Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing engine vacuum production and catalyst heating of a hybrid powertrain are described. In one example, a motor/generator rotates an engine at idle speed while the engine combusts air and fuel without providing torque sufficient to rotate the engine so that spark timing may be advanced or retarded from minimum spark timing for best torque to heat a catalyst and generate vacuum for vacuum consumers.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, in particular for a vehicle, is provided. The internal combustion engine has a crankcase, a cylinder head, a coolant feed line, a cooling channel branching line, a first coolant channel which runs at least partly through the cylinder head, and a second coolant channel which runs at least partly through the crankcase. The coolant feed line is connected to the cooling channel branching line to supply coolant. The first and second coolant channels are each connected to the cooling channel branching line to be supplied with coolant from the cooling channel branching line. The cooling channel branching line is equipped with a temperature-sensitive current regulating device which is configured to variably adjust the ratio of the coolant volumetric flow rates that are from the cooling channel branching line into the first and second coolant channels over a range on the basis of the temperature.

Abstract: A self-contained thermally actuated flow-control valve assembly comprises a base, an actuator, and a return member. The base has a longitudinal axis, a stop surface and a retention wall. The actuator has a generally cylindrical guide, a piston, a diaphragm, a thermally active pellet, and a generally cylindrical cup. The guide has an exterior surface on which a plurality of retention members are configured. The piston assembly is coaxial with the longitudinal axis. The generally cylindrical cup has a leading wall, a sidewall contiguous with the leading wall, and a trailing shoulder axially opposite the leading wall. The return member has axially opposed first and second ends. The first end engages the retention members and the second end engaging the base. The return member exerts a biasing force on the actuator axially towards said base. The actuator exerts a variable actuating force in a direction axially opposite the biasing force.