Method and apparatus for engine control during auto-ignition combustion

Internal combustion engine system, comprising:

• an internal combustion engine, selectively operative in an auto-ignition combustion mode and in a spark-ignition mode;
• a control module, adapted to monitor engine operating states and control engine operation;
• and,
• an engine control subsystem, executable in the control module to control the engine operation based upon the monitored engine operating states, comprising:
• a) code to operate the engine in the auto-ignition combustion mode;
• b) code to monitor engine power for an elapsed period of time;
• c) code to determine an engine operating point;
• and,
• d) code to execute a feed-forward control scheme to determine a plurality of engine control states based upon the engine operating point and an operator torque request, the feed-forward control scheme operative to adjust one of the engine control states based upon the engine power monitored for the elapsed period of time.

Method for controlling a homogeneous charge compression ignition engine, comprising:

• providing a measured engine coolant temperature;
• determining an engine coolant temperature bias based on an engine power history;
• applying the engine coolant temperature bias to the measured engine coolant temperature to establish an effective engine coolant temperature;
• and
• controlling an engine actuator as a function of the effective engine coolant temperature.