Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080257310 | HYBRID POWERTRAIN WITH REVERSING ENGINE AND METHOD OF CONTROL - A powertrain is provided having an engine operable in a reverse direction so that a reverse mode is provided through an electrically variable transmission without relying on pure electric or series electric operation, and without the addition of a dedicated reverse gear. A method of controlling such a powertrain is also provided. | 10-23-2008 |
20080270004 | ENGINE IDLE WARM-UP OF A HOMOGENEOUS CHARGE COMPRESSION IGNITION ENGINE - A homogeneous charge compression ignition engine is fueled within a warm-up region of engine temperatures using a minimally defined fuel mass schedule and injection timings and simple interpolative techniques. | 10-30-2008 |
20080271436 | ENGINE WARM-UP OF A HOMOGENEOUS CHARGE COMPRESSION IGNITION ENGINE - A method is disclosed for controlling operation of an HCCI internal combustion engine effective for robust engine warm-up operation. The method includes selectively implementing ones of a plurality of operating modes in response to predetermined catalyst and engine temperature conditions. | 11-06-2008 |
20080271688 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO CONTROL TRANSITION BETWEEN HCCI AND SI COMBUSTION IN A DIRECT-INJECTION GASOLINE ENGINE - A method for transitioning operation of a spark-ignition, direct-injection internal combustion engine having a two-step, variable phase valvetrain between HCCI and SI modes includes providing a low-lift intake valve, un-throttled stoichiometric SI operation intermediate a low-lift exhaust and intake valve HCCI mode and a high-lift exhaust and intake valve, un-throttled SI mode. | 11-06-2008 |
20090084333 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE DIFFERENTIAL PHASING OF ENGINE VALVE OPERATION - An internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft and first and second cam actuated intake valves. A method for operating the engine includes providing a first intake cam configured to actuate the first cam actuated intake valve, and providing a second intake cam configured to actuate the second cam actuated intake valve. The second intake cam is phase adjustable relative to the crankshaft independently of the phase of the first intake cam relative to the crankshaft. A controller is provided and configured to selectively retard the phase of the second intake cam to effect later closing of the second cam actuated intake valve sufficiently to reduce the effective compression ratio of the engine. Additionally, the first intake cam may be phase adjustable relative to the crankshaft independently of the phase of the second intake cam relative to the crankshaft and the controller may additionally be configured to selectively advance the phase of the first intake cam to effect earlier opening of the first cam actuated intake valve sufficiently to increase internal exhaust gas recirculation. | 04-02-2009 |
20090193795 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REGENERATING AN AFTERTREATMENT DEVICE FOR A SPARK-IGNITION DIRECT-INJECTION ENGINE - The disclosure sets forth operating a spark-ignition, direct-fuel injection internal combustion engine equipped with an exhaust aftertreatment system including a lean-NOx adsorber device. The engine is operated substantially un-throttled and at a lean air/fuel ratio and a first fuel pulse is injected to meet an engine output torque during a compression stroke of each engine cycle prior to a spark-ignition event. When regeneration of the lean-NOx adsorber device is commanded, a second fuel pulse is injected during a second engine stroke of each engine cycle. | 08-06-2009 |
20090205612 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A SPARK-IGNITION DIRECT-INJECTION INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE AT LOW LOADS - A spark-ignition direct-injection internal combustion engine is controlled at low loads through split fuel injections and spark discharges including one injection and spark during a negative valve overlap period and another injection and spark during a compression phase of the engine cycle. | 08-20-2009 |
20090272362 | LIGHT LOAD AND IDLE HCCI COMBUSTION CONTROL BY FUEL PRESSURE MODIFICATION - A method for controlling a homogeneous-charge compression-ignition capable engine, operating with spray-guided spark ignition stratified combustion at low load, includes monitoring a speed of the engine, monitoring a load of the engine, determining a desired fuel pressure based upon the speed of the engine and the load of the engine, and utilizing the desired fuel pressure to control fuel injection into the engine, wherein the desired fuel pressure is calibrated to the speed and the load based upon increased stability of the engine at lower fuel pressures and lower soot emissions from the engine at higher fuel pressures. | 11-05-2009 |
20100049420 | ACTIVE COMPRESSION RATIO MODULATION THROUGH INTAKE VALVE PHASING AND KNOCK SENSOR FEEDBACK - An internal combustion engine includes a piston reciprocable within a cylinder, a phase controllable valvetrain configured to alter the effective compression ratio of the engine, and a knock sensor. A method for controlling the engine includes controlling the valvetrain to a first effective compression ratio whereat knock is detectable by the knock sensor and thereafter controlling the valvetrain to reduce the effective compression ratio to a point whereat knock is no longer detectable. | 02-25-2010 |
20100107605 | PASSIVE AMMONIA-SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION FOR NOx CONTROL IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES - Engine exhaust gas feedstream NOx emissions aftertreatment includes a catalytic device connected upstream of an ammonia-selective catalytic reduction device including a base metal. Engine operation can be modulated to generate an engine-out exhaust gas feedstream that converts to ammonia on the catalytic device. The ammonia is stored on the ammonia-selective catalytic reduction device, and used to reduce NOx emissions in the exhaust gas feedstream. | 05-06-2010 |
20100107606 | PASSIVE AMMONIA-SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION FOR NOx CONTROL IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES - Engine exhaust gas feedstream NOx emissions aftertreatment includes a catalytic device and first and second ammonia selective catalytic reduction devices. The first and second ammonia-selective catalytic reduction devices each includes a base metal. Engine operation can be modulated to generate an engine-out exhaust gas feedstream that converts to ammonia. The ammonia is stored on the first and second ammonia selective catalytic reduction devices and used to reduce NOx emissions in the exhaust gas feedstream. | 05-06-2010 |
20100139248 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION OF A SPARK-IGNITION DIRECT-INJECTION ENGINE - Operation of a spark ignition, direct injection engine having an aftertreatment system including an oxidation catalyst and a selective catalyst reduction device is described. The method includes controlling to a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio and retarding spark ignition timing. Engine fueling is then controlled to a lean air/fuel ratio and spark is retarded. The engine is then operated to generate ammonia reductant. Engine operation then comprises operating at a preferred air/fuel ratio and controlling spark ignition timing to a preferred timing. | 06-10-2010 |
20100139251 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING EXHAUST EMISSIONS IN A SPARK-IGNITION DIRECT-INJECTION ENGINE - Exhaust emissions from a spark-ignition direct-injection engine connected to an oxidation catalytic device and a selective catalyst reduction device having a capacity to store ammonia reductant are controlled. The engine operates in a first combustion mode to generate ammonia reductant, stored on the second aftertreatment device. The engine operates lean of stoichiometry and nitrides of oxygen in the exhaust gas feedstream are reduced on the second aftertreatment device. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145594 | HIGH LOAD SI-HCCI TRANSITIION BY SELECTIVE COMBUSTION MODE SWITCHING - A method for operating a direct-injection internal combustion engine includes unevenly distributing load among a plurality of cylinders by operating a portion of the plurality of cylinders in a spark ignition mode and the remaining portion of the plurality of cylinders in a homogeneous charge compression ignition mode. | 06-10-2010 |
20100186390 | TECHNIQUE FOR PRODUCTION OF AMMONIA ON DEMAND IN A THREE WAY CATALYST FOR A PASSIVE SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION SYSTEM - A method for controlling a powertrain includes selectively initiating an ammonia generation cycle, including injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an engine before a primary combustion event to a calibrated air fuel ratio in a range lean of stoichiometry based upon generation of NOx within the combustion chamber, injecting fuel into the combustion chamber after the primary combustion event based upon an overall air fuel ratio in a range rich of stoichiometry and resulting generation of molecular hydrogen, and utilizing a catalyst device between the engine and a selective catalytic reduction device to produce ammonia. | 07-29-2010 |
20100186391 | TECHNIQUE FOR PRODUCTION OF AMMONIA ON DEMAND IN A THREE WAY CATALYST FOR A PASSIVE SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION SYSTEM - A method for controlling a powertrain includes selectively initiating an ammonia generation cycle including injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an engine before a primary combustion event to a calibrated air fuel ratio in a range lean of stoichiometry based upon generation of NOx within the combustion chamber, injecting fuel into the powertrain after the primary combustion event based upon an overall air fuel ratio in a range rich of stoichiometry and resulting generation of molecular hydrogen, utilizing a hydrogen forming catalyst to reform the injected fuel, and utilizing a catalyst device between the engine and the selective catalytic reduction device to produce ammonia. | 07-29-2010 |
20100212294 | METHOD FOR EXHAUST AFTERTREATMENT IN AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - An internal combustion engine includes first and second sets combustion chambers fluidly coupled to respective first and second aftertreatment devices. A third aftertreatment device including a supplemental heating device is fluidly coupled to outlets of the first and second aftertreatment devices. The first set of combustion chambers is operated rich and the second set of combustion chambers is operated lean. The supplemental heating device is operated to transfer thermal energy to the exhaust gas feedstream. | 08-26-2010 |
20100212295 | TECHNIQUE FOR PRODUCTION OF AMMONIA ON DEMAND IN A THREE WAY CATALYST FOR A PASSIVE SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION SYSTEM - A powertrain includes an internal combustion engine having multiple cylinders and an aftertreatment system having a selective catalytic reduction device utilizing ammonia as a reductant. An ammonia generation cycle includes operating some portion of the cylinders at an air/fuel ratio conducive to producing molecular hydrogen and some portion of the cylinders at an air/fuel ratio conducive to producing NOx. An ammonia generation catalyst is utilized between the engine and the selective catalytic reduction device to produce ammonia. | 08-26-2010 |
20100222985 | METHODOLOGY FOR EXTENDING THE HIGH LOAD LIMIT OF HCCI OPERATION BY ADJUSTING INJECTION TIMING AND SPARK TIMING - A method for operating an internal combustion engine including extended operation in a homogeneous charge compression ignition mode at high loads includes operating the engine in the homogeneous charge compression ignition mode including spark-assisted ignition, monitoring an engine load, monitoring an engine speed, determining the engine to be in a high ringing range based upon the engine load and the engine speed, and when the engine load is in the high ringing range, operating the engine in a reduced ringing mode. The reduced ringing mode includes modulating a fuel injection timing according to a calibrated maximum combustion chamber cooling fuel injection timing, determining a preferred combustion phasing value, and modulating a spark timing based upon the modulated fuel injection timing and the preferred combustion phasing value. | 09-02-2010 |
20100241341 | OPERATING STRATEGY FOR HCCI COMBUSTION DURING ENGINE WARM-UP - An engine operating in a spark-assisted homogeneous charge compression ignition mode during warm-up cycle is controlled using settings determined by interpolating between cold engine temperature settings fully warmed-up engine temperature settings. | 09-23-2010 |
20100269771 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - An internal combustion engine includes intake and exhaust camshafts including high-lift lobes and low-lift lobes separated by a lobe separation angle. The engine transitions between operating in a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode with positive valve overlap and a controlled auto-ignition combustion mode with negative valve overlap solely by selecting the corresponding one of the high-lift lobes and the low-lift lobes. | 10-28-2010 |
20100293926 | HYDROCARBON SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION FOR NOx CONTROL WITH GASOLINE-FUELED SPARK IGNITION ENGINES USING ENGINE-OUT HYDROCARBONS - A method for controlling hydrocarbon delivery to a hydrocarbon selective catalytic reduction device configured to receive an exhaust gas flow from an internal combustion engine includes monitoring measurable variable terms including factors affecting a conversion efficiency in the hydrocarbon selective catalytic reduction device, determining classifications of the measurable variable terms based upon measurable variable ranges, determining a desired hydrocarbon delivery value range based upon the classifications; and utilizing the desired hydrocarbon delivery value range to control the hydrocarbon delivery to the hydrocarbon selective catalytic reduction device. | 11-25-2010 |
20100293930 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AMMONIA FORMATION IN A CATALYTIC CONVERTER - An exhaust gas aftertreatment system for treating an engine-out exhaust gas feedstream of a spark-ignition direct-injection engine includes a multi-stage catalytic converter comprising a converter inlet, a converter outlet, and a substrate having a first end associated with the converter inlet and a second end associated with the converter outlet. The substrate further includes a multiplicity of flow passages between the first and second ends of the substrate, a first surface location corresponding to the first end of the substrate, and a second surface location corresponding to the second end of the substrate. A first washcoat stage is applied to the substrate at the first surface location corresponding to the first end of the substrate. A second washcoat stage is applied to the substrate at the second surface location corresponding to the second end of the substrate. The first and second washcoat stages include washcoats formulated to generate hydrogen and ammonia from the engine-out exhaust gas feedstream. An ammonia-selective catalytic reduction device is downstream of the first and second washcoat stages. | 11-25-2010 |
20110011660 | HYBRID POWERTRAIN SYSTEM USING FREE PISTON LINEAR ALTERNATOR ENGINES - A hybrid powertrain system includes reciprocating free-piston internal combustion engines, each including a linear alternator device configured to generate electric power. A control module determines mechanical and electrical power demands responsive to an operator torque request and a state of charge of an energy storage device. The control module operates the torque machine to generate an output torque responsive to the mechanical power demands and operates the reciprocating free-piston internal combustion engines to generate electric power responsive to the electrical power demands. | 01-20-2011 |
20110120089 | EXHAUST PARTICULATE MANAGEMENT FOR GASOLINE-FUELED ENGINES - A thin layer of low mean-pore-size filter material that permanently accommodates the accumulation of exhaust particulates (as soot or a soot cake) is carried on a porous ceramic support. The supported filter material is closely coupled with the exhaust manifold of the engine, for the purpose of passive regeneration of stored particulates, and removes particulate matter from the exhaust which is directed through the filter layer and ceramic support. The oxygen content of the exhaust oxidizes the particulate matter on the filter material. In a preferred embodiment, a thin layer of the filter material is supported on inlet channel walls of a wall flow-through ceramic filter body to remove the particles from the exhaust. The filter body comprises an upstream exhaust gas flow inlet face with openings to a plurality of inlet channels and a downstream face with a like plurality of openings from outlet channels. The inlet channels are closed at the downstream face and the outlet channels are closed at the inlet face. So the exhaust stream enters the inlet channels and flows through the filter layers and supporting channel walls to an outlet channel. The filtered exhaust stream exits the outlet end of the filter body and is combined into an exhaust passage downstream of the filter body for further treatment as may be necessary. | 05-26-2011 |
20110168130 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION MODE TRANSITIONS IN AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - An engine is transitioned from a first combustion mode to a second combustion mode. Phase and lift of the intake and exhaust valves are sequentially adjusted corresponding to intake air cylinder volume and residual gas cylinder volume corresponding to the first and second combustion modes. | 07-14-2011 |
20110197851 | METHOD FOR METERING A FUEL MASS USING A CONTROLLABLE FUEL INJECTOR - A method for controlling a direct-injection fuel injector for an internal combustion engine includes identifying linear and non-linear fuel mass delivery regions corresponding to predefined ranges of injection duration, monitoring an operator torque request, determining a total desired fuel mass associated with the operator torque request, identifying a fuel mass delivery region corresponding to the total desired fuel mass, and commanding a plurality of partial injection events having injection durations corresponding to the linear fuel mass delivery region to inject the total desired fuel mass when the total desired fuel mass corresponds to the non-linear fuel mass delivery region. | 08-18-2011 |
20110202253 | FUEL EFFICIENT AMMONIA GENERATION STRATEGY FOR LEAN-BURN ENGINES UTILIZING PASSIVE NH3-SCR FOR THE CONTROL OF NOX - A method and system for operating an ammonia generation cycle in an internal combustion engine and a connected aftertreatment system includes monitoring a parameter of engine operation, comparing the parameter of engine operation to a threshold delineating operation of the engine in one of a stoichiometric operation and rich operation, and operating the ammonia generation cycle based upon the comparing indicating the parameter of engine operation exceeding the threshold. | 08-18-2011 |
20110283971 | METHOD FOR MANAGING TRANSITIONS IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES WITH COMBUSTION PHASING - A combustion mode transition control for controlling a transition between a homogeneous-charge compression-ignition (HCCI) combustion mode and a spark-ignition (SI) combustion mode includes slowly transitioning intake and exhaust camshafts from initial phase settings corresponding to one of the HCCI and SI combustion modes to target phase settings corresponding to the other of the HCCI and SI combustion modes. An ignition spark timing and an injected fuel mass are coordinated with the transitioning of the intake and exhaust camshaft phase settings to substantially maintain engine load continuity during the transitioning of the intake and exhaust camshaft phase settings. | 11-24-2011 |
20110283972 | CONTROL STRATEGY FOR TRANSITIONS BETWEEN HOMOGENEOUS-CHARGE COMPRESSION-IGNITION AND SPARK-IGNITION COMBUSTION MODES - A direct-injection internal combustion engine includes an intake camshaft with a low-lift intake cam and a high-lift intake cam, a variable lift control for selectively operating an intake valve in one of a low-lift intake valve profile with the low-lift intake cam and a high-lift intake valve profile with the high-lift intake cam, a variable cam phase control operative on the intake camshaft for simultaneously controlling the phase of the low-lift intake cam and the high-lift intake cam, an ignition spark control, a fuel injection control, an exhaust gas recirculation control, and an intake throttle control. A method of operating the engine includes operating the engine in one of a) a homogeneous-charge compression-ignition (HCCI) combustion mode including the low-lift intake valve profile, and b) a spark ignition (SI) combustion mode including the high-lift intake valve profile, and within a predetermined range of engine loads and camshaft phasings, wherein the low-lift intake valve profile and the high-lift intake valve profile effect a respective intake airflow in the corresponding HCCI combustion mode and SI combustion mode conducive to stable combustion exclusively through fuel and spark control. The method further includes transitioning between the HCCI and SI combustion modes exclusively through adjustments to the variable lift control, the ignition spark control, and the fuel injection control. | 11-24-2011 |
20110288742 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE OPERATING IN HCCI COMBUSTION MODE - An internal combustion engine is configured to operate in a homogeneous-charge compression-ignition combustion mode. Operating the internal combustion engine includes determining an integrated thermal state parameter from an aggregation of engine environment factors. A feed-forward engine control scheme is executed to determine states for engine control parameters. The states for the engine control parameters correspond to a preferred combustion phasing responsive to an operator torque request and the integrated thermal state parameter. Operation of the internal combustion engine is controlled to achieve the preferred combustion phasing using the states for the engine control parameters. | 11-24-2011 |
20110288747 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE IN A HOMOGENEOUS-CHARGE COMPRESSION-IGNITION COMBUSTION MODE - A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes determining an actual combustion heat release during ongoing engine operation, calculating an expected combustion heat release corresponding to engine operation associated with the actual combustion heat release during ongoing engine operation, determining a difference between the actual combustion heat release and the expected combustion heat release, and operating the internal combustion engine in a homogeneous-charge compression-ignition combustion mode to achieve a preferred combustion phasing during each combustion cycle in response to the difference between the actual combustion heat release and the expected combustion heat release. | 11-24-2011 |
20110288750 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE COUPLED TO A PASSIVE SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEM - A direct-injection internal combustion engine is fluidly coupled to a passive SCR system including a three-way catalytic converter upstream to an ammonia-selective catalytic reduction catalyst. Transition from an HCCI combustion mode to an SI combustion mode includes determining a preferred air/fuel ratio to achieve a minimum fuel consumption and maintain combustion stability at an acceptable level for a predetermined engine operating point during the SI combustion mode. A fuel injection timing, an engine spark timing and an engine valve lift are substantially immediately controlled from respective HCCI combustion mode settings to respective SI combustion mode settings. A transition to the preferred air/fuel ratio is coordinated with a transition of an engine valve phase from a respective HCCI combustion mode setting to a respective SI combustion mode phase setting. | 11-24-2011 |
20110315101 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR IMPROVING CHARGED ENGINES - A charged engine may utilize a plurality of independently controllable intake valves for a cylinder of the engine. A method to operate the engine includes monitoring an unmodified timing for the plurality of independently controllable intake valves for the cylinder, monitoring operation of the engine, determining a delayed timing for a first intake valve of the independently controllable intake valves for the cylinder based upon the monitored operation of the engine and the unmodified timing for the plurality of independently controllable intake valves for the cylinder, controlling the first intake valve based upon the determined delayed timing for the first intake valve, and controlling a second intake valve of the independently controllable intake valves for the cylinder based upon the monitored unmodified timing. | 12-29-2011 |
20120035793 | METHOD FOR MANAGING TRANSITIONS IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES WITH A HYBRID DRIVE POWERTRAIN - A method for controlling combustion mode transitions for an engine of a hybrid powertrain includes commanding an increase in engine torque, adjusting motor torque output from a torque machine responsive to the operator torque request and the commanded increase in engine torque, executing the combustion mode transition, and operating the torque machine in a torque reclamation state. | 02-09-2012 |
20120060472 | CATALYST MATERIALS FOR NOx OXIDATION IN AN EXHAUST AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEM THAT USES PASSIVE AMMONIA SCR - An exhaust aftertreatment system that receives an exhaust flow from a lean-burn engine and a method for treating the exhaust flow are described. The exhaust aftertreatment system may include a three-way-catalyst, an oxidation catalyst, and a NH | 03-15-2012 |
20120080536 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A FUEL INJECTOR - A method for controlling an electromagnetically-activated fuel injector includes determining an injector activation signal having an injection duration, an initial peak pull-in current and a secondary hold current corresponding to a preferred injected fuel mass for a fuel injection event associated with a non-monotonic region of injector operation, and controlling the fuel injector using the injector activation signal to achieve the preferred injected fuel mass for the fuel injection event. | 04-05-2012 |
20120112467 | FREE PISTON LINEAR ALTERNATOR UTILIZING OPPOSED PISTONS WITH SPRING RETURN - A free piston linear alternator includes a cylinder having a pair of outer chambers, a pair of opposed pistons and a combustion chamber disposed between the opposed pistons. Each outer chamber is disposed between respective ones of the pistons and a respective outer end of the cylinder. The pistons are axially opposed from each other and independently generate electric current when each of the pistons linearly translate. Each of a pair of return members is disposed within a respective one of the outer chambers, and each of the return members is configured to return respective ones of the pistons to a respective first position from a respective second position after combustion. | 05-10-2012 |
20120112468 | OPPOSED FREE PISTON LINEAR ALTERNATOR - A free piston linear alternator includes a cylinder having a pair of bounce chambers, a pair of scavenging chambers, a pair of opposed pistons and a combustion chamber disposed between the opposed pistons. The pistons are axially opposed from each other and generate electric current when each of the pistons linearly translate. Each of the bounce chambers is disposed between respective ones of the pistons and a respective outer end of the cylinder and includes substantially constrained air configured to return respective ones of the pistons to a respective first position from a respective second position after combustion. | 05-10-2012 |
20120112469 | TURBOCOMPOUND FREE PISTON LINEAR ALTERNATOR - A free piston linear alternator including a pair of pistons, each piston axially opposed from the other and generating electric current when linearly translating within the cylinder, a combustion chamber disposed between the pistons, a return mechanism configured to return the pistons to respective first positions from respective second positions after combustion; and an exhaust system fluidly coupled to the combustion chamber and including a power turbine transforming exhaust gas feedstream pressure into a mechanical output. | 05-10-2012 |
20120166067 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A FUEL INJECTOR - A method for determining injected fuel mass delivered from an electromagnetic solenoid-activated fuel injector during a fuel injection event includes determining a sensed injection duration and a maximum injection mass flowrate during the fuel injection event, and determining the injected fuel mass for the fuel injection event based on the sensed injection duration and the maximum injection mass flowrate during the fuel injection event. | 06-28-2012 |
20120191288 | ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTICS SYSTEM AND METHOD - An on-board diagnostics system and method are disclosed for a vehicle having an engine and an exhaust system. The system includes a modified selective catalytic reduction catalyst coupled to the engine via the exhaust system, where the modified selective catalytic reduction catalyst includes oxygen storage components. An upstream oxygen sensor is disposed in the exhaust pipe upstream of the modified selective catalytic reduction catalyst and a downstream oxygen sensor is disposed in the exhaust pipe downstream from the modified selective catalytic reduction catalyst. An engine control module receives data from the upstream and downstream oxygen sensors and determines a lifespan of the modified selective catalytic reduction catalyst based upon the data from the upstream and downstream oxygen sensors. | 07-26-2012 |
20120255279 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SOLAR-POWERED CONTROL OF EXHAUST AFTER-TREATMENT SYSTEMS - A system and method for providing energy to auto systems such as systems after-treating exhaust. Energy may be received from a solar energy source electrically connected to an after-treatment system. At least some of the energy from the solar energy source may be provided to the after-treatment system to purify exhaust from an engine. A control module may provide at least some of the energy from the solar energy source to a heater, for example, to initiate heating the after-treatment system prior to starting the engine. The heater may heat the after-treatment to temperatures within a predetermined temperature range associated with optimal efficiency for the after-treatment system. | 10-11-2012 |
20120255517 | HCCI FUEL INJECTORS FOR ROBUST AUTO-IGNITION AND FLAME PROPAGATION - A direct injection engine includes a fuel injector receiving a flow of pressurized fuel. The fuel injector provides fuel injections directly into a combustion chamber of the engine. The fuel injector includes a first fuel injector nozzle opening directing with a first narrow injection angle a first portion of a fuel injection mass at a spark gap of a spark plug. The fuel injector further includes a second fuel injector nozzle opening dispersing with a second wider injection angle a second portion of the fuel injection mass within the combustion chamber. | 10-11-2012 |
20120255520 | PISTON FOR ROBUST AUTO-IGNITION - A piston for an internal combustion engine is located within a cylinder of the engine. The piston includes a dish-shaped depression in a surface of the piston exposed to a combustion chamber of the cylinder providing a recess from a nominal top of the piston. The depression includes a depression boundary located at the nominal top of the piston and proximate to an outer diameter of the piston, an apex, and inclined walls connecting the apex to the depression boundary. | 10-11-2012 |
20120260627 | INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WITH EMISSION TREATMENT INTERPOSED BETWEEN TWO EXPANSION PHASES - An internal combustion engine has a first work extraction station for extracting work from combustion and expansion of working gases. An emission treatment station treats the working gases after leaving the first extraction work station for reducing emissions. A second work extraction station receives the working gases from the emission treatment station for a second extraction of work from the working gases. | 10-18-2012 |
20120286052 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SOLAR-POWERED ENGINE THERMAL MANAGEMENT - A system and method of engine thermal management. Energy may be received from a solar energy source electrically connected to a vehicle propulsion system. At least some of the energy from the solar energy source may be used to heat a component of the vehicle propulsion system. A control module may provide at least some of the energy from the solar energy source to a heater, for example, to heat a component of the vehicle propulsion system prior to starting the vehicle propulsion system. The heater may heat the vehicle propulsion system to temperatures within a predetermined range associated with optimal efficiency of the vehicle propulsion system. | 11-15-2012 |
20120316754 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A SPARK-IGNITION, DIRECT-INJECTION INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A spark-ignition, direct-injection internal combustion engine is coupled to an exhaust aftertreatment system including a three-way catalytic converter upstream of an NH3-SCR catalyst. A method for operating the engine includes operating the engine in a fuel cutoff mode and coincidentally executing a second fuel injection control scheme upon detecting an engine load that permits operation in the fuel cutoff mode. | 12-13-2012 |
20120316757 | COMBUSTION PHASING CONTROL METHODOLOGY IN HCCI COMBUSTION - Controlling combustion in a spark-ignition direction-injection internal combustion engine includes providing an initial injected fuel mass timing and an initial spark ignition timing. A combustion phasing error is monitored and compared with each of the initial injected fuel mass timing and the initial spark ignition timing. An adjusted injected fuel mass timing and an adjusted desired spark ignition timing is determined based on the comparing for maintaining a desired combustion phasing. | 12-13-2012 |
20130018565 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENGINE OPERATION IN HOMOGENEOUS CHARGE COMPRESSION IGNITION AND SPARK IGNITIONAANM Yun; HanhoAACI Oakland TownshipAAST MIAACO USAAGP Yun; Hanho Oakland Township MI USAANM Wermuth; NicoleAACI MunchenAACO DEAAGP Wermuth; Nicole Munchen DEAANM Najt; Paul M.AACI Bloomfield HillsAAST MIAACO USAAGP Najt; Paul M. Bloomfield Hills MI USAANM Kang; Jun-MoAACI Ann ArborAAST MIAACO USAAGP Kang; Jun-Mo Ann Arbor MI USAANM Brown; Barry L.AACI Lake OrionAAST MIAACO USAAGP Brown; Barry L. Lake Orion MI US - A method to control an internal combustion engine includes controlling the engine in a homogeneous charge compression ignition mode and depending upon the operating range of the engine operating both intake and exhaust valves with one of a high-lift profile or a low lift profile or the exhaust valves with a low-lift profile and the intake valves with a high-lift profile. | 01-17-2013 |
20130024091 | METHODOLOGY TO COMPENSATE THE EFFECT OF HUMIDITY AND ALTITUDE ON HCCI COMBUSTION - A method for controlling combustion in a spark-ignition direct-injection internal combustion engine includes monitoring an engine operating mode and an ambient parameter, determining a deviation of the ambient parameter relative to a nominal ambient parameter, determining a nominal desired engine operation parameter based on engine speed and load, determining and adjusted desired engine operation parameter based on the nominal desired engine operation parameter and said deviation of the ambient parameter, and controlling the engine based on the engine operating mode and one of the nominal desired engine operation parameter and adjusted desired engine operation parameter. | 01-24-2013 |
20130054115 | INDIRECT HCCI COMBUSTION CONTROL - A method for controlling combustion in a spark-ignition direct-injection internal combustion engine includes monitoring at least one combustion input parameter, and when the at least one monitored combustion input parameter deviates from a respective desired combustion input parameter, adjusting a combustion input mechanism associated with controlling the at least one monitored combustion input parameter to converge toward the respective desired combustion input parameter. | 02-28-2013 |
20130174805 | SPARK IGNITION TO HOMOGENOUS CHARGE COMPRESSION IGINITION TRANSITION CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A system for a vehicle includes a mode control module and a valve control module. The mode control module selectively sets an ignition mode for an engine to one of a spark ignition (SI) mode and a homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) mode. In response to the ignition mode transitioning from the SI mode to the HCCI mode during a first engine cycle, the valve control module operates an exhaust valve in a high lift mode during a second engine cycle, operates an intake valve in a low lift mode during the second engine cycle, and operates the exhaust and intake valves in the low lift mode during a third engine cycle. The first engine cycle is before the second engine cycle, and the second engine cycle is before the third engine cycle. | 07-11-2013 |
20130199492 | INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE UTILIZING DUAL COMPRESSION AND SINGLE EXPANSION PROCESS - An internal combustion engine includes a compressor cylinder having a respective inlet, a first outlet and a respective piston slideably movable within the compressor cylinder and operatively connected to a rotating crankshaft. The compressor cylinder provides a first stage of compression to a charge when the charge is transferred from the compressor cylinder during every revolution of the crankshaft. A first power cylinder includes a respective inlet in fluid communication with the first outlet of the compressor cylinder, a respective outlet and a respective piston slideably movable within the first power cylinder and operatively connected to the rotating crankshaft. The first power cylinder provides a second stage of compression and firing of the charge within the first power cylinder every two revolutions of the crankshaft. | 08-08-2013 |
20130269317 | TECHNIQUE FOR PRODUCTION OF AMMONIA ON DEMAND IN A THREE WAY CATALYST FOR A PASSIVE SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION SYSTEM - A powertrain includes an internal combustion engine with multiple cylinders and an aftertreatment system having a selective catalytic reduction device utilizing ammonia as a reductant. An ammonia generation cycle includes operating some portion of the cylinders at an air/fuel ratio conducive to producing molecular hydrogen and some portion of the cylinders at an air/fuel ratio conducive to producing NOx. An ammonia generation catalyst is utilized between the engine and the selective catalytic reduction device to produce ammonia. | 10-17-2013 |
20130340408 | TECHNIQUE TO DIAGNOSE AND CONTROL AMMONIA GENERATION FROM A TWC FOR PASSIVE AMMONIA SCR OPERATION - A method for controlling ammonia generation in an exhaust gas feedstream output from an internal combustion engine equipped with an exhaust aftertreatment system having a first aftertreatment device includes executing an ammonia generation cycle to generate ammonia on the first aftertreatment device. The ammonia generation cycle includes monitoring an air-fuel ratio in the exhaust gas feedstream at a first location in the exhaust aftertreatment system, and monitoring an air-fuel ratio in the exhaust gas feedstream at a second location in the exhaust aftertreatment system. The air-fuel ratio at the first location is compared to the air-fuel ratio at the second location. If the air-fuel ratio at the second location is richer than the air-fuel ratio at the first location, operation of the engine is adjusted until the air-fuel ratio at the second location is equal to the air-fuel ratio at the first location. | 12-26-2013 |
20140102081 | COMBUSTION DRIVEN AMMONIA GENERATION STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE AMMONIA SCR SYSTEM - A method for controlling ammonia generation in an exhaust gas feedstream output from an internal combustion engine equipped with an exhaust aftertreatment system including a first aftertreatment device includes executing an ammonia generation cycle to generate ammonia on the first aftertreatment device. A desired air-fuel ratio output from the engine and entering the exhaust aftertreatment system conducive for generating ammonia on the first aftertreatment device is determined. Operation of a selected combination of a plurality of cylinders of the engine is selectively altered to achieve the desired air-fuel ratio entering the exhaust aftertreatment system. | 04-17-2014 |
20140123958 | PISTON COMPOUND INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WITH EXPANDER DEACTIVATION - A piston compound internal combustion engine is disclosed with an expander piston deactivation feature. A piston internal combustion engine is compounded with a secondary expander piston, where the expander piston extracts energy from the exhaust gases being expelled from the primary power pistons. The secondary expander piston can be deactivated and immobilized, or its stroke can be reduced, under low load conditions in order to reduce parasitic losses and over-expansion. Two mechanizations are disclosed for the secondary expander piston's coupling with the power pistons and crankshaft. Control strategies for activation and deactivation of the secondary expander piston are also disclosed. | 05-08-2014 |
20150053183 | METHOD FOR IMPROVING CLOSELY-SPACED MULTIPLE-INJECTION PERFORMANCE FROM SOLENOID ACTUATED FUEL INJECTORS - A method for controlling an electromagnetically-activated fuel injector includes, when a plurality of fuel injection events are close-spaced during an engine cycle, monitoring a respective desired injected fuel mass for each of the plurality of fuel injection events. A desired current wave form is selected from a plurality of current waveforms whereat each respective desired injected fuel mass is achieved based on at least one of the fuel injection events. The fuel injector is controlled using the desired current waveform. | 02-26-2015 |