A hybrid drive train for a hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine configured to drive the hybrid vehicle and an output shaft configured to provide torque to drive the hybrid vehicle, and a transmission which has a transmission input shaft. The hybrid drive train also includes a first electric machine by which the transmission input shaft can be driven, a second electric machine by which the output shaft can be driven to start the internal combustion engine, and an auxiliary unit configured to be driven by the second electric machine.

The disclosure is directed to a system and method for providing supplemental power to start one or more cranking motors. The supplemental starting system includes a starting-signal isolator configured to connect to one or more electrical starting-signal wires providing starting signal to one or more cranking motors, a resetting relay electrically connecting to the starting-signal isolator, a programmable logic controller (PLC) electrically connecting to the resetting relay, a supplemental battery relay electrically connecting to the starting-signal isolator and the PLC, a supplemental battery electrically connecting to the supplemental battery relay, and a positive output-terminal electrically connecting to the supplemental battery relay. When an output of the starting-signal isolator is higher than a threshold voltage, the resetting relay and the supplemental battery relay are configured to be in a close state, so that the supplemental starting system is configured to provide electricity to one of the one or more cranking motors.

A method and system for operating a vehicle that includes a plurality of engine starting devices and an internal combustion engine is described. In one example, the method selects one of a plurality of engine starting devices to start an engine based on durability metrics of each of the plurality of engine starting devices. In addition, engine starting device selection may be based on calibration parameters that are generated via a server that is external to the vehicle.

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.

Systems and apparatuses include an asynchronous electrical machine coupled to an engine, a power supply selectively coupled to the electrical machine by a power supply switch device, and an electrical output coupled to the electrical machine by an output switch device. The electrical machine is structured to produce electricity when the power supply switch device is open, the output switch device is closed, and the electrical machine is mechanically driven by the engine, or perform as a starter motor to start the engine when the power supply switch device is closed, the output switch device is open, and the electrical machine mechanically drives the engine.

A vehicle electric power supply apparatus includes a first electric power supply system, a second electric power supply system, an electric power fuse, a switch, a starter relay, an occupant operated unit, a starter control unit, and a switch control unit. The switch is controlled to be in one of an electrically-conductive state and a cutoff state. The starter relay is controlled to be in one of an electrically-conductive state or a cutoff state. The occupant operated unit is operated by an occupant. The starter control unit outputs an ON signal and the switch control unit outputs an OFF signal when the occupant operated unit is operated. The ON signal allows the starter relay to be controlled in the electrically-conductive state. The OFF signal allows the switch to be controlled in the cutoff state.

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.

A method and system for operating a vehicle that includes feedback of operating status of an engine starting system is described. In one example, the method inhibits automatic engine pull-down in response to feedback from an engine starting system that does not meet expectations. The system and method may provide diagnostics for the engine starting system.

A system may be used for determining a parameter relating to a piston in an engine. The parameter may be the piston position, speed, etc., which may be determined at a reference point in a cylinder. The system may be controlled based on the determined parameter. The engine may be a linear reciprocating engine, opposed piston engine, etc. The system may include a first sensor provided on a base connected to the engine, and a second sensor provided on the base. The first sensor may be configured to generate a signal in response to a component coupled to the piston being in a region of the first sensor. The second sensor may be configured to generate a signal in response to a component coupled to the piston interacting with the second sensor. The system may include an energy transformer configured to transform motion of the engine to electrical power.

Systems and methods for operating a hybrid vehicle are described. In one example, the automatic engine stopping may be inhibited so that an engine may be restarted during change of mind conditions without generating a large driveline torque disturbance. The engine stopping may be inhibited based on a inhibit engine pull-down torque threshold.