A control device and method for controlling a compression release brake arrangement is provided. The compression release brake arrangement comprises an exhaust valve actuator assembly, a first actuator valve and a second actuator valve. The method comprises controlling the first and second actuator valves to a first state in which one of the actuator valves is open and the other one is closed. The disclosure further relates to a computer program, a computer readable medium, as well as to a vehicle comprising the control device.

A method includes determining a value of an operational motor current limit and setting a value of a startup current limit equal to a predetermined value in excess of the value of the operational motor current limit if a set of predetermined conditions is satisfied. The method includes determining that operation of the engine has been interrupted, operating the electric motor of the variable valve timing mechanism with a current having a magnitude that is less than or equal to the startup current limit after determining that operation of the engine has been interrupted, determining that operation of the engine has resumed, and operating the electric motor of the variable valve timing mechanism with a current having a magnitude that is less than or equal to the operational motor current limit after determining that operation of the engine has resumed.

In a vehicle control device with an automatic engine stop function, when the engine is in a non-operating state and the shift lever is operated to the parking range, the engine is controlled to start to supply operating oil to a valve timing changing means. The valve timing changing means is thereupon caused to change the intake valve close timing (IVC) to a predetermined advance angle position and subsequently locked thereat. The engine is then controlled to stop.

At a time of a startup in a non-lock state (at the time of a next startup in a case where an internal combustion engine is stopped in a non-lock state in which a VCT phase is not locked in an intermediate lock phase), it is determined whether or not the engine can be started up by most delayed startup processing. In a case where it is determined that the engine can be started up by the most delayed startup processing, the most delayed startup processing is performed. In this most delayed startup processing, the engine is cranked in a high rotation range not less than a specified rotation speed and a fuel injection and an ignition are started in a state in which the VCT phase is controlled to a vicinity of the most delayed phase (most delayed phase or within a specified range from the most delayed phase) to thereby start up the engine. In this way, at the time of the startup in the non-lock state, the engine can be quickly started up without locking the VCT phase.

Methods and systems are described for an engine with a cam torque actuated variable cam timing phaser. Phaser positioning control is improved by reducing inaccuracies resulting from inadvertent spool valve and/or phaser movement when the spool valve is commanded between regions. In addition, improved spool valve mapping is used to render phaser commands more consistent and robust.

A method for controlling a drivetrain of a motor vehicle is disclosed. Either a start mode for starting the reciprocating engine is activated via the driving vehicle wheel, or a coasting mode is activated for driving the reciprocating engine via the driving vehicle wheel. At least one volume-reducing stroke is executed that follows an intake stroke for at least one cylinder of the reciprocating engine with at least intermittently open cylinder. Alternately at least one volume-enlarging stroke is executed for at least one cylinder of the reciprocating engine, which is followed by a compression stroke of this cylinder, and at least one volume-reducing stroke of this cylinder, which follows an expansion stroke that follows the compression stroke, with a cylinder that is closed, if possible, in this operating mode.

Start-up of an internal combustion engine comprises maintaining one or more engine valves in an engine cylinder in a continuously open state for more than one engine cycle during engine cranking. When it is determined that an engine parameter or transmission oil pressure has reached a predetermined value, maintenance of the one or more engine valves in the continuously open state is discontinued and fuel is subsequently provided to the engine cylinder for engine start-up. In various embodiments, the engine parameter may comprise an engine temperature parameter, an engine pressure parameter or an engine electrical parameter.

A control device and method for controlling a compression release brake arrangement is provided. The compression release brake arrangement comprises an exhaust valve actuator assembly, a first actuator valve and a second actuator valve. The method comprises controlling the first and second actuator valves to a first state in which one of the actuator valves is open and the other one is closed. The disclosure further relates to a computer program, a computer readable medium, as well as to a vehicle comprising the control device.

A camshaft adjusting device including a vane cell adjuster with a stator which can be connected to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and with a rotor which is rotatably mounted in the stator and can be connected to a camshaft. The camshaft adjusting device also includes a central locking device for locking the rotor in a central locking position relative to the stator. In one or more of the vanes together: at least two pressure medium lines are provided, each of which fluidically connects two working chambers with different working directions to each other. Non-return valves with different working directions are provided in each pressure medium line, each non-return valve allowing a flow of the pressure medium between the working chambers in one direction and preventing the flow in the respective other direction depending on the rotational direction of the rotor relative to the stator. A first switchable valve device is provided in the respective other vanes which are not provided with non-return valves, the valve device allowing a flow of the pressure medium between the working chambers with different working directions in one switch position.

A phaser which has three camshaft start positions at start-up during cranking before the engine can fire. By having three possible start positions of the phaser, there is an increase in flexibility of the cam position at startup during cranking. The three start positions can also be achieved in open loop, reducing the complexity of the control system needed at cranking.