Embodiments are directed toward an engine. In some embodiments, the engine includes a water pump and a balancer shaft. In some embodiments, the water pump has a plain bearing. In some embodiments, plain bearing is supplied with pressurized oil. In some embodiments, the balancer shaft drives the water pump as well as cam shafts.

A continuously variable valve duration (CVVD) system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to output a command for adjusting an actuator and a controller configured to determine a operation range of a control shaft of the actuator and adjust the control shaft in the determined operation range based on the command of the ECU. The controller positions the control shaft at a predetermined target phase and determines a control state of each target phase based on a target phase value transmitted from the actuator when the control shaft is positioned at the target phase.

Methods and systems are provided for reducing torque pulsations during hybrid engine shutdown and restarts. A valve actuating mechanism may be actuated to operate an engine with a selected valve lift profile during engine restart and shutdown events that is distinct from the valve lift profile applied during cylinder combustion. The selected valve lift profile reduces cylinder pressure during engine shutdown and restarts.

A variable valve mechanism includes a cam that rotates about a rotating shaft in association with rotation of a crank shaft of an engine, a swinging arm that is disposed between the cam and a valve and is pushed by the rotating cam to swing and push the valve by a first end portion of the swinging arm, and a moving device that moves a second end portion of the swinging arm. Further, there is a regulating member that is coupled to the first end portion of the swinging arm so as to be rotatable and regulates displacement of the first end portion of the swinging arm relative to the valve when the second end portion of the swinging arm is moved by the moving device. The mechanism further includes a connection member that connects the second end portion of the swinging arm to the moving device.

Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle engine having a pre-chamber ignition system. In one example, a method may include adjusting one or more of an air injection amount and a fuel injection amount to a pre-chamber of an engine based on an air injection offset and a fuel injection offset learned while discontinuing fueling to cylinders of the engine and reducing air flow through the engine. In this way, air and fuel may be more accurately provided to the pre-chamber, thereby decreasing an occurrence of pre-chamber misfire.

A continuous variable valve duration apparatus includes: a camshaft, a front cam unit and a rear cam unit of which the phase relative to the camshaft can be varied, a front inner wheel and a rear inner wheel, a front guide bracket and a rear guide bracket, a front wheel housing and a rear wheel housing, a front control shaft, a rear control shaft, a phase controller selectively changing the relative phase of the front control shaft and the rear control shaft, a main driving unit for driving the rear control shaft, vibration sensors that measure the vibration of each cylinder corresponding to the front cam unit and the rear cam unit and output a corresponding signal, and a controller for controlling the operation of the main driving unit and the phase controller according to the output signals of the respective vibration sensors.

A method for advancing valve actuation during low load or idle diesel engine conditions to promote aftertreatment heat up comprises switching a cam phaser from a nominal lift position to an advance lift position to open an affiliated valve before nominal. Valve lift is actuated via the cam phaser. The valve is lowered towards nominal closure, and valve closure is interrupted by actuating a latch phaser. Valve closure is extended beyond nominal valve closure.

The invention relates to controlling engine braking of an internal combustion engine wherein the method includes setting the engine in an engine braking mode comprising i) interrupting fuel supply to a first cylinder, ii) restricting the flow of gas through an exhaust duct using an adjustable flow restricting member, and iii) controlling inlet and exhaust valves of the first cylinder in a compression-release mode comprising controlling the valves to compress gas in a combustion chamber when the piston moves towards the top dead center position (TDC) and release compressed gas into the exhaust duct when the piston is near the TDC. The method includes, prior to ii and iii: reducing a total gas mass flow rate through the engine by controlling, for at least one of valve, reducing a valve lift and/or adjusting a timing of a valve opening or closing so as to reduce the gas mass flow rate through the cylinder.

A method for controlling a valve arrangement for an internal combustion engine, the valve arrangement including a piston arrangement comprising a piston having a piston end portion facing an inlet valve of the valve arrangement. The method includes receiving a signal indicative of a temperature level of an exhaust gas after treatment system and when the signal indicates a temperature level below a predetermined threshold level: advancing an exhaust event of the internal combustion engine; and controlling the piston arrangement for reducing the distance between the piston end portion and the inlet valve before the internal combustion engine assumes an air intake event.

A stop/start system and method for an engine of a vehicle include a valve control system configured for full lift control of respective intake and exhaust valves of a plurality of cylinders of the engine and a controller of the engine configured to perform an engine stop event including initiating a fuel shutoff (FSO) event whereby fueling to the engine is disabled and the engine fully stops after a stop period and, in response to initiating the FSO event, commanding the valve control system to close each intake valve prior to closing its respective exhaust valve to (i) expel any residual gases from the cylinders during respective exhaust strokes prior to closing the respective exhaust valves, and (ii) prevent air-only intake and compression within the cylinders during the stop period to thereby mitigate or eliminate noise/vibration/harshness (NVH) caused by the air-only intake and compression.