An igniter includes a switch element with input, output control electrodes, a first lead in contact with the input electrode and connected to a primary coil of an ignition coil, a second lead that is grounded, a third lead spaced apart from the first and second leads, a first bonding wire connecting the output electrode and the third lead, a second bonding wire connecting the third lead and the second lead, and a control IC that drives the switch element based on an ignition instruction signal from an engine control unit. The control IC generates an ignition confirmation signal based on the voltage of the third lead, and outputs the signal to the engine control unit.

A control method for CVVD apparatus at engine stop, the control method may include receiving, by a controller, vehicle operation information from an information detection portion, determining, by the controller, whether it corresponds to a stop of an engine through the vehicle operation information, determining, by the controller, a predetermined target valve duration of a CVVD apparatus according to a stopping type of the engine in the stop of the engine, controlling, by the controller, the valve duration of the CVVD apparatus according to the predetermined target valve duration determined by the controller, determining, by the controller, if a current RPM of the engine is lower than a predetermined control stop RPM, and stopping the controlling of the valve duration of the CVVD apparatus if the current RPM is lower than the predetermined control stop RPM.

A control method for CVVD apparatus at engine stop, the control method may include receiving, by a controller, vehicle operation information from an information detection portion, determining, by the controller, whether it corresponds to a stop of an engine through the vehicle operation information, determining, by the controller, a predetermined target valve duration of a CVVD apparatus according to a stopping type of the engine in the stop of the engine, controlling, by the controller, the valve duration of the CVVD apparatus according to the predetermined target valve duration determined by the controller, determining, by the controller, if a current RPM of the engine is lower than a predetermined control stop RPM, and stopping the controlling of the valve duration of the CVVD apparatus if the current RPM is lower than the predetermined control stop RPM.

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.

An electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to an internal combustion engine (ICE) is operated as a motor with a first control strategy and as a generator with a second control strategy. In the first control strategy, electric power is delivered from a power source to the ETM selectively through at least one transistor of an electrical converter. After switching from the first control strategy to the second control strategy, the ETM delivers electric power to an accessory selectively through the at least one transistor of the electrical converter.

A control method for CVVD apparatus at engine stop, the control method may include receiving, by a controller, vehicle operation information from an information detection portion, determining, by the controller, whether it corresponds to a stop of an engine through the vehicle operation information, determining, by the controller, a predetermined target valve duration of a CVVD apparatus according to a stopping type of the engine in the stop of the engine, controlling, by the controller, the valve duration of the CVVD apparatus according to the predetermined target valve duration determined by the controller, determining, by the controller, if a current RPM of the engine is lower than a predetermined control stop RPM, and stopping the controlling of the valve duration of the CVVD apparatus if the current RPM is lower than the predetermined control stop RPM.

A control method for CVVD apparatus at engine stop, the control method may include receiving, by a controller, vehicle operation information from an information detection portion, determining, by the controller, whether it corresponds to a stop of an engine through the vehicle operation information, determining, by the controller, a predetermined target valve duration of a CVVD apparatus according to a stopping type of the engine in the stop of the engine, controlling, by the controller, the valve duration of the CVVD apparatus according to the predetermined target valve duration determined by the controller, determining, by the controller, if a current RPM of the engine is lower than a predetermined control stop RPM, and stopping the controlling of the valve duration of the CVVD apparatus if the current RPM is lower than the predetermined control stop RPM.

A method and system for exercising a standby generator is disclosed. The standby generator can be exercised in at least two different exercise cycles, including an express exercise cycle and an extended exercise cycle. The system and method operates the generator for an express exercise cycle having a first duration when the ambient temperature at or near the standby generator exceeds a minimum threshold temperature. If the ambient temperature does not exceed the minimum threshold temperature, the express exercise cycle does not begin. In addition to the express exercise cycle, the engine of the standby generator is started and run for an extended exercise cycle having a duration that exceeds the duration of the express exercise cycle. The extended exercise cycles are separated by a first interval while the express exercise cycles are separated by a second interval, where the first interval is longer than the second interval.

A method and system for exercising a standby generator is disclosed. The standby generator can be exercised in at least two different exercise cycles, including an express exercise cycle and an extended exercise cycle. The system and method operates the generator for an express exercise cycle having a first duration when the ambient temperature at or near the standby generator exceeds a minimum threshold temperature. If the ambient temperature does not exceed the minimum threshold temperature, the express exercise cycle does not begin. In addition to the express exercise cycle, the engine of the standby generator is started and run for an extended exercise cycle having a duration that exceeds the duration of the express exercise cycle. The extended exercise cycles are separated by a first interval while the express exercise cycles are separated by a second interval, where the first interval is longer than the second interval.

A method for starting an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a crankshaft and an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to the crankshaft comprises energizing an absolute position sensor adapted for providing an indication of an angular position of a rotor of the ETM and applying a current to the ETM to generate a sufficient torque to rotate the crankshaft.