Spark ignition engine operation at higher RPM so as to reduce alcohol requirements in high efficiency alcohol enhanced gasoline engines is disclosed. Control of engine upspeeding (use of a higher ratio of engine RPM to wheel RPM) so as to achieve an alcohol reduction objective while limiting any decrease in efficiency is described. High RPM alcohol enhanced gasoline engine operation in plug-in series hybrid powertrains for heavy duty trucks and other vehicles is also described.

A phase adjuster assembly is disclosed herein that is configured to adjust a phase between a driving component and driven component of an internal combustion engine. The phase adjuster assembly includes an input gear configured to be driven by the driving component and an output gear configured to drive the driven component. A piston plate assembly is configured to adjust a phase between the driving component and the driven component via axial displacement of the piston plate assembly. A hydraulic fluid system is configured to selectively provide hydraulic fluid to a first piston control chamber on a first side of the piston plate assembly and to a second piston control chamber on a second side of the piston plate assembly to axially displace the piston plate assembly such that the phase between the driving component and the driven component is adjusted.

A piston for an internal combustion engine comprises a skirt defining an inner space of the piston and having a skirt bottom; and a target arranged under the skirt bottom to engage with a passage detector arranged in the engine. The target is supported by a holding body held at least partially inside the inner space of the piston. The present disclosure likewise relates to an engine comprising such a piston.

A piston for an internal combustion engine comprises a skirt defining an inner space of the piston and having a skirt bottom; and a target arranged under the skirt bottom to engage with a passage detector arranged in the engine. The target is supported by a holding body held at least partially inside the inner space of the piston. The present disclosure likewise relates to an engine comprising such a piston.

An adaptive, any-fuel reciprocating engine using sensor feedback integration of high-speed optical sensors with real-time control loops to adaptively manage the electronic actuation schemes over a range of engine loads and fuels. The engine uses one or more optical sensors to collect specific types of gas property data via a spectroscopic technique to adaptively control various components within the engine.

An adaptive, any-fuel reciprocating engine using sensor feedback integration of high-speed optical sensors with real-time control loops to adaptively manage the electronic actuation schemes over a range of engine loads and fuels. The engine uses one or more optical sensors to collect specific types of gas property data via a spectroscopic technique to adaptively control various components within the engine.

A phasing system for varying a rotational relationship between a first rotary component and a second rotary component includes a gear hub and a cradle rotor. A spider rotor is arranged between the gear hub and the cradle rotor to selectively lock and unlock relative rotation between the gear hub and the cradle rotor. A torsion spring is coupled between the gear hub and the cradle rotor to apply a torque load between the gear hub and the cradle rotor. A planetary actuator is coupled to the gear hub and the spider rotor. The planetary actuator is operable between a steady-state mode, in which relative rotation between the gear hub and the cradle rotor is inhibited, and a phasing mode, in which the planetary actuator receives a rotary input at a predetermined magnitude to selectively provide a relative rotation between the gear hub and the cradle rotor.

A phaser system is provided. The system includes a first gear connected to a first plate, and a second gear connected to a second plate. A phaser assembly includes at least one piston plate, and axial displacement of the at least one piston plate is configured to adjust a phase between the first gear and the second gear. A hydraulic fluid actuator assembly is also provided that includes a hydraulic fluid circuit including an advance chamber defined on a first side of the at least one piston plate and a retard chamber defined on a second side of the at least one piston plate. A valve selectively pressurizes the advance chamber or the retard chamber such that the at least one piston plate is axially displaced.

A phaser system is provided. The system includes a first gear connected to a first plate, and a second gear connected to a second plate. A phaser assembly includes at least one piston plate, and axial displacement of the at least one piston plate is configured to adjust a phase between the first gear and the second gear. A hydraulic fluid actuator assembly is also provided that includes a hydraulic fluid circuit including an advance chamber defined on a first side of the at least one piston plate and a retard chamber defined on a second side of the at least one piston plate. A valve selectively pressurizes the advance chamber or the retard chamber such that the at least one piston plate is axially displaced.

An engine is provided, which includes an engine body including a cylinder provided with intake and exhaust ports and intake and exhaust valves, intake and exhaust passages, a turbocharger including a turbine provided to the exhaust passage and a compressor provided to the intake passage, and a variable phase mechanism configured to change open/close timings of the intake valve while maintaining an open period of the intake valve at a 270° C.A or larger. A geometric compression ratio of the cylinder is 11:1 or higher. In a high-load range, the variable phase mechanism sets the intake valve close timing to be after an intake BDC and to make a ratio of a retarded amount of the intake closing to the geometric compression ratio be 4.58 or above and 6.67 or below, and sets the intake valve open timing to be before a close timing of the exhaust valve.