Embodiments may provide a starting device for a gas internal combustion engine whereby non-combusted gas accumulating in the gas internal combustion engine and an exhaust channel is discharged before ignition startup of the gas internal combustion engine and abnormal combustion of the gas internal combustion engine is prevented so as to improve safety, breakage prevention, durability and reliability. A starting device of a gas internal combustion engine 1 having an air starting device 30 includes a rotation-speed detection unit of the gas internal combustion engine 1, a compressed-air introduction unit 5 for supplying compressed air to each of cylinders according to an order of an ignition timing of the gas internal combustion engine 1, a compressed-air supply unit 3 for supplying the compressed air to the compressed-air introduction unit 5, and a control device 2 including a cumulative rotation-speed setting device 21 whereby an operator can set a threshold value of a cumulative rotation speed optionally, the control device 2 being configured to halt supply of the compressed air by the compressed-air supply unit 3 if a set cumulative rotation speed is achieved on the basis of the rotation speed detected by the rotation-speed detection unit.

An I.C. engine (and vehicles incorporating the same) connected with an air reservoir and having means of introducing water (or other evaporable fluid). The air reservoir can be used to store energy (in the form of compressed air) while braking the engine and/or allow compressed air to power the engine or to improve its performance. The evaporable fluid can be used: to increase engine efficiency, to increase power, for cooling, as a knock inhibitor, to allow an increased compression ratio, for NOx reduction, to effect other emissions, to aid in controlling HCCI, etc. The cooling effect of evaporable fluid is complementary to storing energy pneumatically since cooler air can be stored more efficiently. Other advantages are also discussed. This engine disclosure further contemplates means to recapture evaporable fluid for reuse (unburned hydrocarbons etc. may also be captured similarly).

An opposed-piston engine system equipped for full hybrid compressed-air/combustion includes capacity for storing air compressed by the engine during a combustion mode of operation. The hybrid opposed-piston engine system includes a control mechanization for operating the opposed-piston engine in a combustion mode by provision of fuel, in a compressed-air mode by provision of stored compressed air, and in a combustion mode supplemented by provision of stored compressed air. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle equipped with an opposed-piston engine includes storing air compressed by the engine during a combustion mode of operation and operating in the vehicle a compressed-air mode by provision of stored compressed air.

An opposed-piston engine system equipped for full hybrid compressed-air/combustion includes capacity for storing air compressed by the engine during a combustion mode of operation. The hybrid opposed-piston engine system includes a control mechanization for operating the opposed-piston engine in a combustion mode by provision of fuel, in a compressed-air mode by provision of stored compressed air, and in a combustion mode supplemented by provision of stored compressed air. A method of operating a hybrid vehicle equipped with an opposed-piston engine includes storing air compressed by the engine during a combustion mode of operation and operating in the vehicle a compressed-air mode by provision of stored compressed air.

Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes cylinders that may be deactivated are presented. In one example, intake and exhaust valves of a cylinder may be operated according to valve operation for a conventional four stroke cycle. The same valves may be operated differently during a four stroke cycle to provide air charge and exhaust charge to active cylinders during a different four stroke cycle.

A turbocharger system and method for a vehicle, wherein the system comprises a high pressure turbocharger and a low pressure turbocharger. Both the high and low pressure turbochargers are driven by exhaust gas on an exhaust side of the turbochargers. The system further comprises a first bypass conduit that bypasses the low pressure turbocharger during set events.

A turbocharger system and method for a vehicle, wherein the system comprises a high pressure turbocharger and a low pressure turbocharger. Both the high and low pressure turbochargers are driven by exhaust gas on an exhaust side of the turbochargers. The system further comprises a first bypass conduit that bypasses the low pressure turbocharger during set events.

A natural gas engine system may have an engine having at least one cylinder. The engine may also have an intake manifold configured to deliver air for combustion to the cylinder and an exhaust manifold configured to discharge exhaust from the cylinder. The natural gas engine system may have a generator coupled to the engine. The generator may be configured to generate electrical power for an electrical load. The natural gas engine system may have a fuel source configured to supply natural gas for combustion in the engine, and an air tank in fluid communication with the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold. Further, the natural gas engine system may have a controller. The controller may be configured to direct a first amount of air from the air tank to the exhaust manifold and a second amount of air from the air tank to the intake manifold.

A natural gas engine system may have an engine having at least one cylinder. The engine may also have an intake manifold configured to deliver air for combustion to the cylinder and an exhaust manifold configured to discharge exhaust from the cylinder. The natural gas engine system may have a generator coupled to the engine. The generator may be configured to generate electrical power for an electrical load. The natural gas engine system may have a fuel source configured to supply natural gas for combustion in the engine, and an air tank in fluid communication with the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold. Further, the natural gas engine system may have a controller. The controller may be configured to direct a first amount of air from the air tank to the exhaust manifold and a second amount of air from the air tank to the intake manifold.

Engine systems have an air induction system, a turbocharger in fluid communication with an intake manifold, an evacuator defining a Venturi gap with a suction port in fluid communication therewith, a relief valve enclosing a piston and defining an inlet and an outlet in selective fluid communication with one another, and a storage tank of high pressure air in fluid communication with the evacuator. The relief valve has a valve element connected to the piston, and the piston divides the housing into a pressurized chamber in fluid communication with the suction port of the evacuator and a bypass portion in fluid communication with the inlet, which is in fluid communication with the compressed air from the turbocharger, and the outlet, which is in fluid communication with the air induction system or atmosphere. A discharge cone of the evacuator is in fluid communication with atmosphere or the air induction system.