Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a crankshaft and an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to the crankshaft is disclosed. The method includes: sensing a voltage of a capacitance connected to the ETM and configured to power the ETM; detecting a rotation of the crankshaft resulting from an actuation of a recoil starter; in response to detecting the rotation of the crankshaft, determining if an assisted start condition is met; in response to the assisted start condition being met, delivering power from the capacitance to the ETM and the ETM assisting the recoil starter; in response to the assisted start condition not being met, continuing to turn the crankshaft with the recoil starter without assistance from the ETM; determining if the ICE has started; and in response to the ICE being started, delivering power from the ETM to the capacitance.

Abstract: A method for controlling a two-stroke engine operatively connected to a turbocharger, the turbocharger being in fluid communication with the engine to provide a boost pressure thereto, the method including: comparing one of (i) an actual power output of the engine; and (ii) an exhaust temperature representative of an actual temperature of exhaust gas being discharged by the engine, with a corresponding threshold value thereof; in response to the one of the actual power output of the engine and the exhaust temperature being less than the corresponding threshold value: determining a corrective amount of boost pressure to add to the boost pressure of the turbocharger; and controlling the turbocharger to increase the boost pressure of the turbocharger by the corrective amount. Another method for controlling a two-stroke engine operatively connected to a turbocharger is also disclosed.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes: a two-stroke internal combustion engine; a turbocharger operatively connected to the engine, the turbocharger having a compressor and an exhaust turbine; an intake pipe fluidly connected to the engine and to the compressor of the turbocharger; an exhaust tuned pipe fluidly connected to the engine and to the exhaust turbine of the turbocharger; a temperature sensor configured to generate a signal representative of a temperature of exhaust gas flowing within the exhaust tuned pipe; and a controller. The controller is configured to: determine a boost target pressure of the turbocharger based in part on the signal generated by the temperature sensor; and control the turbocharger to provide the boost target pressure to the engine. Methods for controlling an engine are also provided.

Abstract: A snowmobile including a frame; at least one ski; an engine supported by the frame, the engine having an engine air inlet and an exhaust outlet; a turbocharger fluidly connected to the exhaust outlet of the engine, the turbocharger including an exhaust turbine, and an air compressor; a first airbox fluidly connected to the turbocharger, the first airbox receiving air from atmosphere surrounding the snowmobile; and a second airbox having at least a first airbox inlet and a second airbox inlet, the second airbox being fluidly connected to the engine air inlet for providing intake air to the engine, the first airbox inlet receiving air from the air compressor.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A vehicle including an engine; a turbocharger, an intake air flow path of the vehicle defined from air entering the vehicle, passing through the compressor, and flowing into the engine air inlet; a coolant container assembly; a temperature sensor configured for determining a temperature in the intake air flow path; and a controller configured to selectively cause cooling liquid to flow from the coolant container into the intake air flow path. A method for managing engine air intake temperature or piston temperature of a turbocharged vehicle including: sensing a temperature of fluid within the air intake flow path, determining an estimated piston temperature; and in response to the estimated piston temperature and/or the temperature of the fluid being above threshold temperatures, causing an amount of cooling liquid to flow from a coolant container to the air intake flow path.

Abstract: A snowmobile including a frame; at least one ski; an engine with an engine air inlet and an exhaust outlet; a turbocharger including an exhaust turbine, and a compressor. An air intake system includes a first flow path connecting the compressor to the atmosphere; a second flow path connecting the compressor to the engine air inlet; an intake bypass flow path connecting atmosphere to the engine air inlet for bypassing the compressor; and an intake bypass valve for controlling the flow through the intake bypass flow path. An exhaust system includes a third flow path connecting the exhaust outlet to the exhaust turbine; a fourth flow path connecting the exhaust turbine to the atmosphere; an exhaust bypass flow path connecting the exhaust outlet to the atmosphere for at least partially bypassing the exhaust turbine; and an exhaust bypass valve for controlling the flow through the exhaust bypass flow path.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes: a two-stroke internal combustion engine; a turbocharger operatively connected to the engine, the turbocharger having a compressor and an exhaust turbine; an intake pipe fluidly connected to the engine and to the compressor of the turbocharger; an exhaust tuned pipe fluidly connected to the engine and to the exhaust turbine of the turbocharger; a temperature sensor configured to generate a signal representative of a temperature of exhaust gas flowing within the exhaust tuned pipe; and a controller. The controller is configured to: determine a boost target pressure of the turbocharger based in part on the signal generated by the temperature sensor; and control the turbocharger to provide the boost target pressure to the engine. Methods for controlling an engine are also provided.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method for controlling a two-stroke engine operatively connected to a turbocharger, the turbocharger being in fluid communication with the engine to provide a boost pressure thereto, the method including: comparing one of (i) an actual power output of the engine; and (ii) an exhaust temperature representative of an actual temperature of exhaust gas being discharged by the engine, with a corresponding threshold value thereof; in response to the one of the actual power output of the engine and the exhaust temperature being less than the corresponding threshold value: determining a corrective amount of boost pressure to add to the boost pressure of the turbocharger; and controlling the turbocharger to increase the boost pressure of the turbocharger by the corrective amount. Another method for controlling a two-stroke engine operatively connected to a turbocharger is also disclosed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (ICE) includes a crankshaft, a cylinder head defining in part a variable combustion chamber of the ICE, a direct fuel injector mounted on the cylinder head, a power source, an electric turning machine (ETM) rotating the crankshaft, an absolute position sensor providing an indication of an angular position of a rotor of the ETM, and an engine control unit (ECU) operatively connected to the absolute position sensor. The ECU controls a delivery of electric power from the power source to the ETM based on the angular position of the rotor of the ETM and causes the direct fuel injector to inject fuel directly in the combustion chamber at a time selected based on the angular position reached by the rotor of the ETM.

Abstract: A method for controlling delivery of electric power between a power source and an electric turning machine (ETM) comprises applying a start signal to a start-up power electronic switch to cause turning on of the start-up power electronic switch and to allow delivery of electric power from the power source to the ETM via the start-up power electronic switch. A recharge signal is applied to a run-time power electronic switch to cause turning on of the run-time power electronic switch for delivery of electric power from the ETM to the power source via the run-time power electronic switch. A circuit comprises a discharging circuit including the start-up power electronic switch for delivering the electric power when the start-up power electronic switch is turned on. A charging circuit includes the run-time power electronic switch for delivering the electric power when the run-time power electronic switch is turned on.

Abstract: Monitoring is provided for a drive belt of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) mounted in a vehicle having a motor driving the CVT. A rotational speed of the motor and a power level of the motor are sensed. An abuse indicator for the drive belt is set when, concurrently, the rotational speed of the motor increases at a rate that exceeds a change threshold and the power level of the motor exceeds a power threshold. A level of abuse of the drive belt is calculated based on a speed of the vehicle and on a drive belt temperature. Damage to the drive belt may be prevented by limiting a power output of the motor when an accumulated level of abuse exceeds an abuse threshold. A vehicle having an electronic control unit configured to perform the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A snowmobile including: a frame; an engine supported by the frame; an exhaust pipe connected to the engine; and a turbocharger connected to the exhaust pipe. The turbocharger includes a bypass conduit fluidly communicating with the turbocharger housing and including an exhaust inlet fluidly connected to the exhaust pipe; a valve in the bypass conduit for controlling the flow of exhaust gas, and an exhaust collector. The valve is movable between first and second positions, a first flow path passing through the exhaust inlet, through the bypass conduit, and into the exhaust collector, a second flow path passing through the exhaust inlet, through the bypass conduit, through the exhaust turbine, and into the exhaust collector, in the first position, a majority of the exhaust gas flowing along the first flow path and in the second position, a majority of the exhaust gas flowing along the second flow path.

Abstract: A method for controlling a two-stroke internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine has at least one combustion chamber, at least one direct fuel injector for injecting fuel directly in the at least one combustion chamber, at least one port fuel injector for injecting fuel upstream of the at least one combustion chamber, and at least one exhaust valve. The method has the steps of supplying a first fuel quantity to the at least one combustion chamber, a first ratio of the first fuel quantity being supplied by the at least one port fuel injector; and supplying a second fuel quantity to the at least one combustion chamber when a position of the at least one exhaust valve changes, a second ratio of the second fuel quantity being supplied by the at least one port fuel injector, the second ratio being different from the first ratio.

Abstract: Monitoring is provided for a drive belt of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) mounted in a vehicle having a motor driving the CVT. A rotational speed of the motor and a power level of the motor are sensed. An abuse indicator for the drive belt is set when, concurrently, the rotational speed of the motor increases at a rate that exceeds a change threshold and the power level of the motor exceeds a power threshold. A level of abuse of the drive belt is calculated based on a speed of the vehicle and on a drive belt temperature. Damage to the drive belt may be prevented by limiting a power output of the motor when an accumulated level of abuse exceeds an abuse threshold. A vehicle having an electronic control unit configured to perform the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (ICE) includes a crankshaft, a cylinder head defining in part a variable combustion chamber of the ICE, a direct fuel injector mounted on the cylinder head, a power source, an electric turning machine (ETM) rotating the crankshaft, an absolute position sensor providing an indication of an angular position of a rotor of the ETM, and an engine control unit (ECU) operatively connected to the absolute position sensor. The ECU controls a delivery of electric power from the power source to the ETM based on the angular position of the rotor of the ETM and causes the direct fuel injector to inject fuel directly in the combustion chamber at a time selected based on the angular position reached by the rotor of the ETM.