Abstract: A combination pump assembly for circulation of a coolant and for providing suction includes a shaft and a coolant pump portion with a coolant pump housing that defines at least a portion of a coolant flow path. The coolant pump portion also includes a coolant pump member that is rotatably disposed within the coolant pump housing. The coolant pump member is operably coupled to the shaft to be driven by the shaft to pump the coolant through the coolant flow path. Furthermore, the pump assembly includes a vacuum pump portion with a vacuum pump housing that defines at least a portion of a suction path. The vacuum pump portion also includes a vacuum pump member that is rotatably disposed within the vacuum pump housing. The vacuum pump member is operably coupled to the shaft to be driven by the shaft to provide suction through the suction path.

Abstract: A starter assist device for an engine has a first rotatable member for rotating a shaft of the engine in a starting direction. The starter assist device also has a second rotatable member arranged to rotate relative to the first rotatable member in a non-starting direction, and further arranged to rotate in conjunction with the first rotatable member in the starting direction. The starter assist device includes an energy transfer assembly having a torque supply for rotating the second rotatable member in the non-starting direction and an energy storage mechanism arranged to alternately store and release a quantity of energy used when rotating the second rotatable member in the non-starting direction. The energy storage mechanism is arranged to release the quantity of energy to rotate the second rotatable member in the starting direction, thereby causing the first rotatable member to rotate the shaft of the engine.