This invention relates to a starter system for an electronically controlled internal combustion engine which is particularly, although not exclusively, suitable for use on electronically controlled diesel engines used in trackless mining machinery. The starter system adapted to actuate an electronic engine control module (ECM) of an electronically controlled fuel-injection engine when the engine is started, wherein the engine comprises a fuel tank and a high pressure injector pump which are arranged in flow communication with a series of injector nozzles. The starter system is characterised therein that it comprises an alternator which is operatively associated with the ECM for actuating the ECM, the arrangement being such that when the engine is started, the alternator supplies the ECM with electrical current before the engine is cranked.

Provided is a hybrid vehicle that includes a power train including an internal combustion engine equipped with a plurality of cylinders and a drive motor unit. The drive motor unit includes an electric motor coupled to the internal combustion engine without a clutch. The internal combustion engine includes one or more decompression devices that are each installed for a subset of one or more cylinders and that operate to release compression pressure in the subset of one or more cylinders in at least one of the course of an engine stop and course of an engine start-up in which combustion is not performed. The subset of one or more cylinders are selected such that, when the one or more decompression devices are operating, compression is not produced sequentially in cylinders that are adjacent to each other in terms of the firing order.

Provided is a hybrid vehicle that includes a power train including an internal combustion engine equipped with a plurality of cylinders and a drive motor unit. The drive motor unit includes an electric motor coupled to the internal combustion engine without a clutch. The internal combustion engine includes one or more decompression devices that are each installed for a subset of one or more cylinders and that operate to release compression pressure in the subset of one or more cylinders in at least one of the course of an engine stop and course of an engine start-up in which combustion is not performed. The subset of one or more cylinders are selected such that, when the one or more decompression devices are operating, compression is not produced sequentially in cylinders that are adjacent to each other in terms of the firing order.

A control device causes a combined cycle plant to perform a first operation section, a second operation section, and a third operation section. In the first operation section, a first gas turbine unit and a steam turbine are driven without driving an auxiliary combustion device. The control device causes the plant to perform the second operation section in which the first gas turbine unit, the auxiliary combustion device, and the steam turbine are driven when a required output equal to or greater than a maximum output in the first operation section is received. The control device causes the plant to perform the third operation section in which the first gas turbine unit, the second gas turbine unit, and the steam turbine are driven without driving an auxiliary combustion device when a required output equal to or greater than a maximum output in the second operation section is received.

A control device causes a combined cycle plant to perform a first operation section, a second operation section, and a third operation section. In the first operation section, a first gas turbine unit and a steam turbine are driven without driving an auxiliary combustion device. The control device causes the plant to perform the second operation section in which the first gas turbine unit, the auxiliary combustion device, and the steam turbine are driven when a required output equal to or greater than a maximum output in the first operation section is received. The control device causes the plant to perform the third operation section in which the first gas turbine unit, the second gas turbine unit, and the steam turbine are driven without driving an auxiliary combustion device when a required output equal to or greater than a maximum output in the second operation section is received.

To provide a combined cycle plant, a control device thereof, and a steam turbine startup method that are aimed at improving the operability of a combined cycle plant by allowing a quick change of the output. A combined cycle plant is provided with: a gas turbine having a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine; a supplementary firing burner that raises the temperature of exhaust gas of the gas turbine; a heat recovery steam generator that generates steam using exhaust heat of the exhaust gas; a steam turbine that is driven by steam generated by the heat recovery steam generator; and a control device that changes both an output of the combustor and an output of the supplementary firing burner when an output of the combined cycle plant is to be changed.

Methods and systems are provided for starting an engine via an electric turbocharger. In one example, a method for starting the engine via the electric turbocharger may include flowing compressed air from the electric turbocharger to cylinders of the engine to crank a crankshaft of the engine without a starter motor. The method may include adjusting an opening amount of electrically or pneumatically actuated intake valves and exhaust valves to reduce a force to crank the crankshaft.

Methods and systems are provided for starting an engine via an electric turbocharger. In one example, a method for starting the engine via the electric turbocharger may include flowing compressed air from the electric turbocharger to cylinders of the engine to crank a crankshaft of the engine without a starter motor. The method may include adjusting an opening amount of electrically or pneumatically actuated intake valves and exhaust valves to reduce a force to crank the crankshaft.

A method of slow starting a combustion engine with an air starting system having a pressure source coupled to an air starter via a control valve, the method comprising: supplying bursts of air from the pressure source to the air starter by reciprocating a piston of the control valve between an opened position and a closed position.

A method of slow starting a combustion engine with an air starting system having a pressure source coupled to an air starter via a control valve, the method comprising: supplying bursts of air from the pressure source to the air starter by reciprocating a piston of the control valve between an opened position and a closed position.