A hydraulic start system and methods for operating an engine starter with the same is disclosed. The hydraulic start system may include an accumulator and at least two pumps fluidly coupled with and disposed upstream of the accumulator. The hydraulic start system may also include a first directional valve fluidly coupled with and disposed downstream of the accumulator and upstream of the engine starter. The hydraulic start system may further include a second directional valve fluidly coupled with and disposed downstream of the accumulator and upstream of the engine starter and the first directional valve. The second directional valve may be configured to direct at least a portion of the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the accumulator to the first directional valve to actuate the first directional valve to an open position.

An engine stop-start fuel saving system for a vocational vehicle propelled by a conventional internal combustion engine and powertrain. The system uses a low storage capacity, rapid recharge, high cycle life electric energy storage device, such as an ultracapacitor. The system also includes a generator that is coupled to the engine and that is connected to recharge the electric energy storage device, as well as a motor that is powered by the energy storage device and that is coupled to the engine. The system also includes a controller that can activate the motor to restart the engine when it is stopped, and engage the generator to recharge the electric energy storage device, and that can subsequently stop the engine again when the electric energy storage device has reached a threshold charge level. The electric energy storage device also powers at least one of: integral vehicle equipment; peripheral vehicle equipment; or an electrical outlet circuit with a socket for external plugin equipment.

An engine stop-start fuel saving system for a vocational vehicle propelled by a conventional internal combustion engine and powertrain. The system uses a low storage capacity, rapid recharge, high cycle life electric energy storage device, such as an ultracapacitor. The system also includes a generator that is coupled to the engine and that is connected to recharge the electric energy storage device, as well as a motor that is powered by the energy storage device and that is coupled to the engine. The system also includes a controller that can activate the motor to restart the engine when it is stopped, and engage the generator to recharge the electric energy storage device, and that can subsequently stop the engine again when the electric energy storage device has reached a threshold charge level. The electric energy storage device also powers at least one of: integral vehicle equipment; peripheral vehicle equipment; or an electrical outlet circuit with a socket for external plugin equipment.

An engine assembly may include an internal combustion engine and an expander couplable to the internal combustion engine in a force transmitting manner. The engine assembly may also include a pulley mounted rotatably on a shaft of the expander. The pulley may be coupled to the internal combustion engine in a force-transmitting manner via a belt drive. The engine assembly may further include a first driver plate connected non-rotatably to the pulley and a second driver plate arranged adjacent thereto and connected non-rotatably to the shaft. The engine assembly may additionally include a clutch device including at least one actuating device and a coupling wheel. The coupling wheel may contact the first driver plate and the second driver plate when the clutch device is closed such that the pulley is connected with the shaft of the expander in a driving manner.

An engine assembly may include an internal combustion engine and an expander couplable to the internal combustion engine in a force transmitting manner. The engine assembly may also include a pulley mounted rotatably on a shaft of the expander. The pulley may be coupled to the internal combustion engine in a force-transmitting manner via a belt drive. The engine assembly may further include a first driver plate connected non-rotatably to the pulley and a second driver plate arranged adjacent thereto and connected non-rotatably to the shaft. The engine assembly may additionally include a clutch device including at least one actuating device and a coupling wheel. The coupling wheel may contact the first driver plate and the second driver plate when the clutch device is closed such that the pulley is connected with the shaft of the expander in a driving manner.

A method for slow starting a reciprocating engine having a crankshaft, piston, and piston chamber is disclosed. The method includes applying a force to the crankshaft, sensing an engine characteristic, and determining if an error or fault is present in the engine.

A method for slow starting a reciprocating engine having a crankshaft, piston, and piston chamber is disclosed. The method includes applying a force to the crankshaft, sensing an engine characteristic, and determining if an error or fault is present in the engine.

A damper device includes: an input element coupled to an engine via a clutch; an intermediate element; an output element coupled to an input shaft of a transmission; a first elastic body that is disposed between the input element and the intermediate element; and a second elastic body that is disposed between the intermediate element and the output element and that acts in series with the first elastic body. When a total moment of inertia of the output element and a rotation element that rotates integrally with the output element on the engine side with respect to the input shaft is J.sub.2, and a total moment of inertia of all rotation members included between the input shaft and a differential gear coupled to an output shaft of the transmission is J.sub.TM, 0.12J.sub.2/(J.sub.2+J.sub.TM)0.5 is satisfied.

A damper device includes: an input element coupled to an engine via a clutch; an intermediate element; an output element coupled to an input shaft of a transmission; a first elastic body that is disposed between the input element and the intermediate element; and a second elastic body that is disposed between the intermediate element and the output element and that acts in series with the first elastic body. When a total moment of inertia of the output element and a rotation element that rotates integrally with the output element on the engine side with respect to the input shaft is J.sub.2, and a total moment of inertia of all rotation members included between the input shaft and a differential gear coupled to an output shaft of the transmission is J.sub.TM, 0.12J.sub.2/(J.sub.2+J.sub.TM)0.5 is satisfied.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a construction machine starting assist system including: an engine of a construction machine; an input unit which receives a key-on signal and a key-off signal of the engine; a hydraulic pump which is operated by the engine; an actuator which is operated by hydraulic oil discharged from the hydraulic pump; a regeneration valve which is switched so that a part or an entirety of the hydraulic oil returned from the actuator; an accumulator which is charged with the hydraulic oil supplied from the regeneration valve; a charging valve which is controlled so that the hydraulic oil is discharged from the accumulator when the key-on signal is inputted into the input unit; and a hydraulic motor connected to the engine and configured to assist in starting the engine.