An encoder wheel for an internal combustion engine, having six indicator elements, which are arranged spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction with respect to a rotational axis of the encoder wheel on a main body of the encoder wheel. Flanks arranged in the same direction of the indicator elements are arranged equidistantly to one another in the circumferential direction. The indicator elements each have one of three different indicator element extensions in the circumferential direction.

An engine synchronisation arrangement of an internal combustion engine having a crank-shaft and a camshaft geared together with a fixed rotation ratio includes a crank-shaft wheel cooperating with a first sensor and, a camshaft wheel cooperating with a second sensor, both wheels being provided with peripheral features. Both sensors detect the features and communicate to an ECU binary signals. The features of the crank-shaft wheel are arranged in a sequential pattern, and a sliding window of a specific width covers a unique set of features corresponding to a unique string of consecutive bits mapping to a unique angular position of the crank-shaft.

Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a cylinder valve deactivation mechanism in an engine system having cam-actuated valves. Movement of a latch pin of the deactivation mechanism is inferred from an induction current generated by a solenoid coupled to the latch pin, and the inferred movement is used to diagnose operation of cylinder valve deactivation mechanism. The inferred movement and a profile of the induction current is also used to estimate camshaft and crankshaft timing for improved cylinder fuel delivery in the absence of a camshaft sensor.

A control apparatus is applied to an internal combustion engine that is capable of implementing reduced-cylinder operation and all-cylinder operation. When the internal combustion engine is stopped during implementation of reduced-cylinder operation, and then the internal combustion engine is restarted in reduced-cylinder operation with the same cylinders as idling cylinders, the initial crank angle when cranking starts is controlled so that the position of the piston of at least one among the idling cylinders is in the vicinity of its top dead center.

A method for managing start up of a four-stroke engine, the method being performed by a controller communicatively connected to the engine. The method includes determining, using a crankshaft sensor, an angular orientation of the crankshaft, the crankshaft being rotated by a starter motor prior to ignition of the engine; determining, using the crankshaft sensor, at least one engine speed variation as the crankshaft rotates through at least one measurement window; and identifying a working cycle phase of the crankshaft including in response to an absolute value of the at least one engine speed variation being above a threshold, determining that the crankshaft is in an ignition revolution of a two revolution working cycle of the engine in the measurement window, subsequent ignition of the engine being based on determination of the angular orientation and the working cycle phase of the crankshaft.

Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a cylinder valve deactivation mechanism in an engine system having cam-actuated valves. Movement of a latch pin of the deactivation mechanism is inferred from an induction current generated by a solenoid coupled to the latch pin, and the inferred movement is used to diagnose operation of cylinder valve deactivation mechanism. The inferred movement and a profile of the induction current is also used to estimate camshaft and crankshaft timing for improved cylinder fuel delivery in the absence of a camshaft sensor.

Systems and methods for operating an internal combustion engine based on output of an intake manifold pressure sensor and output of an in cylinder pressure sensor are described. The systems and methods provide a way of determining cylinder air charge so that a fuel injector has sufficient time to provide a desired amount of fuel to a cylinder during a cycle of the cylinder.

Systems and methods for operating an internal combustion engine based on output of an intake manifold pressure sensor and output of an in cylinder pressure sensor are described. The systems and methods provide a way of determining cylinder air charge so that a fuel injector has sufficient time to provide a desired amount of fuel to a cylinder during a cycle of the cylinder.

A hybrid electric vehicle includes a controller and control method to control position of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine when the engine is stopped and the vehicle is moving to balance bearing wear associated with road-surface induced vibrations or oscillations imparted to the bearings while the crankshaft is not rotating. The controller is configured to store information relating to a cumulative time stopped at a plurality of angular positions of the crankshaft while the vehicle is in operation and/or moving, and to control stopping or repositioning of the crankshaft to balance or approximately evenly distribute the stopping positions among the plurality angular stopping positions to reduce or eliminate the possibility of excessive wear at any particular position relative to the others.

At crank angle CA10 at which the switch request of the drive cam was issued, the ejection operations of the pins at all the solenoid actuators started simultaneously. The ejected pins are seated on the cam carriers at crank angle CA12. The pin seated on the cam carrier moves along the grooves in accordance with the rotation of the cam carrier. The earliest finish timing of the switch operation of the drive cam is at crank angle CA13 (#4 cylinder). At the crank angle CA13, drive of the fuel injector and the ignition device in each cylinder is permitted.