The present invention relates to automotive products, as well as uses thereof, which can facilitate warming of engine oil in an energy efficient and, therefore, more environmentally friendly manner. More specifically, a fluid reservoir is disclosed that includes a double walled vessel that defines a fluid containing compartment and has a self-contained region that shares a wall with the fluid containing compartment. A composition in the self-contained region at least partially covers the shared wall surface, and one or more light sources are positioned in the self-contained region to induce a phase change in the composition. The composition includes a phase-change material (PCM) and a molecular switch material. This fluid reservoir can be used to heat oil in an engine or oil pan.

Methods and systems are provided for a cooling arrangement. In one example, a plurality of engine oil passages extend through a cylinder head coolant jacket. The plurality of engine oil passages is fluidly separated from the cylinder head coolant jacket.

A method of reducing cold startup time of a genset which includes an engine and a generator for providing a requested power to a utility grid or load comprises determining if the generator is electrically coupled to a utility grid or load. In response to determining the generator is electrically coupled to the utility grid or load, a speed bias value is controlled in response to the power being produced by the genset. The speed bias signal represents a difference between a target power output and a current power output of the genset. The power of the engine is controlled using the speed bias value.

Methods and systems are provided for a cooling arrangement. In one example, a plurality of engine oil passages extend through a cylinder head coolant jacket. The plurality of engine oil passages is fluidly separated from the cylinder head coolant jacket.

An oil supply system for a vehicle includes a plurality of oil pumps, suction oil passages, and a communication passage. The oil pumps are independently operational. The suction oil passages each connect an associated one of suction portions of the plurality of oil pumps and a common oil strainer. The communication passage connects the suction oil passages.

Methods and systems are provided for preemptively heating engine oil prior to an engine start using an inductive heating mat. In one example, a method may include coupling a magnetic field between a primary coil housed in the inductive heating mat and a ferrous oil pan to inductively heat engine oil contained in the oil pan. While maintaining engine oil temperature above a threshold temperature, heated engine oil may then be circulated through engine components to warm up the engine prior to engine start.

A method of reducing cold startup time of a genset includes providing a lubricant to the genset at predetermined time intervals before a genset startup. The lubricant is heated to a predetermined lubricant temperature using an external heating system. A high temperature coolant of the genset is heated to greater than a predetermined high temperature coolant temperature. The speed of the engine is ramped to a target speed continuously without pausing at a speed lower than the target speed. Genset electrical parameters of the genset are synchronized to utility grid or load electrical parameters of the utility grid or load. The genset is electrically coupled to the utility grid or load such that the synchronizing and electrically coupling are performed within a predetermined synchronization time. A fueling rate and a spark timing is adjusted based on a power being produced by the genset.

A method for evaluating the lubrication of friction components of an apparatus which can be lubricated by means of a lubricant circuit. A lubricant pump of the lubricant circuit is drivable by a drive engine. A pressure ascertainment unit continuously ascertains the lubricant pressure at at least one defined region of the lubricant circuit during an engine start procedure. A travel ascertainment unit is provided, by means of which at multiple pressure points in time, at each of which the lubricant pressure ascertained exceeds a defined pressure limiting value (p.sub.1, p.sub.2, p.sub.3), the relative travel between the friction components since the beginning of the engine start procedure is ascertained or estimated, and an analysis unit, by means of which an evaluation value, is ascertained from the total of the relative travel values (.sub.1, .sub.2, .sub.3) ascertained at the pressure points in time.

Methods and systems are provided for preemptively heating engine oil prior to an engine start using an inductive heating mat. In one example, a method may include coupling a magnetic field between a primary coil housed in the inductive heating mat and a ferrous oil pan to inductively heat engine oil contained in the oil pan. While maintaining engine oil temperature above a threshold temperature, heated engine oil may then be circulated through engine components to warm up the engine prior to engine start.

A fluid supply system with a component includes a first bypass valve arranged in a control channel with a valve body adjustable at least between a first and a second position. The valve body separates the control channel into a first and a second space and has a leakage opening connecting the first space to the second space. The second space is connected to a fluid reservoir via a leakage channel, and a switchable valve is arranged in the leakage channel. A sensing device is configured to sense a property of the fluid and convey the property to a controlling device that is configured to close the valve to block the leakage channel when a predefined property is reached. A second bypass valve is configured to reduce a transient oscillation of the first bypass valve during a starting of the system.