Abstract: An exemplary method for controlling an internal combustion engine system includes, when a desired torque is equal to or greater than a first torque, opening an exhaust valve and injecting pilot fuel into a combustion chamber at a first pressure before an exhaust top dead center in a cylinder cycle, opening an intake valve in the cylinder cycle after said injecting, and injecting main fuel in the cylinder cycle after said opening of said intake valve. The method further includes, when a desired torque is less than said first torque, opening said exhaust valve and injecting pilot fuel into the combustion chamber at a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure before an exhaust top dead center in the cylinder cycle, opening said intake valve in the cylinder cycle after said injecting, and injecting main fuel in the cylinder cycle after said opening of said intake valve.

Abstract: A method and a control module for performing the same include a filter module filtering in-cylinder pressure signals using a filter to form filtered in-cylinder pressure signals. The control module further includes a heat release rate determination module generating heat release rate signals based on the in-cylinder pressure signals and a maximum heat rate determination module determining a maximum heat release rate from the heat release rate signals. The system also includes a correction module correcting auto-ignition for the engine based on the maximum heat release rate.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine provided with a variable compression ratio mechanism able to change a mechanical compression ratio and an actual compression action start timing changing mechanism able to change a start timing of an actual compression action. An amount of intake air in accordance with the required load is fed into a combustion chamber by controlling the closing timing of the intake valve, while a pressure, temperature or density in the combustion chamber at the end of a compression stroke is maintained substantially constant regardless of the engine load by controlling the mechanical compression ratio.

Abstract: An ion current corresponding to an amount of ion produced by combustion of air fuel mixture in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is detected and an ion current parameter indicative of combustion state is calculated from the ion current. The properties of fuel are determined by a change of combustion state from an engine start time, that is, by a change of the ion current parameter.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a controllable throttle control device and controllable engine valves. A method for controlling the engine includes monitoring engine operation and an exhaust gas feedstream, and estimating a cylinder charge temperature based upon the monitored engine operation. Oxygen concentration of the cylinder charge is determined based upon the monitored exhaust gas feedstream, and preferred oxygen concentration of the cylinder charge and preferred cylinder charge temperature are determined. The engine valves are controlled based upon the preferred oxygen concentration of the cylinder charge, the preferred cylinder charge temperature, the oxygen concentration of the cylinder charge, and the estimated cylinder charge temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for delivering tungsten into a fuel combustion system or to the exhaust therefrom. By the present invention, tungsten from the lubricant or the fuel will interact with combustion products and, in particular, phosphorus, sulfur, and/or lead from the combustion products. In this manner, the tungsten scavenges or inactivates harmful materials which have migrated into the fuel or combustion products, and which can otherwise poison catalytic converters, sensors and/or automotive on-board diagnostic devices The present invention can also lead to improved durability of exhaust after treatment systems. A lubricant in accordance with the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to control combustion in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine operating in a controlled auto-ignition mode with minimum combustion phasing error using a least amount of fuel reforming. This comprises monitoring combustion in each cylinder, and determining a target combustion phasing. Fuel delivery to each cylinder is selectively controlled effective to achieve the target combustion phasing, and, effective to achieve the target combustion phasing further comprises controlling the fuel delivery effective to equilibrate combustion phasing of the cylinders.

Abstract: A system and method for determining mass fraction burned in an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of engine sensors and a control module determining a ratio of specific heat from a combination of one or more from the group of exhaust gas temperature, injected fuel quantity, air quantity inside a cylinder, mass air flow, air fuel ratio, manifold pressure and a residual gas amount determined from the plurality of engine sensors. The control module includes a mass fraction burned module determining a mass fraction burned in response to a cylinder volume, and the ratio of specific heat. The control module controls an engine parameter based on mass fraction burned.

Abstract: A controller of an internal combustion engine operable by an alcohol-containing fuel includes: an alcohol concentration detecting unit, operable to detect an alcohol concentration of the alcohol-containing fuel; and a suppressing unit, operable to suppress a degree of change of an intake air amount of the internal combustion engine when the alcohol concentration, detected by the alcohol concentration detecting unit, is higher than a concentration.

Abstract: A glow plug includes: a tubular body (2) having at one of its ends a plug head as well as a fixing zone including elements (12, 13) for being fixed in a bore, an arm (4) mounted on the body (2) of the plug at the end opposite to the plug head, and a pressure sensor (8) sealingly insulated from the corresponding cylinder. The arm (4) is fixed to an elastically deformable tubular zone (17) designed to project inside the cylinder. The pressure sensor (8) is mounted between the arm (4) and a support component (18) fixed inside the tubular body (2).

Abstract: A direct injection spark ignition internal combustion engine includes a fuel injector for directly injecting fuel into a cylinder and intensifies a tumble flow using the fuel injected into the cylinder bore at a time near an intake stroke bottom dead center during homogenous combustion. The thrust force of the fuel injected from the fuel injector is set to intensify the tumble flow based on at least one of the state of the combustion chamber, the temperature of the injected fuel, and the orientation of the injection hole.

Abstract: A control module comprising a cylinder torque determination module that determines an indicated torque for a cylinder in an engine based on a pressure in the cylinder, a cylinder torque balancing module that determines a derivative term for the cylinder based on rotation of a crankshaft, and a cylinder pressure error detection module that detects a pressure error for the cylinder based on the indicated torque and the derivative term. A method comprising determining an indicated torque for a cylinder in an engine based on a pressure in the cylinder, determining a derivative term for the cylinder based on rotation of a crankshaft, and detecting a pressure error for the cylinder based on the indicated torque and the derivative term.

Abstract: A control system for an engine having a first cylinder and a second cylinder is disclosed having a first engine valve movable to regulate a fluid flow of the first cylinder and a first actuator associated with the first engine valve. The control system also has a second engine valve movable to regulate a fluid flow of the second cylinder and a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a pressure within the first cylinder. The control system also has a controller that is in communication with the first actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to compare the pressure within the first cylinder with a desired pressure and selectively regulate the first actuator to adjust a timing of the first engine valve independently of the timing of the second engine valve based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method for controlling fueling of an internal combustion engine is provided. The engine may include an intake manifold, one or more exhaust manifolds and a turbocharger coupled between the intake and exhaust manifolds. The method may comprise estimating an operating condition of the turbocharger, determining a maximum value of an operating parameter as a function of the estimated operating condition of the turbocharger, measuring a value of the operating parameter, determining an error value as a function of the maximum value of the first operating parameter and the measured value of the operating parameter, and limiting fuel supplied to the engine based on the error value.

Abstract: A method of controlling an engine system, the method comprising: receiving data relating to engine operation; calculating in an engine model a combustion parameter and an injection parameter required to operate the engine system in accordance with the received engine data; controlling the engine system based on the calculated injection parameter wherein the method further comprises adjusting the engine model over time based on a comparison between the calculated engine combustion parameter and a corresponding measured engine combustion parameter

Abstract: An engine that re-circulates its exhaust gas suffers decreased accuracy in estimating an EGR rate real-time especially while the operating state of the engine is in a transitional state, which often results in torque fluctuations and deteriorated exhaust gas. A sensor for directly detecting an EGR flow rate is disposed in an EGR path. An EGR rate and in-cylinder oxygen concentration are calculated from the output value of that sensor. In addition, when this EGR rate calculation method is used, the calculation is properly switched between a steady operation state characterized by a low load and small rotational fluctuations and a transitional operating state including the acceleration and deceleration. This makes it possible to correctly estimate the EGR rate and the in-cylinder oxygen concentration under a wide range of engine operation conditions, and thereby to avoid the fluctuation of torque and the deterioration of exhaust gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles. The engine can be operated in homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion mode and in conventional spark ignited (SI) combustion mode. For increasing volumetric efficiency and charge temperature during homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion operation timing, duration and lift of the intake valve and the exhaust valve respectively, being controlled such that an amount of residual exhaust gases is trapped in the cylinder of the engine. An intake valve is opened at a timed moment after top dead center during an induction stroke of the piston such that a pressure wave is generated from an intake manifold into the cylinder. The intake valve is closed at a timed moment before the pressure wave is reflected within the cylinder such that a charge mass of said pressure wave is retained within the cylinder.

Abstract: According to an internal combustion engine fuel injection control apparatus and control method, when an operating region of the engine shifts from a fuel cut region in which no fuel is injected to a low load region in which a small amount of fuel is injected, or visa versa, at least one pilot injection is executed ahead of a main injection in the low load region, and the number of pilot injections is determined according to the engine coolant temperature. This injection control makes it possible to ensure drivability while suppressing the amount of HC produced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to detect combustion conditions using ion signals for use in a feedback control of a reciprocation engine is presented. The ion signals are used as a feedback signal to control EGR and diesel injection timing. The apparatus is an ignition system with a spark plug type of sensor. The ignition system is used to provide a cold start mechanism for diesel engines and start of combustion for spark ignition engines. The ignition is combined with ion sensing feedback that can control the engine.

Abstract: A method 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 having an inlet control device for controlling flow entering the manifold, the method comprising determining a driver torque command; calculating a desired cylinder charge based on said driver torque command; adjusting the outlet control device to provide said desired cylinder charge; and adjusting the inlet control device based on intake manifold pressure.

Abstract: A method of maintaining homogeneous charge compression ignition when a temperature within a combustion chamber decreases below an autoignition temperature in an engine that is configured for homogeneous charge compression ignition under at least some engine operating conditions and for spark ignition under at least some engine operating conditions, the method comprising selectively heating contents of the combustion chamber with a glow plug.

Abstract: A method for determining one or more cylinder pressure features for setting the combustion position in an internal combustion engine includes ascertaining a curve of a cylinder pressure or a curve of a cylinder pressure gradient with respect to a crankshaft angle, filtering the curve of the cylinder pressure or the curve of the cylinder pressure gradient using a filter, in order to eliminate a component of a pressure fluctuation brought about by the piston movement in the combustion chamber, and determining at least one cylinder pressure feature from the filtered curve.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, gasoline is injected directly into a combustion chamber and ignited by auto-ignition. The characteristics map range within which fuel is ignited by auto-ignition is enlarged by supercharging the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine having at least one fuel injection valve for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of the engine. A compression end temperature in the combustion chamber is estimated. A target compression end temperature is calculated according to an operating condition of the engine. A main injection and a plurality of pilot injections before the main injection are performed by at least one fuel injection valve. A fuel injection amount in a first-performed pilot injection of the plurality of pilot injections is controlled so that the estimated compression end temperature coincides with the target compression end temperature.

Abstract: A control device of an internal combustion engine that can accurately estimate an NOx concentration in exhaust gas by using a cylinder internal pressure as basic data. A cylinder internal pressure sensor provided to the internal combustion engine detects a cylinder internal pressure P?. An internal energy correlation value (?V·dP?/d?·??) having correlation with internal energy consumed in the cylinder is calculated based on the cylinder internal pressure P? and an in-cylinder volume V? (? represents a crank angle). The internal energy correlation value is standardized by a load ratio KL, then corrected by a function f(kl) as for a load factor KL so as to calculate an NOx concentration estimated value [NOx]={(?V·dP?/d?·??)/KL}×f(kl).

Abstract: A direct-injection, compression-ignition internal combustion engine control adapts nominal minimum pulsewidth parameters controlling the fuel injectors to minimize pilot fuel delivered to the cylinders required to initiate a preliminary combustion event.

Abstract: The temperature at the tip of a fuel injection valve (31) is estimated based on first to third parameters. The first parameter is a parameter that indicates the combustion temperature, such as the fuel injection amount and the combustion timing. The second parameter is a parameter that indicates the heat exposure timing and the heat exposure time. Examples of the second parameter include the engine speed and the combustion timing. The third parameter is a parameter that indicates the temperature increase of the fuel along with a decrease in pressure of the fuel at the injection hole (31b, 31c), such as the pressure of the fuel in the fuel injection device (3).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing automatic pressure balancing of an internal combustion engine. The engine includes cylinders, fuel injector valves provided to selectively deliver fuel directly into the cylinders, fuel-balancing valves each fluidly connected to the fuel injector valves for controlling the fuel delivered to the fuel injector valves and cylinder pressure sensors each mounted to one of the cylinders. The method comprises an automatic pressure balancing procedure including the steps of monitoring a cylinder pressure in each of the cylinders, determining a peak combustion pressure produced in each of the cylinders, calculating a mean peak pressure produced in all of the cylinders, calculating a pressure difference between the mean and the peak pressure and incrementally adjusting the fuel delivered by one of the fuel-balancing valves to the corresponding fuel injector valve mounted to the cylinder having the pressure difference larger than a predetermined pressure value.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1) is provided with an in-cylinder pressure sensor (15) for detecting an in-cylinder pressure in a combustion chamber (3) and an ECU (20). The ECU 20 calculates a heat release quantity parameter showing a combustion state based upon a detected in-cylinder pressure, calculates a combustion delay based upon the detected in-cylinder pressure, and determines fuel property based upon a comparison between a calculated heat release quantity parameter and the calculated combustion delay; and a heat release quantity parameter and a combustion delay corresponding to reference fuel.

Abstract: An engine ECU stores a map in which a region at high temperature and high pressure, a region at low temperature and low pressure, and a region provided therebetween are defined by the relationship between the temperature and pressure of fuel and the saturation fuel vapor pressure of the fuel. The engine ECU executes a program including the following steps: when start-up of the engine is requested, detecting the engine cooling water temperature and the fuel pressure; if the detection results fall into the region, setting a pre-feed time; pre-feeding until the fuel pressure reaches a desired fuel pressure threshold; and when the fuel pressure reaches the fuel pressure threshold, starting cranking. In this way, start-up failure due to fuel vapor can be avoided without unnecessarily actuating a fuel pump.

Abstract: A multifuel internal combustion engine in which single low boiling point component fuel and at least one kind of fuel having properties different from those of the single low boiling point component fuel are introduced into a combustion chamber CC separately or together thereby operating the multifuel internal combustion engine, includes lubricant-oil temperature detecting unit means (temperature sensor 91) that detects a temperature of lubricant oil, or lubricant-oil temperature estimating unit means that estimates the temperature, and purge control unit means (electronic control unit 1) that prohibits purge control by an evaporation gas purge apparatus (evaporation gas passage 42, check valve 43, canister 44, on-off valve 45) or reduces a purge flow rate of evaporation gas in the purge control, when the detected or estimated temperature of the lubricant oil is near a boiling point temperature of the single low boiling point component fuel at which it is necessary to reduce a fuel injection amount from a fue

Abstract: An ECU of an internal combustion engine estimates an anticipated air amount in response to a demand for the internal combustion engine and causes an injector to inject an initial amount of fuel determined in accordance with the anticipated air amount so that an air-fuel ratio of a mixture in a combustion chamber is lower than a target value, and thereafter, calculates an amount of intake air aspired into the combustion chamber based on an in-cylinder pressure in the combustion chamber at a given timing during a compression stroke and before ignition, and causes the injector to inject a correction amount of fuel determined based on the calculated amount of the intake air and the initial amount of the fuel so that the air-fuel ratio of the mixture in the combustion chamber corresponds to the target value.

Abstract: A method for detection of abnormal combustion for internal combustion engines is disclosed. A physical model is chosen that describes, as a function of the angle a of rotation of the engine crankshaft, the development of pressure in the cylinder during combustion without any pre-ignition phenomenon. The cylinder pressure Pe(?) is estimated using this model and the intake pressure is measured. The beginning of abnormal combustion is detected by comparing a first value of a variable calculated using the measurement of the cylinder pressure, to a second value of the variable calculated using the estimation of the cylinder pressure. The amplitude of the pre-ignition is determined by repeating these steps for a defined number of crankshaft angles. Then the progress of the abnormal combustion detected in the combustion chamber is controlled as a function of the amplitude of the pre-ignition phenomenon.

Abstract: There is provided a method and a control scheme to control an internal combustion engine operating in an auto-ignition mode by selectively activating a control scheme for controlling fuel injector operation based upon engine combustion parameters, e.g., IMEP or NMEP. The method comprises operating the engine in the auto-ignition combustion mode, and monitoring combustion in each of the cylinders. The fuel correction is selectively enabled only when either one of a partial burn and a misfire of a cylinder charge in one of the cylinders has been detected.

Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine that is operated with a fuel mixture made of at least two types of fuel. An injection of the fuel into combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine occurs starting at a predefined pressure threshold of the fuel in a fuel supply according to a high-pressure starting mode, and also according to a low-pressure starting mode if the predefined pressure threshold is no longer met. The pressure threshold is selected as a function of the mixture ratio of the fuel types in the fuel mixture. In this way it can be achieved that differences can be taken into consideration in the optimal mixture formation of the fuel types.

Abstract: In a V-type six-cylinder engine, turbo-superchargers are provided for compressing intake air and feeding the compressed air into combustion chambers, and an ECU is operable to switch the combustion mode from a non-supercharged stoichiometric combustion mode to a supercharged lean combustion mode, depending on the engine operating conditions. When switching from the non-supercharged stoichiometric combustion mode to the supercharged lean combustion mode, the ECU retards the ignition timing, and keeps the retard amount of the ignition timing at a constant value if the increasing actual boost pressure becomes equal to or higher than a pre-set target boost pressure.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine control apparatus executes an exhaust-valve-early-closing valve timing control in which an exhaust valve is closed before the intake stroke top dead center. The fuel injection timing mode is normally set to an intake-stroke non-synchronized fuel injection mode. However, if the internal combustion engine is idling and the combustion gas temperature is relatively high, the fuel injection timing mode is switched from the intake-stroke non-synchronized fuel injection mode to an intake-stroke synchronized fuel injection mode.

Abstract: This control apparatus estimates a full combustion correspondence period CP, which is the period from an ignition timing SA to a combustion completion time CAe, and controls a VVT advancement amount (burnt gas quantity, overlap period, intake valve open timing) such that the estimated full combustion correspondence period CP coincides with a constant target full combustion correspondence period CPtgt. The full combustion correspondence period CP substantially maintains a one-to-one relation with the VVT advancement amount at which HC, CO2, etc. start to increase, even when the ignition timing SA changes. Thus, even when the ignition timing changes, the burnt gas quantity (overlap period) can be properly controlled. As a result, without increasing the discharge quantities of HC and CO, the discharge quantity of NOX can be reduced. In addition, pumping loss can be reduced, whereby fuel consumption can be improved.

Abstract: A method for operating a self-igniting internal combustion engine includes: introduction of a prespecified pre-injection quantity (PI) of a fuel into the internal combustion engine before and/or during an intermediate compression; determination of a pressure characteristic (PZV) in the internal combustion engine during the intermediate compression; prespecification of a target pressure characteristic (PZV0); comparison of the determined pressure characteristic (PZV) with the prespecified target pressure characteristic (PZV0); determination that no release of energy occurred during the intermediate compression, provided that the determined pressure characteristic (PZV) is lower than the target pressure characteristic (PZV0); and compensation of the non-occurrence of the energy release and its effect on a main combustion.

Abstract: A control device for a thermal engine includes: a thermal energy generator for generating thermal energy through combustion of air and fuel supplied thereto and adapted for supplying the thermal energy to the thermal engine such that the thermal engine is driven to generate a mechanical power output; a flow control device coupled to the thermal energy generator and operable to control amounts of the air and the fuel supplied to the thermal energy generator; and a control unit for controlling the flow control device to adjust the amounts of the air and the fuel supplied to the thermal energy generator based on an operating parameter of the thermal engine. A control method for the thermal engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of estimating a property of fuel accurately even when the engine is in an operating condition other than idling. An in-cylinder pressure sensor detects an amount of change in pressure in a cylinder #1 of the engine as a pressure change amount. An ECU calculates an amount of heat released in the cylinder #1 as a heat release amount, according to the pressure change amount. A vehicle speed sensor, a crank angle sensor, and an accelerator pedal opening sensor detect load on the engine. The ECU estimates a cetane number of fuel based on the calculated heat release amount and the detected load on the engine.

Abstract: A combustion control system for a vehicle comprises a pressure ratio (PR) module, a pressure ratio difference (PRD) module, and a pressure ratio difference rate (PRDR) module. The PR module determines fired PR values and measured motored PR values based on cylinder pressures measured by a cylinder pressure sensor when a cylinder of an engine is fired and motored, respectively. The PRD module determines PRD values for predetermined crankshaft angles, wherein each of the PRD values is determined based on one of the fired PR values and one of the measured motored PR values at one of the predetermined crankshaft angles. The PRDR module determines and outputs a PRDR value based on a rate of change of the PRD values over a range of the predetermined crankshaft angles.

Abstract: A method for estimating exhaust temperature on an output of an internal combustion engine cylinder, the cylinder including a crankshaft transforming into a rotation a translational movement of a piston mounted sliding in the cylinder, the piston closing a combustion chamber of the cylinder. The exhaust temperature is estimated based on the temperature inside the cylinder at a time of opening of the valve, the temperature inside the cylinder being itself estimated from an angle of rotation of the crankshaft, cylinder pressure, volume of air injected into the cylinder, and flow rate of recycled gases. A method diagnoses a cylinder pressure sensor based on an estimate of the exhaust temperature.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method to determine a position of a piston in a cylinder of an engine during ongoing operation, comprising adapting pressure sensing devices to monitor in-cylinder pressure, and, operating the engine. In-cylinder pressure is monitored along with a corresponding engine crank position. The engine is operated in a motoring mode and in a cylinder firing mode, and a plurality of instantaneous in-cylinder pressure states are determined during compression and expansion strokes. Pressure ratios are determined based upon the instantaneous in-cylinder pressure states, which are used to determine an engine crank angle and compression ratio error and, adjust the monitored engine crank position based upon the crank angle error and readjust engine operation according to these sensed errors.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine control apparatus includes an in-cylinder pressure sensor for detecting in-cylinder pressure. A combustion start time and combustion end time, which are parameters serving as control indexes for an internal combustion engine, are determined in accordance with ignition timing. Information about a heat release amount is acquired in accordance with the in-cylinder pressures that are measured at two points by the in-cylinder pressure sensor. The in-cylinder pressure is estimated in accordance with a relationship among the heat release amount information, control index parameters, and in-cylinder pressure.

Abstract: A combustion control system for a vehicle comprises a pressure ratio (PR) module, a pressure ratio difference (PRD) module, and a pressure ratio difference rate (PRDR) module. The PR module determines fired PR values and measured motored PR values based on cylinder pressures measured by a cylinder pressure sensor when a cylinder of an engine is fired and motored, respectively. The PRD module determines PRD values for predetermined crankshaft angles, wherein each of the PRD values is determined based on one of the fired PR values and one of the measured motored PR values at one of the predetermined crankshaft angles. The PRDR module determines and outputs a PRDR value based on a rate of change of the PRD values over a range of the predetermined crankshaft angles.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a micro-pilot injection ignition type gas engine, whereby an air fuel ratio control in starting the engine is executed with enhanced precision, by means of introducing skip-firing intermittent operations which reflect the engine operation conditions, while an idling time span can be shortened or omitted.

Abstract: A generally accepted and appropriate means to reduce pollutant emissions and consumption of passenger cars diesel engines is to apply multiple injection strategies. Assuming constant cylinder and bowl geometry and constant rail pressure the variation of the number of injections, injection quantity of each injection and separation between two consecutive injections are the major parameters which have to be optimised in order to fulfill both, the legislative emission limits and consumer requirements. A second, distinct approach to decrease pollutant emissions is to apply a single injection with a shaped injection rate. Ideally, rate shaping is achieved by a rise in injection pressure during one injection event, equal to that observed in cam controlled injection systems (e.g. Unit Injectors). For piezo driven common rail injection systems it might be possible to achieve similar effects by modifying the needle lift during an injection.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a charge motion flap which influences the combustion in at least one combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. The function of the charge motion flap is monitored. At least one actual value of a variable characterizing the combustion in the combustion chamber is evaluated and the evaluation result is used for function monitoring of the charge motion flap.

Abstract: A HCCI engine with a model reference adaptive feedback control system maintains stable HCCI combustion during speed/load transitions by: (1) estimating the maximum rate of pressure rise (MRPR), for each cycle, from an extra-cylinder sensor metric, such as a crankshaft dynamics or knock sensor metric, via statistical vector-to-vector correlation; (2) periodically self-tuning the vector-to-vector correlation; (3) applying knowledge base models to guide cycle-to-cycle adjustments of fuel quantity and other engine parameters, to maintain a target MRPR value.