A method is provided for ascertaining a torque curve of a hybrid powertrain including a first sub-powertrain an internal combustion engine, and a second sub-powertrain, which is separated from the first sub-powertrain by a torsional elasticity and has an electric machine with a rotor (10). A rotational characteristic value of the first sub-powertrain is detected via a sensor arranged on the torsional elasticity. A rotational characteristic value of the rotor is detected via a device engaged with the rotor. An irregularity in operation of the internal combustion engine is determined based on at least one of the rotational characteristic value of the first sub-powertrain or the rotational characteristic value of the rotor. The electric machine is controlled based on the irregularity m operation.

To provide a controller and a control method for internal combustion engine which can set appropriately an angle interval for estimating the combustion state in accordance with change of a burning angle interval, and can reduce calculation processing load for estimation of the combustion state. A controller for internal combustion engine changes the estimation crank angle interval based on an operating condition of the internal combustion engine; calculates an increment of gas pressure torque by burning at each crank angle of the estimation crank angle interval; and estimates the combustion state of the internal combustion engine, based on the increment of gas pressure torque by burning in the estimation crank angle interval.

Methods and systems are provided for reducing a possibility of hydrocarbon (HC) release to atmosphere from an evaporative emissions control (EVAP) system. In one example, a method may include, isolating a fuel vapor canister of the EVAP system from atmosphere and an engine intake manifold upon conditions being met for a potential hydrocarbon (HC) breakthrough from the fuel vapor canister.

A method for controlling a rotational speed of an output shaft of a propulsion unit. The method includes determining a speed setpoint value, indicative of a rotational speed setpoint for the output shaft, and an actual speed value, indicative of an actual rotational speed of the output shaft, determining an acceleration value using an acceleration value determination procedure comprising employing an acceleration conversion function that uses the speed setpoint value, the actual speed value and an acceleration setting member as inputs and which produces a resulting value to be used for determining the acceleration value, the acceleration conversion function being such that different resulting values can be obtained for the same set of the speed setpoint value and the actual speed value but for different choices of the acceleration setting member, determining a torque request value using a torque conversion operation that uses the acceleration value, and controlling the propulsion unit using the torque request value.

A variety of methods and arrangements for detecting misfire and other engine-related errors are described. In one aspect, a window is assigned to a target firing opportunity for a target working chamber. There is an attempt to fire a target working chamber during the target firing opportunity. A change in an engine parameter (e.g., crankshaft angular acceleration) is measured during the window. A model (e.g., a pressure model) is used to help determine an expected change in the engine parameter during the target firing opportunity. Based on a comparison of the expected change and the measured change in the engine parameter, a determination is made as to whether an engine error (e.g., misfire) has occurred.

An electronic control unit (100), which serves as a control device for an internal combustion engine, executes feedback control for controlling the torque of an internal combustion engine (10) so as to coincide the rate of decrease in engine rotational speed with a target rate of decrease in the engine rotational speed. The electronic control unit (100) calculates a required torque that is a torque required to keep the engine rotational speed at a constant rotational speed, and increases a feedback gain in the feedback control as the calculated required torque increases.

To provide a controller for internal combustion engine which can improve the estimation accuracy of the period in the chipped tooth section, even if the period is suddenly varied in the chipped tooth section. A controller for internal combustion engine detects a period when the tooth passes, based on an output signal of the crank angle sensor; determines a period corresponding to the chipped tooth section; determines a crank angle corresponding to the passed tooth; and estimates a period of a virtual unit angle interval when assuming that the tooth is provided at the unit angle interval in the chipped tooth section, based on the period of the chipped tooth section, the period before the chipped tooth section, and the period after the chipped tooth section.

Methods and systems are provided for learning fuel injector error for cylinder groups during a deceleration fuel shut-off (DFSO), where all cylinders of an engine are deactivated, sequentially firing each cylinder of a cylinder group, each cylinder fueled via consecutive first and second fuel pulses of differing fuel pulse width from an injector. Based on a lambda deviation between the first and second pulses, a fuel error for the injector and an air-fuel ratio imbalance for each cylinder is learned. Alternatively or additionally, a difference in crankshaft acceleration between the first and second pulses relative to the expected deviation may be used to learn torque error, and adjust fuel injector error and air-ratio imbalance for each cylinder.

Methods and systems are provided for detecting cylinder misfire in a vehicle engine via a plurality of sensors, based on dual mass flywheel (DMF) operating frequency. In response to detection of a misfire event, the misfiring cylinders may be deactivated and upon confirmation of DMF operation out of a resonant frequency range, the deactivated cylinder(s) may be sequentially reactivated.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling engine operation in a hybrid vehicle, where the vehicle engine comprises one or more cylinders dedicated to recirculating exhaust to the intake manifold. In one example, if an engine load decreases below a level where dedicated exhaust gas recirculation may lead to combustion stability issues, engine load may be increased above the demanded load and the excess power used to charge a system battery, or if the battery state of charge is above a threshold, the engine may be shut down and the vehicle propelled via battery power. In this way, fuel economy and combustion stability issues may be improved, NOx emissions reduced, and costs for implementation of dedicated exhaust gas recirculation decreased.