Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a battery, and at least one controller. The vehicle may further comprise a port for supplying power to a load external to the vehicle. The controller is programmed to operate the engine at a power level based on a difference between a battery voltage and a reference voltage such that a power output by the electric machine reduces the difference. The power level may define an engine operating point that minimizes fuel consumption. The operating point may be an engine torque and an engine speed. The power level may be further based on a state of charge of the battery. The electric machine may be operated to cause the engine to rotate at an engine speed corresponding to the selected power level. The difference may be caused by varying power drawn by a load external to the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle and a stop switch apparatus capable of accommodating various unexpected situations in a software operable vehicle. The vehicle is provided with a first operation section that allows operation of the vehicle without software, a second operation section capable of operating the vehicle by using software, a communicator that communicates with an external apparatus, and a stop switch that is provided physically and operable to stop operation of the second operation section without software.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle control system, for example for use with an emergency services vehicle such as an ambulance, fire engine, police car or the like, and which provides enhanced security, functionality and improved fuel consumption for such vehicles when at the scene of a situation such as a fire, accident, or the like, the system being operable to permit an engine of the vehicle to remaining running while simultaneously immobilizing the vehicle. Furthermore when configurable parameters such as but not limited to battery levels and or internal vehicle temperatures are reached, such a control system, without any human interface, automatically shuts down the engine to reduce fuel burn, reduce emissions, reduce engine wear and maintenance and thereby promote a greener environment.

Abstract: An electric rotary starter for an engine of a radio control model includes a motor mounted therein. A drive shaft is electrified and longitudinally connected to the motor and rotated by the motor. A conduct tube is electrified and movably sleeved on the drive shaft, wherein the conduct tube is insulated from the drive shaft. When starting the engine, the drive shaft is longitudinally inserted into the engine for providing torsion. Simultaneously, the conduct tube is longitudinally moved relative to the drive shaft to make the front end of the conduct tube contract with the engine. The conduct tube and the drive shaft from a circuit and the power from the electric rotary starter is transmitted to the spark plug in the engine to make the spark plug sparkle for starting engine.

Abstract: The importance and nature of this invention is to save fuel. The cost of gasoline is on the rise, and saving fuel is important to most people, companies and the environment.

Abstract: A jump start circuit (26) for electrical connection between a battery (12) of a motor vehicle and jump start terminals (22,24) in the motor vehicle, the jump start circuit comprising a switch (28) for positioning in an electrical line (18) between one (22) of the jump start terminals and the battery, the switch being biased to a normally open position; and a logic circuit (32) having means for monitoring the polarity of a voltage across the jump start terminals, means for closing the switch on detection of a predetermined polarity, and a timer circuit for opening the switch after closing for a predetermined period of time. Provides protection against incorrect polarity connection during jump starting.

Abstract: A hill-holding arrangement for an electrically driven vehicle includes a vehicle with a "gas pedal" which generates a torque command signal T.sub.CMD. A switch (314) couples T.sub.CMD to a motor controller (316, 14) which drives the motor (40) and therefore the vehicle. When the "gas pedal" calls for zero torque, and the vehicle speed is zero, the switch responds to logic (FIG. 5), and substitutes a position-holding torque command signal T.sub..theta. for the operator-controlled torque command signal T.sub.CMD. Position controlling torque command T.sub..theta. is generated by a controller (312) which receives a position signal representative of the angular position .theta. of the rotor. The position-holding torque control loop then produces such torque as may be required to prevent the rotor of the motor from moving from its commanded position.

Abstract: In an engine start control device useful as a vehicle robbery prevention device, a reference code is stored in EEPROM (20a) of an immobilizer ECU (20), and a processor (20b) compares a key code transmitted from a transponder (12) of a key (10) with the reference code. Subsequently, in case of an inconsistency, a signal L is transmitted to an engine ECU (24) to stop an engine (30), but when the collation is not completed or when another communication is not performed, the immobilizer ECU (20) transmits to the engine ECU (24) a start code encoded in an encoder (20c). The engine ECU (24) decodes the start code by a decoder (24b) to recognize it. Subsequently, if the start code cannot be recognized, the engine (30) is stopped. Thereby, in a case where a communication line connecting the immobilizer ECU (20) and the engine ECU (24) is disconnected, the engine (30) can be stopped.

Abstract: There is provided a generator system for internal combustion engines, which can produce power efficiently at all times irrespective of the engine speed even for use in an internal combustion engine operated at variable speeds such as a vehicle engine. An AC generator electronic control unit (ACG.ECU) 3 determines a rotation speed N2 of a rotating electromagnetic field to be generated by a rotor 1R based on a mechanical rotation speed N1 of the rotor 1R in an alternator 1 such that the relative speed N of the rotating magnetic field to a stator 1S agrees with the maximum efficiency speed of rotation Nx. Then the ACG.ECU 3 sends the determined value to a rotating electromagnetic field controller 2a. The rotating electromagnetic field controller 2a controls phases of AC power to be supplied to a three-phase coil 11 of the rotor 1R to generate a rotating electromagnetic field with the rotation speed N2.

Abstract: A starter dynamo having a pinion engageable with a ring gear and an armature for rotating the pinion is supplied at engine starting with an electric storage power from an electric double layered capacitor used exclusively for the starter dynamo. With this storage power, the armature rotates and, with this armature rotation, the pinion rotates. An engine ring gear is driven through the pinion to start the engine. After the engine starting, the ring gear rotation is transmitted to the armature through the pinion and the starter dynamo charges the electric double-layered capacitor. Thus, an electric storage power required for the next engine starting is charged in a short period of time.