Aspects of the present invention relate to a control advanced system for controlling a valve actuator for an internal combustion engine, the control system comprising one or more controllers, the control system being configured to: receive a requirement signal retarded indicative of a requirement for valve actuation with a first valve timing characteristic; receive an expected flow signal indicative of expected mass flow rate of air, associated with the first valve timing characteristic; control the valve actuator to provide the first valve timing characteristic; receive an actual flow signal indicative of actual mass flow rate of air, associated with the control of the valve actuator; cause comparison of the actual flow signal with the expected flow signal; and cause an action to be performed in dependence on the comparison, wherein the action comprises a compensation action and/or a fault reporting action and/or determining camshaft phase information.

Systems and methods for heating an exhaust after treatment device and producing smooth engine torque output are described. In one example, exhaust valve opening time is adjusted to compensate for additional torque that may be generated via combusting rich air-fuel mixtures in cylinders. In addition, intake valve lift may be adjusted to compensate for additional torque that may be generated via combusting rich air-fuel mixtures in cylinders.

Aspects of the present invention relate to a control system (104) for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine (102), an internal combustion engine (102), a vehicle (100), a method (600) and a non-transitory computer readable medium (202). The control system (104), comprises at least one controller. The control system (104) and being configured to: receive a first request signal indicative of first torque demand; determine a schedule defining an opening timing of the intake valve (402) and a closing timing of the intake valve (402) of a cylinder (103) of the internal combustion engine (102) in dependence on the first torque demand; and cause the intake valve (402) to open in accordance with the schedule. The control system (104) is also configured to, during a period in which the intake valve (402) is open: receive a second torque request signal indicative of a second torque demand different to the first torque demand; determine an updated schedule defining an updated closing timing of the intake valve (402) in dependence on the second torque demand; and cause the intake valve (402) to close in accordance with the updated schedule.

A device is provided, which controls a vehicle-mounted engine provided with an engine body with a plurality of cylinders, a plurality of independent intake passages, each connected to the engine body so as to communicate with a combustion chamber of each cylinder via an intake port, and a surge tank connected to an upstream end of each independent intake passage. The device includes a phase changer, an ambient temperature sensor, and a controller configured to acquire an amount of condensate water existing in the surge tank. When the engine is stopped in a situation where the ambient temperature is lower than a given reference temperature and the condensate water amount is above a given reference amount, the controller controls the phase changer so that a lift amount of an intake valve in each cylinder of the stopped engine becomes outside a given minute lift range.

A combustion system is applied to an engine. The combustion system includes an injection device that injects a fuel into a combustion chamber, a spark plug that ignites fuel in the combustion chamber, and a control device that controls the injection device and the spark plug. The control device includes a first control unit that executes predetermined first control. In the first control, control is performed such that, a total injection amount corresponding to all the fuel injected by the injection device in one combustion cycle of the engine is injected within a first period corresponding to a period from valve close timing which brings an intake valve into a closed state until a first half of a compression stroke of the engine ends.

Aspects of the present invention relate to a controller for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine, a control system, an internal combustion engine, a vehicle, a method and a non-transitory computer readable medium. The controller is configured to, during fuel cut, cause opening of an intake valve of a cylinder of the internal combustion engine to enable air having a mass to enter the cylinder. The mass is below a first range of masses which enable the internal combustion engine to provide combustion torque.

Methods and systems for maintaining a temperature of catalyst above a threshold temperature during vehicle braking and coasting is described. In one example, engine pumping work may be increased without increasing flow of cool fresh air through the engine's exhaust system to provide a desired level of engine braking. The net air flow through the engine may be reduced via activating a decompression actuator.

A method and control device for automatically identifying knocking in an internal combustion engine, wherein, in a predefined measurement time frame, a signal of the knocking sensor is received and evaluated with respect to a criterion for detecting knocking. A basic threshold value predefined for the identification of knocking is modified by a predefined variable interference factor, which depends on a relative point in time at which an inlet valve of at least one of the cylinders closes in relation to a predefined reference point. A signal based on the sensor signal is only identified as knocking if it reaches at least the modified basic threshold value.

A control system for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine is configured to: receive a first request signal indicative of first torque demand; determine a schedule defining an opening timing of the intake valve and a closing timing of the intake valve of a cylinder of the internal combustion engine in dependence on the first torque demand; and cause the intake valve to open in accordance with the schedule. The control system is also configured to, during a period in which the intake valve is open: receive a second torque request signal indicative of a second torque demand different to the first torque demand; determine an updated schedule defining an updated closing timing of the intake valve in dependence on the second torque demand; and cause the intake valve to close in accordance with the updated schedule.

The disclosure relates to a method for controlling an internal combustion engine configured with a belt starter generator or an electric machine of a hybrid powertrain. The internal combustion engine includes a cylinder and a piston, which together delimit a working chamber. The internal combustion engine includes a variable valve actuation system for actuation of inlet valves of the working chambers, controlling the opening time and/or the closing time and/or the lift. A strategy for operating the internal combustion engine with a negative drive torque or when shutting down or when starting up the internal combustion includes controlling the inlet valves of individual or all working chambers in such a way that the transfer of fresh air from an intake section to an exhaust manifold is controlled and that the drag torque of the internal combustion is reduced.