Abstract: A supercharger-equipped combustion engine includes a crankshaft extending in a widthwise direction of a vehicle supported by a crankcase and a supercharger disposed above the crankcase. Power from the crankshaft is transmitted through a supercharger transmission to the supercharger. A crankcase body has an opening formed to be opened at the right side in the widthwise direction, and at least a part of the opening is covered with a holder detachably mounted on the crankcase body. The supercharger transmission includes input and output shafts extending in the widthwise direction of the vehicle, and the input and output shafts are rotatably supported at first end portions thereof at the right side by first bearing portions formed in the holder and are rotatably supported at second end portions thereof at the left side by second bearing portions formed in a side wall of the crankcase body.

Abstract: A lubrication distribution system for an engine is disclosed. The system includes a source of lubricant for the engine and at least one feed line fluidly connected to the source of lubricant. The feed line includes a wall defining a passageway and an orifice. The feed line terminates at the orifice, and lubricant flows through the passageway and exits the feed line through the orifice. The feed line also includes a heating element contained substantially within the wall of the feed line and located at or directly upstream of the orifice. The heating element is selectively activated to heat the lubrication flowing through the passageway and exiting the orifice.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for optimizing the operation of a multi-cylinder auto-ignition internal combustion engine. In one example, cylinders of the auto-ignition internal combustion engine may form two groups of cylinders, where one group of cylinders has a larger compression ratio, smaller width, and smaller volume than the other group of cylinders, and where at least one cylinder of the other group is configured as a switchable cylinder that is deactivated in a load-dependent manner. By configuring the cylinders in multiple groups based on compression ratios, and operating the cylinders in a load-dependent manner, fuel consumption may be optimized.

Abstract: A system includes a main engine operating on gaseous fuel from a tank. An auxiliary engine operates using gaseous fuel vented from the tank. A first exhaust passage receives a first stream of exhaust gas from the main engine. A second exhaust passage receives exhaust gas from the auxiliary engine, which passes through an ammonia-producing catalyst. A third exhaust passage is fluidly connected to the first and second exhaust passages and routes exhaust gas through a NOx reducing catalyst. The system operates such that a mass flow of ammonia generated by the ammonia-producing catalyst substantially matches a total mass flow of NOx gas in the third exhaust passage that is treated within the ammonia-producing catalyst.

Abstract: An aircraft having a user region therein within which pressurized air at selected pressures can be maintained using an environmental control system provided in the aircraft, and a utility region outside a utility boundary wall of the user region within which selected equipment for the aircraft is located. An internal combustion engine, provided as an intermittent combustion engine, is provided in the utility region having an air intake coupled to combustion chambers therein and a rotatable output shaft also coupled to those combustion chambers for generating force with an air transfer duct extends between the user region and the air intake so as to be capable of conveying pressurized air to that air intake.

Abstract: A control system and strategy for starting power systems having a plurality of power modules. For example, a multi-engine generator set switcher locomotive has three power modules each of which have an engine associated therewith. Upon receiving a command from the locomotive indicating to the engine control module to start at least one power module, i.e., engine, the control strategy determines whether to start the engine with an air or electric start. The control strategy starts only a single engine at a time, thereby avoiding overloading the airflow capacity of the compressed air source or the electric power capacity of the electric source. The control strategy also implements a command to start every engine with an air starter, if possible, to preserve the electric starter motor and the electric power capacity of the electric source.

Abstract: Cooperative operation of an auxiliary power unit having a mechanical power output shaft with a transmission coupled power takeoff operation system of a vehicle is provided by allowing the vehicle's main engine to be cranked by the auxiliary power unit through the power takeoff operation system.

Abstract: A system and method for starting a large diesel engine using at least one hydraulic motor includes an auxiliary power unit having a hydraulic pump for driving a hydraulic motor coupled to the diesel engine. The hydraulic pump may automatically pump oil from the diesel engine into a pressure reservoir until a pressure set point is exceeded. When the pressure set point is exceeded, a relief/check valve positioned between the pressure reservoir and the hydraulic pump may open to divert some lubrication oil through a heater and back into the diesel engine. To start the diesel engine, a solenoid-controlled valve, positioned between the pressure reservoir and a hydraulic motor coupled with the diesel engine, may be opened to release pressurized oil to the hydraulic motor. After energizing the hydraulic motor, the oil may be diverted back to a sump of the diesel engine.

Abstract: A power system is provided for a vehicle includes a primary combustion engine for powering a drive system of the vehicle for propelling the vehicle and non-drive systems associated with the vehicle in a first mode of operation. An auxiliary combustion engine is coupled to the primary engine for powering the non-drive systems in a second mode of operation when the primary combustion engine is powered off. The auxiliary engine is powered by the same fuel as the primary engine. The auxiliary combustion engine is coupled to the primary engine through at least one clutch that disengages and engages the auxiliary engine from the primary engine when the primary engine is powered on and off. A method of powering a vehicle is accomplished by powering a drive system of the vehicle for propelling the vehicle and non-drive systems associated with the vehicle through a primary combustion engine in a first mode of operation.

Abstract: An auxiliary power unit automatic start-up system is configured to assist a main engine start of a machine. The auxiliary power unit automatic start-up system may include an auxiliary power unit and a controller. The controller may monitor a parameter of the machine, automatically start the auxiliary power unit if the parameter is outside a first predetermined range, and bring the parameter within a second predetermined range using the auxiliary power unit.

Abstract: A method is provided for assisting a start-up of a work machine having a battery assembly and a main engine. The method may include starting an auxiliary power unit, and using electrical power generated by the auxiliary power unit to condition the battery assembly. The method may also include adding electrical power generated by the auxiliary power unit to electrical power generated by the battery assembly for a main engine cranking event.

Abstract: An internal combustion device is provided for starting a parent engine, the device having a frame having a piston in a cylinder forming a combustion chamber, the frame further having an air passage and a fuel passage for receiving air and fuel into the combustion chamber. A rod connects the piston to a gear train, the gear train being operationally connected to a crankshaft of the parent engine. An ignition mechanism is operationally connected to the combustion chamber for initiating a combustion process using the received fuel and air within the combustion chamber. The piston is driven one power stroke, causing the crankshaft of the parent engine to rotate. A fuel subsystem utilizing a conventional, replaceable compressible fuel canister. Air forced from the cylinder on the piston is routed to the combustion chamber for purging the combustion chamber of spent gases, and mixing with subsequent fuel gas entry.

Abstract: In a method for operating an internal-combustion engine, a fuel/air mixture is fed to a combustion chamber of the internal-combustion engine and is ignited therein. At least for a defined period during the starting and/or warm-up of the internal-combustion engine, at least some of the liquid fuel is replaced with fuel which is in vapor form and is ignited in the at least one combustion chamber of the internal-combustion engine. The fuel which is in vapor form is taken from at least one fuel tank, which is connected to the internal-combustion engine, above a liquid-fuel level and/or from a charcoal canister which is connected to the fuel tank.

Abstract: A locomotive monitoring system defines several mutually exclusive operating states for a locomotive. The amount of time the locomotive operates in each state is preferably determined and recorded. This recorded information can then be evaluated with a view towards improving locomotive operations. For example, a plurality of mutually exclusive idle states can be defined and monitored to determine how long a locomotive idles under certain conditions instead of automatically shutting down for the purpose of conserving fuel. In this manner, the sources of lost fuel savings can be readily identified, quantified and addressed. An event log is also provided for chronicling certain operating events of interest over time, such as those relating to the starting, stopping and/or idling of the locomotive's engine.

Abstract: A method for starting a primary engine using an exhaust gas stream from an auxiliary engine includes the steps of conducting the exhaust gas stream from the auxiliary engine to an air induction system of the primary engine, adding fresh air to the exhaust stream, and reducing the pressure of the exhaust stream before it arrives at the air induction system. An apparatus for starting a primary engine using an exhaust gas stream from an auxiliary engine includes a means for conducting the exhaust gas stream from the auxiliary engine to an air induction system of the primary engine, a means for adding fresh air to the exhaust gas stream before the stream arrives at the air induction system, and a means for reducing the exhaust gas stream pressure to prevent back pressuring of the exhaust system of the auxiliary engine, or over-pressurizing the air induction system of the primary engine.

Abstract: A method for starting a primary engine using an exhaust gas stream from an auxiliary engine includes the steps of conducting the exhaust gas stream from the auxiliary engine to an air induction system of the primary engine, adding fresh air to the exhaust stream, and reducing the pressure of the exhaust stream before it arrives at the air induction system.