Abstract: A an engine management system includes a processor (8) in communication with a memory (10) that contains a program memory (28) containing instructions for the processor to implement a knock detection method. The knock detection method involves firstly sampling a torque sensor (4) that is responsive to an engine crankshaft (5). The torque sensor is sampled a number of times during a combustion stroke of one or more of cylinders (18a, . . . 18d) of the engine (16). The sampled sensor values are processed to calculate a rate of change of the torque signal and knocking is deemed to be indicated in the event of the rate of change exceeding a predetermined value. In a preferred embodiment the processor (8) is further programmed to reduce knocking once it has been detected by adjusting one or more of a number of controllers including a fuel injection controller (34), an ignition controller (12), a throttle controller (13) and an exhaust gas recirculation controller (39).

Abstract: A fuel injection control device is disclosed that includes a fuel injection valve for performing a fuel injection event at an assumed fuel quantity. The device also includes a rotation detecting device for detecting a change in rotation amount of the output shaft. The device further includes a slip rate detection device for detecting a slip rate between the output shaft and the driven shaft. Also included is an actual fuel injection amount estimating device for estimating an actual fuel injection quantity during the fuel injection event based on the detected change in rotation and the detected slip rate. The device also includes a learning device for learning a deviation based on the difference between the estimated actual fuel injection quantity and the assumed fuel injection quantity. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Ignition timing for a combustion engine may be controlled by determining the roughness of current engine operation, comparing the determined roughness with a control roughness to determine if the determined roughness is within a threshold limit of the control roughness, and changing the ignition timing in a subsequent fuel delivery event as a function of the difference between the determined roughness and the control roughness. Preferably, the ignition timing is changed at least when the determined roughness is not within the threshold limit, although other factors may be taken into account when changing the ignition timing.

Abstract: A control system comprising a spark knock detection module that detects a spark knock in an engine of a hybrid vehicle, and a torque control module that selectively regulates an engine torque output and an electric machine torque output based on the spark knock. A method comprising detecting a spark knock in an engine of a hybrid vehicle, and selectively regulating an engine torque output and an electric machine torque output based on the spark knock.

Abstract: The internal combustion engine system makes detection on the occurrence or the non-occurrence of a misfire by comparing the 240-degree difference TD240 of the 30-degree rotation time T30 (CA) with the tentative detection reference value A1 and comparing the detection base difference ratios J1 and J5 with the ranges of the respective reference values B11, B12, B51 and B52 when the exhaust gas recirculation is performed, in addition to the methodology in the non-performance of the exhaust gas recirculation, that is, in addition to the methodology of comparing the 360-degree difference TD360 of the 30-degree rotation time T30 (CA) with the tentative detection reference value A1 and comparing the detection base difference ratios J0, J2 and J4 with the ranges of the respective reference values B01, B02, B21, B22, B41 and B42 (S410, S440). This arrangement enables to detect a misfire in any of cylinders of the engine 22 accurately even when the exhaust gas recirculation is performed or not performed.

Abstract: Dither frequency analysis systems include a controller for directing a control signal and a dither frequency to an actuation driver. One or more sensors are used for receiving and relaying a signal downstream from an actuation element, which downstream signal includes the dither frequency. A frequency analysis device receives and analyzes the downstream dither frequency and directs the same to a controller that is configured to evaluate the analyzed downstream dither frequency, and evaluate whether the same indicates proper or improper actuation system operation. The downstream dither frequency is analyzed and evaluated at a frequency of less than about one second, and the frequency analysis device analyzes downstream dither frequencies in the range of from about 50 to 500 hertz. The system can include algorithms and test sequences to address and/or further evaluate improper actuation system operation.

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: A method is described for operating an engine of a vehicle, the engine having a combustion chamber. The method may include controlling a stability of the vehicle in response to a vehicle acceleration; and adjusting spark timing in the combustion chamber of the engine in response to a knock indication, and further adjusting spark timing in response to the vehicle acceleration to reduce surge.

Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including a step of calculating intensity values LOG(V) based on signals transmitted from a knock sensor; a step of deciding a maximum value V(MAX) in frequency distribution of intensity values LOG(V) for N cycles (N is a natural number); a step of calculating a knock determination level V(KD) based on the frequency distribution; a step of, when the knock determination level V(KD) is smaller than the maximum value V(MAX), removing V(MAX) from the frequency distribution; and a step of counting the total frequency of removed maximum values V(MAX) as knock occupancy KC. Maximum values V(MAX) are removed until the knock determination level V(KD) and the maximum value V(MAX) coincide, and the knock determination level V(KD) is recalculated.

Abstract: A method for an engine configured to deliver an actively varying relative ratio of a first and second fuel via a delivery system having a first and second injector for a cylinder of the engine, where the first fuel has a lesser relative amount of alcohol, the method comprising of varying an amount of injection from the first and second injector with operating conditions, when said variation causes said first injector to approach a first minimum opening condition, increasing injection of said second injector and disabling said first injector, and when said variation causes said second injector to approach a second minimum opening condition, avoiding further reduction of said second injector and decreasing injection of said first injector.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for reducing misfire in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The method includes detecting a misfire event frequency that is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, determining a pulse-width signal for a fuel injector associated with the cylinder during the misfire event, increasing the pulse-width signal if the misfire event is frequency is below a second predetermined value, and reducing the increase in the pulse-width signal if the misfire event frequency is below the first predetermined value.

Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine has a cylinder in which a combustion chamber is provided that is delimited by a reciprocating piston guided in the cylinder, wherein the piston is connected by a connecting rod to a crankshaft and wherein the internal combustion engine has a device for supplying fuel and a device for igniting the fuel/air mixture in the combustion chamber at least one engine speed value of the internal combustion engine is determined and evaluated. A pre-ignition state of the internal combustion engine is determined based on the result of the evaluation step.

Abstract: A control system for an exhaust valve and a method of actively controlling an exhaust valve includes monitoring at least a first engine characteristic, a second engine characteristic, and at least one additional noise determining characteristic. An exhaust valve position is then adjusted based on the first engine characteristic, the second engine characteristic, and the at least one additional noise determining characteristic to improve fuel economy without adversely affecting noise levels.

Abstract: The engine control apparatus includes a computing section which performs computation for engine control in synchronization with rotation of an engine, and an A/D converter which A/D-converts an analog signal necessary for the computing section to perform the computation, the analog signal being outputted from an external device such as a knock sensor. The computing section and the A/D converter are configured to enable detection of garble in the data transmitted from the A/D converter to the computing section on the side of the computing section without affecting the operation of the A/D converter.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a knock control and a device for knock control of an internal combustion engine are provided, in which digital knock data are obtained for the knock control in that the acquisition of data of a knock sensor, converted from analog to digital, is started at a start angle of the internal combustion engine and ended at an end angle. The digital knock data are evaluated so as to detect a malfunction in the acquisition of the digital knock data.

Abstract: A vehicle system, comprising of an engine with a first cylinder and a second cylinder operating with different engine torques, a motor coupled to said engine capable of absorbing torque and providing torque, and a controller for varying torque of said motor to compensate for said torque difference so that a total engine and motor torque operates with increased balance.

Abstract: A fuel control system is provided. The fuel control system includes an electronic control system coupled to a pair of control valves for blending pipeline fuel with waste fuel at a blend ratio for controlling fuel flow to an internal combustion engine. The fuel control system can estimate energy content of the fuel mixture to compensate the blend ratio. The fuel control system can use engine operational parameters to compensate the blend ratio. Typically, the system will use the operational parameter of output power or exhaust emissions to compensate the blend ratio. Further, the fuel control system can prioritize variation from the blend ratio or variation from a desired power output when the blend ratio cannot generate the desired power output. The fuel control system can also be equipped with engine speed/load controls, misfire, ignition timing and knock detection capabilities.

Abstract: Provision is made for an internal-combustion-engine control apparatus whose knocking detectability is high regardless of the type of an engine.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling fuel injection to a plurality of cylinders. One example method comprises during combustion timing imbalances among a plurality of cylinders carrying out homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion, adjusting a fuel injection amount in a first cylinder to adjust a combustion timing of the first cylinder in a first direction, and correspondingly adjusting a fuel injection amount in a second cylinder in a second direction to maintain average engine torque and reduce the imbalance.

Abstract: A knock diagnostic module having a knock module that increments a sample count when a cylinder firing signal corresponding to a first cylinder is received and selectively increments a knock count based on a knock detection signal that corresponds to the cylinder firing signal of the first cylinder A knock analysis module analyzes the knock count of the first cylinder when the sample count of the first cylinder reaches a predetermined value and selectively generates an excessive knock signal when the knock count exceeds a predetermined threshold. A remedial action module selectively performs a remedial action based on the excessive knock signal.

Abstract: A signal processing device and a control unit for cooperating with a signal processing device are described, the signal processing device being designed for processing knocking signals of an internal combustion engine which are provided by knocking sensors. A comprehensive check for errors is performed. The filter coefficients provided for a filter in the signal processing device are checked for consistency. Furthermore, messages between control unit and signal processing device are checked for transmission errors. If errors occur, alternate measures are initiated.

Abstract: A sliding mode control apparatus. When displacing a controlled object to which an urging force is applied by an elastic member from one displacement end to the other displacement end, the control apparatus sets a switching hyperplane and controls the controlled object by using a sliding mode control in such a manner that a state quantity of the controlled object is converged on the switching hyperplane. In the sliding mode control, the control apparatus switches an operation mode for controlling the controlled object when the controlled object passes an operation switching point. The control apparatus detects disturbance in the sliding mode control and a change with time of the elastic member, and changes the operation switching point in accordance with both of the detected disturbance and the detected change with time.

Abstract: An engine data acquisition and control system measures cylinder pressure at a high degree of resolution and then processes it for portions of the combustion cycle of interest for performing combustion calculations. The data are utilized to calculate combustion parameters, and the combustion parameters may be utilized to control the engine's fuel and/or spark timing/duration, and other variables affecting the combustion process. The system architecture provides for acquisition of very large amounts of data without unduly loading the CPU.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes pressure sensors used for acquiring combustion chamber pressure data for each engine cylinder, during each of a series of selection intervals respectively corresponding to that cylinder, with each selection interval corresponding to a specific angular displacement of the crankshaft and having a timing determined with respect to a reference piston position in the corresponding cylinder. The timing of the selection intervals is adjusted in accordance with current conditions of the engine, such as a fuel injection mode, to be appropriate for monitoring combustion conditions in the cylinders.

Abstract: A vibration reducing system for an engine is disclosed. The vibration reducing system includes at least one pumping member movable through a plurality of pumping strokes during an engine cycle. The vibration reducing system also includes a controller in communication with the at least one pumping member, the controller being configured to identify a vibration characteristic of the engine. The controller also is configured to adjust the displacement of fuel during at least one of the plurality of pumping strokes based on the vibration characteristic.

Abstract: Systems and methods for modulating fuel flow of a fuel delivery system including direct injection fuel injectors of an engine to mitigate engine noise are provided. An example of such systems may include a modulating device located in the fuel delivery system upstream of the direct injection fuel injectors, the modulating device configured to generate mitigating fuel pressure pulse(s) for attenuating fuel pressure pulse(s) generated by actuation of the direct injection fuel injectors. An example of such methods may include adjusting the modulating device responsive to actuation of the direct injection injectors, wherein operation of the modulating device is varied responsive to variation of direct injection fuel injector actuation.

Abstract: A misfire detecting device is provided for a water jet propulsion watercraft in which a propulsion unit operates through an operation of an engine to propel the water jet propulsion watercraft. The misfire detecting device includes injectors arranged to inject fuel into the engine under a fuel injection amount adjusting control implemented by an electric control device, ignition plugs arranged to ignite the fuel injected into the engine from the injectors to operate the engine, an oxygen sensor arranged to detect that a misfire occurs in the engine, a warning lamp and buzzer arranged to inform that the misfire occurs, etc. The misfire detecting device prevents the warning lamp and the buzzer from informing the warning if the misfire is caused through the control by the electric control device.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus which more accurately reach a predefined setpoint value of a combustion characteristic variable for an internal combustion engine (1) with an injection system (30), a first injection signal which triggers an injection of fuel into a combustion chamber (53) of the internal combustion engine (1) is generated using at least one injection signal parameter. A combustion signal which represents a combustion of the injected fuel is generated by a detector (40). The combustion characteristic variable is determined using the combustion signal. The injection signal parameter is corrected using a deviation of the combustion characteristic variable from a setpoint value, in such a way that the deviation of a second injection signal which is generated using the corrected injection parameter is reduced for an injection which is to be performed later.

Abstract: The invention provides an intake-air cooling device for an internal combustion engine that can be installed compactly. The invention provides an intake-air cooling device for a gasoline engine equipped with an intercooler that cool intake air with outside air and an evaporator that cools intake air with refrigerant circulating in a bypass refrigeration circuit, disposed in this sequence in an intake-air channel from a supercharger to the gasoline engine. The intercooler is disposed in an outside-air duct through which outside air passes, the evaporator is disposed inside a case through which the intake air passes, and a bottom plate of the case forms part of the outside-air duct.

Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: calculating a knock magnitude N by dividing an integrated value lpkknk obtained by integrating the magnitude of vibration in the knock detection gate by BGL; controlling ignition timing according to a result of comparison between knock magnitude N and a determination value VJ; stopping updating of a standard deviation ? when it is determined that determination value VJ to be compared with knock magnitude N is to be changed; updating a median value VM by increasing an update amount of median value VM; and updating BGL according to median value VM and standard deviation ?.

Abstract: A fuel supply system attached to the gasoline engine includes a first tank storing a mixture of gasoline and ethanol, a second tank storing water, a microbubble generator connected to the first and second tanks, and a fuel injection valve connected to the microbubble generator. The mixture and the water are mixed in an environment where microbubbles generated by operation of the microbubble generator are supplied. The mixed fuel thus prepared is injected, via the fuel injection valve, into a supply pipe connected to a cylinder block which is included in the gasoline engine. The mixed fuel is then mixed with the air flowing through the supply pipe to be supplied into a combustion chamber. The resulting configuration lowers the combustion temperature in the gasoline engine so as to reduce the amount of NOx contained in exhaust gas.

Abstract: An active engine mount assembly for counteracting resultant forces in active fuel management systems, wherein resultant forces are transmitted to a frame of a motorized vehicle generated by the deactivation of at least one cylinder in an internal combustion engine. The active engine mount assembly is fluidly connected to a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit is operatively connected to an engine crankshaft and operable to actively generate pressure pulses having frequencies self-synchronized with the rotational speed of the crankshaft.

Abstract: A method of changing an active cylinder count of an engine may include determining a vehicle vibration limit and a vehicle vibration level. The cylinder count may be modified (increased or decreased) based upon the vehicle vibration limit and the vehicle vibration level. The vehicle vibration limit may be based upon a vehicle speed, and a coolant temperature of the engine. The vehicle vibration level may be based upon at least one of a desired torque of the engine and a number of active cylinders of the engine. According to other features, the vehicle vibration level may be based upon a measured vibration level of a vehicle component.

Abstract: An engine ECU executes a program including: a step (S310) of multiplying a correction amount of a determination value V(KX) by Q, when deviation L between an approximation value V(R), which is an average value of determination values V(KX) corrected according to the occurrence frequency of knocking, and an approximation value V(R?1) previously calculated is greater than a predetermined value (NO in S306) or when the number of times where deviation L is determined to be smaller than a predetermined value is smaller than a predetermined number of times (NO in S308); and a step (S312) of multiplying the correction amount of the determination value V(KX) by 1/P, when the number of times where the deviation L is determined to be smaller than a predetermined value is greater than a predetermined number of times (YES in S308). By comparing the determination value V(KX) and knock magnitude, determination of knocking is made, and ignition timing is advanced or retarded.

Abstract: A valve control apparatus of a diesel engine (1) is provided with an EGR valve (30), which is provided in an EGR passage (26) of the engine (1) and varies the flow rate of exhaust gas flowing through a passage (26) by carrying out an opening and closing motion, and an actuator (28), which executes a sticking avoiding operation for dissolving or preventing a sticking of a valve (30) by causing the valve (30) to move to and fro so as to open and close the valve (30) by a predetermined moving amount respectively in one direction and the other direction near a full-close position of the valve (30). The apparatus inhibits the sticking avoiding operation by the actuator (28) when an ignition OFF operation is carried out without starting an operation of the engine (1) after an ignition ON operation is carried out. As a result, it is possible to prevent a useless valve opening and closing motion and achieve power saving.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine in which a combustion characteristic is ascertained. The combustion characteristic is ascertained in a cylinder-specific manner, and one or more application functions for the operation of the internal combustion engine is/are carried out as a function of the combustion characteristic.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an engine control system includes identifying engine calibration sub-problems for an engine calibration; seeding an initial generation for one of the engine calibration sub-problems with known/good individuals; optimizing free parameters in the one of the engine calibration sub-problem over a parameter/coefficient scheduling space using a genetic algorithm; using penalty functions; identifying a next one of the engine calibration sub-problems containing a prior one of the engine calibration sub-problems; seeding an initial population of the next one of the engine calibration sub-problems with know/good individuals; repeating until the engine calibration containing the engine calibration sub-problems is solved; and operating an engine control system of a vehicle using the engine calibration.

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 (S112); calculating a knock intensity N from an intensity of a vibration of a frequency band excluding the resonance frequency of the engine (S114); if knock intensity N is larger than a reference value and coefficient of correlation K is larger than a threshold value (YES at S116), determining that the engine knocks (S118); 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 (S122).

Abstract: A real-time, dynamic method for creating a body of cycle-and-cylinder-specific noise-reduction baseline data useable in conjunction with analyzing the engine-knock behavior of a subject internal combustion engine involving operating the engine in an operating mode wherein engine knock may occur, and while doing so, and during each cycle of each cylinder, gathering cycle-and-cylinder-specific, knock-free, engine-operating, baseline noise data which is intended and dedicated for noise-reduction use solely with respect to analyzing any knock data found to exist in the same operating cycle.

Abstract: A 90° integrated value calculating unit of an engine ECU calculates a 90° integrated value obtained by integrating a magnitude. A calculating unit calculates a knock magnitude by dividing 90° integrated value by a BGL. A value obtained by subtracting a standard deviation ? from a median value of 90° integrated value is determined as the BGL. An ignition timing control unit controls the ignition timing depending on whether knock magnitude is equal to or larger than a determination value. A median value calculating unit calculates median value of 90° integrated value. A standard deviation calculating unit calculates standard deviation of 90° integrated value. A first stop unit stops updating of median value and standard deviation when 90° integrated value is smaller than a first threshold value or is equal to or larger than a second threshold value.

Abstract: In an automotive system (300), a knock detection scheme is provided for detecting knock events in an internal combustion engine that are sensed by a transducer structure, such as a non-intrusive acoustic accelerometer sensor (310) to generate sensor signal information which is processed by a signal processing structure (312, 316, 318, 326) which extracts digital signal parameters from the sensor signal information to identify a predetermined pitch frequency (330) and any short-term energy increase (328) in the digital signal information which in combination are used to provide a positive indication of engine knock behavior. When a short term Fourier transform (324) is used to extract the digital signal parameters, time frequency resolution may be improved by appropriately windowing the digital signal being transformed.

Abstract: An influence component N30m of every 30 degrees in a 30 degree rotation speed N30 base as time required for 30 degree rotation of a crankshaft is calculated by using a frequency characteristic of an influence given to a rotation fluctuation of a crankshaft by output torque output from a motor, which is calculated by using a mechanical model and an amplitude P and a phase ? at a time of vibration control by the motor (S110), a determination duration T30j is calculated by subtracting an influence component T30m as an inverse number of this from 30 degree duration T30 (S120, S130), and misfire of an engine is determined by comparing the calculated determination duration T30j with a threshold value Tref (S140). Thereby, misfire of the engine outputting power to a post-stage via a damper can be determined more reliably and accurately.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a system for determining combustion characteristics may be capable of automatically determining and displaying a plurality of combustion characteristics on a multiple-axis plot. In such embodiments, a single combustion test in the system's controlled combustion chamber may provide a user with automatic analysis and display of three, four, five, six, or more combustion characteristics.

Abstract: In a method for controlling an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel internal combustion engine, at least one variable is formed on a cylinder-specific basis, which variable characterizes a respective profile of a combustion in an associated combustion chamber, and the control of cylinder-specific fuel injection parameters is influenced as a function of said at least one variable which characterizes the combustion profile.

Abstract: A fuel management system of a vehicle and a refueling system for gasoline stations to handle a fuel system for improved fuel efficiency which can be contained in a fuel tank having a gasoline phase comprises gasoline or gasohol; and an anti-knock phase comprising an anti-knock agent comprising a glycol anti-knock subagent, water and one or more of a second anti-knock subagent selected from the group of methanol, ethanol and mixtures thereof, such that the anti-knock agent phase is substantially immiscible with the gasoline phase.

Abstract: An engine system and method are disclosed for controlling pre-ignition of an alcohol fuel. In one embodiment, the fuel injection timing is adjusted to cause the fuel to avoid combustion chamber surfaces. In another embodiment, the fuel injection timing is adjusted to spray the fuel directly onto the piston surface to cool the piston. Also disclosed is a cylinder cleaning cycle in which engine knock is purposely caused for one to hundreds of engine cycles by adjusting the fuel content away from alcohol toward gasoline. Further measures to cause knock which are disclosed: adjusting spark timing, intake boost, exhaust gas fraction in the cylinder, cam timing, and transmission gear ratio.

Abstract: A method for monitoring functional components of a motor vehicle is provided. To this end, microphones, pulsation sensors, strain gauges and a speed sensor are positioned on or next to one of the functional components to be monitored. The electrical signals of the microphones, pulsation sensors, strain gauges, and speed sensor are measured, analyzed by means of Fourier analysis and compared with an acoustic signature.

Abstract: A method for determining Covariance of Indicated Mean Effective Pressure (COVIMEP) using already-available crankshaft-based measurements that correlate with COVIMEP. Correlated values of COVIMEP are stored as lookup tables in an Engine Control Module for use in continuously determining COVIMEP during engine operation. COVIMEP thus calculated may be used in known fashion as a real time control algorithm variable for such engine control parameters as fueling rate, spark angle advance, exhaust gas recirculation flow, and camshaft phaser advance angle or other engine parameters.

Abstract: A misfire detection system and method for onboard diagnosis of engine performance detects an engine speed as a function of a rotational angle of the crankshaft, and determines crankshaft acceleration as a function of this angle based on the detected engine speed. In this manner, the power stroke acceleration of each cylinder is determined and ranked. After excluding the greatest acceleration, the accelerations of a group of consecutively ordered cylinders including the second greatest acceleration are averaged to produce an assessment level against which the remaining lower-ranked cylinders are evaluated to detect misfires.

Abstract: A knock determination unit is configured to determine whether the internal combustion engine causes knocking. A knock control unit is configured to perform a knock control to correct an ignition timing on the basis of the determination. A water pump is configured to circulate cooling fluid of the internal combustion engine. A pump control unit is configured to perform a cooling control to control the water pump so as to further cool the internal combustion engine in a detection state, where the knock determination unit detects knocking, than in a non-detection state where the knock determination unit does not detect knocking.