Abstract: There is provided a method for automatic operation of a vehicle comprising an engine, a starter motor, an engine clutch, and a plurality of vehicle systems. After detecting that the engine is running, the vehicle systems are checked to ensure an acceptable status for shutting down the engine. A negative torque is applied to the engine to shut it down. Vehicle systems are monitored until they indicate that the engine should be restarted. The engine is restarted, and a successful start of the engine is then confirmed. Similarly, there is provided a method for the cold start of a vehicle as above. The starter motor is powered up with an initial torque and vehicle systems are monitored to determine whether the engine should be started. The engine is started from the torque of the starter motor, and a successful start of the engine is then confirmed.

Abstract: There is provided a method for automatic operation of a vehicle comprising an engine, a starter motor, an engine clutch, and a plurality of vehicle systems. After detecting that the engine is running, the vehicle systems are checked to ensure an acceptable status for shutting down the engine. A negative torque is applied to the engine to shut it down. Vehicle systems are monitored until they indicate that the engine should be restarted. The engine is restarted, and a successful start of the engine is then confirmed. Similarly, there is provided a method for the cold start of a vehicle as above. The starter motor is powered up with an initial torque and vehicle systems are monitored to determine whether the engine should be started. The engine is started from the torque of the starter motor, and a successful start of the engine is then confirmed.

Abstract: There is provided a method for automatic operation of a vehicle comprising an engine, a starter motor, an engine clutch, and a plurality of vehicle systems. After detecting that the engine is running, the vehicle systems are checked to ensure an acceptable status for shutting down the engine. A negative torque is applied to the engine to shut it down. Vehicle systems are monitored until they indicate that the engine should be restarted. The engine is restarted, and a successful start of the engine is then confirmed. Similarly, there is provided a method for the cold start of a vehicle as above. The starter motor is powered up with an initial torque and vehicle systems are monitored to determine whether the engine should be started. The engine is started from the torque of the starter motor, and a successful start of the engine is then confirmed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for electromagnetically actuating engine valves to obtain soft seating. The magnitude and duration of current pulses applied to the armature attracting coils are determined based upon a total mechanical energy and a total energy loss of the armature obtained from the armature position.

Abstract: There is provided a method for automatic operation of a vehicle comprising an engine, a starter motor, an engine clutch, and a plurality of vehicle systems. After detecting that the engine is running, the vehicle systems are checked to ensure an acceptable status for shutting down the engine. A negative torque is applied to the engine to shut it down. Vehicle systems are monitored until they indicate that the engine should be restarted. The engine is restarted, and a successful start of the engine is then confirmed. Similarly, there is provided a method for the cold start of a vehicle as above. The starter motor is powered up with an initial torque and vehicle systems are monitored to determine whether the engine should be started. The engine is started from the torque of the starter motor, and a successful start of the engine is then confirmed.

Abstract: A system for driving a compressor is disclosed. The system includes an internal combustion engine in communication with the compressor for selectively driving an input shaft of the compressor; an electric motor in communication with the compressor for selectively driving the compressor when the compressor is not being driven by the engine; and a gear assembly operatively connected to a motor output of the electric motor shaft for changing a rotational speed of the motor output shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for electromagnetically actuating engine valves to obtain soft seating. The magnitude and duration of current pulses applied to the armature attracting coils are determined based upon a total mechanical energy and a total energy loss of the armature obtained from the armature position.

Abstract: A transmission having a starter/generator that is not mounted on the engine crankshaft is provided. The starter/generator is drivingly or directly connected to a transmission pump, and can selectively engage a torque converter and/or an internal combustion engine. The invention allows for efficient disengagement of the engine when the vehicle is stopped, and reengagement upon subsequent torque demand.

Abstract: A system for driving a compressor is disclosed. The system includes an internal combustion engine in communication with the compressor for selectively driving an input shaft of the compressor; an electric motor in communication with the compressor for selectively driving the compressor when the compressor is not being driven by the engine; and a gear assembly operatively connected to a motor output of the electric motor shaft for changing a rotational speed of the motor output shaft.

Abstract: A transmission having a starter/generator that is not mounted on the engine crankshaft is provided. The starter/generator is drivingly or directly connected to a transmission pump, and can selectively engage a torque converter and/or an internal combustion engine. The invention allows for efficient disengagement of the engine when the vehicle is stopped, and reengagement upon subsequent torque demand.

Abstract: An mounting bracket 50 which attaches an alternator 18 to a vehicle engine 14 and which substantially reduces the amount of noise which is produced by the alternator 18 as the engine is idling.