| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080262695 | Engine mode transition utilizing dynamic torque control - A method of operating an engine having a plurality of cylinders, the method comprising of transitioning the engine from a first mode to a second mode, and temporarily adjusting an amount of torque produced by a cylinder of the engine for at least one cycle responsive to a difference in an amount of torque produced by a previous firing cylinder and a subsequent firing cylinder. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080287253 | Variable Displacement Engine Powertrain Fuel Economy Mode - A vehicle drive system comprising of a variable displacement engine including a plurality of cylinders, where at least one of the plurality of cylinders selectively deactivates to decrease engine displacement; a torque converter operatively coupled to the variable displacement engine configured to operate with variable slip; a driver interface for receiving a preference setting from a driver; a control system for receiving the driver preference setting, and adjusting torque converter slip based on the driver preference setting. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20090066337 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING VALVE DEGRADATION - A method for determining degraded valve operation. According to the method, valve degradation can be determined from the duration of a spark event. This method allows for the determination of both intake and exhaust valve degradation. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090093939 | Valve Control Synchronization and Error Detection in an Electronic Valve Actuation Engine System - A system for controlling a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine with electromagnetic valve actuation, comprising of at least one cylinder with an engine cylinder valve, a second controller operably coupled to the engine cylinder valve, said second controller configured to adjust at least one of the valve opening and closing timing of the engine cylinder valve, and a first controller connected with the second controller over a first link and a second link, wherein the first controller is configured to send an engine position indication signal to the second controller over the first link and receive a status signal from the second controller over the second link, and wherein the first controller outputs a synchronization degradation signal responsive to a synchronization error between the engine position indication signal and the status signal. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090241872 | Temperature Sensing Coordination with Engine Valve Timing Using Electric Valve Actuator - A method of operation for an engine including an electrically actuated engine valve in a cylinder head, with at least an actuator coupled to the valve, the method including applying a potential to generate a current indicative of temperature in the actuator at least partially during a substantially non-moving condition of the actuator and adjusting a timing of the application of the potential based on valve location in the cylinder head. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20100114461 | ENGINE SHUTDOWN CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for controlling engine shutdown in a vehicle. One example method includes, after discontinuation of combustion and during engine spin down, reducing cylinder air charge while maintaining intake manifold pressure above a threshold value. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100114462 | CONTROL OF INTAKE PRESSURE FOR RESTART-ENABLED IDLE STOP - Methods and systems are provided for controlling an engine of a vehicle, the engine including an intake manifold, a cylinder, and an adjustable throttle upstream of the intake manifold. One example method includes operating the engine with combustion, and in response to operating conditions, during a stopped vehicle idle condition, and without a shut-down request by the operator, automatically initiating an engine shut down. Further, the example method may include during the automatically initiated engine shut down, adjusting the throttle to maintain manifold pressure at a first value, where during progression of the shut down, the first value is adjusted based on an operating parameter and restarting the engine before it reaches zero speed in response to a restart request. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100174459 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENGINE SHUT-DOWN CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle, the powertrain including an engine and an automatic transmission, the powertrain coupled to driving wheels of the vehicle, and the vehicle operated by an operator. One example method comprises, selectively shutting down engine operation responsive to operating conditions and without receiving an engine shutdown request from the operator, maintaining the automatic transmission in gear during the shutdown, and during an engine restart from the shutdown condition, and with the transmission in gear, transmitting reduced torque to the transmission. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100174460 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively shut-down during engine idle-stop conditions, the vehicle system further including a hydraulically actuated transmission component. One example method comprises, during an idle-stop engine shut-down, adjusting a hydraulic actuation of the transmission component to adjust drag torque on the engine to stop the engine. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100174465 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL - Systems and methods for assisted direct start control are provided. An example method of controlling a system including an engine includes operating in a first mode during a first vehicle grade and during automatic re-starting from an engine stopped condition. The first mode includes starting the engine in a driving gear, and adjusting engine torque responsive to launch behavior. The method may further include operating in a second mode during a second vehicle grade and during automatic re-starting from an engine stopped condition. The second mode includes starting the engine in the driving gear, and adjusting one or more of a transmission forward clutch and wheel brakes responsive to launch behavior. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100211288 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENGINE STARTING - Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively deactivated during engine idle-stop conditions and selectively reactivated during engine restart conditions. One example method comprises, during an engine restart from an idle stop, performing a first combustion event in a cylinder with a piston at an engine crankshaft position that is after a crankshaft position at which said cylinder's exhaust valve opens, and before a crankshaft position at which the cylinder's intake valve closes, during a cycle of said cylinder. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100244459 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENGINE START CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for starting an engine in a vehicle, the engine including a starter, the vehicle including a plurality of energy storage devices electrically coupled to the starter. One example method comprises, during a first charging condition, electrically coupling the plurality of energy storage devices in parallel to each other; and during a second discharging condition, electrically coupling the plurality of energy storage devices in series to each other and to the starter to actuate the starter and rotate the engine. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100288037 | Method for Determining Valve Degradation - A method for determining degraded valve operation. According to the method, valve degradation can be determined from the duration of a spark event. This method allows for the determination of both intake and exhaust valve degradation. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100300404 | DIRECT-START ENGINE OPERATION UTILIZING MULTI-STRIKE IGNITION - A method for operation of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine may include one or more combustion chambers, a fuel delivery system including a direct fuel injector coupled to each combustion chamber, an ignition system including one or more spark plugs coupled to each combustion chamber, a piston disposed within each combustion chamber, and an intake and an exhaust valve coupled to each combustion chamber, the internal combustion engine providing motive power to the vehicle. The method may include discontinuing combustion operation within the internal combustion engine responsive to idle-stop operation. The method may further include, during a direct-start, performing multi-strike ignition operation per combustion cycle via one or more selected spark plug(s) for at least a first combustion cycle in a combustion chamber following the discontinuation of combustion operation, the one or more selected spark plug(s) coupled to the combustion chamber. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20110039657 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL - Systems and methods are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively shut-down during engine idle-stop conditions, the system further including a hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulically actuated transmission component, an accumulator, and an auxiliary transmission fluid pump. One example method comprises, during a first idle-stop engine shut-down condition, where the accumulator pressure is above a threshold, delivering pressurized transmission fluid to the hydraulic circuit from the accumulator, while disabling the auxiliary pump. The method further comprises, during a second idle-stop engine shut-down condition, where the accumulator pressure is below the threshold, operating the auxiliary pump and delivering at least some pressurized transmission fluid to the hydraulic circuit from the operating pump without travelling through the accumulator. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110041801 | DIRECT-START ENGINE OPERATION UTLIZING MULTI-STRIKE IGNITION - A method for engine starting is provided. The method may include performing idle-stop operation, and during a subsequent re-start, applying multi-strike ignition operation for a first combustion cycle. In this way, improved engine starting may be achieved with reduced emissions. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110130245 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including a selectively shut-down engine, a torque converter and a torque converter lock-up clutch. One example method comprises, during an idle-stop engine shut-down, restricting flow of transmission fluid out of the torque converter, and adjusting engagement of the torque converter lock-up clutch to adjust a drag torque on the engine to stop the engine. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110132307 | METHOD FOR STARTING AN ENGINE - A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method disengages a starter in response to a first predicted combustion in a cylinder of the engine. The method may reduce one-way clutch degradation of a starter. Further, the method may reduce current consumption during engine starting. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110132308 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively deactivated during engine idle-stop conditions. One example method includes, during a first condition, engaging an engine starter, without applying a starter current, to the deactivated rotating engine after the engine speed drops below a threshold speed. The method further includes, during a second condition, engaging the starter and adjusting a starter motor switch to apply a starter braking torque to the rotating engine. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110135498 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for pressurizing a transmission hydraulic circuit including a transmission mechanical pump coupled to an engine though a gearbox. One example method comprises, during an engine start, adjusting a speed ratio between the transmission pump and the engine between a first speed ratio and a second speed ratio, the pump rotating faster relative to the engine at the first speed ratio as compared with the second speed ratio. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110136620 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle engine coupled to a stepped-gear-ratio transmission. One example method comprises, in response to a first vehicle moving condition, shutting down the engine and at least partially disengaging the transmission while the vehicle is moving; and during a subsequent restart, while the vehicle is moving, starting the engine using starter motor assistance and adjusting a degree of engagement of a transmission clutch to adjust a torque transmitted to a wheel of the vehicle. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110136621 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSISTED DIRECT START CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for reducing driveline unwinding during successive engine shutdown and restart operations. In one example, during an engine shutdown, torsion is maintained in a transmission gear-train until an engine restart is requested by engaging one or more transmission clutches while applying wheel brakes. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110137543 | METHOD FOR STARTING AN ENGINE - A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method controls a transition from split fuel injection timing during an engine start to single event fuel injection during idle speed or engine torque control modes. The method better manages vehicle launch performance when the engine is restarted while coupled to an automatic transmission that is in gear. | 06-09-2011 |
