A method of estimating a compressor inlet pressure for a turbocharger includes: measuring an ambient temperature of air flowing into the compressor; measuring a flow rate of the air into the compressor; measuring a boost pressure of the air from the compressor to an engine; determining a speed of a turbine of the turbocharger; defining a pressure ratio as the ratio of the boost pressure to the compressor inlet pressure; defining a function as the function of the compressor flow rate, the ambient temperature, the compressor inlet pressure and the turbine speed; and equating the pressure ratio and the function and recursively solving for the compressor inlet pressure.

A method of estimating a compressor inlet pressure for a turbocharger includes: measuring an ambient temperature of air flowing into the compressor; measuring a flow rate of the air into the compressor; measuring a boost pressure of the air from the compressor to an engine; determining a speed of a turbine of the turbocharger; defining a pressure ratio as the ratio of the boost pressure to the compressor inlet pressure; defining a function as the function of the compressor flow rate, the ambient temperature, the compressor inlet pressure and the turbine speed; and equating the pressure ratio and the function and recursively solving for the compressor inlet pressure.

To provide a controller and a control method for an internal combustion engine capable of performing automatic adaptation of the optimal ignition timing or the optimal control value of the combustion operation mechanism during operating. A controller and a control method for an internal combustion engine changes setting values of a torque characteristics function so that an output torque calculated using the torque characteristics function approaches an output torque calculated based on an actual value of internal cylinder pressure; calculates a plurality of output torques corresponding to respective plurality of combustion control states using the torque characteristics function; and changes setting values of a combustion control target setting function so that a target value of combustion control state calculated using the combustion control target setting function approaches a maximum torque combustion control state where the output torque becomes the maximum.

To provide a controller and a control method for an internal combustion engine capable of performing automatic adaptation of the optimal ignition timing or the optimal control value of the combustion operation mechanism during operating. A controller and a control method for an internal combustion engine changes setting values of a torque characteristics function so that an output torque calculated using the torque characteristics function approaches an output torque calculated based on an actual value of internal cylinder pressure; calculates a plurality of output torques corresponding to respective plurality of combustion control states using the torque characteristics function; and changes setting values of a combustion control target setting function so that a target value of combustion control state calculated using the combustion control target setting function approaches a maximum torque combustion control state where the output torque becomes the maximum.

A semiconductor pressure sensor assembly for measuring a pressure of an exhaust gas which contains corrosive components, comprising: a first cavity, a pressure sensor comprising first bondpads for electrical interconnection, a CMOS chip comprising second bondpads for electrical interconnection with the pressure sensor, an interconnection module having electrically conductive paths connected via bonding wires to the pressure sensor and to the CMOS chip; the interconnection module being a substrate with corrosion-resistant metal tracks, wherein the CMOS chip and part of the interconnection module are encapsulated by a plastic package.

A semiconductor pressure sensor assembly for measuring a pressure of an exhaust gas which contains corrosive components, comprising: a first cavity, a pressure sensor comprising first bondpads for electrical interconnection, a CMOS chip comprising second bondpads for electrical interconnection with the pressure sensor, an interconnection module having electrically conductive paths connected via bonding wires to the pressure sensor and to the CMOS chip; the interconnection module being a substrate with corrosion-resistant metal tracks, wherein the CMOS chip and part of the interconnection module are encapsulated by a plastic package.

Methods and systems are presented for diagnosing operation of a fuel tank pressure sensor. The methods and systems may include releasing fuel vapors from a fuel tank to an engine when an engine is rotating in a fuel cut out mode while a catalyst temperature is greater than a threshold temperature to determine whether or not the fuel tank pressure sensor is degraded.

Methods and systems are presented for diagnosing operation of a fuel tank pressure sensor. The methods and systems may include releasing fuel vapors from a fuel tank to an engine when an engine is rotating in a fuel cut out mode while a catalyst temperature is greater than a threshold temperature to determine whether or not the fuel tank pressure sensor is degraded.

Provided is a pressure sensor that uses a sensor chip as a pressure measurement element and can suppress condensation around the sensor chip of water vapor permeating a protective member from a gas to be measured. The pressure sensor includes a pressure measurement chamber into which a gas to be measured is introduced; a sensor chip that faces the pressure measurement chamber; a sensor support that has a support surface supporting the sensor chip; and a protective member that covers the sensor chip. The pressure sensor also includes a heat insulation chamber that faces a back surface opposite to the support surface of the sensor support; and a gas passage that communicates the heat insulation chamber and the pressure measurement chamber.

Provided is a pressure sensor that uses a sensor chip as a pressure measurement element and can suppress condensation around the sensor chip of water vapor permeating a protective member from a gas to be measured. The pressure sensor includes a pressure measurement chamber into which a gas to be measured is introduced; a sensor chip that faces the pressure measurement chamber; a sensor support that has a support surface supporting the sensor chip; and a protective member that covers the sensor chip. The pressure sensor also includes a heat insulation chamber that faces a back surface opposite to the support surface of the sensor support; and a gas passage that communicates the heat insulation chamber and the pressure measurement chamber.