Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Jeff Doering

David Karl Bidner

Gopichandra Surnilla

Michael John Cullen

Shane Elwart

Hank Kwong

Frederick Page

Rob Ciarrocchi

Brad Riedle

Thomas George Leone

John Eric Rollinger

Paul A Pietrzyk

Al Berger

Scott Redmon

William Eckenrode

Christian Thomas Goralski, Jr

Brent Edward Sealy

Jeff Malcolm Travis

Rob Ciarrochi

David Wright

Bradley Dean Riedle

Yonghua Li

Karen Willard

Rodney Lewis Lopez

Scott Manning

A vehicle control method for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine coupled to a torque converter is described. In one embodiment, the engine air flow and spark are adjusted to control torque converter operation. The method can improve vehicle response to driver accelerator commands.

System and method for improved vehicle response during vehicle acceleration conditions

A method for increasing temperature of an aftertreatment device configured to treat emissions from a diesel engine includes adjusting intake valve closure timing.

System and method for reducing NOx emissions in an apparatus having a diesel engine

A method for controlling an engine of a vehicle in response to an operator input, comprising, during a first non-cruise control condition and at first distance to a forward vehicle, adjusting engine output in response to said operator input with a first relationship; and during a second non-cruise control condition and at a second, greater, distance to a forward vehicle, adjusting engine output in response to said operator input with a second relationship different from said first.

Engine response adjustment based on traffic conditions

A vehicle control method for a vehicle having powertrain with an internal combustion engine and a transmission having a clutch, the method comprising of transitioning through a lash region of the transmission during clutch slipping conditions in response to a driver tip-in; and during the transition, first retarding ignition timing past maximum torque timing while increasing engine airflow, and then second, advancing ignition timing from the retarded timing while continuing to increase engine airflow.

Vehicle response during vehicle acceleration conditions

A method of controlling fuel injection in an engine of a vehicle comprising of deactivating a fuel injector of the engine during a deceleration condition of the vehicle; and reactivating the fuel injector when a rate of change of a powertrain shaft deceleration is greater than a threshold.

System and method to reduce stall during deceleration fuel shut off

A method for operating an engine and transmission in a vehicle is described. The method comprises up-shifting the transmission based on whether engine knock limits spark advance at engine conditions after the up-shift. Further, the method may include accounting for differences in fuel types, and their effects on engine knock in future gears.

Transmission shifting responsive to borderline knock limits

A method of driver training to improve fuel economy performance of a vehicle, the method including, receiving selected vehicle and driver operating data indicative of driving conditions and operator inputs captured during previous vehicle operation, processing the received selected vehicle and driver operating data, and generating driving recommendations to improve fuel economy performance based on the processed vehicle and driver operating data.

Driver input analysis and feedback system

A vehicle control method for transitioning through transmission lash regions is described using a variety of information, such as, for example, gear ratio, clutch slippage, etc. Further, different adjustment of spark and throttle angle is used to provide a rapid torque response while still reducing effects of the lash. Finally, transitions taking into account both slipping and non-slipping transmissions are described.

In one example, a system for an engine having an intake system and an exhaust system is described. The system comprises: an airflow sensor coupled to the intake system; an air pump having at least an inlet side and an outlet side, said inlet side having a first coupling to the intake system downstream of said airflow sensor, said outlet side having a second coupling to the exhaust system; and a controller coupled to the engine, said controller, during operation, identifying whether degradation has occurred to at least one of said first and second couplings, and providing an indication of said identified degradation. Various other examples are also disclosed.

Secondary airflow system for engine exhaust emission diagnostics

A method of controlling fuel injection in an engine of a vehicle having an all wheel drive or 4&#xd7;4 system comprises restricting deactivation of the fuel injection during some deceleration conditions when the vehicle is in an all wheel drive, or 4&#xd7;4, low gear. According to another aspect, a method comprises restricting deactivation of fuel injection during deceleration operations under all wheel drive, or 4&#xd7;4 low gear operation; and disabling the fuel injection during at least some deceleration operation under other conditions. Disabling deactivation in an all wheel drive or 4&#xd7;4 low gear allows a more controlled drivability at a time when any torque disturbance may be magnified and more easily felt by the vehicle driver.

System and method to improve drivability with deceleration fuel shut off

A method of controlling fuel injection in an engine of a vehicle having an anti-lock braking system comprises under conditions of degraded operation of an anti-lock braking system, restricting deactivation of the fuel injection during deceleration vehicle operating conditions. According to another aspect, the method comprises under conditions where the anti-lock braking system is functioning, disabling fuel injection during at least some deceleration operations; and under conditions of degraded operation of the anti-lock braking system, restricting deactivation of the fuel injection during deceleration vehicle operating conditions. By considering the functioning of an ABS, it is possible to deactivate fuel injection during some deceleration operations during one condition to realize fuel economy gains and disable the deactivation of fuel injection at another condition to reduce engine stalls. Thus, the deceleration fuel shut off strategy may be used aggressively for improved fuel economy.

A method for controlling an engine of a vehicle operated by a driver may comprise detecting actuation of a braking device of the vehicle by the driver; calculating a parameter indicative of an actual amount of braking effort by said driver based on vehicle conditions; and adjusting an engine operating parameter based on said parameter. The method can adjust a number of cylinders carrying out combustion, fuel cut operation, a level of powertrain output torque (positive, and/or negative), and/or other engine parameters.

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Canton, MI, United States of America

Jeff Doering