Systems and methods for operating an engine that is started via expansion stroke combustion are described. In one example, the method increases air flow through the engine during an engine stopping process so that a larger amount of air may be trapped in a cylinder that is on its expansion stroke so that greater amounts of engine torque may be provided during engine starting.

A method, performed by a control device, for starting a combustion engine during free-wheeling with engine off is described. The method comprises a step of controlling the clutch to a partially closed state, thereby starting the combustion engine; a step of controlling the clutch to an open state when the combustion engine has started, but prior to the output shaft of the combustion engine has reached a rotational speed synchronized with the rotational speed of the input shaft of the gearbox; and a step of synchronizing the speed of the combustion engine to the speed of the input shaft of the gearbox through control of fuel injection to the combustion engine.

A method for operating an internal combustion engine of a drivetrain of a vehicle during launching. The vehicle has an exhaust-gas aftertreatment system for purifying exhaust gas of the engine. After a starting operation of the engine, the drivetrain is operated in a first operating state. In this first operating state, the engine is operated at idle, the exhaust-gas aftertreatment system is heated by the internal combustion engine, and a launch prohibition is active. The launch prohibition that is active in the first operating state prevents launching using the internal combustion engine. After a predefined state of the exhaust-gas aftertreatment system has been attained, the drivetrain is operated in a second operating state. The launch prohibition is inactive in the second operating state, such that launching using the engine is possible in the second operating state.

A method of controlling fuel injection subsequent to engine start, comprises: a) at, or after synchronization, in respect of a potential upcoming firing or injection event for a particular cylinder, determining or selecting a first injection profile; b) determining if there is sufficient time for the first injection profile to be implemented; and c) if so, implementing the said first injection profile with respect to said event.

A system and method for a variable displacement internal combustion engine using different types of pneumatic cylinder springs on skipped working cycles to control engine and aftertreatment system temperatures are described. The system and method may be used to rapidly heat up the aftertreatment system(s) and/or an engine block of the engine following a cold start by using one or more different types of pneumatic cylinder springs during skipped firing opportunities. By rapidly heating the aftertreatment system(s) and/or engine block, noxious emissions such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, NO.sub.x and/or particulates, following cold starts are significantly reduced.

Disclosed is a system for detecting an operating state of a vehicle engine. The system comprises: an input coupled to a power line of a vehicle; means to filter out relatively high frequency transient noise components of a signal received from the power line; a first detector for receiving the filtered signal and detecting when transient noise associated with the power line rises above a first threshold and generating a first detection signal in response thereto; a second detector for receiving the filtered signal and detecting when the transient noise falls below a second threshold, which is lower than the first threshold, and generating a second detection signal in response thereto; and means for generating a first output signal in response to the first detection signal and a second output signal in response to the second detection signal.

Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing reduced engine start times for a fumigation type internal combustion engine. A bypass is provided that directly connects the air-fuel mixer upstream of the compressor to the intake manifold, providing the air-fuel mixture to the intake manifold during engine startup.

If an engine coolant temperature is equal to or lower than a first low-temperature determination value and a battery temperature is equal to or lower than a second low-temperature determination value when a request to start up an engine is made, the advancement driving of a variable valve operating mechanism is first started. Then, when an advancement amount of the variable valve operating mechanism later becomes equal to or larger than a prescribed startup start determination value, is started.

A method and device for diagnosing a leak in an evaporation system and in a tank ventilation line of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The method includes diagnosing the entire evaporation system using a fresh-air shut-off valve of the evaporation system and a pressure sensor system of the evaporation system. During the check on whether there is a leak in the evaporation system of the internal combustion engine, a separate check of different diagnosis regions of the evaporation system is undertaken, where one of these diagnosis regions is a tank region of the internal combustion engine and a further diagnosis region is a filter region of the internal combustion engine. During the diagnosis of the tank ventilation line, the flow through the tank ventilation line is checked.

An internal combustion engine is operated at fuel-rich conditions by adjusting one or more operating parameters such as, for example, a throttle, an ignition timing, a load coupled to the engine, a fuel pressure, power to a supercharger, and power to a preheater to maintain a specified engine speed and a temperature of an exhaust gas. Operating the engine under these conditions allows the engine to function as a reformer producing a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide.