Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080196684 | HYDRAULIC LASH ADJUSTER - A hydraulic lash adjuster includes a cylindrical body having a central cylindrical bore. A hollow plunger is reciprocable in the bore and includes a reservoir chamber therein. The plunger has a close clearance with the bore. A high pressure chamber is defined by the plunger and a closed end of the bore. An orificed wall of the plunger separates the reservoir chamber from the high pressure chamber. A check valve is disposed in the orifice for allowing one-way flow of oil from the reservoir chamber to the high pressure chamber. A plunger spring disposed in the high pressure chamber urges the plunger away from the closed end of the bore. A seat is disposed at an end of the plunger distal from the high pressure chamber. The plunger includes a circumferential groove proximate the seat for holding oil to maintain an oil seal in the clearance to limit leakage of air through the clearance. | 08-21-2008 |
20080223111 | SYSTEM FOR DETECTING HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKS - A control system and method for detecting a hydraulic system leak in an engine includes a pressure sensor that senses a first pressure reading of a hydraulic fluid supply at a first time and a second pressure reading of said hydraulic fluid supply at a second time. A comparison module calculates a pressure ratio based on the first and second pressure readings and signals a fault condition based on a relationship between the pressure ratio and a pressure threshold. | 09-18-2008 |
20080223114 | ENGINE OIL VISCOSITY DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An engine oil viscosity measurement system is provided. The system includes: a solenoid response module that determines an actual response time based on a position signal; an expected response module that determines an expected response time based on a system voltage and engine oil temperature; and a diagnostic module that diagnoses viscosity of the engine oil based on the actual response time and the expected response time. | 09-18-2008 |
20080234106 | ENGINE CONTROL FOR DISPLACEMENT ON DEMAND - An engine control system for controlling a displacement on demand engine having a plurality of cylinders includes a torque converter with a torque converter clutch. A control module determines a slip speed of said torque converter clutch, estimates a temperature state of said torque converter clutch based on said slip speed, and selectively activates at least one of said cylinders based on said temperature state. | 09-25-2008 |
20080237503 | FUEL CONTAMINANT LIGHT SENSOR - A fuel contaminant sensor is provided. The fuel containment sensor includes a fluid reservoir having an inlet and an outlet. A light source for projecting a light beam through the fluid reservoir is disposed on the fluid reservoir. A light beam detector for receiving the light beam projected through the fluid reservoir is disposed opposite the light source. A controller is provided for activating the light source and for receiving an output of the light beam detector. An interruption of the light beam inhibits the light beam detector from receiving the light beam. | 10-02-2008 |
20080276910 | FUEL PRESSURE BOOST METHOD AND APPARATUS - An apparatus for providing pressurized fuel for an engine includes an engine starting apparatus including an electric motor operative to crank the engine and a fuel pump operatively coupled to the electric motor. | 11-13-2008 |
20090000579 | VALVE TRAIN WITH OVERLOAD FEATURES - A valve train for use in an engine is provided. The valve train includes a rocker arm assembly having a valve side arm and a cam side arm. A valve is coupled to the engine and is in contact with the valve side arm. A pushrod is reciprocatable by a camshaft and is in contact with the cam side arm. An overload feature is located on at least one of the rocker arm assembly or the pushrod. The overload feature has a reduced cross-sectional area calibrated to activate at a predefined load. | 01-01-2009 |
20090031970 | SWITCHABLE VALVETRAIN SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A switchable valvetrain system is provided having a control unit and a pressure regulator valve responsive to control signals from the control unit. A pressurized fluid source is provided in communication with the pressure regulator valve. A switchable valvetrain component having a latching mechanism and lubrication circuit in selective communication with the pressurized fluid source through the pressure regulator valve is also provided. The pressure regulator valve is operable to selectively and variably communicate fluid pressure from the pressurized fluid source to the latching mechanism and the lubrication circuit in response to control signals from the control unit. A method of operating the switchable valvetrain system is also provided. | 02-05-2009 |
20090099719 | Method for vehicle suspension wear prediction and indication - A vehicle suspension wear prediction and indication method includes processing data inputs from a suspension system and converting the data inputs into a cumulative wear estimate. The data inputs are selected to model a magnitude factor and a duration factor related to the operation of the suspension system. | 04-16-2009 |
20090150055 | VARIABLE ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT DELAY WITH HYBRID START-STOP - A control system for a hybrid vehicle including an engine with cylinder deactivation comprises an engine time off module that determines an engine time off value. A re-purge determining module estimates a re-purge time required to purge a hydraulic control system of the engine of air before initiating cylinder deactivation. The re-purge time is estimated based on the engine time off value and an engine temperature. | 06-11-2009 |
20090173311 | ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR INCREASED VEHICLE FUEL ECONOMY - An engine control system comprises a driver input module, a cylinder actuation module, and an active fuel management (AFM) module. The driver input module generates a fuel saver mode (FSM) signal having a first state based upon a driver input. The cylinder actuation module selectively disables at least one of a plurality of cylinders of an engine based upon a deactivation signal having a first state. The AFM module generates the deactivation signal based on at least one engine parameter and at least one threshold. The at least one threshold is modified when the FSM signal has the first state. | 07-09-2009 |
20090188755 | OIL CONDITION SENSING METHODS AND SYSTEMS - An engine oil system comprises an oil condition sensing device and a control module. The oil condition sensing device includes an electrically actuated member and is in fluid communication with an engine oil reservoir. The control module selectively causes current to be supplied to the oil condition sensing device to actuate the member, measures the current, determines a parameter of the current, and selectively identifies at least two of an oil level, an oil change event, and an oil viscosity level based on the parameter. | 07-30-2009 |
20090224557 | ENGINE STOP/START SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME - A method of operating an engine stop/start system includes connecting an armature of a starter motor to the engine through an overrunning clutch when the engine changes a rotational direction. | 09-10-2009 |
20090239707 | ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT MODE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH CONTROL - A system comprises a slip module and a gas temperature module. The slip module adjusts slipping of a clutch of a torque converter based on a first slip value before a cylinder of an engine is deactivated. The gas temperature module determines a temperature of a gas within the cylinder after the cylinder is deactivated. The slip module determines a second slip value based on the temperature of the gas and adjusts the slipping of the clutch based on the second slip value, wherein the second slip value is less than the first slip value. | 09-24-2009 |
20090299549 | ENGINE IDLING CONTROL SYSTEM FOR HYBRID VEHICLE - An engine idling control system includes a receiver module and a timing module. The receiver module receives a signal indicative of a traffic light status. The timing module communicates with an engine and the receiver module and selectively starts and stops the engine based on the signal. | 12-03-2009 |
20100012410 | Cloud Point Monitoring Systems for Determining a Cloud Point Temperature of Diesel Fuel - Cloud point monitoring systems for determining a cloud point temperature value for diesel fuel are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a cloud point monitoring system receives diesel fuel in the tubular conduit and propagates light through the diesel fuel. The cloud point monitoring system further determines a cloud point temperature value indicative of a cloud point of the diesel fuel based on a light intensity level of the light that has propagated through cooled diesel fuel. | 01-21-2010 |
20100014553 | Cloud Point Monitoring Systems for Determining a Cloud Point Temperature of Diesel Fuel - Cloud point monitoring systems for determining a cloud point of diesel fuel are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a cloud point monitoring system determines a cloud point temperature value utilizing signals indicating a viscosity level of diesel fuel and a temperature of the diesel fuel. | 01-21-2010 |
20100014554 | Cloud Point Monitoring Systems for Determining a Cloud Point Temperature of Diesel Fuel - Cloud point monitoring systems for determining a cloud point temperature value for diesel fuel are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a cloud point monitoring system receives diesel fuel in the tubular conduit and propagates a sound wave through the diesel fuel. The cloud point monitoring system further determines a cloud point temperature value indicative of a cloud point of the diesel fuel based on a phase shift of the sound wave propagating through the diesel fuel. | 01-21-2010 |
20100024769 | EXTENDING VARIABLE DISPLACEMENT OPERATION THROUGH SPARK KNOCK CONTROL - A control system comprising a spark knock detection module that detects a spark knock in an engine of a hybrid vehicle, and a torque control module that selectively regulates an engine torque output and an electric machine torque output based on the spark knock. A method comprising detecting a spark knock in an engine of a hybrid vehicle, and selectively regulating an engine torque output and an electric machine torque output based on the spark knock. | 02-04-2010 |
20100029421 | CRANKSHAFT REVERSAL DETECTION SYSTEMS - A crankshaft reversal detection system includes a sensor module and a control module that communicates with the sensor module. The sensor module detects position of a belt tensioner that communicates with a crankshaft driven accessory drive belt. The control module determines a rotational direction of the crankshaft pulley based on the position of the belt tensioner. | 02-04-2010 |
20100033372 | IN-VEHICLE ALERT OF CLOUD POINT IN ENGINE DIESEL FUEL - The disclosure relates to a method for receiving in-vehicle information regarding diesel fuel cloud point condition. The method includes establishing communication between a telematics unit in a vehicle and i) a global positioning system device, ii) a call center including a database, and iii) a cloud point monitoring device in the vehicle. The telematics unit receives from at least one of i, ii, or iii, information pertaining to vehicle location, cloud point, and ambient temperature. The telematics unit determines from the information whether fuel in a fuel system of the vehicle is reaching cloud point or can reach cloud point within a given time period. The telematics unit then transmits an in-vehicle alert when the fuel in the vehicle fuel system is reaching cloud point or can reach cloud point within a given time period. The disclosure also relates to a system for performing the method. | 02-11-2010 |
20100063713 | DUAL ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT SEQUENCING - A system includes a cylinder selection module and a valve deactivation module. The cylinder selection module selects cylinders of an engine for active fuel management. The valve deactivation module deactivates intake valves of selected cylinders of the engine before deactivating exhaust valves of the selected cylinders when an engine speed of the engine is less than or equal to a predetermined speed. | 03-11-2010 |
20100064992 | Eight-Stroke Engine Cycle - An eight-stroke engine cycle may include a first stroke forming an intake stroke and including opening an intake valve and providing a first fuel mass to the combustion chamber. The second stroke may form a first compression stroke and the third stroke may form a first expansion stroke including a first power stroke. The fourth and sixth strokes may form a second and third compression strokes and the fifth and seventh strokes may form a second and third expansion strokes. A second fuel mass may be provided to the combustion chamber during the fourth or sixth stroke. The intake valve may be in a closed position during the second and third expansion strokes and an exhaust valve in communication with the combustion chamber may be in a closed position during the second and third compression strokes. The eighth stroke may form an exhaust stroke including opening the exhaust valve. | 03-18-2010 |
20100102783 | Method and system to reduce accessory drive belt slip - A method and a system for reducing belt noise in an engine, wherein the belt is engaged with an alternator includes a transmission upshift detection module determining a transmission upshift or a quickly closing throttle detection module determining a quickly closing throttle. The control module further includes an engine speed prediction module determining a predicted engine speed in response to determining a transmission upshift and an engine deceleration prediction module determining a predicted engine deceleration when the predicted deceleration of the engine crankshaft is greater than a threshold. An alternator control module controls a rotor current in the alternator to add load to the alternator rotor to reduce potential belt noise. | 04-29-2010 |
20100186694 | ENGINE INCLUDING CYLINDER DEACTIVATION ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF CONTROL - A method is provided for operating an engine assembly having a hydraulically actuated component. The method may include providing pressurized oil from a pressurized oil source to an oil passage in communication with the hydraulically actuated component and determining a first oil pressure measurement within the oil passage a first predetermined time after the providing. The method may further include preventing operation of the hydraulically actuated component when the first oil pressure measurement is below a first predetermined limit, isolating the oil passage from the pressurized oil source after the providing, and determining a second oil pressure measurement within the oil passage a second predetermined time after the isolating when the first oil pressure measurement is above the first predetermined limit. Operation of the hydraulically actuated component may be prevented when the second oil pressure measurement is above a second predetermined limit. | 07-29-2010 |
20100186701 | ENGINE INCLUDING CYLINDER DEACTIVATION ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF CONTROL - A method of purging air from an oil passage in communication with a lifter assembly in an engine assembly may include isolating the oil passage from a pressurized oil source while the lifter assembly is engaged with a base region of a cam lobe to operate the first lifter assembly in the activated mode. The pressurized oil may be provided to the lifter assembly via the oil passage after the isolating when the lifter assembly is engaged with a lift region of the cam lobe. The lifter assembly may be maintained in the activated mode after the providing. Air may be purged from the oil passage based on the pressurized oil provided to the oil passage. | 07-29-2010 |
20100191446 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PREDICTIVE ENGINE RE-STARTING AND PREDICTIVE NEUTRAL/IDLE OPERATION OF A VEHICLE - A predictive engine restart method and related systems for a host vehicle having an internal combustion engine are provided. An exemplary method begins by establishing a real-time data communication channel with a neighbor vehicle that is positioned in front of the host vehicle. The method continues by receiving vehicle status data from the neighbor vehicle using the real-time data communication channel. The vehicle status data includes transmission status data for the neighbor vehicle, accelerator pedal status data for the neighbor vehicle, and brake pedal status data for the neighbor vehicle. Then, the method re-starts the engine when the transmission status data indicates a mode other than park or neutral, and when the accelerator pedal status data indicates accelerator pedal travel greater than a threshold amount. Alternatively, the engine is re-started when the automatic transmission status data indicates a mode other than park or neutral, and when the brake pedal status data indicates a released condition. | 07-29-2010 |
20100212629 | OXYGEN FLOW REDUCTION DURING ENGINE START/STOP OPERATION - An engine control system comprises an intake valve deactivation module and an exhaust valve deactivation module. The intake valve deactivation module deactivates an intake valve of a cylinder of an engine based on an engine stop request such that the intake valve remains closed. The exhaust valve deactivation module deactivates an exhaust valve of the cylinder after the intake valve deactivation module deactivates the intake valve such that the exhaust valve remains closed. | 08-26-2010 |
20100224151 | DELAYED EXHAUST ENGINE CYCLE - A method of operating an engine in a delayed exhaust engine cycle may include opening an intake valve of the engine during a first stroke to form an intake stroke. The method may further include closing the intake valve and determining an engine operating temperature. The engine operating temperature may be compared to a predetermined temperature limit. A first fuel mass may be provided to the combustion chamber between an end portion of a second stroke and a beginning portion of a third stroke. The third stroke may form a first power stroke and the intake valve and an exhaust valve in communication with the combustion chamber may be closed during the second and third strokes. The exhaust valve may be maintained in a closed position during a fourth stroke when the engine operating temperature is less than the predetermined temperature limit. | 09-09-2010 |
20100268435 | DRIVER SELECTABLE AFM/NVH TOLERANCE - An engine control system includes a coefficient calculation module that selects one of N coefficients based on an AFM selection by a corresponding one of N users. A switching torque calculation module calculates an adjusted active fuel management (AFM) switching threshold based on the one of the N coefficients, a maximum torque of an engine, and a default AFM switching threshold. | 10-21-2010 |
20100284823 | OIL PRESSURE CONTROL IN AN ENGINE - An engine having a fluid lubrication and control system is provided. The engine also includes a pump configured to maintain fluid pressure in the lubrication and control system when the engine is running. The engine additionally includes an accumulator in fluid communication with the lubrication and control system. The accumulator is configured to accumulate and retain fluid when the engine is running, and to discharge the fluid when the engine is not running in order to maintain fluid pressure in the lubrication and control system. A method for controlling oil pressure in the engine is also provided. | 11-11-2010 |
20100324804 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING THE VOLUME OF INFOTAINMENT UNITS OF VEHICLES - A method for controlling a volume of an infotainment unit of a vehicle having an engine having a stop/start capability during operation of the vehicle includes the steps of obtaining information pertaining to a condition of the engine, and controlling the volume based at least in part upon the condition. | 12-23-2010 |
20110040471 | ROAD GRADE COORDINATED ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEMS - An engine control system of a vehicle includes a road grade module and a predictive control module. The road grade module detects a grade of a road that is ahead of the vehicle. The predictive control module detects that a first cylinder of an engine of the vehicle is deactivated while a second cylinder of the engine is activated. The predictive control module activates the first cylinder based on the grade. | 02-17-2011 |
20110060497 | BIODIESEL DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM - A vehicle biodiesel fuel diagnostic method may include determining a biodiesel fuel concentration of fuel added to a vehicle fuel tank during a fueling event at a fueling location and determining the fueling location. The biodiesel fuel concentration and fueling location may be transmitted to an information system where the concentration and location are stored in a database. The method may further include indicating an abnormal biodiesel fuel condition in the database when the biodiesel fuel concentration is outside of a predetermined range. | 03-10-2011 |
20110168131 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CLEANING SOLENOID VALVE DEBRIS - An engine control system includes an active fuel management (AFM) control module that selectively enables and disables an AFM mode using at least one AFM valve. The engine control system further includes a solenoid fault correction module that selectively opens and closes at least one AFM valve when AFM mode is disabled. | 07-14-2011 |
20120204545 | VALVETRAIN CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONSERVING COMBUSTION HEAT - An engine control system includes a catalyst module and a cylinder module. The catalyst module determines a catalyst temperature. The cylinder module selectively switches operation of a first cylinder from a first engine cycle having four strokes to a second engine cycle having N times four strokes, based on the catalyst temperature, wherein N is an integer greater than one. A related method is also provided. | 08-16-2012 |
20130055972 | CATALYST TEMPERATURE BASED VALVETRAIN CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A system for a vehicle includes a triggering module and a cylinder control module. The triggering module generates a trigger when a catalyst temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature. In response to the generation of the trigger, the cylinder control module: disables opening of an exhaust valve of a cylinder for an exhaust phase of a first combustion cycle of the cylinder; disables opening of the exhaust valve for N combustion cycles of the cylinder that follow the first combustion cycle; and enables opening of the exhaust valve for a second combustion cycle that follows the N combustion cycles. N is an integer greater than zero. | 03-07-2013 |