Abstract: The disclosed internal combustion engine has an electric water pump and a water temperature sensor that detects coolant water temperature. An electronic control device stops the driving of the water pump when the coolant water temperature is lower than a baseline temperature. Meanwhile, the electronic control device drives the water pump in accordance with the coolant water temperature when the coolant water temperature is higher than the baseline temperature. When the driving of the water pump is stopped, the internal combustion engine forbids at least one engine control until the water pump is driven.

Abstract: The disclosed internal combustion engine has an electric water pump and a water temperature sensor that detects coolant water temperature. An electronic control device stops the driving of the water pump when the coolant water temperature is lower than a baseline temperature. Meanwhile, the electronic control device drives the water pump in accordance with the coolant water temperature when the coolant water temperature is higher than the baseline temperature. When the driving of the water pump is stopped, the internal combustion engine forbids at least one engine control until the water pump is driven.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle sets the overlap amount of an intake valve and an exhaust valve small when the engine is idling and the vehicle is stopped. Also, the control apparatus sets the overlap amount large using normal control when the vehicle is traveling, even if the engine is idling.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle sets the overlap amount of an intake valve and an exhaust valve small when the engine is idling and the vehicle is stopped. Also, the control apparatus sets the overlap amount large using normal control when the vehicle is traveling, even if the engine is idling.

Abstract: Even under satisfaction of an EGR condition during operation of an engine, when it is determined that the cooling power of a cooling system is less than a preset reference power, based on a cooling water temperature and an outside air temperature, an EGR valve is controlled to prohibit circulation of exhaust into a gas inlet line. The reference power is set as a criterion of assuring a minimum required power for cooling down the engine even when the EGR is performed during the operation of the engine. This arrangement effectively prevents a decrease in cooling power of the cooling system. When it is determined that the cooling power of the cooling system is not less than the preset reference power, the EGR valve is controlled to allow circulation of the exhaust into the gas inlet line with a target EGR amount calculated from an intake air amount. This arrangement ensures the appropriate operation of the engine.

Abstract: A hybrid-vehicle drive method and system includes an internal combustion engine that includes an output shaft, a first electric motor/generator connected to the output shaft of the internal combustion engine via a power distribution mechanism, a wheel drive shaft connected to the output shaft of the internal combustion engine via the power distribution mechanism, a second electric motor/generator connected to the wheel drive shaft, and a transmission located on at least one of the wheel drive shaft and a connecting portion of the second electric motor/generator with the wheel drive shaft.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle drive system, an output shaft of an internal combustion engine is connected to a first motor generator and a wheel drive shaft through a power distribution mechanism, and the wheel drive shaft is connected to a second motor generator. The hybrid vehicle drive system is provided with a device that increases the torque of the wheel drive shaft separately from the second motor generator when the internal combustion engine is cranked by the first motor generator.

Abstract: The shift control of a transmission is performed on different bases depending on whether an engine is connected so as to be passively turned, or is disconnected. During the disengaged state, the shift control is performed so that the power generation efficiency of a motor-generator becomes maximized under a predetermined condition. During the engaged state, the shift control is performed so that the turning resistance of the engine becomes minimized under a predetermined condition. Therefore, during running of the vehicle, a battery can be charged through the regeneration control of the motor-generator. Even when the regeneration control is performed while the passive turning of the engine is allowed, good electric power generation efficiency can be achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an internal combustion engine of a vehicle during the running of the vehicle. When an engine start request is made in order to use an engine as a drive power source during the running of the vehicle in an engine stopped state, the engine is cranked by a starter without supply of fuel to the engine. The torque of the starter is controlled so that the engine revolution speed becomes equal to the input shaft rotation speed to create a synchronous rotation speed. After synchronization is achieved and the engagement of a clutch is completed, the fuel injection control of the engine is started to cause self-driven revolution based on explosion. The process reduces the wasteful consumption of fuel and the production of exhaust gas.

Abstract: A hybrid-vehicle drive method and system includes an internal combustion engine that includes an output shaft, a first electric motor/generator connected to the output shaft of the internal combustion engine via a power distribution mechanism, a wheel drive shaft connected to the output shaft of the internal combustion engine via the power distribution mechanism, a second electric motor/generator connected to the wheel drive shaft, and a transmission located on at least one of the wheel drive shaft and a connecting portion of the second electric motor/generator with the wheel drive shaft.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle drive system, an output shaft of an internal combustion engine is connected to a first motor generator and a wheel drive shaft through a power distribution mechanism, and the wheel drive shaft is connected to a second motor generator. The hybrid vehicle drive system is provided with a device that increases the torque of the wheel drive shaft separately from the second motor generator when the internal combustion engine is cranked by the first motor generator.

Abstract: An output state detecting apparatus is arranged to detect a reaction torque of a motor and detect an output state of an internal-combustion engine from the reaction torque. The apparatus comprises an internal-combustion engine, a generator driven by the internal-combustion engine to generate electric power, torque detecting means for detecting a reaction torque of this generator, and output state detecting means for detecting an output state of the internal-combustion engine. The output state detecting means detects the output state of the internal-combustion engine, based on the reaction torque of the motor detected by the torque detecting means.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine control unit for hybrid vehicle makes an electric motor function as a main driving source for the vehicle under a predetermined condition and at the same time, controls a hybrid mechanism so as to warm up the internal combustion engine. If a requested engine output to the internal combustion engine exceeds a predetermined output or if an accelerator opening degree exceeds a predetermined opening degree, the same control unit changes the operating condition of the internal combustion engine from the warm-up operation condition to an operation condition fitting to the requested engine output.

Abstract: A start control apparatus for an internal combustion engine which guarantees excellent startability regardless of the nature of the fuel used. In addition, a fuel nature determining apparatus designed to prevent mistakes in the determining of the nature of the fuel. When conditions for beginning the starting of an internal combustion engine have been established, normal start control is performed in order to start the internal combustion engine. After the starting of the internal combustion engine has begun using the normal start control, if the starting is completed within a predetermined length of time, a determination is made that the fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine is of a light nature. If, however, the starting is not completed within a predetermined length of time, a determination is made that the fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine is of a heavy nature.

Abstract: The shift control of a transmission is performed on different bases depending on whether an engine is connected so as to be passively turned, or is disconnected. During the disengaged state, the shift control is performed so that the power generation efficiency of a motor-generator becomes maximized under a predetermined condition. During the engaged state, the shift control is performed so that the turning resistance of the engine becomes minimized under a predetermined condition. Therefore, during running of the vehicle, a battery can be charged through the regeneration control of the motor-generator. Even when the regeneration control is performed while the passive turning of the engine is allowed, good electric power generation efficiency can be achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an internal combustion engine of a vehicle during the running of the vehicle. When an engine start request is made in order to use an engine as a drive power source during the running of the vehicle in an engine stopped state, the engine is cranked by a starter without supply of fuel to the engine. The torque of the starter is controlled so that the engine revolution speed becomes equal to the input shaft rotation speed to create a synchronous rotation speed. After synchronization is achieved and the engagement of a clutch is completed, the fuel injection control of the engine is started to cause self-driven revolution based on explosion. The process reduces the wasteful consumption of fuel and the production of exhaust gas.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine control unit for hybrid vehicle makes an electric motor function as a main driving source for the vehicle under a predetermined condition and at the same time, controls a hybrid mechanism so as to warm up the internal combustion engine. If a requested engine output to the internal combustion engine exceeds a predetermined output or if an accelerator opening degree exceeds a predetermined opening degree, the same control unit changes the operating condition of the internal combustion engine from the warm-up operation condition to an operation condition fitting to the requested engine output.

Abstract: A hybrid powered vehicle including an internal combustion engine and an electric motor is constructed to activate earlier an exhaust gas purifying catalyst without any decline of drivability.

Abstract: A catalyst deterioration detecting apparatus for a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as power sources includes an air-fuel ratio sensor downstream of a catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine. An amount of oxygen stored in the catalyst is estimated and, based on the estimated amount of oxygen and an output produced by the air-fuel ratio sensor after the engine is restarted after having been temporarily stopped, it is determined whether the catalyst has excessively deteriorated.

Abstract: The present invention prevents a decrease in efficiency due to energy circulation in a power transmission path in a power output apparatus having an engine and a motor as power source. In the power output apparatus, a planetary gear 120 has a sun gear shaft linked with a generator MG1, a ring gear shaft linked with a motor MG2, and a planetary carrier linked with an output shaft of an engine 150. The power output apparatus carries out a control procedure to avoid energy circulation, which goes through the planetary gear 120, the motor MG2, and generator MG1, and the planetary gear 120, and thereby prevent a decrease in efficiency. The energy circulation occurs when the motor MG2 converts the power output from the engine 150 to electric power and the generator MG1 carries out power operation with the regenerated electric power.