Methods, devices, estimators, controllers and algorithms are described for estimating working chamber air charge during engine operations. The described approaches and devices are well suited for use in dynamic firing level modulation controlled engines. Manifold pressure is estimated for a time corresponding to an induction event associated with a selected working cycle. The manifold pressure estimate accounts for impacts from one or more intervening potential induction events that will occur between the time that the manifold pressure is estimated and the time that the induction event associated with the selected working cycle occurs. The estimated manifold pressure is used in the estimation of the air charge for the selected working cycle. The described approach may be used to individually calculate the air charge for each induction event at any time that the engine is operating in a mode that can benefit from the individual cylinder air charge estimations.

A system and method for dynamically varying an amount slippage of a Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) provided between an engine and a transmission of a vehicle in response to non-powertrain factors. By varying a slippage output signal, the amount of TCC slippage between the engine and the transmission can be adjusted. Small amounts of slippage, relative to large amounts of slippage, provide (a) improved vehicle fuel economy, but (b) induce more powertrain noise and vibration in the vehicle cabin. By dynamically adjusting the slippage, a tradeoff between improved fuel economy vs. a satisfying driver experience can be realized.

A system and method for dynamically varying an amount slippage of a Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) provided between an engine and a transmission of a vehicle in response to non-powertrain factors. By varying a slippage output signal, the amount of TCC slippage between the engine and the transmission can be adjusted. Small amounts of slippage, relative to large amounts of slippage, provide (a) improved vehicle fuel economy, but (b) induce more powertrain noise and vibration in the vehicle cabin. By dynamically adjusting the slippage, a tradeoff between improved fuel economy vs. a satisfying driver experience can be realized.

A variety of methods and arrangements are described for controlling transitions between effective firing fractions during dynamic firing level modulation operation of an engine in order to help reduce undesirable NVH consequences and otherwise smooth the transitions. In general, both feed forward and feedback control are utilized in the determination of the effective firing fractions during transitions such that the resulting changes in the effective firing fraction better track cylinder air charge changing dynamics associated with the transition.

A variety of methods and arrangements are described for controlling transitions between effective firing fractions during dynamic firing level modulation operation of an engine in order to help reduce undesirable NVH consequences and otherwise smooth the transitions. In general, both feed forward and feedback control are utilized in the determination of the effective firing fractions during transitions such that the resulting changes in the effective firing fraction better track cylinder air charge changing dynamics associated with the transition.

Several embodiments of the invention relate generally to a system and methods for the treatment of gaseous emissions comprising methane and one or more non-methane compounds that can influence the metabolism of methane-oxidizing microorganisms. In several embodiments, there is provided a system and methods for the treatment of methane emissions through the use of methanotrophic microorganisms to generate functionally consistent and harvestable products. Certain embodiments of the invention are particularly advantageous because they reduce environmentally-destructive methane emissions and produce harvestable end-products.

Several embodiments of the invention relate generally to a system and methods for the treatment of gaseous emissions comprising methane and one or more non-methane compounds that can influence the metabolism of methane-oxidizing microorganisms. In several embodiments, there is provided a system and methods for the treatment of methane emissions through the use of methanotrophic microorganisms to generate functionally consistent and harvestable products. Certain embodiments of the invention are particularly advantageous because they reduce environmentally-destructive methane emissions and produce harvestable end-products.

An asymmetry cylinder de-activation (CDA) engine provided with a first, a second, a third and a fourth cylinder of which CDA apparatuses are mounted thereto respectively may include a crankshaft connected with pistons of each cylinder through a first, a second, a third and a fourth cranking journal respectively, and a controller configured to control operations of the CDA apparatuses, in which phase differences between cranking journals according to firing order may include 90±10 degrees and 270±10 degrees.

An asymmetry cylinder de-activation (CDA) engine provided with a first, a second, a third and a fourth cylinder of which CDA apparatuses are mounted thereto respectively may include a crankshaft connected with pistons of each cylinder through a first, a second, a third and a fourth cranking journal respectively, and a controller configured to control operations of the CDA apparatuses, in which phase differences between cranking journals according to firing order may include 90±10 degrees and 270±10 degrees.

A method of operating a gasoline engine having a first subset of cylinders and a second subset of cylinders includes providing a flow of compressed air from a single-sequential compressor to the engine, selectively deactivating the first subset of cylinders, and igniting gasoline mixed with the compressed air in the second subset of cylinders. The single-sequential compressor includes a dual sided impeller having a first blade arrangement in fluid communication with a first air inlet, and an opposing second blade arrangement in fluid communication with a second air inlet. Additionally, deactivating the first subset of cylinders includes sealing the first subset of cylinders such that the flow of compressed air is provided only to the second subset of cylinders.