In a vehicle control device with an automatic engine stop function, when the engine is in a non-operating state and the shift lever is operated to the parking range, the engine is controlled to start to supply operating oil to a valve timing changing means. The valve timing changing means is thereupon caused to change the intake valve close timing (IVC) to a predetermined advance angle position and subsequently locked thereat. The engine is then controlled to stop.

System comprising an internal combustion engine including a crankshaft, a crankshaft sprocket coupled to the crankshaft, an electric motor in mechanical communication with the crankshaft sprocket, a bidirectional engine position sensor coupled to the crankshaft sprocket, a controller in electrical communication with the bidirectional engine position sensor and a non-transitory memory having instructions that, in response to execution by a processor, cause the processor to determine a position of an engine component upon shutdown of the engine, store the position of the engine component at shutdown in the non-transitory memory, and control the electric motor at restart in response to the position of the engine component at shutdown are disclosed. Methods are also disclosed.

A vehicle control device includes a controller configured to perform: ignition starting of an engine when a detected crank angle is within a first area in which the ignition starting of the engine may be performed with probability not smaller than a first predetermined value; and the ignition starting of the engine while increasing an engine speed by engaging a clutch to transmit torque of a drive wheel to a crankshaft when the crank angle is within a second area in which the ignition starting of the engine may be performed with probability not smaller than a second predetermined value smaller than the first predetermined value and smaller than the first predetermined value, the instruction is output based on a signal indicating that a braking unit is turned on, and a gear of a transmission is not in neutral.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller for a starter motor operable to receive a first input indicative of an engine shutdown being required, a second input indicative of a change-of-mind event having occurred after initiation of engine shutdown and a third input indicative of the engine position. After receipt of the first input the controller is operable to monitor the third input and to determine an expected engine rotation direction indicative of the expected rotation direction of the engine after a predetermined delay. If the expected engine rotation direction is positive and the second input is received then the controller is configured to control the output means to cause the starter motor of the engine to be actuated upon receipt of the second input. If the expected engine rotation direction is negative and the second input is received then the controller is configured to delay controlling the output means to cause the starter motor of the engine to be actuated until a determination is made that the expected rotation direction is positive. Advantageously, the controller calculates the expected engine rotation direction before receipt of the input indicative of the change-of-mind event having occurred, thereby reducing the time required to determine whether or not the starter motor can be actuated.

A vehicle control apparatus includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to perform feedback control of a motor such that a torque is output for stopping a crankshaft at a target angle. A first angle is used as the target angle during a first period from start of the feedback control to first detection of rotation of the crankshaft in a negative rotational direction for returning the crank angle. A second angle is used as the target angle during a second period from the lapse of the first period to detection of a changeover in a rotational direction of the crankshaft from the negative to a positive rotational direction. The electronic control unit is configured to return the target angle to the first angle at a first timing after the lapse of the second period.

In particular embodiments, 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 during ignition startup of the gas engine and abnormal combustion is reduced in the occurrence so as to improve safety, breakage prevention, durability and reliability. An exhaust purge device for a gas internal combustion engine 1, which operates using flammable gas as fuel, includes an exhaust channel 16 forming an exhaust channel of the gas internal combustion engine 1, a blast pipe 71 connected to an upstream portion of the exhaust pipe at a first end, an exhaust purge fan 7 connected to a second end of the blast pipe 71 and configured to send ambient air to the exhaust channel 16, and a control device 2 for performing a control to drive the exhaust purge fan 7.

A method for controlling a drivetrain of a motor vehicle is disclosed. Either a start mode for starting the reciprocating engine is activated via the driving vehicle wheel, or a coasting mode is activated for driving the reciprocating engine via the driving vehicle wheel. At least one volume-reducing stroke is executed that follows an intake stroke for at least one cylinder of the reciprocating engine with at least intermittently open cylinder. Alternately at least one volume-enlarging stroke is executed for at least one cylinder of the reciprocating engine, which is followed by a compression stroke of this cylinder, and at least one volume-reducing stroke of this cylinder, which follows an expansion stroke that follows the compression stroke, with a cylinder that is closed, if possible, in this operating mode.

A belt slip monitor system and method configured to determine whether a belt coupled to a motor-generator is slipping based on operational states of first and second movable portions of the belt slip monitor, wherein the operational states of the first and second movable portions are dependent upon the tension in the belt.

A rechargeable battery jump starting device having a highly conductive electrical pathway from a rechargeable battery of the device to a vehicle battery being jump started. The highly conductive pathway can be provided by a highly electrically conductive frame connecting one or more batteries of the rechargeable battery jump starting device to battery clamps of the rechargeable battery jump starting device.

A rechargeable battery jump starting device having a highly conductive electrical pathway from a rechargeable battery of the device to a vehicle battery being jump started. The highly conductive pathway can be provided by a highly electrically conductive frame connecting one or more batteries of the rechargeable battery jump starting device to battery clamps of the rechargeable battery jump starting device.