Apparatuses, systems and method for utilizing multi-zoned combustion chambers (and/or multiple combustion chambers) for achieving compression ignition (and/or spark-assisted or fuel-assisted compression ignition) in an internal combustion engine are provided. In addition, improved apparatuses, systems and methods for achieving and/or controlling compression ignition (and/or spark-assisted or fuel-assisted compression ignition) in a “Siamese cylinder” internal combustion engine are provided.

Disclosed is a glow plug diagnosis method of being able to diagnose the aging or fault of a glow plug without being affected by cooling associated with air intake/exhaust or fuel injection, the method including: a step (S102) of energizing a glow plug 1 in a predetermined manner when a key switch 11 of a vehicle is turned on; and a step (S106) of measuring the resistance value of the glow plug 1 when the energization of the glow plug 1 is started, and the resistance value of the glow plug when the energization of the glow plug 1 is started and then a change in the resistance value is saturated, and of calculating a change in the resistance value over time as a resistance value gradient, in which it is determined that the glow plug 1 is normal when the resistance value gradient exceeds a predetermined first gradient reference value a, and it is determined that the glow plug 1 is faulty, and a warning lamp or the like is lighted when the resistance value gradient is less than a predetermined second gradient reference value b (S112 and S118).

An auto-ignition engine system is provided. The auto-ignition engine system includes a cylinder having an intake valve and an exhaust valve coupled thereto, an opening in a cylinder head defining a portion of the boundary of the cylinder, a glow plug heating element extending through the opening into the cylinder, an insert at least partially surrounding a glow plug heating element and coupled thereto, and an adjustment mechanism configured to alter the position of the glow plug heating element and the insert in the cylinder.

An apparatus and method for igniting a gaseous fuel directly introduced into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine comprises steps of heating a space near a fuel injector nozzle; introducing a pilot amount of the gaseous fuel in the combustion chamber during a first stage injection event; controlling residency of the pilot amount in the space such that a temperature of the pilot amount increases to an auto-ignition temperature of the gaseous fuel whereby ignition occurs; introducing a main amount of the gaseous fuel during a second stage injection event after the first stage injection event; and using heat from combustion of the pilot amount to ignite the main amount.

When only smoke is generated, the sensor sensitivity is not substantially changed from the initial value. When both smoke and unburned HC are generated, the number of times the sensor sensitivity becomes lower than the initial value is increased. From these results, it can be understood that a deposit is formed in the presence of unburned HC and smoke existing simultaneously. The degree of reduction in sensor sensitivity becomes higher if the smoke concentration is increased when the unburned HC concentration condition is fixed. From this result, it can also be understood that while the coexistence of smoke and unburned HC is a prerequisite, unburned HC contributes largely to the formation of a deposit.

An apparatus and a method for pre-heating an engine of a mild hybrid vehicle are provided, and the apparatus includes: a pre-heating plug pre-heating the engine; a pre-heating controller recognizing the mild hybrid vehicle based on vehicle driving information, determining whether the mild hybrid vehicle enters a coasting driving mode based on the vehicle driving information, and generating a duty control signal according to a coasting driving time when the mild hybrid vehicle is driven in the coasting driving mode; and a driver supplying electrical energy of the low-voltage battery to the pre-heating plug according to the generated duty control signal.

Methods and systems for adapting pilot fuel injection pulse widths are disclosed. In one example, pilot fuel injection values are varied to determine adjustments to a fuel injector transfer function and a glow plug is activated in response to a request to adapt the fuel injector transfer function so that adaptation may be improved.

There is provided a regeneration device for an exhaust-gas purifying device 40 which is provided in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, the regeneration device including: an injector for injecting fuel into a cylinder; a glow plug which is energized to be heated to thereby increase a temperature inside the cylinder; and a regeneration control unit for executing a regenerating operation for restoring a purification capacity of the exhaust-gas purifying device by controlling the injection of fuel of the injector and the energization of the glow plug , wherein during the regenerating operation, the regeneration control unit controls the injection of fuel of the injector by a multi-stage injection including at least a post injection and energizes the glow plug at a predetermined duty ratio to burn, within the cylinder, fuel supplied by the post injection.

There is provided a construction machine that draws attention from the surroundings of the machine body when the prime mover is started and that can have the operator reliably confirm the surroundings of the machine body before the prime mover is started. An engine start control section 23 of a main controller 22 inhibits an engine 18 from starting when a key switch 12 is operated while a horn switch 21 is not operated, inhibits the engine 18 from starting when the key switch 12 is operated for the duration until a first set time T1 elapses after the operation of the horn switch 21 has been finished, permits the engine 18 to start in a case the key switch 12 is operated for the duration until a second set time T2 elapses after the first set time T1 has elapsed, and inhibits the engine 18 again from starting when the key switch 12 is operated if the engine 18 is not started for the duration until the second set time T2 elapses.

There is provided a construction machine that draws attention from the surroundings of the machine body when the prime mover is started and that can have the operator reliably confirm the surroundings of the machine body before the prime mover is started. An engine start control section 23 of a main controller 22 inhibits an engine 18 from starting when a key switch 12 is operated while a horn switch 21 is not operated, inhibits the engine 18 from starting when the key switch 12 is operated for the duration until a first set time T1 elapses after the operation of the horn switch 21 has been finished, permits the engine 18 to start in a case the key switch 12 is operated for the duration until a second set time T2 elapses after the first set time T1 has elapsed, and inhibits the engine 18 again from starting when the key switch 12 is operated if the engine 18 is not started for the duration until the second set time T2 elapses.