A clutch arrangement (3) with a friction clutch (8) and a dog clutch (9), wherein the output side of the friction clutch (8) and the output side of the dog clutch (9) are connectible to a flywheel mass device (4). A powertrain unit having such clutch arrangement is also described.

Systems and methods for starting an internal combustion engine of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, the internal combustion is started via closing a driveline disconnect clutch and limiting a torque output rate of an electric machine so that vehicle speed may increase continuously without decreasing during engine cranking and run-up periods.

A method of controlling engine restart may include selecting, by a start controller, a first start situation and a second start situation for restarting an engine; determining a current possible start-up through the first and second start situations; prioritizing possible start-ups; and attempting to restart the engine by setting the first and second start situations as first start control and second start control, respectively, based on the priorities of the start-ups.

An internal combustion engine (1) for a vehicle is equipped with a variable compression ratio mechanism (2) capable of changing the mechanical compression ratio. An idle stop, which is for automatically stopping the internal combustion engine (1) when the vehicle stops, and a sailing stop, which is for stopping the internal combustion engine (1) in conjunction with the release of a forward clutch (8) during inertial travel, are carried out. A target compression ratio during normal travel is set on the basis of the load and rotation speed of the internal combustion engine (1). During an idle stop the target compression ratio is set to an idle stop restart compression ratio (εis). During a sailing stop the target compression ratio is set to a sailing stop restart compression ratio (εss). The sailing stop restart compression ratio (εss) is lower than the idle stop restart compression ratio (εis).

An engine includes: a cylinder block that has a cylinder included in a combustion chamber; a crankshaft that is placed in the cylinder block; a flywheel that is mounted to one end portion of the crankshaft; and a flywheel housing that is placed on a side of one end face of the cylinder block in a direction of the crankshaft and that houses the flywheel. The flywheel housing has a blow-by gas path through which a blow-by gas passes.

An engine includes: a cylinder block that has a cylinder included in a combustion chamber; a crankshaft that is placed in the cylinder block; a flywheel that is mounted to one end portion of the crankshaft; and a flywheel housing that is placed on a side of one end face of the cylinder block in a direction of the crankshaft and that houses the flywheel. The flywheel housing has a blow-by gas path through which a blow-by gas passes.

An internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle includes an output shaft and a spring element which can rotate with the output shaft which is to be tensioned as a result of a deactivation of the internal combustion engine by a rotation of the output shaft, where a spring force can be provided by the spring element and where by the spring force the output shaft can be set into rotation in the event of a start following the deactivation. Via a locking device the output shaft is to be secured against a rotation after tensioning the spring element and while the spring element is tensioned. A blocking device can be shifted between a blocking state securing a first part of the spring element, which has a second part non-rotationally connected to the output shaft, against a rotation and a release state releasing the first part for a rotation.

An internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle includes an output shaft and a spring element which can rotate with the output shaft which is to be tensioned as a result of a deactivation of the internal combustion engine by a rotation of the output shaft, where a spring force can be provided by the spring element and where by the spring force the output shaft can be set into rotation in the event of a start following the deactivation. Via a locking device the output shaft is to be secured against a rotation after tensioning the spring element and while the spring element is tensioned. A blocking device can be shifted between a blocking state securing a first part of the spring element, which has a second part non-rotationally connected to the output shaft, against a rotation and a release state releasing the first part for a rotation.

A self-contained, stand-alone power generator system comprising: an electric motor for applying torque to a shaft of a rotating mass, wherein the electric motor is powered by a dedicated power source; a battery for supplying additional power to the electric motor upon start up; at least one of a torque converter and a starter motor, for overcoming resting inertia of the rotating mass; a generator head coupled to the rotating mass, wherein the power generator is constructed such that when the generator head reaches operational speed, the generator head provides the additional power to the electric motor and recharges the battery.

A start control device for a hybrid vehicle includes a battery, first and second rotary electric machines, an engine, a first determination unit configured to determine whether the battery is in a low output state, a cranking control unit configured to perform a cracking of the engine, and a second determination unit configured to perform a cranking completion determination. In a case where a maximum output of the battery is in the low output state, the cranking control unit causes the first rotary electric machine to run at a low output target rotation speed, and the second determination unit determines that the cranking is completed when a condition that an actual rotation speed of the first rotary electric machine continues to be within a target range for a predetermined time is satisfied.