Abstract: Embodiments, systems, and methods for crankshaft tooth encoding for a crank pulse wheel of a vehicle are provided. In some embodiments, a system for crankshaft tooth encoding includes a read module, a buffer module, and a position module. The read module identifies a tooth type for N number of teeth in a sliding buffer based on at least one tooth characteristic. N is a positive integer less than a total number of teeth of the crank pulse wheel. The buffer module calculates a buffer value for the sliding buffer corresponding to a tooth represented in the sliding buffer. The position module determines an angular position of the crank pulse wheel based on the buffer value. The position module broadcasts the angular position to one or more vehicle systems of the vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments for crankshaft tooth sensing for a crank pulse wheel are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes identifying a first tooth characteristic of a tooth of a plurality of teeth on the crank pulse wheel. The first tooth characteristic is identified by a first sensor element. The method also includes identifying a second tooth characteristic of the tooth with a second sensor element. The method further includes identifying a tooth type for the tooth based on the first tooth characteristic and the second tooth characteristic. The method includes identifying a sliding buffer for a set of N teeth of the plurality of teeth on the crank pulse wheel. The method yet further includes calculating a buffer value for the sliding buffer corresponding to the N set of teeth represented in the sliding buffer. The angular position of the crank pulse wheel is determined based on the buffer value.

Abstract: A spark-ignited (SI) internal combustion (IC) engine designed to operate on high octane fuels, such as gasoline, is reconfigured to operate on low octane fuels including logistically preferred distillate fuels, such as diesel or JP-8. Design modifications involve coupling a fuel reformer module to the internal combustion engine. Auxiliary components include a system control module, a heat exchange module, a bypass valve to facilitate start-up, and/or a throttle body to control a reformate-oxidizer mixture fed to the engine. Small portable generators having 0.3-3.0 kWe power output are disclosed based upon the modified SI-IC engine design.

Abstract: A control apparatus of an engine having a turbocharger may include the engine generating power by combustion of a fuel, the turbocharger including a turbine operated by exhaust gas of the engine and a compressor connected to the turbine by a rotating shaft, and thus supercharging air to a combustion chamber provided in the engine by the compressor, a detecting sensor detecting pre-ignition in the combustion chamber of the engine, and a controller controlling supercharging pressure supplied to the combustion chamber by using a required torque, ignition timing of the combustion chamber, and an air-fuel ratio, and thus controlling the pre-ignition in the combustion chamber, when the pre-ignition in the combustion chamber may be detected by the detecting sensor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improved component temperature protection during individual cylinder knock control. Cylinder spark adjustments may be performed individually based on respective cylinder adaptive knock estimates. Bank to bank engine fueling may then be performed to control the exhaust temperature of each engine bank, independently.

Abstract: A method for adapting an engine to an octane number of fuel by incrementing an initial octane number. Starting with a reference setting of a spark advance in an engine operating range for a given octane number, the engine operating range being divided into a plurality of zones, each including an anti-pinging corrective value of the spark advance of the reference setting, the engine is switched to a reference setting that corresponds to a higher octane number: when a top dead center counter, incremented if the advance correction in the current zone is lower than a predetermined threshold, exceeds a predetermined threshold, or when a counter of the number of the zones in which the advance correction loop is lower than another threshold value, exceeds a multi-zone threshold.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle is provided. The control system includes a signal processing module that receives a sensor signal and extracts a plurality of sample points from the sensor signal. A computation module computes a summation of the sample points, computes a summation of squares of the sample points, and computes a standard deviation based on the summation of the sample points and the summation of the squares of the sample points. A control module generates a control signal based on the sensor signal and the standard deviation.

Abstract: A method for adapting an engine to an octane number of fuel by incrementing an initial octane number. Starting with a reference setting of a spark advance in an engine operating range for a given octane number, the engine operating range being divided into a plurality of zones, each including an anti-pinking corrective value of the spark advance of the reference setting, the engine is switched to a reference setting that corresponds to a higher octane number: when a top dead center counter, incremented if the advance correction in the current zone is lower than a predetermined threshold, exceeds a predetermined threshold, or when a counter of the number of zones, in which the advance correction loop is lower than another threshold value, exceeds a multi-zone threshold.

Abstract: A device dedicated to processing analog knock signals delivered by a sensor of an internal combustion engine coupled to an engine monitoring unit, includes processing elements for converting values of the analog signals acquired by the sensor at known instants into representative digital samples, then for temporarily storing the samples whose acquisition instants are contained in a chosen time window, and for applying chosen digital processing operations to these stored samples so as to deliver a digital output signal representative of the knock of the engine during this time window. The processing elements are responsible i) for applying a chosen digital preprocessing operation to the stored samples whose acquisition instants coincide with instants of occurrence, and ii) for adapting at least one of the digital processing operations according to the number of stored samples that are the subjects of a coincidence.

Abstract: Knocking control is performed using a data group of serial segments each including a predetermined number of values obtained by A/D-converting a signal that appears within a knocking detection window and a data group consisting of serial segments each including the predetermined number of values. The starting timing is shifted and a time-frequency analysis is applied to the data groups in a plurality of frequency bandwidths. Peak values and integration values of spectrums, within the knocking detection window, outputted after the time-frequency analysis in each of the frequency bandwidths are calculated. A P/H method is performed based on the peak value in each of the frequency bandwidths and an integration method is performed based on the integration value in each of the frequency bandwidths for a knocking determination. If knocking is detected through at least one of the methods, the ignition timing is delayed in order to avoid the knocking.

Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program that includes: calculating a median value and a standard deviation based on a calculated value based on the detected vibration of the engine; and subtracting a product of the standard deviation and a coefficient from the median value to calculate a magnitude of mechanical vibration specific to the engine. Knocking determination is carried out by comparing a knock magnitude calculated by dividing the magnitude value of the peak magnitude of the detected vibration of the engine by the magnitude of mechanical vibration specific to the engine with a predetermined determination value. Based on the knocking determination result, ignition timing of the engine is controlled.

Abstract: A device and associated method for controlling ignition timing of an internal combustion engine are provided. By comparing a determination value and knock magnitude, determination of knocking is made, and ignition timing is advanced or retarded. The device includes an operation unit that sets a correction amount of the determination value to a value corresponding to a degree of change of the determination value over time. The operation unit calculates, at a first timing, a first value related to an average value of the determination values; and calculates, at a second timing later than the first timing, a second value related to the average value of the determination values. The degree of change of the determination value is calculated as a difference between the first value and the second value.

Abstract: The present invention is an operation control method on the basis of an ion current in an internal combustion engine, the method comprising a step of detecting the ion current generated within a combustion chamber 30 so as to control an operating state of the internal combustion engine 100 on the basis of a state of the detected ion current, wherein a control at an engine start point in time on the basis of the state of the ion current is stopped for predetermined cycles just after the engine start.

Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: calculating a coefficient of correlation K in accordance with a result of comparing a waveform of a vibration of a frequency band including a resonance frequency of an engine with a knock waveform model previously created as a waveform of a vibration caused when the engine knocks; calculating a knock intensity N from an intensity of a vibration of a frequency band excluding the resonance frequency of the engine; if knock intensity N is larger than a reference value and coefficient of correlation K is larger than a threshold value, determining that the engine knocks; and if knock intensity N is smaller than the reference value and/or coefficient of correlation K is smaller than the threshold value, determining that the engine does not knock.

Abstract: A method for supplying two types of fuel to an engine of a vehicle is disclosed. In one embodiment, an amount of a first fuel supplied to the engine is adjusted in response to a condition of a fuel separator. The method can improve vehicle drivability at least during some conditions.

Abstract: A knock control apparatus includes: a knock sensor for detecting knock of an internal combustion engine; a signal processing section for calculating a knock intensity; and knock determination level setting sections: for calculating an average value of the knock intensity; for calculating, based on the average value, an overall variance of the knock intensity of an entirety of a frequency distribution, a higher variance of the knock intensity above the average value, and a lower variance of the knock intensity below the average value; for calculating a standard deviation of the knock intensity from the overall variance; for presetting a value allowing the frequency distribution of the knock intensity to be a predetermined confidence interval as a confidence coefficient; and for setting a sum of the average value and a value obtained by multiplying the standard deviation by the corrected confidence coefficient as a knock determination level.

Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including: the step of increasing a determination value by a correction amount if the number of knock intensities not lower than the determination value is not smaller than a threshold value among knock intensities of a plurality of predetermined number of continuous ignition cycles; and the step of increasing the determination value by a correction amount if the number of knock intensities not smaller than the determination value is not smaller than a threshold value, among knock intensities of a plurality of ignition cycles satisfying the condition that a coefficient of correlation calculated by comparing a vibration waveform and a knock waveform model is not smaller than a threshold value, of the knock intensities of a plurality of predetermined continuous ignition cycles.

Abstract: An engine ECU executes: calculating 15-degrees integrated value integrating vibration intensity for each of six crank angle ranges; detecting an amount of change in the 15-degrees integrated value between ignition cycles; specifying two ranges having larger amounts of change; specifying a crank angle having intensity larger than that of a neighboring crank angle in a search range determined to be the same as the specified ranges; calculating a coefficient of correlation K corresponding to a difference between a vibration waveform and a knock waveform model while the specified crank angle is matched with a timing at which intensity peaks in the knock waveform model; and, if the coefficient of correlation K is larger than a threshold value K(0), determining that knock has occurred.

Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including: determining whether or not a condition for stopping knocking determination is satisfied; setting a flag of stopping correction of a determination value to “ON”; calculating a knock determination level based on the extracted magnitude value; and when the correction stop flag is not “ON”, decreasing or increasing the determination value in accordance with a knock proportion KC that is a proportion of magnitude values greater than the knock determination level. The knock determination level is calculated even when the correction stop flag is “ON”.

Abstract: In a knock sensor signal processing apparatus, a first apparatus which receives an engine knock sensor signal performs A/D conversions of the signal with a predetermined period and transmits successive pluralities of A/D values in parallel, by serial data communication, to a second apparatus in response to respective commands received from the second apparatus. The number of communication lines provided for transmitting the A/D values is made greater than those for transmitting commands from the second apparatus to the first apparatus, so that a high A/D conversion frequency together with low data rate of transmitting the A/D values can be achieved, thereby reducing communication-generated noise.

Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: determining that the condition that there is a possibility of occurrence of knocking is satisfied, based on the result of comparison between a vibration waveform of an engine and a knock waveform model; calculating a 40CA integrated value by integrating magnitudes of vibration occurring in the engine for a range of crank angle of 40°; calculating a knock magnitude N by dividing the 40CA integrated value by a BGL; determining that knocking has occurred when the knock magnitude N is larger than a determination value V(KX); and determining that knocking has not occurred when the knock magnitude N is smaller than the determination value V(KX).

Abstract: A determination is made as to whether or not knocking is actually occurring inside a combustion chamber (5), and on the basis of the knocking detection result, a knocking-correlated parameter (octane number, alcohol concentration, compression ratio of the engine), which is a parameter having a correlation with knocking, is estimated. A knocking occurrence timing in the combustion chamber (5) is then predicted on the basis of the estimated knocking-correlated parameter. A knocking limit ignition timing, which is the ignition timing furthest toward the advanced side at which knocking does not occur, is calculated on the basis of the predicted knocking occurrence timing, and an ignition device (11) is controlled to perform spark ignition at the knocking limit ignition timing.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system for a vehicle and method of operation are provided. As one example, the system comprises an engine including at least one combustion chamber, a motor configured to selectively propel the vehicle via the drive wheel, a fuel system configured to deliver a first substance and a second substance to the combustion chamber in varying relative amounts, wherein the first substance includes a fuel and the second substance includes a greater concentration of a knock suppressing substance than the first substance; and a control system configured to operate the fuel system to vary the relative amounts of the first substance and the second substance delivered to the combustion chamber in response to an operating condition while operating the motor to propel the vehicle.

Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: calculating a magnitude value LOG(V) by logarithmically converting a magnitude V of vibration occurring in an engine, calculating a median V(50) and a standard deviation ? of magnitude values LOG(V); and setting, to the product of the standard deviation ? and a factor A, a first upper limit of a determination value V(KX) that is to be compared with a knock magnitude N for determining whether or not knocking has occurred, and setting a first lower limit of the determination value V(KX) to the product of the standard deviation ? and a factor B.

Abstract: An apparatus for minimizing spark-knock within a combustion chamber of a spark-ignition internal combustion engine, whereby a control vane mounted inside the intake runner is arranged to direct a fuel-air charge to a region inside the combustion chamber where spark-knock has been empirically determined to occur.

Abstract: A system and method for pre-processing an ionization signal to amplify knock information and combining the amplified knock information with the ionization signal to create a knock-enhanced ionization signal is disclosed. In one embodiment, an on-plug integrated ionization detection circuit detects the ionization signal, processes the ionization signal to produce a knock-amplified ionization signal and then combines the original ionization signal with the knock-amplified ionization signal to create a knock-enhanced ionization signal. The step of processing the ionization signal to produce a knock-amplified ionization signal may comprise any singular step, or combination, of amplifying, band-pass filtering, AC-coupling, and offsetting said in-cylinder ionization signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method in which at least one component of a technical plant is controlled by means of a PI controller. The actual value of the regulating parameter is continuously determined during operation of the plant and the amplification factor of the PI controller is altered depending on the time relationship of the actual value, until the actual value remains with a tolerance band relative to the set value. The invention further relates to a controller for carrying out said method.

Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including a step of, when an absolute value of a difference between median value V(50) of magnitude values LOG(V), which is obtained by logarithmically converting a magnitude V detected based on a signal sent from a knock sensor, and a determination value V(KX) used for determining presence or absence of knocking is greater than the product of a standard deviation ? and a coefficient U(3) in a frequency distribution of magnitude values LOG(V) for N cycle(s), setting a value obtained by adding the product of the standard deviation ? and the coefficient U(3) to the median value V(50) of magnitude values LOG(V) as the determination value V(KX).

Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: calculating a magnitude value LOG(V) from a magnitude V detected using a knock sensor; calculating a median value V(50) and a standard deviation a of calculated magnitude values LOG(V); calculating a knock determination level V(KD) that is a value obtained by adding the product of standard deviation a and a coefficient U(3) to median value V(50); and when knock determination level V(KD) is greater than the product of determination value V(KX) and a coefficient K, decreasing determination value V(KX). When a knock magnitude N calculated using magnitude V is greater than determination value V(KX), ignition timing is retarded.

Abstract: In determining a knock of an engine, a vibration intensity is calculated by logarithm-transforming a peak value or an integral value of an output signal of a knock sensor. Further, a central value VMED of a vibration intensity distribution is calculated, and also a standard deviation ? in a region where the vibration intensity is smaller than this central value VMED is calculated. A vibration intensity reference value VIB is calculated as VMED?u×?, thereby setting the vibration intensity reference value VIB to be close to a minimum of the vibration intensity distribution. Further, a knock reference value KCK is set by adding a predetermined value K to the vibration intensity reference value VIB. The vibration intensity detected by the knock sensor is compared with the knock reference value KCK to determine presence/absence of a knocking.

Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: comparing a vibration waveform of an engine and a knock waveform model stored in advance to calculate a correlation coefficient K; prohibiting correction when a correction prohibiting condition of a determination value V(KX) is satisfied, the determination value V(KX) compared with a knock magnitude N calculated from the correlation coefficient K so as to control the ignition timing; and correcting the determination value V(KX) based on a magnitude value LOG(V) calculated from a magnitude V of vibration in an ignition cycle in which the correlation coefficient K greater than a threshold value K(1) is calculated when the correction prohibiting condition of determination value V(KX) is not satisfied. The correlation coefficient K is calculated as a smaller value when the vibration waveform includes a waveform of vibration of a noise component as compared with that when the vibration waveform does not include it.

Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: calculating a magnitude value LOG(V) from a magnitude V detected using a knock sensor; calculating a median value V(50) and a standard deviation a of calculated magnitude values LOG(V); calculating a knock determination level V(KD) that is a value obtained by adding the product of standard deviation a and a coefficient U(3) to median value V(50); and when knock determination level V(KD) is greater than the product of determination value V(KX) and a coefficient K, decreasing determination value V(KX). When a knock magnitude N calculated using magnitude V is greater than determination value V(KX), ignition timing is retarded.

Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including a step of, when an absolute value of a difference between median value V(50) of magnitude values LOG(V), which is obtained by logarithmically converting a magnitude V detected based on a signal sent from a knock sensor, and a determination value V(KX) used for determining presence or absence of knocking is greater than the product of a standard deviation ? and a coefficient U(3) in a frequency distribution of magnitude values LOG(V) for N cycle(s), setting a value obtained by adding the product of the standard deviation ? and the coefficient U(3) to the median value V(50) of magnitude values LOG(V) as the determination value V(KX).

Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: detecting a waveform of vibration of an engine at a predetermined knock detection gate; determining whether a detected vibration's waveform and a knock waveform model stored in memory match within a predetermined range; if the model and the detected vibration's waveform match within the predetermined range, determining that the engine knocks; and if the model and the detected vibration's waveform do not match within the predetermined range, then determining that the engine does not knock.

Abstract: A determination is made as to whether or not knocking is actually occurring inside a combustion chamber (5), and on the basis of the knocking detection result, a knocking-correlated parameter (octane number, alcohol concentration, compression ratio of the engine), which is a parameter having a correlation with knocking, is estimated. A knocking occurrence timing in the combustion chamber (5) is then predicted on the basis of the estimated knocking-correlated parameter. A knocking limit ignition timing, which is the ignition timing furthest toward the advanced side at which knocking does not occur, is calculated on the basis of the predicted knocking occurrence timing, and an ignition device (11) is controlled to perform spark ignition at the knocking limit ignition timing.

Abstract: To provide a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine which can judge an abnormality regardless of one line type or two line type, and can also detect the classification of abnormality. The control apparatus includes: a knock sensor having a piezoelectric element for detecting vibrations that are generated in the internal combustion engine, and a resistor that is connected in parallel with the piezoelectric element; and an interface circuit that detects a knock in accordance with an output from the knock sensor and detects an abnormality of the knock sensor, and the interface circuit includes a bias unit that conducts biasing by pulling up and pulling down an output from the knock sensor, and detects the abnormality of the knock sensor with a direct current component of the bias unit.

Abstract: A control device for a spark-ignition engine, in which a mixture in a combustion chamber is fired by compression ignition in a part-load range under warm-running conditions, includes an EGR controller incorporating a valve operation controller for controlling internal EGR of hot burned gas and a cold EGR controller for controlling external EGR of cold burned gas. The EGR controller performs EGR control operation to leave the hot EGR gas in the combustion chamber in a lower-load, lower-speed region within a compression ignition combustion range and to introduce the cold EGR gas into the combustion chamber in a higher-load, higher-speed region within the compression ignition combustion range. The control device further includes a firing assist unit for inducing the compression ignition at least when ignitability of the mixture decreases due to introduction of the cold EGR gas in the compression ignition combustion range.

Abstract: A knock control system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders. Operation of the engine is switchable between a partial-cylinder operation for operating some of the cylinders and an all-cylinder operation for operating all of the cylinders. A determination threshold for determining knocking is set according to an output signal from the knock sensor. A level of the output signal from the knock sensor is compared with the determination threshold, and occurrence of knocking is determined according to a result of the comparison. The determination threshold used during the partial-cylinder operation is set to a value less than a value of the determination threshold used during the all-cylinder operation.

Abstract: The method for knock detection includes establishing that knock is occurring in the internal combustion engine when the amplified knock signal exceeds a predetermined reference level in a predetermined manner. The reference level is determined on the basis of individual cylinders and the increase in the reference level is limited when a new reference level leaves a predetermined reference level range or the gradient of the sound increase exceeds a predetermined threshold value. For determination of the reference level range and/or the threshold for the gradient average values of the signals originating from the sound of other cylinders are considered.

Abstract: A controller (31) of a knocking index value calculation device in a spark ignition engine (1) determines operating conditions of the engine (1), estimates an in-cylinder pressure at a reference crank angle, which is set at a predetermined crank position after compression top dead center, using these operating conditions, estimates a temperature of unburned gas in the cylinder at the reference crank angle using these operating conditions, and calculates a knocking index value using the in-cylinder pressure and unburned gas temperature.

Abstract: A controller (31) of a knocking index value calculation device in a spark ignition engine (1) determines operating conditions of the engine (1), estimates an in-cylinder pressure at a reference crank angle, which is set at a predetermined crank position after compression top dead center, using these operating conditions, estimates a temperature of unburned gas in the cylinder at the reference crank angle using these operating conditions, and calculates a knocking index value using the in-cylinder pressure and unburned gas temperature.

Abstract: A signal-processing apparatus has a digital filter for processing input data from a knock-sensor. The digital filter is designed as an FIR filter characterized by filter coefficients that are equal to values of mince points 0 to 16 obtained based on a reference waveform. The reference waveform is created by concatenating half waves of a first sinusoidal waveform with half waves of a second sinusoidal waveform with peak values equal to half the peak value of the first sinusoidal waveform. The values of mince points 4, 8 and 12 are 0. Each value of mince points 1, 3, 13 and 15 is equal to corresponding value of mince points 5, 7, 9 and 11. The digital filter effectively reduces a filter-processing load.

Abstract: A spectral method, and corresponding system, for knock detection includes acquiring (603) spectral energy associated with vibration caused by a knocking condition from a running engine. Preferably, a sampled data system (105) acquires the spectral energy by converting an output from an accelerometer (101) into data samples (103) in a digital form. Then from the acquired spectral energy, a knock variable is derived from magnitudes of spectral components, representing a characteristic of a combustion chamber located within the running engine. In a preferred embodiment the knock variable is derived from magnitudes of spectral components related by ratios corresponding to Bessel function coefficients. The preferred embodiment includes a Digital Signal Processor (109) applying a Fast Fourier Transform method (503) to estimate a spectral content used to determine the knock variable. Then, a knock indication is provided (509) when the knock variable exceeds a magnitude of a predetermined threshold (507).

Abstract: The method for knock detection includes establishing that knock is occurring in the internal combustion engine when the amplified knock signal exceeds a predetermined reference level in a predetermined manner. The reference level is determined on the basis of individual cylinders and the increase in the reference level is limited when a new reference level leaves a predetermined reference level range or the gradient of the sound increase exceeds a predetermined threshold value. For determination of the reference level range and/or the threshold for the gradient average values of the signals originating from the sound of other cylinders are considered.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for detecting knock in a spark ignition internal combustion engine. The engine comprises at least one cylinder with a spark plug, engine condition sensors for sensing engine speed, engine angle and engine noise, and an engine management system (EMS) that receives signals from the sensors to determine engine angle and engine noise. The EMS has a nonvolatile memory, a spark plug driver, and a processor. The processor is arranged to control the spark driver to generate an ignition spark at a desired spark angle according to signals from at least some of the sensors, and determine over a first range of engine angles a background engine noise, and over a second range of engine angles an engine knock noise. The processor then retards (or advances) the spark angle if the level of knock noise relative to background noise exceeds (or falls below) a predetermined level.