Abstract: An engine protection system and protocol is implemented within an electronic control module. Various engine parameters, such as engine coolant level, coolant temperature, transmission fluid temperature, and engine oil pressure are monitored and compared to limit values to determine if a fault condition exists as to one or more of the parameters. The engine protection system includes visual and audible signals responsive to the parameters. An engine disabling mechanism is operative when any of the aforementioned parameters exceed predetermined limits for a predeterminable period. The electronic control module contains a memory function for recording the fault parameters as well as other identifying information. The electronic control module also includes an engine idle limiter feature. The engine disabling means is operative when the vehicle idling duration exceeds a second predeterminable period.

Abstract: An engine starting control apparatus is basically provided with a motor control section, a valve timing control section and a start control section. The motor control section is configured to operate an electric motor to crank an engine with an output of the electric motor being adjustable. The valve timing control section is configured to operate a variable valve operating mechanism when the engine is started to change at least a close timing of an intake valve of the engine from an initial timing corresponding to a state in which the engine is stopped to a start timing for starting the engine. The start control section is configured to adjust the output of the electric motor as the close timing of the intake valve changes from the initial timing to the start timing.

Abstract: A method of controlling a rotating electrical machine for a motor vehicle, whereby the machine is intended to operate in starter mode in order to start a heat engine of the vehicle. The inventive method is characterized in that it comprises the following steps consisting in: testing conditions known as the safe conditions before and during any start-up phase, and testing conditions known as the pre-start-up conditions before the start-up phase. According to the invention, in the event of a negative safe conditions test, the execution of the start-up phase is blocked or interrupted at any moment, while, in the event of a negative pre-start-up conditions test, the execution of the start-up phase is blocked. The invention is suitable for the alternator-starter of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for operating glow plugs, that comprise a housing and a heater element projecting beyond that housing, in a diesel engine which interacts with an engine control unit and a glow plug control unit which latter, following a preheating phase, controls the electric power supplied to the glow plugs in response to an input received from the engine control unit. It is provided according to the invention that the engine control unit determines a value representative of a temperature that is to be reached at the heater element and the engine control unit transmits that value as target value to the glow plug control unit which implements that target value using an algorithm stored in the glow plug control unit and with reference to characteristic values stored in the glow plug control unit.

Abstract: An engine controller for engine control apparatus is configured to retard an ignition timing, from an engine starting mode timing to a catalyst warm-up mode timing at an idle attainment moment at which an engine idling condition is reached, and to regulate an intake air quantity at a prior moment prior to the idle attainment moment. Moreover, the controller increases a fuel injection quantity by an increase quantity during a period from the prior moment until an intake settlement moment at which an intake air condition settles down. The controller sets the increase quantity of the fuel injection quantity in accordance with a parameter representing a condition of the intake air or fuel supplied to the engine.

Abstract: There is provided a start control apparatus for an internal combustion engine (1) which starts the engine with injecting fuel to each cylinder (2) of the internal combustion engine in an intake stroke. The apparatus comprises a stop position distinction device (20) which distinguishes a piston position at a time of a stop of the internal combustion engine, and a fuel injection amount control device (20) which specifies a cylinder in which a piston stops in the intake stroke based on a distinction result of the stop position distinction device and which increases a fuel injection amount at starting for the specified cylinder more than a fuel injection amount for other cylinders.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system maintaining constant an oxygen storage amount or oxygen release amount per unit time with respect to an exhaust purification catalyst having an oxygen storage capacity even if the intake air amount changes is provided.

Abstract: A method for controlling an alternator includes determining a rotor position of the alternator using data obtained from a first data source when a first condition is met, and determining the rotor position for the alternator using data obtained from a second data source when a second condition is met.

Abstract: Cold start and warm-up operations of an HCCI engine are improved through coordinated control of engine valves, fuel injection and spark timing.

Abstract: A device for starting an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle includes a starter motor having an actuator for engaging a pinion, drivable by the starter motor, with a ring gear, and a control unit which activates a switching output stage associated with the actuator and a switching output stage associated with the starter motor. The starting time of the internal combustion engine is substantially reduced by providing the starter device with a control unit.

Abstract: A system for warming up an engine at an accelerated rate, the system including a control system configured to regulate at least one of a rotational speed and a horsepower load of the engine, a processor configured to evaluate a reading from the control system, and wherein the processor is further configured to adjust at least one of a rotational speed set point and/or a reference to engine speed regulator so that the engine may operate at an increased rotational speed without exceeding a predefined oil pressure limit. A method and a computer software code are also disclosed for warming up an engine at an accelerated rate.

Abstract: At the start-up of an engine, the ignition timing and the air-fuel ratio are controlled to prevent overload onto the volume of ISC air and decreased torque and torque difference. The fuel condition based on the amount of ignition timing correction to inhibit rotational fluctuation during idling is determined and the fuel quantity based on the result is corrected. Right after an engine has started and until a pilot burner is created in the heat spot of the catalyst, the ignition retard control is mainly executed, and at the time when it is determined that a pilot burner has been created in the catalyst's heat spot, the lean air-fuel ratio control is to be executed instead of the ignition retard control. Furthermore, when the ignition retard control changes to the lean air-fuel ratio control, the state transition control is executed along the equivalent ISC air volume line so as not to cause torque fluctuation.

Abstract: On a first start of an engine after system activation, the start control technique of the invention gives a valve-closing instruction to close an exhaust flow changeover valve and thereby causes all the fuel exhaust introduced into an exhaust system to be discharged after transmission through an HC adsorbent (step S100). After confirmation of the closed position of the exhaust flow changeover valve (steps S110 and S120), the start control technique starts cranking the engine (step S130). Fuel injection control and ignition control are performed to start fuel injection from a fuel injection valve after elapse of a preset time period since the start of engine cranking and eventually start the engine (step S170). The fuel injection accordingly starts after substantial elimination of the fuel vapor accumulated in an air intake system due to oil-tight leakage of the fuel injection valve. This arrangement effectively prevents a variation in air-fuel ratio on or immediately after a start of the engine.

Abstract: A method and system for repeatable diesel engine starts during a wide range of conditions that decouples fueling requirements during engine starting and normal engine operation.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a flywheel, a starter for rotatably driving the flywheel, at least one starter parameter indicator, and an engine control module. Each indicator provides an output signal representing a start or no-start condition for the starter. The engine control module is coupled with the starter and one or more indicators. The engine control module controllably actuates the starter, dependent upon the output signal from each indicator.

Abstract: A remote start control system may include an engine speed data bus reader at the vehicle for reading the engine speed signal on the vehicle data communications bus, and a remote start controller at the vehicle and connected to the engine speed data bus reader for operating the engine starter based upon a remote start transmitter and based upon the engine speed signal. In some embodiments, the engine speed signal may include a digital code, and the engine speed data bus reader reads the digital code and converts the digital code into a pulsed tachometer emulation signal for the remote start controller. In other embodiments, the engine speed data bus reader generates an output level based upon the digital code exceeding at least one threshold, such as an engine started or engine overspeed threshold. The remote start control system is readily interfaced to a vehicle having a data communications bus to thereby be able to operate using an engine speed signal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a start-up control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that can further improve the start-up characteristics of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A start control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes first and second control mechanisms which are individually arranged to vary at least one of a compression ratio and an expansion ratio of a cylinder of the internal combustion engine. The start control apparatus measures a state of the internal combustion engine before cranking the internal combustion engine, wherein the state includes a state of the second control mechanism; sets a first control signal in accordance with the measured state of the internal combustion engine; and outputs the set first control signal to the first control mechanism before cranking the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprising crank angle calculation means for calculating a crank angle between edges which are detected by a first crank angle sensor and a second crank angle sensor, on the basis of a crank cycle between the edges, and engine-rotation-direction detection inhibit means for inhibiting detection of an engine rotation direction on the basis of the calculated crank angle, wherein the engine-rotation-direction detection inhibit means inhibits the detection of the engine rotation direction in a case where the crank angle calculated by the crank angle calculation means has satisfied a predetermined inhibit decision condition.

Abstract: In a vehicle having idle stop functions and low vehicle speed-following drive functions, when a vehicle automatic stop flag F2 is identified as 1 at step S220, determines whether all engine stop conditions except depression of brake pedal are satisfied in step S240. When it is determined all the engine stop conditions except depression of the brake pedal are satisfied, ignition and fuel injection in each cylinder of engine are stopped to automatically stop the engine in step S260. In this arrangement, the driver's depression of brake is excluded from the engine stop conditions. Therefore, even when the motor vehicle automatically stops without the driver's depression of brake, the engine is automatically stopped.

Abstract: A method and a system for adaptation of transient engine performance capable of reducing a time for the transient test of an engine and also reducing a man-hour for preparing control software for the engine, wherein the test is performed by using the actual engine in a transient state in which the rotation speed and torque of the engine vary in time sequence. Output data as the results of the test is taken in, and the relation of the output data with the controlled values of the control factors given to the engine is taken to generate a transient engine model in which the relation of the output to the input of the engine is described. By using the prepared transient engine model, a simulation is performed to know the requirements of a target performance which can be satisfied by changing the controlled values of any of the controlled factors to provide control data meeting the requirements of the target performance. The control logic of an engine control circuit is prepared by using the control data.

Abstract: An engine start security control system for a vehicle having a transmission that is driven by an engine includes a first module that generates a first engine start flag based on an internal mode switch (IMS) signal and a second module that generates a second engine start flag based on a modified IMS signal. A third module selectively generates an engine start allow signal based on the first and second engine start flags.

Abstract: A device for recording the battery voltage in engine-control devices. The device has a first input terminal at which the battery voltage derived from the positive pole of the battery is supplied to the engine-control device. Moreover, it includes a first analog-digital converter and a first low-pass situated between the first input terminal and the first analog-digital converter. In addition, a first semiconductor switch is provided between the first input terminal and the analog-digital converter, which is conductive in the switched-on operation of the engine-control device and blocks in the switched-off operation of the engine-control device.

Abstract: When a vehicle power demand is less than a threshold value, which is set to or around a lower limit of a relatively efficient drive range of an engine and when an engine drive demand is set ON because of requirement for heating by an air conditioning system, the drive control of the invention sets the threshold value to an engine power demand and sets a higher level than a standard level to a maximum SOC (state of charge) of a battery. This drive control starts load operation of the engine with charge of the battery. The load operation of the engine desirably improves the fuel consumption of the vehicle, compared with independent operation of the engine.

Abstract: In a temperature control system of a plant such as an engine exhaust system, there are provided a catalyst heat model calculating a temperature estimated value of the plant, a temperature sensor model inputting the calculated value to calculate an output estimated value of a temperature sensor, a temperature controller controlling the plant temperature based on the estimated value, and a model parameter corrector correcting the plant model parameter so as to minimize error between the temperature sensor output and the calculated output estimated value. With this, even in the case where the temperature sensor has a large response lag, the temperature estimated value can nevertheless be corrected with high accuracy, without, for example, causing severe overshooting.

Abstract: A method for controlling fueling of an engine, the method comprising during an engine cold start and before the engine is warmed to a predetermined level, transitioning from open-loop fueling to closed-loop fueling, where during closed-loop fueling feedback from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor is utilized and where said closed-loop fueling generates a cycling of delivered fuel in maintaining exhaust air-fuel ratio at a desired level; and providing a fueling adjustment to a subsequent engine start in response to fueling information, said fueling information obtained over at least a complete cycle of closed-loop fueling following said transition from open-loop fueling.

Abstract: A fuel control system for regulating fuel to cylinders of an internal combustion engine during an engine start and crank-to-run transition includes a first module that determines a plurality of step-ahead cylinder air masses (GPOs) for a cylinder based on a plurality of GPO prediction models. A second module regulates fueling to a cylinder of the engine based on the plurality of step-ahead GPOs until a combustion event of the cylinder. Each of the plurality of GPO prediction models is calibrated based on data from a plurality of test starts that are based on a pre-defined test schedule.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for estimating engine power output for an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain that includes an electric motor and an electric generator. Selected powertrain variables, including electric motor torque and electric generator torque, are used in determining desired vehicle traction wheel torque and an estimated engine power. A calibrated delay in calculating estimated engine power following a time sampling of the values for motor torque and generator torque avoid inertial effects.

Abstract: A system and method to control engine valve timing of an internal combustion engine. Electromechanical valves are controlled to improve engine fuel economy. Further, the method can adjust valve operation to provide air-fuel charge motion and increase combustion stability.

Abstract: A vehicle controller controls an operation of an engine of a vehicle when the engine is started with a remote command. The vehicle controller decreases the number of idle revolutions of the engine, supplies diluted fuel to the engine, uses only a few cylinders of the engine, changes parameters used in detecting and preventing knocking of the engine, controls the windows or curtains of the windows of the engine to increase the efficiency of air conditioning, and supplies lesser power to in-vehicle devices.

Abstract: In a system, a setting unit sets historical information in response to a manual transient operation. The manual transient operation triggers automatic start of the engine. The historical information represents that the manual transient operation has existed. A validation unit has a first identifier uniquely identifying the vehicle. The validation unit carries out validation communications, in at least one of direct and indirect procedures, with a communication device storing therein a second identifier of the vehicle. The communication device is used by a user of the vehicle. The validation communications use the first and second identifiers. The validation unit validates whether the user is certificated based on the validation communication result. An engine starting unit automatically starts the engine when the historical information has been set by the setting unit and when it is determined that the user of the vehicle is certificated.

Abstract: A method for controlling the cranking of an engine of a vehicle powertrain system having a rechargeable energy storage system that is adapted to provide electric power to an electric machine, wherein the system is adapted to exit from the engine crank state as a function of an output voltage of the energy storage system to the electric machine during the crank state, if the output voltage is less than a crank undervoltage threshold for a predetermined crank time. According to the method, the crank undervoltage threshold is a function of the number of failed start attempts, generally decreasing as a function of the number of failed start attempts. The predetermined crank time is a function of a magnitude of a difference between the output voltage and the crank undervoltage threshold.

Abstract: When detecting and recording vehicle data items corresponding to evaluation parameters for fuel-efficient driving (the parameters may include, for example, the speed of the vehicle, the average engine speed during an upshift, or an idle time), it is determined which one of first to N-th preliminarily-set traveling conditions (which may be, for example, highway driving, open-road driving, or idling) a current traveling condition belongs to. The vehicle data items are then recorded according to the determined traveling condition. The amount of fuel consumed in the corresponding traveling condition is also recorded. Each of the vehicle data items of the corresponding traveling condition is given an evaluation score with respect to an evaluation standard. Each evaluation score is then corrected based on a rate of fuel consumption in the corresponding traveling condition. Thus, the evaluation score is corrected in view of the traveling condition.

Abstract: A method of detecting an angular position of a rotor of an electrical machine includes determining a rotor position for the electrical machine using data obtained from a first data source, determining a rotor position for the electrical machine using data obtained from a second data source, and switching between determining a rotor position using data obtained from the first data source and using data obtained from the second data source. A point at which switching occurs is different when a speed of rotation is increasing than when the speed of rotation is decreasing.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of controlling an internal combustion engine system having an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block defining a plurality of combustion chambers, an intake air system in fluid communication with the combustion chambers and providing intake air thereto, an exhaust gas system in fluid communication with the combustion chambers and carrying exhaust gas therefrom, a cooling system having a cooling fluid circulated therein and a recirculated gas system in fluid communication with the exhaust gas system and intake air system wherein a portion of the exhaust gas is routed from the exhaust gas system to the intake air system.

Abstract: A valve controller includes a detector detecting a shutdown command signal to shutdown an engine, a driving circuit for driving a motor, and a power source controller. The power source controller turns on the driving circuit until the predetermined period has passed since the shutdown command signal is detected. Thus, the valve controller adjusts the valve opening/closing character in such a manner as to be suitable to an engine condition.

Abstract: An engine control apparatus which can ensure and maintain a stability and constant exhaust emission characteristics even in such a condition that a nature of a fuel used as present is unsure, and which is robust among different fuel natures, comprising a plurality of different nature fuel quantity computing means and an operating condition detecting means for detecting an operating condition of an engine, wherein a first nature fuel quantity computing means among the plurality of different nature fuel quantity computing means is used as a fuel quantity computing means during an engine start, and the first nature fuel quantity computing means is forcibly changed over into a second nature fuel quantity computing means if an engine operating condition detected by the operating condition detecting means satisfies a predetermined term.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying noncompliant fuel of a vehicle and improving drivability. The method comprises: (a) confirming a present coolant temperature after the vehicle has been started, (b) setting a coolant temperature factor value based on the coolant temperature, (c) setting an RPM reference value based on the RPM, (d) determining whether an RPM incremental value reaches the RPM reference value, (e) setting a calibration learning value if the RPM incremental value is smaller than the RPM reference value, (f) calculating a learning value of fuel injection volume, (g) calculating the fuel injection volume for start injection based on the calculated fuel injection volume, (h) determining whether a start state of the vehicle has completed, and (i) calculating the fuel injection volume after start injection and fuel injection for acceleration or deceleration if the start state has been completed.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an engine in a vehicle to facilitate heat transfer to a passenger compartment is provided. A number of conditions are examined, and if it is found that one or more of these conditions matches a corresponding predetermined condition, the spark timing of the engine is retarded. In addition, a charge motion control valve is opened, thereby increasing the amount, and reducing the turbulence, of the air entering the engine. This facilitates hotter combustion within the engine, and therefore faster heat transfer to the vehicle passenger compartment.

Abstract: A method for controlling a clutch, especially a double clutch, an interruption-free manually controlled gearbox, especially a parallel gearbox. A common torque mapping for controlling the clutches is created according to the respective base torque mapping of each clutch. An interruption-free manually controlled gearbox, especially a parallel gearbox, for a vehicle having a double clutch, especially for carrying out said method. At least one control device produces a common torque mapping in order to control the double clutches according to the respective base torque mapping of each clutch.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling an internal combustion engine in a vehicle powertrain. A filtered driver demand for torque at vehicle traction wheels is used to determine an engine torque command. The engine torque command is initialized to a percentage of a target engine torque as a function of variables that may include a smoothness factor.

Abstract: To operate a steplessly adjustable camshaft control device, particularly reliably and safely, an adaptation of the camshaft and the crankshaft is performed so that a phase angle (actual value) of the camshaft to the crankshaft is determined, the phase angle is monitored while operating the internal combustion engine and the camshaft control device is controlled as a function of a variable setpoint value so that the phase angle is equivalent to the setpoint value.

Abstract: An engine start control device which in a time period from the start of a starting operation by a starter for starting an engine to the start of the engine, reads out substitute values used at the time of starting the engine, instead of reading out backup data used for normal operation control of the engine, and after starting of the engine, reads out the backup data instead of the substitute values.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for starting or stopping a motor-driven motor vehicle having motor functions (1) and motor-independent vehicle functions (5) which can be used independently of the type of drive and independently of the type of motor start or motor stop. For a start operation or a stop operation, at least one command to the motor functions (1) to start or stop the motor (15) of the motor vehicle is imparted by the vehicle functions (5) via an interface (10). At least one status datum as to the motor (15) and/or the motor functions (1) is transmitted by the motor functions (1) via the interface (10) to the vehicle functions.

Abstract: An engine starting assist system includes an auxiliary ECU having a voltage booster, an engine ECU, a starter relay, and a starter that allows the engine to be started when a current flows through the starter relay. The auxiliary ECU and the engine ECU are powered by a battery and supply currents to the starter relay. When the engine ECU resets the supply of the current to the starter relay because of a voltage drop of the battery during starting of the engine, the auxiliary ECU increases the voltage supplied from the battery using the booster, thereby supplying the current to the starter relay.

Abstract: An engine control system includes an ignition switch, a starter switch which operates a starter of an engine after the ignition switch has been turned on, and a voltage increasing circuit which increases a battery voltage to a higher voltage. The engine control system controls the voltage increasing circuit to start to increase a voltage from a battery to the higher voltage upon a timing of turning on the starter switch. Thus, radio noises caused by an operation of the voltage increasing circuit may be avoided from time at which the ignition switch is turned on to time at which the starter switch is turned on (during a quiet time period).

Abstract: A fuel control system for regulating fuel to cylinders of an internal combustion engine during an engine start and crank-to-run transition includes a first module that determines a raw injected fuel mass based on a utilized fuel fraction (UFF) model and a nominal fuel dynamics (NFD) and a second module that regulates fueling to a cylinder of the engine based on the raw injected fuel mass until a combustion event of the cylinder. Each of the UFF and NFD models is calibrated based on data from a plurality of test starts-that are based on a pre-defined test schedule.

Abstract: A method of initially operating an internal combustion engine including operating the engine in a start-up mode is provided. The start-up mode includes injecting at least two fuel pre-shots wherein a first of the fuel pre-shots is smaller in quantity than a last of the fuel pre-shots. An engine is provided including an electronic controller with a computer readable medium having a control algorithm recorded thereon, the control algorithm including means for commanding injection of a main fuel shot and at least two fuel pre-shots wherein a first of the fuel pre-shots is smaller in quantity than a last of the fuel pre-shots.

Abstract: An in-head compressed air start-up system for an internal combustion engine comprises an absolute angular position detector for the crankshaft outputting an electrical signal indicative of the angular position, a computer for storing a table of the firing order of the cylinders and the angular position of the crankshaft at which each piston reaches a desired angular position relative to top dead center (TDC), wherein the computer means compares the signal indicative of angular position of the crankshaft to the firing order table and generates a plurality of signals sequentially open and close solenoid valves to cause rotation of the crankshaft.

Abstract: A slave controller for a remote vehicle starting system. The slave controller is mounted in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine started by a starter motor. The slave controller has an antenna circuit input for connection to an antenna circuit suitable for picking up an RF signal and an output. The slave controller also has a control module, coupled to the antenna circuit input. The control module is responsive to a signal transmitted through the antenna circuit input and originating from the antenna circuit to generate a command signal at the output for directing the starter motor to crank the internal combustion engine. The control module is operative to establish a data communication with an external entity through the antenna circuit input to perform a maintenance procedure.