A method for controlling delivery of electric power between a power source and an electric turning machine (ETM) comprises applying a start signal to a start-up power electronic switch to cause turning on of the start-up power electronic switch and to allow delivery of electric power from the power source to the ETM via the start-up power electronic switch. A recharge signal is applied to a run-time power electronic switch to cause turning on of the run-time power electronic switch for delivery of electric power from the ETM to the power source via the run-time power electronic switch. A circuit comprises a discharging circuit including the start-up power electronic switch for delivering the electric power when the start-up power electronic switch is turned on. A charging circuit includes the run-time power electronic switch for delivering the electric power when the run-time power electronic switch is turned on.

A method for controlling delivery of electric power between a power source and an electric turning machine (ETM) comprises applying a start signal to a start-up power electronic switch to cause turning on of the start-up power electronic switch and to allow delivery of electric power from the power source to the ETM via the start-up power electronic switch. A recharge signal is applied to a run-time power electronic switch to cause turning on of the run-time power electronic switch for delivery of electric power from the ETM to the power source via the run-time power electronic switch. A circuit comprises a discharging circuit including the start-up power electronic switch for delivering the electric power when the start-up power electronic switch is turned on. A charging circuit includes the run-time power electronic switch for delivering the electric power when the run-time power electronic switch is turned on.

A dual fuel engine includes an engine operable on a gaseous fuel and a liquid fuel and a switch to change operation of the engine between gaseous fuel and liquid fuel. The dual fuel engine also includes a carburetor attached to an intake of the engine to mix air and fuel and connect to a gaseous fuel source and a liquid fuel source. A liquid fuel cut-off attaches to the carburetor to interrupt liquid fuel upon actuation of the switch from liquid fuel to gaseous fuel.

A multi-fuel engine includes an engine operable on a liquid fuel and first and second gaseous fuels. The multi-fuel engine also includes a liquid cutoff solenoid selectively operable between open and closed positions to allow and inhibit a flow of the liquid fuel to the engine and at least one gaseous cutoff valve selectively operable between open and closed positions to allow and inhibit a flow of the first and second gaseous fuels to the engine. A jet block couples the first gaseous fuel source and the second gaseous fuel source to a carburetor connected to an intake of the engine, with the jet block being located downstream from the at least one gaseous cutoff valve. The jet block includes a first gaseous fuel jet to meter the first gaseous fuel to the carburetor and a second gaseous fuel jet to meter the second gaseous fuel to the carburetor.

A switch can connect or disconnect a generator and a supply unit. A control unit controls an engine in one of a plurality of control states including a power generation state, a first standby state and a second standby state. When an acceptance unit accepts a switching instruction from the first standby state to the second standby state, the control unit controls the switch to disconnect the generator and the supply unit, and reduces the engine speed of the engine from an engine speed in the first standby state to an engine speed in the second standby state.

A starter handle gripping device includes a hand grip having a width that is suitable for receiving a human hand, a pair of elongated arms that extend from both ends of the handle and a coupler for engaging the starter handle. The hand grip, arms and coupler include a one-piece construction, and the arms are diagonal in relation to the handle. The coupler includes a pair of generally U-shaped fingers that are integrally formed onto the ends of the two elongated arms, and a cross member for maintaining a separation distance between the ends of the arms. The second end of each of the arms includes a separation distance that is complementary to a width of a cord cavity of the starter handle, and each of the fingers includes a width that is complementary to a thickness of the upper portion of the starter handle.

A starter handle gripping device includes a hand grip having a width that is suitable for receiving a human hand, a pair of elongated arms that extend from both ends of the handle and a coupler for engaging the starter handle. The hand grip, arms and coupler include a one-piece construction, and the arms are diagonal in relation to the handle. The coupler includes a pair of generally U-shaped fingers that are integrally formed onto the ends of the two elongated arms, and a cross member for maintaining a separation distance between the ends of the arms. The second end of each of the arms includes a separation distance that is complementary to a width of a cord cavity of the starter handle, and each of the fingers includes a width that is complementary to a thickness of the upper portion of the starter handle.

An engine system comprises a fuel tank, an internal combustion engine, a generator, a recoil starter, a control unit, an injector, a fuel pump, an ignition apparatus, and a detection unit that detects a number-of-rotations of the internal combustion engine. The control unit, in a starting period of the internal combustion engine using the recoil starter, determines whether or not the internal combustion engine can perform self-sustaining rotation based on the number-of-rotations, and if the internal combustion engine cannot perform self-sustaining rotation. Electric power is not supplied to the ignition apparatus, the injector, and the fuel pump when the internal combustion engine cannot perform self-sustaining rotation. The electric power is supplied to them when the internal combustion engine can perform self-sustaining rotation.

An engine system comprises a fuel tank, an internal combustion engine, a generator, a recoil starter, a control unit, an injector, a fuel pump, an ignition apparatus, and a detection unit that detects a number-of-rotations of the internal combustion engine. The control unit, in a starting period of the internal combustion engine using the recoil starter, determines whether or not the internal combustion engine can perform self-sustaining rotation based on the number-of-rotations, and if the internal combustion engine cannot perform self-sustaining rotation. Electric power is not supplied to the ignition apparatus, the injector, and the fuel pump when the internal combustion engine cannot perform self-sustaining rotation. The electric power is supplied to them when the internal combustion engine can perform self-sustaining rotation.

A method and a system for starting an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a crankshaft and an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to the crankshaft are disclosed. An absolute angular position of the crankshaft related to a top dead center position of a piston in a combustion chamber of the ICE is determined. Electric power is delivered to the ETM at a first level to rotate the crankshaft. Electric power is then delivered to the ETM at a second level greater than the first level when the piston reaches a predetermined position before the TDC position. Fuel is injected in the combustion chamber after the piston has passed beyond the TDC position. The fuel is then ignited. In an implementation, the ICE is started in less than 110 degrees of rotation of the crankshaft.