Abstract: A method and system for managing an automotive alternator are described for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine. The alternator is controlled by an electrical control unit (ECU) designed to facilitate electrical and mechanical coupling of the alternator to a battery. The ECU receives signals from a battery charge sensor to: determine a battery charge level between: BC1 (corresponding to a fully charge condition); BC2 (corresponding to a working charge level); and BC3 (corresponding to a low charge); and acting on the alternator such that: at level BC1, the alternator is disconnected electrically and mechanically; at leve BC3, the alternator is connected electrically and mechanically; and level BC2, the alternator is coupled mechanically when the vehicle movement speed is greater than a predetermined value (VLim) and when the engine is disengaged to change gear, and the alternator is electrically connected when the vehicle is being driven in cut-off mode.

Abstract: It is herein described a system and a corresponding method to carry out the selective coupling and uncoupling of an alternator in relation to an engine crankshaft pulley. The alternator is kept coupled or uncoupled depending on the detected battery charge, and both coupling and uncoupling are performed in two different steps and lagged in time, one step providing the electric coupling or uncoupling, and the other step providing the mechanical coupling or uncoupling.

Abstract: It is herein described a system and a corresponding method to carry out the selective coupling and uncoupling of an alternator in relation to an engine crankshaft pulley. The alternator is kept coupled or uncoupled depending on the detected battery charge, and both coupling and uncoupling are performed in two different steps and lagged in time, one step providing the electric coupling or uncoupling, and the other step providing the mechanical coupling or uncoupling.

Abstract: An internal combustion vehicle cold start control system method is provided. The method includes warming alcohol and air when a door handle is actuated, while the engine is cold and starting an electric turbine connected to an intake manifold. The method also includes actuating valves allowing recirculation of the warmed air through the intake manifold and actuating spark plugs providing an initial warm-up of electrodes and engine cylinders if the temperature is less than 30° C. The starter motor is driven by 2-4 turns of a crankshaft axle so that any cold air in an air filter at the cylinders' entrance is drawn inside and is expelled by the exhaust system. A small volume of the warmed alcohol fuel is maintained in the fuel injectors. The method also includes injecting the warmed alcohol, verifying the minimum air temperature; and deactivating the system after appropriate warm-up of the engine.

Abstract: A warm-up air system to aid cold start up is provided. The system includes a turbine with electrical heaters linked to a throttle body or to an air sending tube to the throttle body forming a warmed up air circulation circuit. The system also includes valves controlled by an electronic unit.

Abstract: An internal combustion vehicle cold start control system method is provided. The method includes warming alcohol and air when a door handle is actuated, while the engine is cold and starting an electric turbine connected to an intake manifold. The method also includes actuating valves allowing recirculation of the warmed air through the intake manifold and actuating spark plugs providing an initial warm-up of electrodes and engine cylinders if the temperature is less than 30° C. The starter motor is driven by 2-4 turns of a crankshaft axle so that any cold air in an air filter at the cylinders' entrance is drawn inside and is expelled by the exhaust system. A small volume of the warmed alcohol fuel is maintained in the fuel injectors. The method also includes injecting the warmed alcohol, verifying the minimum air temperature; and deactivating the system after appropriate warm-up of the engine.

Abstract: A warm-up air system to aid cold start up is provided. The system includes a turbine with electrical heaters linked to a throttle body or to an air sending tube to the throttle body forming a warmed up air circulation circuit. The system also includes valves controlled by an electronic unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new auxiliary system of cold start, preferably used in the internal combustion engines that use alcohol as fuel. The engines ‘Flex Fuel’ (alcohol/gasoline/GNV) are included in the possibility of the use of this invention. The cold starting system makes use of resistances (3) positioned in the entrance of the injectors (4); resistances (6) inside of each injector (1) or one resistance (5) for every pipe holder of nozzles (2), and the three possibilities can be used simultaneously, combined two by two or separately, depending on the necessity of warm up alcohol flow and the energy consumption. It can also make use of groups of resistances (11, 12, 13) positioned in the intake. Additionally one or two auxiliary injectors can be foreseen (supplementary) in the intake collector with the same alcohol heating system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new auxiliary system of cold start, preferably used in the internal combustion engines that use alcohol as fuel. The engines ‘Flex Fuel’ (alcohol/gasoline/GNV) are included in the possibility of the use of this invention. The cold starting system makes use of resistances (3) positioned in the entrance of the injectors (4); resistances (6) inside of each injector (1) or one resistance (5) for every pipe holder of nozzles (2), and the three possibilities can be used simultaneously, combined two by two or separately, depending on the necessity of warm up alcohol flow and the energy consumption. It can also make use of groups of resistances (11, 12, 13) positioned in the intake. Additionally one or two auxiliary injectors can be foreseen (supplementary) in the intake collector with the same alcohol heating system.