Abstract: A glow power selected from a map based on a coolant temperature and an intake air temperature is applied to a glow plug provided at a combustion cylinder after an engine starts. Air-fuel mixture is heated and combusted, and then a rotation variation is calculated from a difference between a maximum rotating speed and a minimum rotating speed of the combustion cylinder. If the rotation variation is outside an allowable range with reference to an average rotation variation for four cylinders, the glow power corresponding to the combustion cylinder is corrected by a correction value set based on the rotation variation, thereby equalizing rotation variations for all cylinders.

Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine under cold conditions. The intake manifold throttle valve is held closed and spark ignition is suspended. Fuel and air are admitted into the cylinders and the pistons are cranked for a plurality of revolutions. During each engine revolution cycle, the fuel/air mixture is compressed and heated adiabatically by the energy of the engine starter motor, and the mixture is exhausted into the exhaust manifold. During valve overlap a portion of the mixture is withdrawn into the cylinder and recompressed in the next cycle. Additional fuel may be injected to replace lost fuel. After several engine cycles, the fuel/air mixture becomes heated to a temperature above the flashpoint of the mixture. Sparking is re-established to fire the warmed mixture, and the intake throttle valve is re-enabled. The first firing can provide sufficient heat to continue spark-firing of newly-introduced mixture thereafter.

Abstract: There is provided a control scheme for restarting an internal combustion engine of a hybrid powertrain during ongoing vehicle operation. The method includes generating a torque output from an electrical machine to rotate the engine, and determining an engine crank torque. The torque output from the electrical machine is selectively controlled based upon the engine crank torque. The engine is fired when rotational speed of the engine exceeds a threshold. An engine torque simulation model accurately determines engine compression pressures in real-time to accommodate changes in engine operating conditions, based upon present engine operating conditions.

Abstract: In a method for starting an internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber, an injection timing point is specified for each chamber at which a first fuel injection pulse is carried out and an ignition timing point is specified at which a first ignition pulse is to be carried out in the chamber. A crankshaft is caused to rotate by a starter device. For all chambers in which the injection timing point takes place in time after the ignition pulse, the respectively specified ignition timing point is adjusted in terms of reduced torque output. Thereafter, in each combustion chamber the injection pulse is carried out at the respectively specified injection timing point and the ignition pulse is carried out at the respectively specified ignition timing point. In this way, any potentially present fuel residue is combusted and at the same time the torque produced thereby is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention is an installation of an emergency starting switching device and/or direct current boosted boost circuit device. When the power of the starting battery is insufficient, the electric energy of the auxiliary battery is used to drive the starting motor in order to start the engine by operating the emergency starting switching device. And when the engine is started, the voltage of the ignition device or the fuel injection device is stepped up to strengthen its starting capability by means of a voltage boost by the direct current boosted boost circuit device.

Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method skips combustion in at least one cylinder, according to the engine combustion order, to control engine speed when an engine is automatically restarted. The skipped combustion event may be related to a level of IMEP when combustion in a cylinder occurs under an operating condition.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for expediting engine spin-down in an engine that is shutdown during engine idle-stop conditions and restarted during restart conditions. In one example, the method comprises, during an automatic engine idle-stop, turning off spark, operating a first cylinder with a rich ratio of air to injected fuel richer than a rich flammability limit, operating a second cylinder with a lean ratio of air to injected fuel leaner than a lean flammability limit, and mixing un-combusted exhaust from the first and second cylinders with exhaust, the exhaust mixture being substantially stoichiometric.

Abstract: In order to make a start-up of an internal combustion engine as quick as possible, whereby an electrical power output, which is as small as possible, is required, it is proposed to at least periodically activate a direct starting control device for the generation of a combustion torque and an electrical starter for the generation of a starter torque simultaneously during the start-up. In so doing, the power output of the electric starter is controlled as a function of a current combustion torque, so that the starter is continually operated only at a currently required power output. For this purpose, the electric starter is, for example, controlled in an open- and/or closed-loop in such a way that the current total torque resulting from the current combustion torque and the current starter torque does not undershoot a specifiable set point torque.

Abstract: The present invention is an installation of an emergency starting switching device and/or direct current boosted boost circuit device. When the power of the starting battery is insufficient, the electric energy of the power storage device battery is used to drive the starting motor in order to start the engine by operating the emergency starting switching device. And when the engine is started, the voltage of the ignition device or the fuel injection device is stepped up to strengthen its starting capability by means of a voltage boost by the direct current boosted boost circuit device.

Abstract: A first ignition cylinder that performs ignition first is set based on an engine stop position in automatic start. Existence/nonexistence of a misfire in the first ignition cylinder is determined based on whether a difference ?Ne between engine rotation speed at a predetermined crank angle in an interval from timing immediately before the ignition to timing immediately after the ignition of the first ignition cylinder (e.g., at TDC of first ignition cylinder) and engine rotation speed at a predetermined crank angle before ignition of a second ignition cylinder (e.g., at TDC of second ignition cylinder) is equal to or smaller than a predetermined misfire determination threshold value Nef. When misfire time number of the first ignition cylinder exceeds a predetermined value, fuel supply to the first ignition cylinder is prohibited and the automatic start is started from the second ignition cylinder.

Abstract: A method for operation of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine may include one or more combustion chambers, a fuel delivery system including a direct fuel injector coupled to each combustion chamber, an ignition system including one or more spark plugs coupled to each combustion chamber, a piston disposed within each combustion chamber, and an intake and an exhaust valve coupled to each combustion chamber, the internal combustion engine providing motive power to the vehicle. The method may include discontinuing combustion operation within the internal combustion engine responsive to idle-stop operation. The method may further include, during a direct-start, performing multi-strike ignition operation per combustion cycle via one or more selected spark plug(s) for at least a first combustion cycle in a combustion chamber following the discontinuation of combustion operation, the one or more selected spark plug(s) coupled to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: In a speed transition period from when an internal combustion engine is started to when an engine speed settles down to a certain speed, a compression top dead center of a cylinder first operating is set as a reference crank angle and compression top dead centers of the cylinders arriving successively after said reference crank angle in the speed transition period are set as judgment use crank angles. Reference crank angle advancing times are detected and stored in advance, wherein the reference crank angle advancing times are crank angle advancing times when a reference fuel is used, and the crank angle advancing times are times required for the crank angle to advance from the reference crank angle to the judgment use crank angles. The actual crank angle advancing times are detected.

Abstract: Methods and systems for starting a vehicle engine are provided. One example method for starting a vehicle engine having a plurality of cylinders may include generating hydrogen gas and oxygen gas onboard the vehicle from water. The method may further include maintaining the hydrogen gas and oxygen gas together as a gaseous mixture. The method may further include injecting the gaseous mixture to at least one cylinder of the engine during a start.

Abstract: A starting system is provided for delivering pressurized fuel to an engine to start the engine without a starter. The starting system includes an accumulator for storing pressurized fuel during engine operation and engine shut-down. During engine start-up, the accumulator delivers the stored pressurized fuel to the engine to start the engine. The accumulator is in fluid communication with a low pressure fuel reservoir and the engine. The accumulator includes an accumulator housing defining an accumulator cavity and including an accumulator piston and spring assembly, which is moveable longitudinally within the accumulator cavity. An electronic control module (ECM) is in electronic control with the starting system and the engine. The ECM is operable to activate the accumulator, forcing pressurized fuel stored within the accumulator into a high-pressure fuel line for injection into the engine, to generate at least one starting combustion event to start the engine without a starter.

Abstract: In a vehicle of the invention, the lower between a first permissive water temperature based on an outside air temperature Tout and an elapsed time since system activation and a second permissive water temperature based on a target air outlet temperature in an air conditioning system is set to an intermittent operation permissive water temperature. When a cooling water temperature of an engine is not lower than the set intermittent operation permissive water temperature, intermittent operation of the engine is permitted. When the cooling water temperature of the engine is lower than the set intermittent operation permissive water temperature, on the other hand, intermittent operation of the engine is prohibited. This arrangement ensures appropriate control of the intermittent operation of the engine and thus effectively improves the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

Abstract: An engine stop control device which is capable of stopping an engine without imparting an unpleasant sensation to the driver is provided. The device includes a fuel injection device for supplying fuel, an intake air amount adjustment device for adjusting an amount of intake air, an accessory controller for controlling operation of an accessory, a fuel injection controller for controlling a fuel injection amount from the fuel injection device, and an engine stop switch. When the engine stop switch is operated, driving of the accessory is stopped by the accessory controller, and the intake air is throttled by the intake air amount adjustment device, and further, when the engine rotational speed rises due to stoppage of the accessory, the engine is stopped while the fuel injection amount of the fuel injection device is controlled by the fuel injection controller such that the engine runs at a predetermined rotational speed.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine including at least a first cylinder having a first piston and a second cylinder having a second piston, at least one of said first and second cylinders having at least an adjustable valve, the method comprising before engine rotation: closing electrically actuated valves in at least the first and the second cylinder; fueling at least said first cylinder with a first fuel amount based on a position of the first piston and said second cylinder with a second fuel amount based on a position of the second piston; performing a first spark in at least one of said first cylinder and said second cylinder; and applying a starter motor to assist engine starting rotation; after engine rotation, firing each cylinder of the engine in a sequential firing order without changing a number of strokes in any cylinder of the engine.

Abstract: An automatic choke connectable to an engine. Also disclosed is an engine including the automatic choke, an apparatus including the engine and the automatic choke, and a method of controlling a choke valve. The automatic choke includes a motor for moving a choke valve and a controller electrically connected to the motor. In one construction, the controller is configured to store position information and a flag related to a position of the choke valve, determine the engine has, and control the automatic choke with the stored position information based on the flag and the determination that the engine has re-started. In another construction, the controller is configured to generate a motor control signal to direct the choke valve to a fully-open position without providing choke relief based on a temperature value indicating the engine temperature is greater than a threshold.

Abstract: An ignition system for use with an engine is disclosed. The ignition system may have an igniter connected to selectively ignite a fuel mixture within the engine, an injector located to inject a non-combustible gas into the engine, and a controller in communication with the igniter and the injector. The controller may be configured to energize the igniter during a first mode of engine operation to ignite the fuel mixture, and cease energizing the igniter during a second mode of engine operation. The controller may also be configured to actuate the injector during the second mode of engine operation to promote auto-ignition of the fuel mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for starting an internal combustion engine using a starting device, an ignition spark from a spark plug of an internal combustion engine being controllable by the starting device as a function of the speed of the crankshaft, a progressive rise of the advance of the ignition angle before top dead center already being performed as a function of the crankshaft speed at low speeds below the idle speed, which is followed at rising crankshaft speed by a sudden drop of the advance of the ignition angle to a plateau of the idle speed range.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having at least two cylinders, at least one of which having at least an adjustable valve, the method comprising before engine rotation closing electrically actuated valves in at least a first and a second cylinder; fueling at least said first cylinder with a first fuel amount and said second cylinder with a second fuel amount; and performing a first spark in at least one of said first cylinder and said second cylinder; and after engine rotation, firing each cylinder of the engine in a sequential firing order without changing a number of strokes in any cylinder of the engine.

Abstract: A twin ignition system for automotive vehicles and the like is disclosed and claimed. Ignition system #1 comprises a known ignition system which allows electrical access to the engine starter, and allows full function of all facilities with which the vehicle is equipped. Ignition system #2 has its own subsystems which can be set to control vehicle speed and/or other vehicle operating parameters. Each system can be accessed by a key which does not allow access to the other ignition system.

Abstract: In a starting system of an internal combustion engine including a fuel injection valve that directly injects fuel into a corresponding cylinder and a spark plug that ignites an air-fuel mixture in the cylinder, injection of the fuel from the fuel injection valve and ignition performed by the spark plug are stopped when engine stop conditions are met. If the engine restart conditions are met during rotation of the engine after the engine stop conditions are met, the fuel is injected from the fuel injection valve into an expansion-stroke cylinder that is in the expansion stroke at the time when the engine restart conditions are met, and the mixture formed in the expansion-stroke cylinder is ignited by the spark plug.

Abstract: An engine starting device including: a battery capacity monitoring portion that estimates a remaining capacity of a battery; a start time starter driving portion that supplies a driving current from the battery to a starter generator for causing cranking of the engine when a start mode of the engine is a normal start mode; and a display portion that displays that the cranking for starting the engine is to be performed by a manual starter when the estimated remaining capacity of the battery is insufficient, wherein the driving of the starter generator is prohibited and the start mode of the engine is switched to the manual start mode when the estimated remaining capacity of the battery is insufficient.

Abstract: A capacitor discharge ignition device for an internal combustion engine including: idling time advance angle control permission condition determination means for determining whether an idling time advance angle control permission condition is met that is a condition for permitting control to advance an ignition position during idling immediately after completion of the start of the engine in order to stabilize idling immediately after completion of the start of the internal combustion engine; and idling time advance angle control means for advancing the ignition position during idling immediately after completion of the start of the internal combustion engine when it is determined that the idling time advance angle control permission condition is met.

Abstract: A method of starting an engine having a fuel rail, one or more fuel injectors, and one or more spark plugs. In one embodiment, the method includes initializing a starting operation of the engine and suppressing the engine from starting by retarding a spark timing of the one or more spark plugs from normal spark timing. The method also includes purging, while the spark timing is being retarded, the fuel rail of the engine by operating the one or more fuel injectors. Additionally, the method includes advancing the spark timing after a first duration has passed or the engine has started.

Abstract: A controller for a direct-injection internal combustion engine in which fuel is directly injected into a combustion chamber via a fuel injection valve, and a mixture formed thereby is burned by igniting the mixture via an ignition plug, which the controller, when the internal combustion engine is started under very low temperature conditions, controls an ignition cut operation that inhibits ignition and performs fuel injection only, the controller including an engine-start control unit that, when the internal combustion engine is started under very low temperature conditions after the ignition cut operation was performed, determines whether there is fuel that can contribute to combustion in a cylinder and if there is, inhibits the ignition cut operation, or limits a number of times of the cutting off of ignition.

Abstract: In one aspect, an internal combustion engine includes a fuel injector for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber to produce an air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, a spark plug for igniting the air-fuel mixture to cause combustion in the combustion chamber and a controller controls the spark plug to cause combustion in the combustion chamber to apply a torque to start the engine from a stopped condition. The controller determines whether the operation of the engine will be stopped, and adjusts an operating condition of the engine if the controller determines the engine operation will be stopped.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine operable in homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion mode and in conventional spark ignited combustion mode and a method for restart of HCCI combustion therein. Whilst cranking the exhaust valve is arranged to be closed before top dead center (TDC) during an exhaust stroke. The intake valve is arranged to be opened after TDC during an induction stroke. Fuel injection control means are arranged to perform a first fuel injection after closing of the exhaust valve and before TDC of the exhaust stroke. The ignition control means are arranged to cause said spark plug to ignite the first injected quantity of fuel before said opening of the intake valve. The fuel injection control means are arranged to perform at least one further fuel injection in the interval after TDC of the exhaust stroke and before TDC of a subsequent compression stroke.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for starting an internal combustion engine using a starting device, an ignition spark from a spark plug of an internal combustion engine being controllable by the starting device as a function of the speed of the crankshaft, a progressive rise of the advance of the ignition angle before top dead center already being performed as a function of the crankshaft speed at low speeds below the idle speed, which is followed at rising crankshaft speed by a sudden drop of the advance of the ignition angle to a plateau of the idle speed range.

Abstract: Oil level detection sensor detects an oil level in a crankcase. First charging circuit includes a serial connection of a first charging capacitor for charging a reverse voltage produced in a primary coil, the detection sensor, and a first diode. Thyristor is turned on, in response to voltage-charging of the first charging capacitor, to disable an ignition operation of an ignition circuit. Second charging circuit includes a serial connection of a second charging capacitor for charging a forward voltage, produced in the primary coil, and a second diode. Transistor is turned on, in response to voltage-charging of the second charging capacitor, to disable a turning-on operation of the thyristor.

Abstract: An engine starting method for starting an engine by causing first fuel injection when a crankshaft is reversely rotated by a predetermined angle at the start, and then rotating the crankshaft forward to perform first ignition, the method comprising the steps of immediately stopping driving of a starter motor when a starter switch is turned off before the first fuel injection at the start; and continuously driving the starter motor forward until a cylinder into which an air/fuel mixture is supplied by the first fuel injection performs at least one exhaust stroke and then stopping the driving of the starter motor when the starter switch is turned off after the first fuel injection at the start.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed to reliably carry out engine starting without cranking. Using an internal combustion engine 1, when an idle stop condition is established, a third path switching valve 28 that is provided at the connection of the compressed air supply path 25 and a first blow-by path 21, and a blow-by control valve 24 are “closed”. The connection of the crankcase to the inlet path 14 is blocked, idling for a designated time is carried out, and finally the engine is stopped. On the other hand, when the idle stop release condition is established, an inlet valve 8 is “opened”, and the first to third path switching valves 26 to 28 are “closed”, thereby operating a compressor 17 for a designated period of time. Compressed air is thereby supplied to the combustion chamber 2 and the crankcase via the compressed air supply path 25, allowing an increase in the internal cylinder pressure. Finally, the engine is started.

Abstract: A requested injection amount of fuel necessary during ignition cut-off at the time of start at an extremely low temperature is calculated (step ST2), injection start timing and injection end timing between which wetting of a spark plug by fuel is less likely are set (step ST3), and the number of times of ignition cut-off is calculated based on the injection start timing and the injection end timing and the requested injection amount (step ST4). The injection start timing and the injection end timing are thus restricted to timings between which plug wetting is less likely, and the number of times of ignition cut-off is calculated based on the injection start timing and the injection end timing and the requested injection amount, so that wetting of the spark plug by fuel at the extremely low temperature can be avoided even in an in-cylinder direct-injection engine.

Abstract: A capacitor discharge ignition device for an internal combustion engine including: idling time advance angle control permission condition determination means for determining whether an idling time advance angle control permission condition is met that is a condition for permitting control to advance an ignition position during idling immediately after completion of the start of the engine in order to stabilize idling immediately after completion of the start of the internal combustion engine; and idling time advance angle control means for advancing the ignition position during idling immediately after completion of the start of the internal combustion engine when it is determined that the idling time advance angle control permission condition is met.

Abstract: An engine has variable-valve mechanisms. An engine control system has an engine control unit for executing automatic stop and start control. At an automatic-stop, the variable-valve mechanisms are controlled to obtain a valve operation characteristic suitable for a restart of the engine. When a catalyst is in an inactivated state, the variable-valve mechanisms are controlled to reduce the amount of residual gas leaking out from cylinders. At an automatic-start, the control of the variable-valve mechanism is prohibited and an intake air is adjusted by using a throttle valve. At an automatic-stop, the engine speed is abruptly reduced so that the engine speed passes through a resonant revolution speed area in a short period of time. When the voltage of a battery is low, the control of the variable-valve mechanism may be prohibited.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having at least two cylinders, at least one of which having at least an adjustable valve, the method comprising before engine rotation closing electrically actuated valves in at least a first and a second cylinder; fueling at least said first cylinder with a first fuel amount and said second cylinder with a second fuel amount; and performing a first spark in at least one of said first cylinder and said second cylinder; and after engine rotation, firing each cylinder of the engine in a sequential firing order without changing a number of strokes in any cylinder of the engine.

Abstract: An engine starting device which makes fuel injected in preparation for ignition performed in a cylinder of an engine after starting drive of a starter motor in a forward rotational direction so as to start the engine, and makes ignition performed in a suitable ignition position at the time of engine start while the starter motor is driven in a forward rotational direction, the engine starting device being comprised so as to continue driving the starter motor in a direction for starting the engine, even when a crankshaft stops before a piston in a cylinder of the engine reaches a top dead center of a compression stroke.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine and control method therefor in which the engine is selectively started by combustion without cranking. The temperature in the combustion chamber of an engine cylinder is stabilized upon starting of the engine, thereby allowing secured staring without cranking. When predetermined idling stop conditions (or engine stop conditions) are established, the temperature in the combustion chamber is estimated based on engine operating conditions read before such establishment, and the period of maintaining a engine rotational speed in a predetermined low range before stopping the engine is calculated or estimated based on the estimated temperature in the combustion chamber. The engine is then stopped after the calculated or estimated period of maintaining the engine rotational speed in the predetermined low range.

Abstract: The description relates to a method for starting a direct-injection internal combustion engine equipped with an engine management system and having n cylinders, in which n pistons oscillate between a top dead center (TDC) and a bottom dead center (BDC), and a crankshaft. It is proposed to set forth a method of the aforesaid type which overcomes the known disadvantages inherent in the state of the art known, the particular intention being to achieve a shortening of the starting times.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an engine increases an intake air quantity just before engine stop to increase a compression pressure in a compression stroke. As the compression pressure is increased, a negative torque in the compression stroke increases and obstructs engine rotation, and brakes the engine rotation. Thus, a range of crank angle, in which torque is below engine friction, that is, in which engine rotation can be stopped, is reduced. As a result, variation in engine rotation stop position is reduced to be within a small range of crank angle. Information of engine rotation stop position is stored, and the stored information of engine rotation stop position is used at the start of an engine to accurately determine an initial injection cylinder and an initial ignition cylinder to start the engine.

Abstract: A start control apparatus of an internal combustion engine comprises an ignition device for igniting an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, a start demanding device for demanding a start of the internal combustion engine, a starting device for starting the internal combustion engine, a determining device for determining a possibility of a self-ignition of the internal combustion engine at a time when a start demand is issued from the start demanding device, and a start procedure control device for igniting the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber by the ignition device after the start demand from the start demanding device in the case where the determining device determines that the possibility of the self-ignition of the internal combustion engine is higher than a predetermined level, thereafter starting the internal combustion engine by the starting device.

Abstract: A method and system to start an internal combustion engine from rest is disclosed. The engine has intake and exhaust valves in each cylinder in which actuation of such valves is independent of engine rotation. The engine also has a fuel injector and a spark plug disposed in each engine cylinder. The intake and exhaust valves are closed in one engine cylinder; fuel is sprayed into such cylinder; the spark plug is fired in such cylinder. Additionally, a second cylinder is identified in which the intake and exhaust valves are closed, fuel is sprayed, and a spark is fired prior to engine rotation.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine may be provided with independently controllable valves, fuel injectors and ignition elements that may be used to start the engine without a separate auxiliary device such as an electric starter motor. The engine may fire the cylinders under a startup mode of control at the same time it fires the cylinders under a normal mode of control in order to smooth the transition from start up to normal operating mode. Additionally, an internal combustion engine may use independently controllable valves to stop the engine and ensure that one or more of the pistons come to rest at a position which allows them to be used to restart the engine.

Abstract: An engine starting system includes a throttle valve, an alternator, an engine speed sensor and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU functionally includes an automatic engine stop controller for automatically stopping the engine by interrupting fuel injection when predefined automatic engine stop conditions are satisfied, and an automatic engine restart controller for automatically restarting the engine when predefined engine restart conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: The period required to start a rope-start, two-cycle engine is reduced by enabling the engine's firing sequence to be initiated immediately upon determining the absolute rotational position of the engine and before determining the engine's direction of rotation. The rotational direction of the engine is then determined, and the firing sequence is disabled if the engine is counter-rotating. In this manner, the firing sequence is enabled much sooner in the engine's cycle than if the engine's rotational direction were determined before the firing sequence is enabled. The engine therefore starts more quickly. The method is particularly useful in battery-less engines which experience a delay in start-up due to the fact that the engine must rotate through at least part of a revolution before generating enough electrical power to operate the computer controlling operation of the engine.

Abstract: When an engine restart request is given in an engine stopping period which begins at a point of fuel supply interruption and ends at a point of complete engine stop, an engine starting system judges whether TDC engine speed detected immediately before is equal to or lower than a specific value “A”, the counted number of reverse running motions of the engine is 0, and a piston in an expansion stroke cylinder is relatively close to TDC. If the judgment result is in the affirmative with all these conditions satisfied, the engine starting system injects fuel into the expansion stroke cylinder and then ignites and combusts a mixture produced therein. The engine starting system also injects the fuel into a compression stroke cylinder and then ignites and combusts a mixture produced therein when a piston in the compression stroke cylinder has gone beyond TDC.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting the phase of a four-stroke gasoline engine, a gasoline direct injection engine in particular. For reliable phase detection involving relatively little expense during a starting phase, a crankshaft is turned together with at least one piston; ignition is triggered via an ignition coil in at least two successive top dead centers of the piston without a supply of fuel. A primary current or a secondary current, or a primary voltage or a secondary voltage are measured in a measuring period which extends at least over a spark duration after the ignition. From the comparison of the measuring signals of successive ignitions, a conclusion is drawn as to which of the successive top dead centers is an ignition top dead center and which is a charge cycle top dead center.

Abstract: A method is provided for starting an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder having at least one inlet valve and one exhaust valve. In accordance with one embodiment the method includes the steps of opening an inlet valve of any cylinder that would otherwise undergo a wasted power stroke and opening an exhaust valve of any cylinder that would otherwise undergo a wasted compression stroke.

Abstract: A start control apparatus includes a starter, a number-of-revolutions detection unit of an internal combustion engine, a crank angle sensor, a cam sensor, and a control unit for controlling cylinder ignition based on a crank angle signal and a cam signal. The control unit has a start determination unit for determining whether starting the engine is to be continued or stopped based on the crank angle and fluctuation in the number of revolutions when the starter being switched from on to off is detected, and controls continuing or stopping ignition control in accordance with the determination of the start determination unit.