Abstract:
An internal combustion engine is configured to operate in a homogeneous-charge compression-ignition combustion mode. Operation of the engine includes determining a combustion pressure parameter for each cylinder. Fueling for each cylinder is controlled responsive to a target state for the combustion pressure parameter for the corresponding cylinder. An end-of-injection timing and a corresponding spark ignition timing for each cylinder are controlled responsive to a target mass-burn-fraction point for an engine operating point.
Abstract:
An engine assembly includes an internal combustion engine with an engine block having at least one cylinder. An intake manifold and an exhaust manifold are each fluidly connected to the at least one cylinder and define an intake manifold pressure (pi) and an exhaust manifold pressure (pe), respectively. A controller is operatively connected to the internal combustion engine and configured to receive a torque request (TR). The controller is programmed to determine a desired fuel mass (mf) for controlling a torque output of the internal combustion engine. The desired fuel mass (mf) is based at least partially on the torque request (TR), the intake and exhaust manifold pressures and a pressure-volume (PV) diagram of the at least one cylinder.
Abstract:
An internal combustion engine is configured to operate in a homogeneous-charge compression-ignition combustion mode and a spark-ignition combustion mode employing late intake valve closing. A method for operating the internal combustion engine includes determining an amount of residual gas re-inducted into a combustion chamber from a previous engine cycle and determining an amount of fresh air trapped in the combustion chamber for the present engine cycle based upon the amount of residual gas re-inducted into the combustion chamber from the previous engine cycle. Engine fueling to the cylinder for the present engine cycle is controlled based upon the amount of fresh air trapped in the combustion chamber for the present engine cycle.
Abstract:
A pressure management system includes a pressure plate disposed at an initial position relative to a battery cell, the battery cell disposed in a housing, where expansion of the battery cell causes an expansion force to be applied to the pressure plate. The pressure management system also includes a mechanical linkage attached to the pressure plate, the mechanical linkage configured to move in a lateral direction in response to the expansion force and translate the expansion force to a reactive force that is opposed to the expansion force, and a biasing system including a biasing member configured to resist lateral movement of the mechanical linkage. The biasing system is configured to apply a biasing force in a direction opposite the lateral direction, the biasing force causing the mechanical linkage to apply the reactive force as a selected proportion of the expansion force.
Abstract:
A vehicle having a mixed chemistry battery having first and second battery modules, a temperature sensor, a battery heating system configured to selectively heat the first battery module and/or the second battery module, and a controller. The controller configured to monitor the temperature of the first battery module, activate the heating system based on a determination that the temperature is below a minimum threshold value, monitor a first state-of-charge (SoC) of the first battery module and the second battery module, calculate a minimum set-point temperature for the first battery module based on the first SoC, the second SoC, and a maximum current load of the first battery module, and instruct the battery heating system to provide a portion of a total available heating power of the battery heating system to the first battery module and a remainder of the total available heating power to the second battery module.
Abstract:
A battery cell includes a cathode element, an anode element, and an electrolyte disposed in contact with each of the cathode and anode elements. The battery cell also includes a battery cell case constructed from a rigid material and defining an internal chamber configured to house each of the cathode element, the anode element, and the electrolyte. The battery cell case defines at least one aperture configured to provide a gas path between the internal chamber and an external environment. The battery cell additionally includes a reversible, multiple-use valve assembly mounted to the battery cell case and configured to selectively open a fluid flow through the at least one aperture to relieve a gas pressure within the internal chamber exceeding a predetermined pressure threshold.
Abstract:
A method of transient control for enrichment operation in a low-temperature combustion engine. The method includes determining if a current mode of the low-temperature combustion (LTC) engine is a positive valve overlap (PVO) mode. Determining if a previous mode of the LTC engine was also the PVO mode when the current mode is the PVO mode, wherein the previous mode is immediately prior to the current mode. Determining if the previous mode of the LTC engine was a negative valve overlap (NVO) mode when the previous mode was not the PVO mode. Initiating a predetermined enrichment PVO mode for the LTC engine based on the previous mode of the LTC engine. The predetermined enrichment PVO mode includes initiating a deep enrichment PVO mode, when the previous mode of the LTC engine was the NVO mode, and initiating a shallow enrichment PVO mode, when the previous mode of the LTC engine was not the NVO mode.
Abstract:
A combustion mode module is configured to switch operation of a low-temperature combustion (LTC) engine between a spark ignition (SI) mode, a positive valve overlap (PVO) mode, and a negative valve overlap (NVO) mode. A spark control module is configured to control a spark plug to generate a spark in a cylinder of the LTC engine when the LTC engine is operating in the SI mode. A valve control module is configured to control intake and exhaust valves of the cylinder to yield a PVO and a NVO when the LTC engine is operating in the PVO mode and the NVO mode, respectively. An air/fuel (A/F) control module is configured to adjust a desired A/F ratio of the LTC engine to a rich A/F ratio when operation of the LTC engine is switched to the PVO mode from either one of the SI mode and the NVO mode.
Abstract:
An internal combustion engine includes a combustion chamber defined by a cylinder bore in a cylinder block, a cylinder head and a piston. A groundless barrier discharge plasma igniter including an electrode is embedded in a casing fabricated from a dielectric material and is disposed in a mounting boss. The groundless barrier discharge plasma igniter has a tip portion that protrudes through an opening in the cylinder head into the combustion chamber. A controller having an electrical ground connection to the cylinder head is configured to apply a high frequency electrical pulse to the groundless barrier discharge plasma igniter. An electrical ground path is formed between the mounting boss and the cylinder head. A plurality of plasma discharge streamers is generated on the casing between the tip portion and the mounting boss when the controller applies the high frequency electrical pulse to the groundless barrier discharge plasma igniter.
Abstract:
Disclosed are multi-pulse fuel delivery control systems, methods for using such systems, and motor vehicles with engines employing multi-pulse fuel injection schemes. A fuel delivery control system is disclosed with fuel injectors that selectively inject multiple pulses of fuel per working cycle into cylinders of an engine. An engine sensor detects an operating condition of the engine, and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) sensor detects a state of an EGR system coupled to the engine. An engine control unit is programmed to: determine, from the detected EGR state, a current intake burned gas fraction; determine, from the detected engine operating condition, a desired intake burned gas fraction; determine a secondary fuel mass injection adjustment based on the desired and current intake burned gas fractions; and command the fuel injectors to inject two fuel pulses into each cylinder per working cycle, with the second pulse modified based on the determined adjustment.