This control device is configured to, based on a premise that an operating condition of a plant is a specific operating condition that is defined in advance, search for a virtual current value of a controlled variable for ensuring that a specific state quantity does not conflict with a constraint in the future using a prediction model, set the virtual current value which was found by the search to a target value of the controlled variable, and determine a manipulated variable of the plant so that an actual current value of the controlled variable approaches the target value. Due to this configuration, even if the operating condition of the plant suddenly changes to the specific operating condition, the controlled variable of the plant can be adjusted in advance so that the specific state quantity in the specific operating condition does not conflict with the constraint.

An apparatus includes an engine friction module in operative communication with an engine and structured to interpret engine operation data indicative of an engine friction amount, and a stop/start module structured to compare the engine operation data with predetermined protective criteria that includes an engine friction threshold and to turn off the engine for at least a portion of time based on the engine friction threshold exceeding the engine friction amount.

Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a vehicle fuel system and evaporative emissions system, and for diagnosing components in the evaporative emissions system. In one example, a method comprises activating an electric compressor while an engine that propels a vehicle is not in operation, to evacuate the fuel system and evaporative emissions system, sealing the fuel system and evaporative emissions system responsive to a threshold vacuum being reached during the evacuating, and indicating a presence or absence of non-gross undesired evaporative emissions based on a pressure rise in the sealed fuel system and evaporative emissions system. In this way, sources of undesired evaporative emissions may be readily detected, such that release of undesired evaporative emissions to the environment may be reduced.

A sensor control apparatus supplies a constant current to an oxygen concentration detection cell when it judges that oxygen concentration is greater than 15% (the concentration of oxygen contained in a measurement chamber is high). The sensor control apparatus detects a first difference voltage generated in the oxygen concentration detection cell as a result of the flow of the constant current to the oxygen concentration detection cell after a predetermined first detection time following the supply of the constant current. The sensor control apparatus detects a second difference voltage generated in the oxygen concentration detection cell as a result of the flow of the constant current to the oxygen concentration detection cell after a second detection time, which is previously set to be longer than the first detection time, following the supply of the constant current.

The invention relates to a system for storing and feeding an auxiliary liquid to an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle or to parts of the internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle, having a storage vessel for the fluid, having at least one delivery pump for the fluid, and having at least one line system comprising an inflow to a consumer and a return flow into the storage vessel, the system comprising a connector module which is inserted into an opening of the storage vessel, the connector module having fluid ducts which communicate with the storage vessel and are connected to an inflow line and to a return flow line of the line system, and the connector module comprising a module block which is configured as a thermally conductive and/or heatable body.

The invention relates to a control method and system for an internal combustion engine incorporating an engine shut-off valve, and in particular an air intake shut-off valve for a diesel or gas-fueled engine. The control system comprises a valve controller unit including a receiver capable of receiving sensor signals, and being in communication with the shut-off valve for permitting or preventing air flow in the shut-off valve upon receiving a triggering sensor signal.

A variable compression ratio internal combustion engine is provided with a variable compression ratio mechanism in which a mechanical compression ratio of the internal combustion engine changes in accordance with a rotational position of a control shaft, a low compression ratio side stopper, a high compression ratio side stopper, a sensor for detecting a rotational position of a drive shaft of an actuator, and an arm press-fitted onto the drive shaft. Relative rotation between the arm and the drive shaft occurs when a torque exceeding an upper-limit torque has been applied. The drive shaft or the control shaft is caused to move to restriction positions restricted by the respective stoppers, and then a diagnosis on the presence or absence of the relative rotation is executed, based on the detected values at the respective restriction positions.

A vehicle includes an engine and at least one controller. In response to a change in a rate of change of a driver control input to the vehicle, the at least one controller is programmed to alter conditions under which the engine will be started and stopped such that engine-on time increases due to the rate increasing and decreases due to the rate decreasing.

Method and apparatus for controlling a prime mover of a first vehicle following a first path. A likely speed behaviour of a second vehicle ahead of the first vehicle is estimated based on a predicted path of the second vehicle. At least one coasting profile for the first vehicle is estimated for at least part of the first path and/or the predicted path. At least one of the coasting profiles is determined that meets at least one predetermined coasting requirement. The prime mover may be controlled to place the vehicle into a coasting mode based on the at least one determined coasting profile. Alternatively, feedback is provided to a user to put the vehicle into a coasting mode. The predetermined coasting requirement may include, for example, a minimum coasting mode period, a minimum coasting mode distance, a minimum coasting mode speed, a maximum coasting mode speed, or maintaining the first vehicle's speed with a predetermined tolerance of one or more desired speeds.

A pre-stoppage ignition control unit defines, as a stoppage transition air amount, an intake air amount of the engine with which the engine torque becomes the stoppage transition torque in a state in which an ignition timing of the engine is set to a predetermined self-sustaining operation ignition timing, defines, as an intermediate timing, a predetermined timing earlier than timing at which the intake air amount converges to the stoppage transition air amount during an execution period of the pre-stoppage self-sustaining operation control, sets the ignition timing of the engine in a period from the start of the pre-stoppage self-sustaining operation control to the intermediate timing to timing earlier than the self-sustaining operation ignition timing, and sets the ignition timing of the engine in the period after the intermediate timing to the self-sustaining operation ignition timing.