A method for controlling an electronic throttle control (ETC) system, in which an electronic control unit (ECU) controls the ETC system using an air volume learning value containing information on a volume of air introduced into an engine for each opening degree of the ETC system according to carbon deposit of the ETC system, the method may include reading an air volume learning value used during a previous operation. The air volume learning value is compared to a preset learning value change reference value. Whether an operation condition of the engine satisfies a learning value change condition which is preset to change the air volume learning value, and whether the volume of air passing through the ETC system satisfies a preset learning-value-change-air-volume condition are determined. The air volume learning value used during the previous operation and stored in the ECU is substituted with a preset initial value of the air volume learning value.

Various systems and methods are provided for a mass flow rate sensor. In one example, a mass flow rate sensor comprises a first signal input, a second signal input, an output for a mass flow rate signal, a first characteristic field, a second characteristic field, each of the first and second characteristic fields associating a mass flow rate value with a pair of values of a revolution rate value and an output pressure value, and a selection unit that comprises a first parameter input and a second parameter input, the selection unit configured to produce a selection signal depending on a pair of parameters respectively received via the first and second parameter inputs and to switch the mass flow rate value of either the first or the second characteristic field through to the output of the mass flow rate sensor depending on the selection signal.

A fuel injection system for an engine, the fuel injection system includes injectors and an electronic control unit. The injectors include needle valves; and the ECU is configured to: (i) execute partial lift injection and full lift injection with the injectors, the partial lift injection being injection during which the needle valve does not reach a fully-open state and the full lift injection being injection during which the needle valve reaches the fully-open state; (ii) operate the engine in a partial lift injection region where the injection of a required injection amount of a fuel is shared by the partial lift injection and the full lift injection; and (iii) perform the amount of correction of the required injection amount with respect to the injection amount shared by the full lift injection when the required injection amount is corrected while the engine is operated in the partial lift injection region.

A vehicle control device includes a storage device and a processor. The storage device is configured to store relationship prescription data that prescribe a relationship between a state of a vehicle and an action variable that is a variable related to an operation of an electronic device in the vehicle. The processor is configured to calculate a reward corresponding to the operation of the electronic device. The processor is configured to update the relationship prescription data using, as inputs to updated mapping determined in advance, the state of the vehicle that is based on a detection value that is acquired, a value of the action variable that is used to operate the electronic device, and the reward corresponding to the operation of the electronic device when a computation load on the processor is equal to or less than a predetermined load.

A method of regenerating a lean NOx trap (LNT) of an exhaust purification system provided with the LNT and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst may include: determining whether a regeneration release condition of the LNT is satisfied; determining whether a regeneration demand condition of the LNT is satisfied; and performing regeneration of the LNT if the regeneration release condition of the LNT and the regeneration demand condition of the LNT are satisfied. In particular, the regeneration release condition of the LNT is satisfied if all of an engine operating condition, an LNT state condition, and a lambda sensor synchronization condition are satisfied.

A system and method for providing torque-assist to a rotary shaft of an internal combustion engine control an electric machine in response to operation of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve to assist the rotation of the rotary shaft. The system and method facilitate periodic operation of the EGR valve to purge condensation without objectionable torque reduction when the engine is operating near full load.

Methods and systems are provided for monitoring and adapting sensors and actuators in the induction system and exhaust system of an internal combustion engine during a period of time in which fresh air is flowing through the internal combustion engine without fuel delivery. According to the disclosure, the period of time in which fresh air is flowing through the internal combustion engine when fuel delivery is turned off and the monitoring and adapting is being carried out is extended by transferring torque produced by electric motor to the internal combustion engine.

A method and a device for predefining a torque output of a motor vehicle drive engine when switching over accelerator pedal characteristic curves. The method and the device determine a setpoint change in the acceleration that is intended to sense occur as a result of the switching over. The method and device determine a change in torque as a function of the vehicle mass and the determined setpoint change in acceleration. The method and device determine a difference output from the change in torque, by which difference output a setpoint drive output is changed from a first drive output to a second drive output when switching over.

Methods and systems are presented for assessing the presence or absence of engine torque deviation which may indicate air-fuel ratio imbalance between engine cylinders. In one example, the method may include assessing the presence or absence of engine torque variation based on engine torque deviation from a desired engine torque during a deceleration fuel shut-off event.

A vehicle and method for controlling a vehicle having a variable displacement engine with an auxiliary machine connected directly to the engine crankshaft and to an energy storage device includes switching from a cylinder disablement (VDE) mode to a normal mode when the torque demand and engine speed lie outside an outer range defined by a first threshold (T.sub.out), and switching from the normal mode to the VDE mode when the torque demand and engine speed lie within an inner range, which lies within the outer range and defined by a second threshold (T.sub.in). When operating in a band between the two thresholds, the auxiliary machine draws energy from the energy storage device and supplements the output torque from the engine if operating in the VDE mode, and derives torque from the engine crankshaft to recharge the energy storage device if operating in the normal mode.