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: A method for controlling a vehicle engine having a plurality of cylinders and an electric motor configured to rotate the engine is provided. The method includes, during engine idling, advancing spark timing of at least one cylinder to substantially before a peak torque timing. The method further includes adjusting motor torque output of the electric motor to maintain engine idle speed.

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: A method for controlling a vehicle engine having a plurality of cylinders and an electric motor configured to rotate the engine is provided. The method includes, during engine idling, advancing spark timing of at least one cylinder to substantially before a peak torque timing. The method further includes adjusting motor torque output of the electric motor to maintain engine idle speed.

Abstract: When an engine rotation speed in an engine for working machine without a governor mechanism is increase-and-decrease-controlled by switching ignition timings at a predetermined rotation speed, the response delay of the engine rotation speed with respect to the throttle opening operation is suppressed. The engine rotation speeds for switching the ignition timings are set to 4000 rpm and 5000 rpm. When the throttle opening is increased, a first ignition timing is advanced stepwise to a second ignition timing at the engine rotation speed of 4000 rpm so as to be switched to a rotation control characteristic C30 for high speed rotation. When the throttle opening is decreased, the second ignition timing is retarded stepwise to the first ignition timing at the engine rotation speed of 5000 rpm so as to be switched to a rotation control characteristic C05 for low speed rotation. The switching timing of the rotation control characteristic is different between at increase and decrease of the throttle opening.

Abstract: An object to be achieved by the present invention is to achieve ignition timing that is suitable for an environment in which a spark ignition internal combustion engine is used during the period of starting of the internal combustion engine and warm-up thereof just after starting. To achieve this object, according to the present invention, in an ignition control system for an internal combustion engine in which, ignition timing is controlled by feedback in such a way that the engine rotation speed becomes equal to a target rotation speed when the temperature of the internal combustion engine is lower than a prescribed temperature, and retard control for retarding the ignition timing by a predetermined amount from target ignition timing is performed when the temperature of the internal combustion engine is equal to or higher than the prescribed temperature, the aforementioned prescribed temperature is changed according to the altitude of the place where the internal combustion engine is used.

Abstract: In a control device for an internal combustion engine including a throttle valve for adjusting the intake air amount that affects on the torque of the internal combustion engine, when a request for acceleration of the internal combustion engine is made, a torque gradient, which is a change in the torque of the internal combustion engine per unit time during the acceleration, is predicted based on an operating condition of the internal combustion engine before the acceleration, and the operation of the throttle valve is controlled based on the predicted torque gradient during the acceleration of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An engine control system includes an air control module, a spark control module, a torque control module, a transient detection module, and a launch torque module. The air control module controls a throttle valve of an engine based on a commanded predicted torque. The spark control module controls spark advance of the engine based on a commanded immediate torque. The torque control module increases the commanded predicted torque when a catalyst light-off (CLO) mode is active, and increases the commanded immediate torque when a driver actuates an accelerator input. The transient detection module generates a lean transient signal when an air per cylinder increase is detected while the CLO mode is active. The launch torque module generates a torque offset signal based on the lean transient signal. The torque control module increases the commanded immediate torque based on the torque offset signal.

Abstract: A vehicular ejector system having an ejector that generates a negative pressure that is greater than the intake manifold negative pressure that is to be extracted from an intake manifold, a VSV that causes the ejector to function or stop functioning, and an ECU that controls the VSV. The ECU includes a control device that controls the VSV so as to cause the ejector to function if an ISC request amount for controlling, during idling, a throttle valve that adjusts the intake air flow amount supplied to the internal combustion engine is greater than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: The ignition timing is sustained at an initial value during a predetermined time beginning at a start of an engine, and is retarded after the predetermined time is elapsed to heat a catalyst at an early time. The predetermined time ends when the negative pressure of an intake pipe or the negative pressure of a brake booster reaches to a predetermined value. That is, the predetermined time is a period, which begins at a start of the engine and ends when a proper negative pressure can be sustained in the brake booster. As a result, it is possible to assure a negative pressure in the brake booster at an early time and to reduce exhaust emission at a start of the engine simultaneously.

Abstract: When a predetermined operation state during idling is set, an ignition timing is set to a basic ignition timing at or following a compression top dead center point, and a temperature rise controlling operation is carried out for injecting fuel prior to the basic ignition timing. Then, a target value of an intake air quantity is set in accordance with an engine request torque that is set when controlling a temperature rise. Thereafter, a limit value of the intake air quantity that is set when controlling the temperature rise is set. When the target value of the intake air quantity is less than the limit value, the intake air quantity is adjusted so as to become the target value, whereas, when the target value is greater than the limit value, the intake air quantity is adjusted so as to become the limit value.

Abstract: An idle speed control system for an engine includes an engine speed module that generates an engine speed signal. A piston reciprocation module determines reciprocation periods of each piston of cylinders of the engine based on the engine speed signal. A difference module determines a period difference between each of the reciprocation periods and an idle period associated with a target idle speed. A spark timing module regulates an idle speed of the engine including adjustment of spark timing for each of the cylinders individually based on period differences.

Abstract: When an engine rotation speed in an engine for working machine without a governor mechanism is increase-and-decrease-controlled by switching ignition timings at a predetermined rotation speed, the response delay of the engine rotation speed with respect to the throttle opening operation is suppressed. The engine rotation speeds for switching the ignition timings are set to 4000 rpm and 5000 rpm. When the throttle opening is increased, a first ignition timing is advanced stepwise to a second ignition timing at the engine rotation speed of 4000 rpm so as to be switched to a rotation control characteristic C30 for high speed rotation. When the throttle opening is decreased, the second ignition timing is retarded stepwise to the first ignition timing at the engine rotation speed of 5000 rpm so as to be switched to a rotation control characteristic C05 for low speed rotation. The switching timing of the rotation control characteristic is different between at increase and decrease of the throttle opening.

Abstract: Disclosed are an engine torque control apparatus and an engine torque control method that can stably control engine torque when a variation of a TPS signal converts from an idle state to a part load state or from the part load state to the idle state in an engine, in which an ISA is installed, thereby resolving a problem on drivability, such as a drop of an engine RPM and resolving a problem on drivability, such as flare of an engine RPM, and improving fuel consumption.

Abstract: A fuel injection and ignition control method including the steps of: calculating a total injection amount correction value at the restart of fuel injection by adding an injection amount correction value determined with respect to a fuel cut period and an engine operating state to an injection amount increase correction value in acceleration when an engine accelerating operation is performed in a state where fuel cut is performed and the engine is operated; determining an injection restart time ignition timing delay amount with respect to the total injection amount correction value and a throttle valve opening degree; and performing fuel injection control to increase a fuel injection amount to be higher than a fuel injection amount in normal time by the total injection amount correction value, and ignition control to delay ignition timing from ignition timing in normal operation by the injection restart time ignition timing delay amount.

Abstract: A spark ignition internal combustion engine in which, during an idling operation, the ignition timing is changed temporarily to the advance side or retard size with respect to the reference ignition timing so that when the engine speed deviates from the target idling speed, the engine speed becomes the target idling speed. When the actual compression ratio at the time of idling is changed, the reference ignition timing at the time of idling is made to move until the ignition timing at which the same generated torque of the engine is obtained.

Abstract: An idle speed control system for an engine includes an engine speed module that generates an engine speed signal. A piston reciprocation module determines reciprocation periods of each piston of cylinders of the engine based on the engine speed signal. A difference module determines a period difference between each of the reciprocation periods and an idle period associated with a target idle speed. A spark timing module regulates an idle speed of the engine including adjustment of spark timing for each of the cylinders individually based on period differences.

Abstract: An engine idle speed control system for regulating an idle speed of an internal combustion engine includes a first module that determines an indicated torque of the engine based on a current spark timing and a second module that determines a desired indicated torque based on the indicated torque. A third module determines a new spark timing based on the desired indicated torque and a fourth module that regulates operation of the engine based on the new spark timing.

Abstract: An idling engine speed control system for a vehicle comprises a valve which is provided within an air-intake passage connected to an engine mounted in the vehicle and is configured to substantially open and close the air-intake passage, a drive device configured to open and close the valve, an opening degree controller configured to drive the drive device and is configured to control an opening degree of the air-intake passage, an input device which is attached to the vehicle and is configured to input a target engine speed in an idling state, and an engine speed memory configured to store the target engine speed input with the input device, wherein the opening degree controller is configured to control the opening degree of the air-intake passage in an idling state according to the target engine speed stored in the engine speed memory.

Abstract: An ignition timing value of the internal-combustion engine is calculated by using correction terms including a first correction term that is calculated based on a controlled variable without reflecting a desired value and a second correction term that is calculated based on a difference between the controlled variable and the desired value. The first correction term can be calculated based on the controlled variable with no influence of the desired value. Thus, a sudden change does not occur in the feedback controlled variable even in a situation where the difference between the controlled variable and the desired value changes step-wise. Besides, the first correction term is a proportional term (51) and the second correction term is an integral term (55). The controlled variable is a rotational speed of the internal-combustion engine (NE) that is detected by a detector for detecting the engine rotational speed.

Abstract: An engine control device can be capable of suppressing a rise in engine speed at starting. The engine speed can be detected by a speed sensor and a determination can be made whether the engine speed has changed from a starting mode to a normal mode. If the engine speed has changed from a starting mode to a normal mode, the difference between the engine speed and a predetermined target engine speed is calculated, and the ignition timing is controlled based on the calculated difference. The control of ignition timing can be performed when the detected value of the rotational sensor is larger than the target engine speed.

Abstract: A method for controlling the idle speed of an internal combustion engine is presented. The method comprises controlling an ignition timing at least partly based on the engine speed and controlling a position of a throttle valve at least partly based on the ignition timing. Preferably, the ignition timing is controlled so that it is restricted by at least one ignition timing limit, and the position of the throttle valve is controlled at least partly based on the ignition timing as not restricted by the at least one ignition timing limit.

Abstract: A control apparatus retards ignition timing of the engine, and increases an amount of a fuel supplied to the engine based on a retard amount of the ignition timing, by calculating a maximum engine intake air amount at which an exhaust system temperature can be maintained at or below a predetermined upper limit temperature by increasing the amount of the fuel supplied to the engine without causing a misfire of the engine, and limiting an engine intake air amount to a value no greater than the maximum engine intake air amount.

Abstract: An engine control system comprises a first control device which is associated with a first section of the cylinders, and a second control device which is associated with a second section of the cylinders. The first control device is designed in order to determine an intermediate required value (TQI_INT_SP_FAST) for a torque to be set quickly which is set by way of one or more final control elements for setting a quantity of fuel that is to be metered or an ignition angle. The intermediate required value (TQI_INT_SP_FAST) is determined depending on at least one operating variable of the internal combustion engine. The first control device is also designed in order to determine at least one correction value for the torque to be set quickly [lacuna] at least one operating variable. The first control device has a communications interface for communicating the intermediate required value (TQI_INT_SP_FAST) and the at least one correction value to a communications interface of the second control device.

Abstract: A control system for a low cost, light duty combustion engine, where the control system generally utilizes an engine speed input signal and independent operating sequences to determine a desired ignition timing. There are several independent operating sequences, each one of which is designed to optimally control the engine under certain conditions. These operating sequences include a Cranking sequence, a Warm Up sequence, a Normal Mode sequence, an Acceleration sequence, a Come Down sequence, a Recovery Bump sequence, and a Part Throttle sequence. During idling conditions, the Normal Mode sequence uses rapid changes in the ignition timing to maintain the engine speed in a small, idle engine speed range. By utilizing these operational sequences, the control system improves the performance of a low cost, light duty engine across a wide array of conditions.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a combustion engine and an electric propulsion system. The combustion engine includes a camshaft and a crankshaft. The control system improves NVH by deactivating the compression pulses during a cranking phase of the combustion engine. A first control module generates a minimum torque, a second control module generates an actual torque and a third control module generates a reference torque. A timing control module generates a timing control output based on the minimum torque, the actual torque and the reference torque. The minimum torque is based on an RPM of the combustion engine, a spark angle and an air per cylinder of the combustion engine. The actual torque is based on an RPM of the combustion engine, a spark angle and an air per cylinder. The reference torque is based on an output of a pedal position sensor.

Abstract: A throttle position corresponding to a R—R torque representing a torque in which a reserve torque is added to a required torque at MBT is computed. The throttle position is offset by an amount of a reserve torque in a torque increasing direction. An ignition retard amount for obtaining the required torque is computed based on a ration between the required torque and the R—R torque to cancel an increment in torque due to the offset of the throttle position. Because the offset amount of the ignition timing in the retard direction can be computed without an estimated torque which is determined based on the intake air flow rate including the leak air, it is restricted that the ignition retard amount becomes too large even if the large amount of leak air is generated at the throttle valve.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided, and has a throttle element mounted in the intake channel of the engine so as to be pivotable, via a throttle shaft, between an idling position and a full-load position. An abutment is fixedly connected with the throttle shaft. In the idling position, the abutment rests against a stop element that is fixed in position on the intake channel. The stop element is adjustable and establishes the idling position of the throttle element. The abutment forms, with the stop element, a switch that is actuated in the idling position of the throttle element.

Abstract: A torque correspondence value (e.g., estimated indicated torque) is determined. The degree of torque correspondence value variation in a plurality of previous cycles is digitized as a variation index value (e.g., locus length). If the variation index value is smaller than a predetermined first judgment value, the intake air amount of an internal combustion engine is corrected. If the variation index value is not smaller than the first judgment value, the ignition timing of the internal combustion engine is corrected. If the variation index value is not smaller than a second judgment value, which is greater than the first judgment value, the ignition timing and fuel injection amount of the internal combustion engine are both corrected.

Abstract: An engine system includes an engine, an alternator, a load, and a controller that communicates with the engine, the alternator, and the load. The controller signals the engine to drive the alternator when the engine idles. When a load increase on the engine is detected, the controller reduces an alternator load on the engine in response to the load increase. Air flow into the engine is adjusted to compensate for the load increase, and concurrently the alternator load is increased. When a load decrease is detected, the alternator load is increased, and the air flow is subsequently adjusted while decreasing the alternator load. In another embodiment, spark timing of the engine is adjusted to compensate for the load decrease.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine idle speed control system includes a first valve control mechanism that adjusts a first operating parameter of a first cylinder valve. A control module determines an idle speed error and generates a first control signal to the first valve control mechanism to adjust the first operating parameter. The first control signal is based on the idle speed error.

Abstract: An unstable idling state immediately after engine start is stabilized. The difference between a target idling engine speed corresponding to the cooling water temperature and an actual engine speed is integrated. The ignition timing is changed toward advance or retard while using a value obtained by multiplying the integration value of the engine speed difference with a gain, as an ignition timing changing amount. Immediately after engine start, the gain is made relatively large to rapidly increase engine speed. When the engine speed approaches the target engine speed, the gain is set to a smaller usual gain, and, in a change to the same advancing or retarding side, a change to an ignition timing in the same side is suppressed using a smaller advancing or retarding gain. In a throttle-off state, an ignition timing corresponding to the cooling water temperature is set to rapidly reduce engine speed.

Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine, which makes the engine speed increased rapidly at the engine starting, converge to a target engine speed by a feed-back retard control of an ignition time, is disclosed. In the control device, if the ignition time when the engine speed converges at the target engine speed is in the advance side than a target ignition time, the ignition time is retarded to the target ignition time and an amount of intake air is increased.

Abstract: An electronic control unit adjusts an electronic throttle valve to a starting opening in a cold start mode of an engine, then maintains the opening of the electronic throttle valve so that an engine rotational speed detected by a crank angle sensor increases to a target rotational speed, and increases the opening of the electronic throttle valve and retards an ignition timing if the engine rotational speed is increased above the target rotational speed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operation of an engine coupled to an exhaust treatment catalyst. Under predetermined conditions, the method operates an engine with a first group of cylinders combusting a lean air/fuel mixture and a second group of cylinders pumping air only (i.e., without fuel injection). In addition, the engine control method also provides the following features in combination with the above-described split air/lean mode: idle speed control, sensor diagnostics, air/fuel ratio control, adaptive learning, fuel vapor purging, catalyst temperature estimation, default operation, and exhaust gas and emission control device temperature control. In addition, the engine control method also changes to combusting in all cylinders under preselected operating conditions such as fuel vapor purging, manifold vacuum control, and purging of stored oxidants in an emission control device.

Abstract: A vacuum generator is provided wherein the intake vacuum of a combustion engine is led to a negative pressure device such as a vacuum booster of a brake booster device through a check valve. An idling air passage is connected to a suction pipe of the combustion engine to bypass a throttle valve arranged in the suction pipe. An ejector is arranged in the idling air passage at the downstream of an idle speed control valve in serial relation to the same, and the intake for idling is performed through the ejector. As the intake air flow passing through the idling air passage increases, the intake negative pressure which is generated at a vacuum takeout port of the ejector is further increased in absolute value, whereby the negative pressure device has a negative pressure which is further increased in absolute value.

Abstract: A method is presented for idle speed control of a lean burn spark ignition internal combustion engine using a fuel-based control strategy. In particular, the idle speed control strategy involves using a combination of fuel quantity or timing and ignition timing to achieve desired engine speed or torque while maintaining the air/fuel ratio more lean than prior art systems. Depending on engine operating conditions, the fuel quantity or timing is adjusted to give a more rich air/fuel ratio in order to respond to an engine speed or torque demand increase. Additionally, due to operation close to the lean misfire limit, the spark ignition timing is adjusted away from MBT in response to an engine speed or torque demand decrease. The advantages of this fuel based control system include better fuel economy as well as fast engine response time due to the use of fuel quantity or timing and ignition timing to control engine output.

Abstract: An idle speed control apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided which, when the internal combustion engine is started in a cold mode, provides ignition timing engine speed control (m1) such that ignition timing in which said ignition driving device performs ignition in the internal combustion engine is retarded and the engine speed of the internal combustion engine is controlled to the target engine speed, and then provides intake air quantity engine speed control (m2) such that the engine speed of the internal combustion engine is feedback-controlled to the target engine speed by controlling the intake air quantity of the internal combustion engine. As a result, it is possible to prevent the exhaust gas temperature from being increased insufficiently due to a deficiency in retard angle, and to prevent the activation of a catalytic converter from being delayed.

Abstract: The present invention relate to idle control in an internal combustion engine and particularly to the control of the air supply to the engine during engine idling. An engine control unit (ECU) monitors the operation of ancillary consumer units to calculate an engine demand depending at least partly on the operation of these units. The ECU also monitors the engine idling speed to determine if the expected engine demand can be met at this engine idling speed. When the engine demand exceeds that available at the idling speed, the ECU determines a desired degree of opening of an air inlet valve to meet the expected engine demand. The ECU is arranged first to open the air inlet valve to a position at which the steady state airflow would exceed that necessary to meet the expected engine demand, and then closes the air inlet valve towards the calculated desired opening.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operation of an engine coupled to an exhaust treatment catalyst. Under predetermined conditions, the method operates an engine with a first group of cylinders combusting a lean air/fuel mixture and a second group of cylinders pumping air only (i.e., without fuel injection). In addition, the engine control method also provides the following features in combination with the above-described split air/lean mode: idle speed control, sensor diagnostics, air/fuel ratio control, adaptive learning, fuel vapor purging, catalyst temperature estimation, default operation, and exhaust gas and emission control device temperature control. In addition, the engine control method also changes to combusting in all cylinders under preselected operating conditions such as fuel vapor purging, manifold vacuum control, and purging of stored oxidants in an emission control device.

Abstract: A method is presented for idle speed control of a lean burn spark ignition internal combustion engine using a fuel-based control strategy. In particular, the idle speed control strategy involves using a combination of fuel quantity or timing and ignition timing to achieve desired engine speed or torque while maintaining the air/fuel ratio more lean than prior art systems. Depending on engine operating conditions, the fuel quantity or timing is adjusted to give a more rich air/fuel ratio in order to respond to an engine speed or torque demand increase. Additionally, due to operation close to the lean misfire limit, the spark ignition timing is adjusted away from MBT in response to an engine speed or torque demand decrease. The advantages of this fuel based control system include better fuel economy as well as fast engine response time due to the use of fuel quantity or timing and ignition timing to control engine output.

Abstract: A system is described for determining degradation of an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine. This method utilizes a combination of parameters to accurately determine degradation of the exhaust gas recirculation system. For example, the system utilizes changes in intake manifold pressure, changes in idle speed control operation, changes in ignition timing, and fueling changes to accurately determine operation of the exhaust gas recirculation system.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1) is provided with a three-way catalytic converter (16) which purifies exhaust gas, a spark plug (6) which ignites a gaseous mixture and a throttle (11) which regulates an intake air flow rate. When the engine (1) is started, the ignition timing of the spark plug (6) is retarded based on the difference of the rotation speed Ne from a target idle rotation speed Net. If the engine rotation speed Ne is higher than the target idle rotation speed even after the ignition timing has reached a retard limit, the ignition timing is fixed to the retard limit and the intake air flow rate is reduced through the throttle (11), thereby forcing the engine rotation speed Ne to converge rapidly to the target idling rotation speed Net while maintaining the ignition timing at the retard limit to ensure rapid temperature increase in the converter (16).

Abstract: A control unit for engine startup includes a throttle valve, a bypass air quantity-regulating valve, an ignition coil, a bypass air quantity controller, an ignition timing feedback controller, and a multi-spark controller. The throttle valve is disposed in an intake passage of an engine to control intake air quantity. The bypass air quantity-regulating valve controls the air quantity in a bypass passage that bypasses the throttle valve. The ignition coil permits an ignition plug of a same cylinder of the engine to produce multi-sparking during one cycle. The bypass air quantity controller controls the bypass air quantity-regulating valve such that the engine speed is at a target engine speed. The ignition timing feedback controller performs feedback control for the ignition coil such that the ignition timing of the ignition plug is at a target ignition timing. The multi-spark controller controls the ignition coil such that the ignition plug performs multi-spark as necessary.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for regulating an internal cumbustion engine (1). Said system regulates the maximum combustion pressure by modifying the start of the injection process. The aim of the invention is to improve the operational reliability of the internal combustion engine (1). To this end, the invention provides that the maximum combustion pressure (pMAX(i)) is diagnosed by the detection of a freak value. This then determines a first or second mode and sets a diagnosis value depending on the modi. The invention also provides that the output of the injection start regulator is limited by a limiting mechanism.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and apparatus for controlling the idle speed of an engine that provides uniform control efficiency and rapid control response. An embodiment of the invention activates the ignition system based on a target ignition timing, which corresponds to a target torque ratio and is found using a predetermined relationship between ignition timing and torque ratio. The target torque ratio is calculated based on engine speed and engine load.

Abstract: An unstable idling state immediately after engine start is stabilized.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided, and has a throttle element mounted in the intake channel of the engine so as to be pivotable, via a throttle shaft, between an idling position and a full-load position. An abutment is fixedly connected with the throttle shaft. In the idling position, the abutment rests against a stop element that is fixed in position on the intake channel. The stop element is adjustable and establishes the idling position of the throttle element. The abutment forms, with the stop element, a switch that is actuated in the idling position of the throttle element.

Abstract: An engine system includes an engine, an alternator, a load, and a controller that communicates with the engine, the alternator, and the load. The controller signals the engine to drive the alternator when the engine idles. When a load increase on the engine is detected, the controller reduces an alternator load on the engine in response to the load increase. Air flow into the engine is adjusted to compensate for the load increase, and concurrently the alternator load is increased. When a load decrease is detected, the alternator load is increased, and the air flow is subsequently adjusted while decreasing the alternator load. In another embodiment, spark timing of the engine is adjusted to compensate for the load decrease.