Abstract: A catalyst degradation determining device for a straddled vehicle that includes an engine, a catalyst for cleaning an exhaust gas from the engine, and a throttle valve that is controllable by cruise control of the straddled vehicle to keep a traveling speed of the straddled vehicle constant. The catalyst degradation determining device includes a determiner that determines whether the cruise control is being executed, and an execution controller. The execution controller is configured to determine a degradation state of the catalyst while controlling an air-fuel mixture supplied through the throttle valve to the engine, in a case where the determiner determines that the cruise control is not being executed, and at least one running state of the straddled vehicle satisfies at least one predetermined allowable condition, and not to determine the degradation state of the catalyst in a case where the determiner determines that the cruise control is being executed.

Abstract: A method of controlling combustion in an internal combustion engine includes measuring parameters of combustion in a cylinder of the engine during a combustion phase of the cylinder, after igniting an air/fuel charge in the cylinder, and calculating the heat release of combustion in the cylinder based on the measured parameters. An auto-ignition event of the air/fuel charge is identified based on the calculated heat release, and, based at least in part on the identified auto-ignition event, at least one of ignition timing in the cylinder for the next combustion phase of the cylinder or an amount of exhaust gas supplied to the cylinder for the next combustion phase of the cylinder is controlled to cause an auto-ignition event of the air/fuel charge in the next combustion phase to shift toward a specified crank angle.

Abstract: An electronic control unit performs a cylinder-by-cylinder correction of a fuel injection amount to cause differences among air-fuel ratios of air-fuel mixture burned in multiple cylinders. In a case in which the cylinder-by-cylinder correction of the fuel injection amount results in a cylinder in which combustion is performed at an air-fuel ratio richer than an output air-fuel ratio, the output air-fuel ratio being an air-fuel ratio at which combustion torque is maximized, the electronic control unit performs a cylinder-by-cylinder correction of ignition timing such that the ignition timing of the cylinder in which combustion is performed at the air-fuel ratio richer than the output air-fuel ratio becomes more advanced than the ignition timing of the other cylinders.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring at least one reciprocating machine having a crankshaft and at least one cylinder, comprising providing at least one sensor for monitoring the at least one cylinder, the sensor being in communication with at least one processor configured to measure at least one signal from the at least one sensor and to thereby determine an angular position of the crankshaft; selecting at least one subset of potential crankshaft angular positions; calculating at least one statistic associated with the at least one subset of possible crankshaft angular positions based at least partially on data from the at least one sensor; and automatically providing a user with at least one warning or automatically shutting down the machine if the at least one statistic exceeds at least one predetermined threshold; wherein, the at least one sensor comprises at least one acoustic emission sensor.

Abstract: A first control unit executes a valve stop inertial running including stopping an intake valve and an exhaust valve in a closed state during rotation of an output shaft, stopping supply of fuel to an engine, and setting a clutch in an engaged state to drive pistons of the engine by a rotational force from driving wheels. A second control unit executes a valve operation running including operating the intake valve and the exhaust valve during the rotation of the output shaft, and supplying the fuel to the engine based upon an intake conduit pressure. When a cancellation request is made during execution of the valve stop inertial running, a transient control unit operates the intake valve and the exhaust valve, and controls a throttle valve to an idling opening or less, thereby supplying a negative pressure to an intake passage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling a multiple spark operation of an internal combustion engine, wherein an ignition transformer can be switched off and back on again for delivering or interrupting an ignition spark energy based on at least one current threshold. The invention proposes that the at least one current threshold be programmable.

Abstract: A method for determining a level of spark plug fouling and providing an indication to change the spark plugs of an ignition system is provided. The method includes providing a dwell command on a control wire of an ignition system and generating an indication of a recommendation to change a spark plug of the ignition system based upon a current on the control wire.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of evaluating at least one operating parameter of a motor vehicle. A system variable relating to an operating parameter of the vehicle is measured. A look-up map (A; S; B) associated with the operating parameter is accessed. The look-up map (A; S; B) comprises of one or more sets of threshold values (R0, R1, R2, R3, R4) and a comparison is made between the measured system variable and the threshold values (R0, R1, R2, R3, R4). An economy rating (E1, E2, E3, E4, E5) is obtained from the look-up map and an indicator output based on the economy rating (E1, E2, E3, E4, E5) to provide the driver with feedback. The present invention also relates to a device for providing driver feedback.

Abstract: A method of using a kit to clean an injection combustion engine while the engine is running comprising removing a vacuum hose attached to the engine, inserting a tube attached to a compartment containing a liquid cleaning chemical inside the hose, introducing the chemical into the engine's fuel system in a controlled fashion, removing the tube from the hose after the recommended amount of chemical is in the engine's fuel system and reattaching the hose.

Abstract: A method for detecting rotational speeds (n) of an internal combustion engine having a signal wheel having marks (M1 through M7) for signaling on a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine is described. The marks (M1 through M7) on the signal wheel are detected with the aid of a sensor and evaluated by a detection and evaluation device. To implement high-precision detection of a rotational speed, the rotational speeds (n) are evaluated using a sector section of approximately 6° to 35° to increase the accuracy on the basis of a reduced sector section of the signal wheel.

Abstract: According to a drive controlling method, the engine is driven in the forward direction by a predetermined reference torque, and the position of the rotation angle of the engine driven in the forward direction is judged based on information concerning whether the rotation angle has passed through the first top dead center in the forward movement of the engine, the amount of forward movement of the engine driven in the forward direction and the amount of reverse movement of the engine driven in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A method of managing a number of active cylinders of an engine can be provided. The method comprises: determining for a current engine operating condition a number of active cylinders required for the current engine operating condition; if the determined number of active cylinders is different than a current number of active cylinders, selecting one or more cylinder which is to be activated or deactivated in order to provide the determined number of active cylinders; where one or more cylinders is to be activated, retarding ignition timing for a cylinder preceding in firing order the first firing of a first activated cylinder; and where one or more cylinders is to be deactivated, advancing ignition timing for a cylinder that is not to be deactivated and which precedes in firing order a first cylinder which is to be deactivated.

Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes a variable displacement module that deactivates N of M cylinders of an engine during a fuel management mode. N is an integer and M is an integer greater than 1. A spark control module generates a spark timing signal for the N cylinders based on a pre-dwell time and a fuel management dwell modifier during the fuel management mode. The spark control module reduces dwell time of the N cylinders during the fuel management mode based on the fuel management dwell modifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an internal combustion engine include an ignition coil that generates a pre-discharge ionization signal during charging of the ignition coil after reaching a first threshold charge level and prior to spark discharge and a controller that determines an engine operating condition, such as pre-ignition or plug fouling, in response to the pre-discharge ionization signal. The ignition coil may also generate digital feedback and ionization signals used to by the controller for to control ignition coil dwell and repetitive sparking, as well as providing various combustion diagnostics.

Abstract: An ignition timing controlling apparatus for an engine includes an ignition timing map in which high-torque ignition timings are stored, an ECU for changing a high-torque ignition timing obtained from the ignition timing map into a fuel-conserving ignition timing, and an advance angle target amount map in which advance angle target amounts with which the high-torque ignition timing is to be changed into the fuel-conserving ignition timing are stored. The ECU is operable to calculate an advance angle target amount for each of cylinders of the engine based on the advance angle target amount map when a running state of a vehicle is in a cruise state in which little acceleration or deceleration is included, and also to execute advance angle control of changing the ignition timing of each of the cylinders stepwise with respect to the advance angle target amount for each of the cylinders.

Abstract: An engine ignition control apparatus for controlling ignition of a multi-cylinder, 4-cycle engine includes dual ignition coils for controlling ignition timing of the respective cylinders during engine operation. The engine ignition control apparatus includes a stroke determination unit for determining a stroke based on crank pulses and on an output signal of an intake pressure sensor. The engine ignition control apparatus also includes an ignition map allocation unit for allocating ignition maps to the respective cylinders of two ignition systems, each having a pair of cylinders with a same phase, before the stroke determination. The ignition map allocation unit also allocates ignition maps independently to each of the respective cylinders after the stroke determination. The engine ignition control apparatus also includes an ignition timing calculation unit for calculating ignition timing of the respective ignition coils based on the ignition maps allocated to the respective cylinders.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having at least two spark plugs per cylinder include a first control wire coupled to a first spark plug of a first cylinder and a second spark plug of a second cylinder, and a second control wire coupled to a second spark plug of the first cylinder and a first spark plug of the second cylinder with the first and second spark plugs of the first cylinder being selectively fired during the power stroke of the first cylinder and the first and second spark plugs of the second cylinder being selectively fired during the power stroke of the second cylinder to provide individual control of each spark plug using a number of control lines less than the number of spark plugs.

Abstract: A method of managing a number of active cylinders of an engine can be provided. The method comprises: determining for a current engine operating condition a number of active cylinders required for the current engine operating condition; if the determined number of active cylinders is different than a current number of active cylinders, selecting one or more cylinder which is to be activated or deactivated in order to provide the determined number of active cylinders; where one or more cylinders is to be activated, retarding ignition timing for a cylinder preceding in firing order the first firing of a first activated cylinder; and where one or more cylinders is to be deactivated, advancing ignition timing for a cylinder that is not to be deactivated and which precedes in firing order a first cylinder which is to be deactivated.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine having several cylinders, successive time windows, each of which is assigned to a cylinder being defined in a control unit in one time window, a calculation of an ignition time, a start of a charging process for an ignition device, and a triggering of an ignition for a cylinder assigned to the time window being performed; it being necessary for an ignition to start the charging process for the ignition device, the extent of which is at least as long as one time period needed for charging; the following steps being carried out in each time window: ascertaining information for an ignition time for a cylinder assigned to the subsequent time window; establishing whether the ignition time for the cylinder assigned to the subsequent time window is after the beginning of the subsequent time window by at least the time needed for charging; if it is established that the ignition time for the cylinder assigned to the subsequent time window is after the beginning of t

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an internal combustion engine include an ignition coil that generates a pre-discharge ionization signal during charging of the ignition coil after reaching a first threshold charge level and prior to spark discharge and a controller that determines an engine operating condition, such as pre-ignition or plug fouling, in response to the pre-discharge ionization signal. The ignition coil may also generate digital feedback and ionization signals used to by the controller for to control ignition coil dwell and repetitive sparking, as well as providing various combustion diagnostics.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder engine is configured to be able to perform a selected cylinder operation in which combustion is stopped in some cylinders. The multi-cylinder engine includes an ignition-timing adjustment section. This ignition-timing adjustment section retards ignition timing of each operating cylinder when the number of operating cylinders is small or when the engine operates in a selected cylinder operation mode in which explosion occurs at irregular intervals. In such a case, the peak of cylinder internal pressure is lowered by ignition timing retard. Thus, vibration and noise can be suppressed effectively.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having at least two spark plugs per cylinder include a first control wire coupled to a first spark plug of a first cylinder and a second spark plug of a second cylinder, and a second control wire coupled to a second spark plug of the first cylinder and a first spark plug of the second cylinder with the first and second spark plugs of the first cylinder being selectively fired during the power stroke of the first cylinder and the first and second spark plugs of the second cylinder being selectively fired during the power stroke of the second cylinder to provide individual control of each spark plug using a number of control lines less than the number of spark plugs.

Abstract: An idle speed control system for an engine includes an engine speed module that generates an engine speed signal. A piston reciprocation module determines reciprocation periods of each piston of cylinders of the engine based on the engine speed signal. A difference module determines a period difference between each of the reciprocation periods and an idle period associated with a target idle speed. A spark timing module regulates an idle speed of the engine including adjustment of spark timing for each of the cylinders individually based on period differences.

Abstract: A rotational speed parameter is detected in accordance with a rotational speed of the engine. A reference value of the rotational speed parameter is calculated. For each cylinder, an error between the reference value and the rotational speed parameter detected every predetermined crank angle is calculated as a relative speed parameter. For each cylinder, an integrated value is calculated by integrating the relative speed parameters over a predetermined period. For each cylinder, an average value per cylinder of the sum of the integrated values of all the cylinders is calculated. For each cylinder, an error between the integrated value of the cylinder and the average value is calculated. For each cylinder, the output of the engine is controlled in accordance with the error calculated for the cylinder such that variations in the output between the cylinders are suppressed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a plurality of cylinders having combustion chambers and each being associated with a spark plug designed for igniting a mixture of air and fuel in the combustion chamber, and at least two adjusting devices for adjusting the air supply to the combustion chambers of the different cylinders. To control the internal combustion engine, an individual ignition angle is detected for each group of cylinders to which the same air mass per working cycle is respectively supplied and during the respective working cycles of which the same loss torque is decisive. The decisive loss torque is the one associated with the cylinder that is in its intake cycle during the respective working cycle of the respective cylinder of the respective group. The individual ignition angle for each group is detected as a function of the decisive loss torque for the respective group.

Abstract: A method and system for detection of continuous single cylinder misfire, by more completely analyzing an estimated periodic sequence of reference period signals, and comparing the periodic sequence with a sample corresponding to an immediately prior revolution, is offered. Data occurring periodically, with a period of one revolution, are eliminated, whereas signals associated with a period of one engine cycle are enhanced. This comprises measuring a sequence of engine reference periods corresponding to a single engine revolution. Transient noise is removed. A first difference is calculated, and a disturbance sequence is estimated, correlatable to a single engine cycle. A difference is calculated and compared to a threshold. The threshold comprises an array of calibrated values, determined based upon engine operating speed and engine load.

Abstract: A rotation angle sensor detects the rotation speed of a crankshaft of an engine. An ECU extracts a first frequency component synchronized with combustion cycles of the engine that is contained in a rotation speed signal obtained by the detection of the rotation angle sensor, and a second frequency component having a higher frequency than the first frequency component. It detects a combustion state by using the rotation variation amount of the first frequency component in a lower rotation range than a specified engine speed, and by using the rotation variation amount of the second frequency component in a higher rotation range.

Abstract: A method, system, and machine-readable storage medium for determining a predetermined operating condition of an internal combustion engine are disclosed. In operation, the method, system and machine-readable storage medium measure a cylinder pressure in at least one combustion chamber at a predetermined point in a combustion cycle. Next, the method, system, and machine-readable storage medium determine at least a first value for an operating parameter of the engine using the measured cylinder pressure, determine a second value for the operating parameter of the engine using data received from at least one engine sensor, and then generate a predetermined signal if a difference between the first value and the second value has a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a control system parameter determine a difference between a desired and estimated or measured parameter value, apply a weighting factor to the difference, and select a control strategy based on the weighted difference. The weighting factor generally reflects the confidence in the accuracy of the parameter value determined by the parameter monitor. The weighting factor may be determined based on one or more engine or ambient operating conditions or parameters, or based on statistical analyses of monitor values and/or control system parameter values, for example. In one embodiment, an engine torque monitor for an electronic throttle control system uses percent torque deviation and rate of change to select an appropriate weighting factor and determine whether a deviation between desired and estimated or measured torque selects an alternative control strategy.

Abstract: A method for processing knock-related data reduces the memory locations required for the method and also simplify the processing steps needed to determine a sum, average, and threshold value relating to magnitudes of knock ratios. Inputs from either pressure sensor or accelerometers are filtered and then used to form a ratio between a knock portion of a curve and a reference portion. Sequential magnitudes of the knock ratio are received and analyzed in a manner that reduces required memory locations and improves processing speed.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for controlling the drive unit of a vehicle are suggested. A decentral torque coordination is provided. In addition to the resulting input quantity of the first coordinator, also, if required, resulting minimum quantities and/or maximum quantities are transmitted from a first coordinator to a second coordinator.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine and a corresponding device are described, reference pulses (45) being generated synchronously with respect to the cyclical movement of at least one part of the internal combustion engine. At least one event moment for the occurrence of at least one event is calculated by an output unit (24) at specific, definitively preset time intervals of the cyclical movement. Moreover, an independent clock-pulse generator (25) is provided which generates clock pulses, the interval of the clock pulses being independent of the movement, and the interval of the clock pulses being smaller than the intervals of the reference pulses. The at least one event moment is expressed as the number of clock pulses of the independent clock-pulse generator, and the at least one event is triggered upon reaching the number of clock pulses.

Abstract: The total ignition angle ZW(z) of each cylinder z is composed of cylinder-selective values basic ignition angle GZ(z) {determined by engine speed n and load L}, knock adjustment angle KNK(z), in addition to a first adaptation value AD1(z) and a second adaptation value AD2 common to all cylinders. AD1(z) is increased when KNK(z) is greater than a threshold DEC and is reduced when KNK(z) is lower than a threshold INC. The second adaptation value AD2 is formed as a function of the average value {overscore (AD1+L )} of the adaptation values of all cylinders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for combustion misfire detection in multi-cylinder internal combustion engines. In the method, rough-running values for each cylinder of the engine are determined individually for each crankshaft rotation by measuring the segment times. The segment times include the times corresponding to the piston movement of each cylinder to be measured during which times the crankshaft passes through a corresponding circular segment angular region and, on the basis of filtered rough-running values, equalization or corrective factors are computed for each cylinder in an evaluation unit for influencing injection times or injection time points of each individual cylinder. The determined rough-running values (LUT) or the filtered rough-running values (FLUT) are compared in a desired value comparison to a threshold value (SW2) which is pregiven in value significantly less than the threshold value (SW1) for misfire detection.

Abstract: The total ignition angle ZW(z) of each cylinder z is composed of cylinder-selective values basic ignition angle GZ(z) {determined by engine speed n and load L}, knock adjustment angle KNK(z), in addition to a first adaptation value AD1(z) and a second adaptation value AD2 common to all cylinders. ADl(z) is increased when KNK(z) is greater than a threshold DEC and is reduced when KNK(z) is lower than a threshold INC. The second adaptation value AD2 is formed as a function of the average value {overscore (AD1)} of the adaptation values of all cylinders.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing desired operational characteristics of an engine having a positionable throttle and a plurality of cylinders wherein data representing the same gross amount of fuel to be injected into all of the cylinders at any given throttle position and engine RPM setting is provided to obtain a gross optimization of the desired engine operational characteristics and the data representing the gross amount of fuel to be provided to each cylinder is adjusted for each cylinder individually at any given RPM setting to provide data representing a specific amount of fuel to be provided to each cylinder individually to optimize the desired engine operational characteristics with respect to fuel injection.