An internal combustion engine includes an engine block, a blower housing configured to direct cooling air to the engine block, an electric starting system, and a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis. The electric starting system includes an electric motor and an energy storage device located within the blower housing. The energy storage device is electrically coupled to the electric motor to power the electric motor, and is positioned above the crankshaft. When the starter motor is activated, the electric starting system rotates the crankshaft to rotate the engine for starting.

An internal combustion engine includes an engine block, a blower housing configured to direct cooling air to the engine block, an electric starting system, and a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis. The electric starting system includes an electric motor and an energy storage device located within the blower housing. The energy storage device is electrically coupled to the electric motor to power the electric motor, and is positioned above the crankshaft. When the starter motor is activated, the electric starting system rotates the crankshaft to rotate the engine for starting.

A device and a method for starting an internal combustion engine, provided with an exhaust turbine turbocharger, an electric motor generator, a power storage unit, an engine rotation starter device, injectors, and a control device that controls the electric motor generator, the engine rotation starter device, and the injectors, wherein when an engine rotation activation start signal is input and the rotational frequency of the exhaust turbine turbocharger reaches an engine rotation-activation-starting rotational frequency, the control device starts driving the engine rotation starter device, and when the engine rotational frequency reaches a fuel-supply-starting rotational frequency, the control device starts driving the injectors, thus improving the starting performance of the internal combustion engine.

The invention relates to an engagement relays (20) for an electric machine which preferably serves as a starter device (10) for engaging a pinion, wherein the engagement relay (20) has a contact device (65) for electrically connecting electrical contacts (120, 121) having a switching axis (67) which can be actuated for the purpose of electrical connection, having a thrust motor (60) which serves to shift the switching axis (67) and the thrust motor (60) has a movable part (57) which serves to activate the switching axis (67), wherein the movable part (57) is connected to a driver (85), wherein a stop part (84) can move relative to the movable part (57) of the thrust motor (60) in a state of rest of the engagement relay (20) there is a gap(s) between the stop part (84) and the driver (85), wherein after the switching of the engagement relay (20) a contact device (65) is activated and as a result a switch of the circuit of the starter motor (23) is closed, wherein a movable part (57) of a thrust motor (60) of the engagement relay (20) I connected to a driver (85) and by means of a switch-on-movement of the movable part (57) the driver (85) brings about an engagement force with an engagement lever (22), in order to mesh a pinion (25) in a toothed ring (15), characterized in that a stop part (84) is arranged between the movable part (57) of the thrust motor (60) and the driver (85), wherein firstly there is a gap(s) with an initial size between the driver (85) and the stop part (84) and when the movable part (57) of the thrust motor (60) moves during switching the gap(s) is made smaller.

A method of controlling a vehicle hybrid propulsion system is provided. The propulsion system includes an internal combustion engine, first and second clutches, an electric motor, and a gearbox having an input shaft and an output shaft connected to drive wheels. The method includes a first operating mode of starting the engine by the motor, a second operating mode of actuating a gear shift, and a third operating mode which actuates starting of the engine and the gear shift. The method includes passing from the first to the third operating modes even if starting of the engine has not been completed, or passing from the second to the third operating modes even if actuation of the gear shift has not been completed, so that the transition from one operating mode to another can be freely actuated at any time, depending upon operating conditions of the hybrid propulsion system.

A method of controlling a vehicle hybrid propulsion system is provided. The propulsion system includes an internal combustion engine, first and second clutches, an electric motor, and a gearbox having an input shaft and an output shaft connected to drive wheels. The method includes a first operating mode of starting the engine by the motor, a second operating mode of actuating a gear shift, and a third operating mode which actuates starting of the engine and the gear shift. The method includes passing from the first to the third operating modes even if starting of the engine has not been completed, or passing from the second to the third operating modes even if actuation of the gear shift has not been completed, so that the transition from one operating mode to another can be freely actuated at any time, depending upon operating conditions of the hybrid propulsion system.

A permanently engaged starter system for use in a vehicle includes a duel-mass flywheel. The vehicle includes crankshaft, an engine block, and a transmission. The dual-mass flywheel includes an engine side primary, a transmission side primary mass, and a secondary mass. The permanently engaged starter system also includes a one-way clutch including an outer race disposed about the axis, and an inner race disposed about the axis and disposed between the outer race and the axis. The permanently engaged starter system additionally includes a ring gear rotatably coupled to one of the inner race and the outer race of the one-way clutch, with the other of the inner race and the outer race being rotatably coupled to the transmission side primary mass of the dual-mass flywheel. The one-way clutch is nested within the dual-mass flywheel with respect to the axis.

Systems and methods for starting an engine that may be started via two different electric machines are described. In one example, the method reserves an amount of torque that is based on a torque capability of a belt integrated starter/generator and the engine is started with the reserved torque if engine starting torque is greater than a torque capability of the belt integrated starter/generator.

Methods and systems are provided for pinpointing a source of degradation in a vehicle engine system. In one example, a method includes spinning an engine of a vehicle unfueled in a forward and a reverse direction, in no particular order, and recording a first intake air flow and a second intake air flow, respectively, in an intake of the engine, and where the source of degradation is indicated as a function of both the first air flow and the second air flow. In this way, the degradation of the vehicle engine system may be pinpointed as to being located in the intake manifold, the exhaust system, or the engine.

A hybrid vehicle includes: an engine; a motor; a drive system battery connected to a drive system power line; an auxiliary system battery connected to an auxiliary system power line; a bidirectional power converter configured to step down power on the drive system power line to supply the stepped-down power to the auxiliary system power line, and configured to boost power on the auxiliary system power line to supply the boosted power to the drive system power line; and a control device. The control device is configured to, upon a cold start in which the engine is started, control the engine, the motor, and the bidirectional power converter to cause the motor to crank the engine while causing the bidirectional power converter to boost the power on the auxiliary system power line to supply the boosted power to the drive system power line.