Abstract: A priming system for the carburetor of a small internal combustion engine which is used with a lawnmower, for example, in which the priming system is remotely actuated. The priming system includes a priming feature for supplying an amount of liquid fuel to the carburetor throat to aid in starting the engine, and an enrichment feature for providing an enriched fuel supply to the engine during a warm-up period. In one embodiment, the priming system includes an automatic primer disabling feature which is operative when the engine is warm to block the supply of priming fuel to the carburetor throat and thereby prevent priming during a warm engine re-start. In another embodiment, the priming system includes a primer reduction feature, which is operative when the engine is warm to provide a reduced amount of priming fuel to the carburetor throat during a warm engine re-start, with respect to the amount of fuel which is supplied during a cold engine start.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving reliability in starting V-Twin chain or belt-driven motorcycle engines using a conventional motorcycle battery and specially modified automotive cranking motor. The apparatus in its preferred embodiment utilizes a direct drive cranking motor configuration employing a cammed bearing clutch which is placed onto the engine's crankshaft along with a ring gear. The ring gear engages the geared shaft of the cranking motor directly, thereby bypassing the chain or belt-drive and thus effectively removing the main drive chain or belt from the cranking system. The gear ratio between the cranking motor and the ring gear may thus be selected to be optimum for the cranking motor so that the battery and cranking motor may be operated at near optimum power capabilities simultaneously.

Abstract: A decompressor for use in an internal combustion engine is disclosed The decompressor is at least partially located within the venting passageway in response to pressure in the combustion chamber for selectively opening the venting passageway such that combustion gas located within the chamber is vented to the induction passageway. The decompressor opens the venting passageway when the engine is off and during an engine start up operation. The decompressor includes an expansible cavity operatively connected to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A method for starting a hybrid drive having a battery, an internal combustion engine, and at least two electric machines, at least one being used to start the internal combustion engine. Reliable starting even at very low temperatures by bringing at least one of the electric machines to a specified or specifiable rotational speed in a state that is uncoupled from the internal combustion engine at the beginning of a starting phase, while electric power is supplied from the battery, and the electric machine is subsequently switched to generator operation; the electric power generated in generator operation is supplied to at least one further one of the electric machines which then starts the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method of providing hydraulic pressure for mechanical work from an engine lubricating system in an internal combustion engine by supplying oil to an engine lubrication gallery for lubricating the engine and at least one variable oil demand accessory. Each of the variable oil demand accessories have individual pressure regulators. The output of the variable displacement pump is regulated to the sum of fluid flow required by the engine lubricating system and the demand for fluid generated by the individual pressure regulators on each of the engine accessories, regardless of the engine output.

Abstract: A connector assembly including the resilient member and two band clamps includes a feature for preventing the band clamps from overlapping with each other when the band clamps are tightened. The band clamps can include projections extending from an outer surface thereof in order to prevent the band clamps from overlapping with each other. Alternatively, one of the members that are being connected via the connector assembly can include an additional member configured to be aligned with a projection on one of the band clamps.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine equipped with a variable valve timing control device includes the variable valve timing control device for restricting a relative rotation between a crankshaft and an exhaust camshaft at a starting of the internal combustion engine at a most advanced angle phase or at an intermediate angle phase between the most advanced angle phase and a most retarded angle phase. An apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine equipped with a variable valve timing control device further includes a throttle valve control means for controlling an opening of the throttle valve provided at an intake passage of the internal combustion engine. The throttle valve control means controls the throttle valve to be opened when the internal combustion engine is started, thereby to restrict the relative rotation between the crankshaft and the exhaust camshaft.

Abstract: A manifold anti-rotation system for engines includes a manifold having an end for interfacing with a manifold interface portion of an engine cylinder head, and a mounting collar. The manifold includes a protrusion extending from a periphery of the manifold end. The mounting collar comprises a collar body having a central aperture defined by an aperture wall wherein the aperture receives the manifold end therein. The mounting collar further includes a projection extending from a top surface thereof. The manifold protrusion and the collar projection are positioned to abut one another to prevent the manifold from rotating with respect to the mounting collar beyond the manifold protrusion.

Abstract: In a starting control system for an internal combustion engine, an output shaft is rotated in a reverse direction at a predetermined direction upon start of the internal combustion engine, and then is rotated in a normal direction so as to start a cranking operation. The system serves to combust the fuel in a cylinder in an expansion stroke when the output shaft is rotated in the reverse direction, and the resultant combustion pressure is used for performing the cranking operation. This makes it possible to reduce the load exerted to the electric motor.

Abstract: Engine cranking control is ended when it is detected that the battery voltage for driving the starter is lowered to at least as low as a starter drive judgment value and thereafter, returns to at least a starter stop judgment value during the engine cranking control that is started on condition that an engine is rotating. A start for driving a starter and a stop of driving the starter can be distinguished based on battery voltage where the battery voltage recovers due to a rapid reduction of consuming current and a rapid increase of a generating current when a driver recognizes an engine combustion completion and stops a starter driving. As a result, on increase of an engine friction, the cranking control is accurately ended, preventing deterioration of a fuel economy and excess exhaust gas emission.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus of an internal combustion engine includes an insert that is deformable, and a surface of the insert opposing a cylinder bore wall is close to the cylinder bore wall after the insert is inserted into a water jacket. A cooling apparatus of an internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block having a water jacket in which an insert is disposed; the cylinder block is machined so that a water hole or an aperture having a size corresponding to a size of the insert is formed in the cylinder block and the insert can be inserted into the water jacket through the water hole or the aperture.

Abstract: A method for operating a variable compression ratio internal combustion engine includes the steps of determining a compression ratio operating state of the engine, and inferring a torque output for the engine based at least in part on the compression ratio operating state of the engine. For example, brake engine torque can be computed by first determining a compression ratio operating state, rotational speed and air flow of the engine, and selecting predetermined baseline indicated torque and baseline engine friction loss values based on the engine speed, the air flow and compression ratio operating state. The baseline indicated torque and baseline engine friction loss values are then used to estimate the brake engine torque.

Abstract: An oil pan gasket/windage tray for an engine having an engine block and an oil pan is provided and includes a tray adapted for installation between the engine block and the oil pan and the tray having a body with a peripheral flange extending about the periphery of the body and at least one deflector portion extending away from the body to a location spaced away from the peripheral flange. The deflector portion is integrally formed with the body from a single piece of sheet material and a separate peripheral flange portion is provided adjacent to the deflector portion and is affixed to a remainder of the peripheral flange to form the complete gasket flange portion of the oil pan gasket and windage tray system.

Abstract: Internal combustion engine with a flat plate that is disposed, adjacent a combustion chamber, between a cylinder head and a cylinder, said plate having at least two ports for at least one intake valve and/or one exhaust valve and/or at least one injector device or the like, and being disposed adjacent a flat cylinder head bottom. At least one relief slot is formed in the plate at least between two ports.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a snowmobile configured to start in response to a remote-start signal. One embodiment of the invention includes a snowmobile outfitted with a remote starting system. The remote starting system, itself, includes a remote starting activation switch that transmits a radio frequency signal to a remote starter module to initiate starting of an engine within the snowmobile. The remote starter module receives the radio frequency signal from the remote starting activation switch and, in response to receiving the radio frequency signal, initiates closure of a switch interposed between a battery and a starter motor, thereby causing the starter motor to crank and start the engine of the snowmobile.

Abstract: A method and control system for verifying cold start emissions reduction control in a vehicle using an internal combustion engine utilizes measured engine speed and commanded ignition timing to calculate an estimated actual engine-out thermal energy flow. An expected thermal energy flow is calculated based on designed engine speed and ignition timing. A residual energy flow is calculated based on a difference between the estimated actual thermal energy flow and the expected thermal energy flow. Meanwhile, a system quality-weighting factor is calculated based on several measured engine parameters. A qualified energy flow residual is calculated based on the system quality weight and the residual energy flow. The qualified energy residual flow is accumulated, averaged based on the accumulated quality weight, and then filtered.

Abstract: An elastic connecting piece (1) is mounted between a carburetor (4) and an inlet channel (3) of an internal combustion engine (2). The engine (2) is especially an engine of a portable handheld motor-driven work apparatus such as a motor-driven chain saw, cutoff machine or the like. The connecting piece (1) includes a peripherally extending expansion fold (5) arranged between its ends in order to compensate for changes in length. The expansion fold (5) subdivides the connecting piece (1) into a carburetor-end section (6) and into an engine-end section (7). The annular gap (28) of the expansion fold (5) can be bridged by a seal lip (8). The connecting piece (1) includes a peripherally extending seal seat (9) of axial length (g) in the region of the expansion fold (5). The seal lip (8) can be placed in seal-tight contact with the seal seat (9) and substantially closes the expansion fold (5) fluid tight to the interior space of the connecting piece (1).

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a balancer housing, a balancer shaft having an eccentric weight portion and disposed within the balancer housing so as to be parallel with and rotatable in timed relation with a crankshaft, and a power transmitting mechanism that transmits rotation of the crankshaft to the balancer shaft, wherein the balancer shaft has an end portion protruding outward of the balancer housing, and wherein the end portion of the one balancer shaft is partially cut to have a flattened section that constitutes a device for positioning the balancer shaft in a predetermined rotational position. A method of assembling an internal combustion engine with a balancer shaft is also provided.

Abstract: A method of reducing smoke and particulate emissions from an exhaust gas from a compression-ignited reciprocating engine by adding a fuel additive that contains an oil-soluble iron compound and an over-based magnesium compound to liquid petroleum fuel.

Abstract: An orientation system for corrective eye surgery includes a camera for performing a first image mapping of a patient's eye using a predetermined eye feature and software for processing the first image map to determine an edge location of the feature. A second image mapping of the eye is performed with the patient in a different position. The second image map is processed to locate the predetermined eye feature. Correlation of the mappings is used to calculate an orientational change of the eye between the two positions. The data are used to calculate an adjustment to be applied to a corrective prescription for application by the surgical procedure.