A passive two-terminal circuit element may include a resistor including a carbon-metal composite resistive element. The resistive element is configured to maintain a resistivity that fluctuates less than one tenth of an ohm per ten degree temperature change up to 400 degrees Celsius.

A flexplate assembly (26) for use in a starting system (31) for translating rotational torque between an engine and a transmission includes a drive assembly (28) adapted to be attached to the engine and the transmission for translating rotational torque therebetween. The flexplate assembly (26) also includes a ring assembly (30) having a ring gear (32) adapted to permanently engage a pinion gear (24) of a starter motor (22) of the starting system (31). The ring assembly (30) rotates with the drive assembly (28) in response to rotational torque generated by the pinion gear (24) of the starter motor (22). The drive assembly (28) disengages from the ring assembly (30) in response to rotational torque generated by the engine.

A motor vehicle includes a hybrid drive having an internal combustion engine and an electric drive motor, and an air conditioning system having a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, and an electric motor configured to operate the compressor and to start the internal combustion engine as electric starter when being coupled with the internal combustion engine. The electric motor has an inverter to operate the electric motor directly with high voltage of a high-voltage onboard electrical system of the motor vehicle so as to enable the electric motor to apply a mechanical torque for re-staring the internal combustion engine in case of need in the absence of any assistance from the electric drive motor. A clutch device mechanically couples the electric motor of the air conditioning system with the internal combustion engine in response to a control signal.

Provided is a vehicle control device with which improved fuel economy and lowered exhaust gas emissions can be effectively achieved without adversely affecting the driver when traveling while following a leading vehicle. The present invention has: a following-determination means that, during travel while following a leading vehicle, determines, on the basis of the speed of the host vehicle, the speed of the leading vehicle, and the distance from the leading vehicle, whether the host vehicle will be able to follow the leading vehicle by coasting; and an idle stop determination means that, when the following-determination means has determined that the host vehicle will be able to follow the leading vehicle by coasting, and the driving/travel state of the host vehicle satisfies other traveling idle stop criteria, determines that a traveling idle stop should be performed; and is provided with a determination criteria updating means for updating the determination criteria for the idle stop determination means in regard to criteria such as the leading vehicle characteristics, road surface conditions, and weather. In the event that it has been determined, from the determination conditions that have been updated in regard to the leading vehicle characteristics, etc., that following by coasting is possible, a control to shut off the on-board engine is performed.

A method and system for operating a vehicle that includes a plurality of engine starting devices and an internal combustion engine is described. In one example, the method selects one of a plurality of engine starting devices to start an engine based on durability metrics of each of the plurality of engine starting devices. In addition, engine starting device selection may be based on calibration parameters that are generated via a server that is external to the vehicle.

A starting control device for an internal combustion engine is provided with a hard cranking device and a soft cranking device that are respectively capable of and incapable of cranking the internal combustion engine to a target idle rotation speed. The starting control device includes: a starting mode determination unit determining whether to carry out starting in a non-combustion pressure mode whereby starting is carried out with the hard cranking device, or in a combustion pressure combination mode whereby starting is carried out through cranking with the soft cranking device while using a combustion pressure generated by supplying fuel to the internal combustion engine in combination; and an intake air amount control unit making an amount of intake air during cranking differ between a case where starting is carried out in the non-combustion pressure mode and a case where starting is carried out in the combustion pressure combination mode.

A barring-tool system improving safety, speed, effectiveness, and number of personnel required for maintenance, repair, and inspection of large engines, generators, and turbines, providing controlled bidirectional rotation and locking of crankshafts during maintenance, and a method for maintenance of large engines, generators, and turbines using the barring-tool system.

An engine is described having a crankcase, a liner and a head assembly. The crankcase is split along a plane defining a two part crankcase, where fluid passages are passing through only one of the crankcase portions, so as to not require crossing the split line. A connecting rod also includes a tapered end, and the piston has a complementary carrier receiving the connecting rod.

A system for starting an internal combustion engine includes a battery system, a charger to receive DC battery power from the battery system and convert the power to a DC charging current, a supercapacitor array having a plurality of supercapacitor cells connected to the charger to receive the DC charging current therefrom, and a motor starter to start the internal combustion engine responsive to a DC input from the supercapacitor array. The charger modifies a voltage of the supercapacitor cells in an on-demand fashion, with the charger programmed to provide DC charging current to the supercapacitor array to hold the supercapacitor cells at a first voltage, receive a bump-up command indicative of an upcoming engine start and, responsive to receiving the bump-up command, provide DC charging current to the supercapacitor array to increase a voltage of the supercapacitor cells temporarily to a second voltage higher than the first voltage.

A method is provided for operating a hybrid vehicle after a stationary state of the hybrid vehicle having an electric machine and an internal combustion engine with a circulating oil lubrication system. The electric machine and the internal combustion engine can be operated independently of one another and their output shafts can be operatively connected to one another via a clutch and/or a transmission for a separate or common drive. The method includes: starting the electric machine and starting the hybrid vehicle with pure electric drive; connecting the drive shafts during the electric drive and cranking the internal combustion engine without inputting fuel until a defined oil pressure is built up in the circulating oil lubrication system; uncoupling the output shafts; continuing to operate the hybrid vehicle with pure electric drive until the internal combustion engine is started. By way of the method, all the components of the internal combustion engine are lubricated with oil at the start and the service life of the internal combustion engine is increased.