Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110202260 | SPARK PLUG DEGRADATION DETECTION - Methods and systems are provided for identifying and indicating degradation of an engine cylinder spark plug. In response to a cylinder misfire event during selected engine operating conditions, followed by an occurrence of a threshold number and/or rate of pre-ignition events in the same cylinder, a controller may determine that the spark plug is degraded. The controller may limit combustion in the cylinder in response to the degradation. Additionally, cylinder pre-ignition mitigating steps may be taken. | 08-18-2011 |
20110203272 | REDUCTION IN TURBOCHARGER LAG AT HIGH ALTITUDES - A method of operating a turbocharged engine of a motor vehicle, the engine having a cylinder which undergoes a compression stroke. The method includes advancing an ignition spark in the cylinder by a first amount relative to top dead center of the compression stroke at a first barometric pressure for a given engine speed and load, and advancing the ignition spark by a second, lesser amount relative to top dead center of the compression stroke at a second, lower barometric pressure, for the given engine speed and load. | 08-25-2011 |
20130000601 | ENGINE-LOAD MANAGEMENT TO REDUCE PARTICULATE EMISSIONS - A method for operating an engine of a vehicle. During a warm-up period following a cold start of the vehicle, a cylinder of the engine is charged to a reduced air-charge pressure, and fuel is injected into the cylinder. After the warm-up period, the cylinder is charged to a non-reduced air-charge pressure, greater for an equivalent driver demand than the reduced air-charge pressure, and fuel is injected into the cylinder. | 01-03-2013 |
20140123963 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO IDENTIFY AMBIENT CONDITIONS - Methods and systems are provided for estimating an ambient humidity value used to determine condensate formation in a charge air cooler. The ambient humidity value is determined from charge air cooler efficiency and windshield wiper speed thresholds. The humidity value is used to calculate an amount of condensate in a charge air cooler and control engine systems to reduce condensate formation and engine misfire. | 05-08-2014 |
20140136081 | SPARK PLUG DEGRADATION DETECTION - Methods and systems are provided for identifying and indicating degradation of an engine cylinder spark plug. In response to a cylinder misfire event during selected engine operating conditions, followed by an occurrence of a threshold number and/or rate of pre-ignition events in the same cylinder, a controller may determine that the spark plug is degraded. The controller may limit combustion in the cylinder in response to the degradation. Additionally, cylinder pre-ignition mitigating steps may be taken. | 05-15-2014 |
20140158089 | CONTROLLING CHARGE AIR COOLER CONDENSATION BY USING HEATED INTAKE AIR - Methods and systems are provided for adjusting the temperature of intake air entering an engine. In response to condensate in a charge air cooler and engine operating conditions, the position of an induction valve is adjusted to draw in air from a warm or cool air duct. Induction valve operation is further controlled to reduce fuel economy losses. | 06-12-2014 |
20140331975 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A DIRECT INJECTION FUEL PUMP - Methods and systems are provided for a direct injection fuel pump. The methods and systems selectively operate the direct injection fuel pump with varying levels of efficiency. | 11-13-2014 |
20150047607 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TORQUE CONTROL - Methods and systems are provided for enabling a smooth transmission shift in a hybrid vehicle configured with a motor hybrid transmission. During an initial part of a transmission upshift, spark timing may be advanced from MBT to expedite torque reduction. Once engine speed has sufficiently reduced, and is within a threshold range of the desired engine speed, spark timing may be retarded until the transmission shift is completed. | 02-19-2015 |
20150051809 | VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - Methods and systems are provided for improving the performance of a variable displacement engine. Split injection and spark retard may be used in active cylinder during a VDE mode to heat an exhaust catalyst and extend the duration of VDE mode operation. Split injection and spark retard may also be used in reactivated cylinders at a time of cylinder reactivation to improve restart combustion stability. | 02-19-2015 |
20150051816 | VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - Methods and systems are provided for improving the performance of a variable displacement engine. Split injection and spark retard may be used in active cylinders during a VDE mode to heat an exhaust catalyst and extend the duration of VDE mode operation. Split injection and spark retard may also be used in reactivated cylinders at a time of cylinder reactivation to improve restart combsution stability. | 02-19-2015 |