively; selects one of the sets of possible target values based on the predicted parameters; and sets target values based on the possible target values of the selected one of the sets. A first constraint module selectively sets a predetermined range for first one of the target values. The MPC module limits the first one of the target values to within the predetermined range.

Abstract: A gas engine 1 which operates in stoichiometric mode under high-load conditions and which operates in lean burn mode under medium- and low-load conditions includes a valve 2 which supplies the gas engine 1 with an air-fuel mixture composed of air and fuel gas. In the valve 2, a valve unit 21 for stoichiometric operation is connected in series to a valve unit 22 for lean burn operation and is also connected to a mixer 24. An opening area of the valve 2 is controlled in such a manner as to ensure a predetermined opening area for effecting stoichiometric operation, to uniformly decrease the opening area over time until a switching operation from stoichiometric operation to lean burn operation ends, to ensure a predetermined opening area for effecting lean burn operation, and to uniformly increase the opening area over time until a switching operation from lean burn operation to stoichiometric operation ends.

Abstract: Methods and systems for an engine system including an exhaust gas sensor are disclosed. In one example, under a first engine fueling condition, an air-fuel ratio correction factor is determined based on an expected air-fuel ratio and an actual air-fuel ratio. During a second engine fueling condition and a third engine non-fueling condition, fuel alcohol content and ambient humidity, respectively, are determined based on the exhaust gas sensor and corrected based on the air-fuel ratio correction factor.

Abstract: A device for controlling an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle having an uneven running ascertaining unit and an injection quantity correction unit, in which one group of cylinders being associated with a lambda sensor, in which the uneven running ascertaining unit determines the uneven running of a cylinder and compares it with a predefinable threshold value. If the ascertained uneven running exceeds the predefinable threshold value, the injection quantity correction unit adjusts the injection quantity of the cylinder in the rich direction and adjusts the injection quantities of the other cylinders of the group, so that on the whole a predefinable lambda value of the group, which may be a lambda value of 1, is achieved, and a lambda deviation is determinable for each individual cylinder in an adaption unit.

Abstract: An engine control system controls an internal combustion engine so that some of a plurality of cylinders in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine are made to rest and reduced-cylinder operation takes place. Each cylinder comprises a piston, an intake valve and an exhaust valve. In a resting cylinder during reduced-cylinder operation, when the piston moves downwards, the engine control system opens both the intake valve and the exhaust valve, and when the piston moves upwards, the engine control system opens the intake valve and closes the exhaust valve.

Abstract: A plurality of cylinders are provided. An in-cylinder pressure sensor is mounted on each of the plurality of cylinders. A combustion parameter (e.g., the amount of generated heat) is calculated from the output of the in-cylinder pressure sensor. The air-fuel ratio for a cylinder is enleaned by reducing a fuel injection amount until the combustion parameter coincides with a predetermined value. Each cylinder is subjected to fuel injection amount reduction control so that the combustion parameter coincides with the predetermined value. The air-fuel ratio for each cylinder is then calculated in accordance with the reduction amount of fuel injection amount. The calculated air-fuel ratios are compared to detect an air-fuel ratio imbalance between the cylinders.

Abstract: A kit for replacing a carburetor-based fuel delivery system for internal combustion engines with an electronic fuel injection system has an electronic control unit receiving signals from pressurization pump and a number of sensors mounted on the throttle, engine and the manifold. According to the invention, the standard manifold is replaced with the machined manifold which carries at least one fuel injector with a nozzle that can extend into an intake chamber of the engine. A pressure regulator maintains the fuel in the fuel lines at a set value and re-circulates unused fuel through a fuel reservoir/vapor separator.

Abstract: A portable work apparatus has a combustion engine for driving a work tool. An air/fuel mixture is supplied to the engine via a carburetor which is provided with an electrical heating element for heating to a given temperature. The heating element is connected to a switch via which electrical energy, which is provided by a generator driven by the engine, is supplied. When a given temperature is exceeded, the switch interrupts the energy supply. To achieve an exact temperature control, the ohmic resistance value of the heating element is stored in a memory in dependence on the temperature. The current flowing through the heating element and the voltage drop at the heating element are measured and the instantaneous resistance of the heating element is calculated therefrom. This calculated value is compared to the value stored in the memory to open or close the switch in dependence on the comparison.

Abstract: Rotation speed control apparatus including an electronically controllable throttle valve capable of changing an intake air quantity, a variable compression ratio mechanism capable of changing a mechanical compression ratio, and an ECU configured to calculate a deviation between a target idle rotation speed and an actual rotation speed during idle operation, select either one or both of the intake air quantity and the mechanical compression ratio as control targets in accordance with magnitude of the deviation, and reduce the deviation by changing the selected either one or both of the intake air quantity and the mechanical compression ratio.

Abstract: In one embodiment an engine system includes a cylinder, an inlet valve configured to control the flow of gases into the cylinder, an outlet valve configured to control the flow of gases out of the cylinder, a throttle configured to control the flow of fuel into the cylinder, a memory including program instructions stored therein, and a processor operably connected to the inlet valve, the outlet valve, the throttle, and the memory, and configured to execute the program instructions to control the inlet valve and the outlet valve in accordance with an HCCI valve lift profile and an SI valve open/close profile, and activate a first spark in the cylinder while controlling the inlet valve and the outlet valve in accordance with the HCCI valve lift profile and the SI valve open/close profile.

Abstract: The present invention is a proposal relating to cooperative manipulation of an actuator which actively changes a supercharging pressure and a throttle in the case of application of torque demand control to an internal combustion engine with a supercharger. A control device provided by the present invention separately determines a target air quantity for manipulation of the throttle, and a target air quantity for manipulation of the actuator. In more detail, driver required torque which is included in required torque is converted into an air quantity in accordance with a predetermined conversion rule, and the air quantity which is obtained by the conversion is determined by calculation as a reference target air quantity. The reference target air quantity is used as a target air quantity for throttle manipulation, and is also used as a target air quantity for actuator manipulation at a normal time.

Abstract: An intake control system for an internal combustion engine, which, even when there are a plurality of intake air amounts for attaining one target torque, is capable of positively selecting a minimum intake air amount therefrom without causing hunting, and setting the minimum intake air amount as a target intake air amount, thereby making it possible to improve fuel economy. The intake control system calculates a maximum intake air amount, sets a plurality of provisional intake air amounts within a range of 0 to the maximum intake air amount, calculates torques estimated to be output from the engine with respect to the provisional intake air amounts, respectively, selects a minimum provisional intake air amount that makes the estimated torque equal to or close to the target torque from the relationship between the provisional intake air amounts and the estimated torques, and sets the same as the target intake air amount.

Abstract: Methods and system are described for controlling the performance of a vehicle engine in multiple combustion modes. A first engine control variable is identified that has primary control authority of a first engine performance variable—such as, for example, combustion phasing—in a first engine combustion mode. The first engine performance variable is then adjusted by adjusting the first engine control variable when operating in the first engine combustion mode. A second engine control variable is identified that has primary control authority of the first engine performance variable in a second engine combustion mode. The first engine performance variable is adjusted by adjusting the second engine control variable when operating in the second engine combustion mode.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine having a lean NOx trap connected downstream is provided. The method comprises in a normal operating mode, operating the internal combustion engine with a lean fuel/air mixture, and in a special operating mode, operating the internal combustion engine with a rich fuel/air mixture in order to bring about regeneration of the lean NOx trap, wherein a changeover from the normal operating mode to the special operating mode takes place when switching off of the internal combustion engine is expected.

Abstract: A method for driveline impact reverberation reduction including operating an engine coupled to a transmission; regulating operation of the engine with a controller to adjust fueling of the engine which includes providing a signal to the controller representative of a requested engine torque; determining a first fueling rate as a function of the signal and a set of preselected operating instructions; adjusting a set of engine operating parameters according to the first fueling rate; determining a second fueling rate as a function of the first fueling rate; and adjusting a set of engine operating conditions according to the second fueling rate.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided that can successfully achieve a desired acceleration by avoiding an absence of torque of the internal combustion engine due to an influence of EGR gas when the torque increases toward a required torque. A required throttle valve opening degree TAreq is set based on a required torque TQreq in accordance with a required throttle valve opening degree map that defines a relation between the required torque TQreq and the required throttle valve opening degree TAreq. In addition, a required EGR valve opening degree EGRreq is set based on a required load factor KLreq in accordance with a required EGR valve opening degree map that defines a relation between the required load factor KLreq and the required EGR valve opening degree EGRreq.

Abstract: An engine control unit includes an anomaly judging section for judging whether or not there is any anomaly in throttle sensors based on the output of the throttle sensors, a throttle motor driving section for controlling the driving of a throttle motor, and a fuel injection control section for controlling the amount of fuel injection at the time of starting an engine by using the fuel injection map for starting. The throttle motor driving section stops the driving of the throttle motor if the throttle sensors are judged to be anomalous, and the fuel injection control section switches the fuel injection map for starting in a normal state into the fuel injection map for starting in an anomalous state at the time of restarting the engine after stopping the engine in a state wherein the throttle sensors are judged to be anomalous.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an engine having an intake manifold and an outlet control device coupled to the manifold for controlling flow exiting the manifold and entering at least one cylinder of the engine. The engine further includes an inlet control device for controlling flow entering the manifold. The method includes providing an engine command; calculating a desired cylinder charge based on said command; and adjusting the outlet control device to provide said desired cylinder charge. The engine command may be, for example, a driver command, such as a driver torque command. Further, the outlet control device may be implement in with a variety of mechanisms. For example, in one embodiment the outlet control device is a valve of the engine having a variable lift. In one embodiment the outlet device is a valve having variable timing. Likewise, the inlet device may be adjusted in response to a variety of parameters.

Abstract: A system includes a control module, a valve control module, and a diagnostic module. The control module controls a valve of a variable intake manifold when the system operates in a first mode. The control module commands the valve to a first position when a desired airflow through the variable intake manifold is greater than a threshold and commands the valve to a second position when the desired airflow is less than the threshold. The valve control module controls the valve when the system operates in a second mode. The valve control module commands the valve to move from the second position to the first position when the desired airflow is less than the threshold. The diagnostic module determines an operating state of the valve based on whether the valve is detected at the first position a predetermined period after the valve control module commands the valve.

Abstract: In an engine controller capable of carrying out spark ignition type combustion and compressed self-ignition type combustion, in order to suppress operation performance deterioration and exhaust performance deterioration at the time of switching a combustion mode from the compressed self-ignition type combustion to the spark ignition type combustion, intake pipe pressure downstream a throttle is quickly reduced by making the throttle opening degree smaller than a target throttle opening degree of the spark ignition type combustion immediately after switching for a certain period during the combustion mode is switched from the compressed self-ignition type combustion to the spark ignition type combustion. As a result, responsiveness of an intake amount at the time of switching the combustion mode from the compressed self-ignition type combustion to the spark ignition type combustion is enhanced, and combustion switching without exhaust deterioration and torque variation is realized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable, handheld work apparatus such as a chain saw having a handle (5, 7) to guide the work apparatus (1) and having an air-cooled, mixture lubricated combustion engine (10) arranged in a casing as a drive for a work tool (3). The cylinder (11) has a combustion chamber (13) formed therein to which an air/fuel mixture is supplied. The air/fuel mixture is ignited by a spark plug (23) which projects into the combustion chamber (13). An ignition control (30) triggers a spark in dependence on the angular position of the crankshaft (15). A temperature sensor (34, 45, 55) is provided to control the cylinder temperature. The temperature signal of the temperature sensor (34, 45, 55) is connected to a power control (40). When a predetermined temperature is exceeded, the power control (40) changes the operating parameters of the combustion engine (10) in such a manner that the power of the combustion engine (10) is changed.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes: an accessory that adjusts torque that is output from an internal combustion engine, by giving load to the internal combustion engine; an ignition timing control portion that is provided so as to adjust ignition timing of the internal combustion engine, and that adjusts the torque output from the internal combustion engine by performing a retardation control of the ignition timing; an accessory load adjustment portion that adjusts an accessory load that is the load given from the accessory to the internal combustion engine; and a catalyst that purifies exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine. The ignition timing control portion reduces the retardation of the ignition timing with increase in temperature of the catalyst. The accessory load adjustment portion increases the accessory load with increase in the temperature of the catalyst.

Abstract: A system includes a control module, a valve control module, and a diagnostic module. The control module controls a valve of a variable intake manifold when the system operates in a first mode. The control module commands the valve to a first position when a desired airflow through the variable intake manifold is greater than a threshold and commands the valve to a second position when the desired airflow is less than the threshold. The valve control module controls the valve when the system operates in a second mode. The valve control module commands the valve to move from the second position to the first position when the desired airflow is less than the threshold. The diagnostic module determines an operating state of the valve based on whether the valve is detected at the first position a predetermined period after the valve control module commands the valve.

Abstract: A method is provided for achieving low NOx operation of homogeneous charge, lean burn reciprocating internal combustion engines. The method incorporates providing a fuel-air compression charge having a lean fuel-air ratio of less than the lean flammable limit, compressing the fuel-air compression charge to raise the adiabatic flame temperature to a predetermined value above the lean flammable limit, and igniting the compressed charge for combustion. A non-platinum oxidation catalyst may be included to control carbon monoxide emissions in the exhaust.

Abstract: A control for an engine having a variable valve actuation mechanism is provided. A map indicating a correlation among a rotational speed, a gauge pressure of an intake manifold, a lift amount of an intake valve, a phase of the intake valve and an intake air amount of the engine under a reference condition of a predetermined reference atmospheric pressure and a predetermined reference intake air temperature is defined. An intake air amount for the reference condition is determined as a reference intake air amount by referring to the map based on a current rotational speed, a current gauge pressure, a current lift amount and a current phase. The reference intake air amount is corrected with a ratio between an air density under a current condition of a current atmospheric pressure, a current intake air temperature and a current gauge pressure and an air density under the reference condition to calculate an intake air amount for the current condition.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for operating an engine in a vehicle in response to fuel having varying amounts of alcohol. One example method comprises delivering fuel to the engine, limiting engine speed during vehicle operation to a maximum permitted engine speed, the maximum permitted engine speed responsive to the amount of alcohol in the fuel.

Abstract: In an engine having at least one cylinder with a reciprocating piston and a connecting rod for driving rotation of a crank disk and a crankshaft, a cam sleeve is moved along the crankshaft in response to a change in engine speed. The cam sleeve is coupled to a cam ring that moves with the cam sleeve and in a spiraling motion about the longitudinal axis of the crankshaft. A follower engages an outer face of the cam ring and is movable against a pushrod that opens an injector valve. The follower is structured and disposed to move in response to contact with a lobe on the outer face of the cam ring to urge the pushrod against the injector valve. The pushrod passes through a throttle control ring that rotates in an arc. Rotation of the throttle ring, with the use of a control lever, shifts the position of the pushrod on the follower relative to a fulcrum of the follower to control the distance the pushrod is driven by the follower and, thus, the amount the injector valve is opened.

Abstract: An injector control system and method for an engine includes a distribution module that calculates a difference between a first average engine speed and a second average engine speed of an engine and a fuel offset module that offsets a learned fuel amount of a first fuel injector of a plurality of fuel injectors based on the difference. The learned fuel amount corresponds to an engine fueling range.