Methods and systems for heating an emission control device are provided. In one example, a method for a vehicle comprises during an engine cold start, heating an emission control device of the engine using a dual heat exchanger to heat secondary air and cool exhaust gas, and further heat secondary air with an electric heater. The method further comprises directing the heated secondary air to each exhaust runner of the engine via individual air injectors to mix with exhaust gas. In this way, an improved mixture of air and exhaust reduces catalyst light-off time and increases conversion efficiency, thereby reducing hydrocarbon emissions during engine cold start.

A method of assisting ignition of a dedicated exhaust gas recirculation (D-EGR) cylinder in a spark-ignited internal combustion engine. The spark igniter has an internal air passage that receives pressurized air and carries the pressurized air down to an exit port in the vicinity of the spark gap of the igniter.

A method of assisting ignition of a dedicated exhaust gas recirculation (D-EGR) cylinder in a spark-ignited internal combustion engine. The spark igniter has an internal air passage that receives pressurized air and carries the pressurized air down to an exit port in the vicinity of the spark gap of the igniter.

A valve assembly includes a valve housing defining a flow passage configured to receive exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, and defining a bore extending along a bore axis and fluidly coupled to said flow passage. The valve assembly also includes a valve body for controlling the flow of exhaust gas through the bore, and a shaft coupled to the valve body. The valve body is moveable between a closed position and an open position when the shaft rotates about the axis. The vale assembly additionally includes a first biasing member coupled to the shaft and configured to bias the shaft along the shaft axis in a first direction, and a second biasing member coupled to the shaft and configured to bias the valve body in the first direction along the shaft axis.

A valve assembly includes a valve housing defining a flow passage configured to receive exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, and defining a bore extending along a bore axis and fluidly coupled to said flow passage. The valve assembly also includes a valve body for controlling the flow of exhaust gas through the bore, and a shaft coupled to the valve body. The valve body is moveable between a closed position and an open position when the shaft rotates about the axis. The vale assembly additionally includes a first biasing member coupled to the shaft and configured to bias the shaft along the shaft axis in a first direction, and a second biasing member coupled to the shaft and configured to bias the valve body in the first direction along the shaft axis.

Catalytic coatings and techniques for applying the catalytic coatings may be utilized in connection with a number of engine system components including fuel injectors components, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve components, EGR cooler components, piston components, spark plugs, engine valves (intake valves and exhaust valves), engine valve seats, oxygen sensors, NOx sensors, and particulate sensors.

Catalytic coatings and techniques for applying the catalytic coatings may be utilized in connection with a number of engine system components including fuel injectors components, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve components, EGR cooler components, piston components, spark plugs, engine valves (intake valves and exhaust valves), engine valve seats, oxygen sensors, NOx sensors, and particulate sensors.

An integrated exhaust system apparatus to be mounted on an engine is provided. The apparatus includes an apparatus housing; an engine interface; an exhaust system interface with a first exhaust apparatus outlet configured to direct a first portion of exhaust through the housing wall; an EGR interface with a second exhaust apparatus outlet configured to direct a second portion of exhaust through the apparatus housing wall; and an exhaust manifold arranged within the apparatus interior. The exhaust manifold includes a first manifold outlet configured to direct the first portion of exhaust out of the manifold interior and a second manifold outlet configured to direct the second portion of exhaust out of the manifold interior. An EGR cooler is arranged within the apparatus interior with passages fluidly coupled such that the second portion of exhaust is directed out of the apparatus housing via the second exhaust apparatus outlet.

A vehicle control device controls a hybrid vehicle including: an internal combustion engine having an EGR device; an electric drive device that drives the vehicle and performs an engine-based power generation; a power storage device; and a travel route acquisition device. The vehicle include an EV drive mode and an HV drive mode. The vehicle control device is configured to: where the vehicle is started under a cold condition, calculate, based on the travel route information, an average vehicle driving power in a vehicle running section under a warm condition after the start; and limit the amount of power generated by the engine-based power generation in the cold condition to be smaller when the calculated average vehicle driving power is high than when it is low, and, during the HV drive mode after a transition to the warm condition, execute the engine-based power generation accompanied by the EGR.

A vehicle control device controls a hybrid vehicle including: an internal combustion engine having an EGR device; an electric drive device that drives the vehicle and performs an engine-based power generation; a power storage device; and a travel route acquisition device. The vehicle include an EV drive mode and an HV drive mode. The vehicle control device is configured to: where the vehicle is started under a cold condition, calculate, based on the travel route information, an average vehicle driving power in a vehicle running section under a warm condition after the start; and limit the amount of power generated by the engine-based power generation in the cold condition to be smaller when the calculated average vehicle driving power is high than when it is low, and, during the HV drive mode after a transition to the warm condition, execute the engine-based power generation accompanied by the EGR.