Abstract: A detection apparatus for detecting a cam angle of a 4-stroke multi-cylinder engine in which explosion intervals are unequal intervals, includes a detection target member configured to rotate in synchronism with a camshaft, and first and second cam angle sensors configured to detect rotation of the detection target member. The detection target member includes a plurality of first detection target portions arranged, at equal pitches, as many as the number of cylinders of the multi-cylinder engine. The second cam angle sensor is arranged while being shifted in the rotation direction with respect to the first cam angle sensor such that any one of detection signals of the plurality of first detection target portions by the first cam angle sensor and the second cam angle sensor is output at a timing corresponding to each explosion interval.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a method of maintaining an engine speed below a first threshold, includes: (a) determining an engine speed; (b) comparing the engine speed to a second threshold that is less than the first threshold; (c) allowing an engine ignition event to occur during a subsequent engine cycle if the engine speed is less than the second threshold; and (d) skipping at least one subsequent engine ignition event if the engine speed is greater than the second threshold. In at least some implementations, the second threshold is less than the first threshold by a maximum acceleration of the engine after one ignition event so that an ignition event when the engine speed is less than the second threshold does not cause the engine speed to increase above the first threshold.

Abstract: Method of preheating and controlling the temperature of fuel injected into a combustion engine to enable a reduction in the amount of fuel injected into engines which may be powered both by pure gasoline and by ethanol or any biofuel mixture, where the engine is located in environments with low temperatures and extremely cold temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention has: a crank angle sensor 4 that outputs a crank angle signal in response to rotation of a crankshaft 2, the crank angle signal being preset to indicate reference positions; a cam sensor 5 that outputs cam signal pulses in response to rotation of an intake camshaft 3 for opening and closing an engine valve; an electric motor 6 that relatively rotates intake camshaft 3 with respect to crankshaft 2, so that electric motor 6 can change a rotational phase angle of intake camshaft 3 with respect to crankshaft 2; and an electronic control unit 7 that computes an actual rotational phase angle of intake camshaft 3 based on a first cam signal pulse detected after start of cranking and a first reference position of the crank signal detected thereafter, to calculate an absolute position of a variable valve timing mechanism 14.

Abstract: Disclosed is an engine starting control method for a flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) of supplying the heated fuel to the engine by heating an injector heater during cranking when it is determined that cranking condition and fuel heating condition are satisfied at the time of starting the vehicle having a starting auxiliary device for cranking the engine of FFV and a device for heating the fuel using the injector heater provided in an injector, wherein a pre-injection is auxiliary performed prior to a main injection during cold starting of the engine when the heating time of the injector heater exceeds a predetermined value, allowing stable starting with low fuel consumption at a time of cold starting an engine using ethanol fuel in winter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a control device for operating an internal combustion engine of a portable work device, said method having the following method steps: a) storing a starting ignition curve for specifying an ignition time after a startup time of the internal combustion engine and an operating ignition curve for specifying the ignition time in a speed range assigned to the nominal operation of the internal combustion engine, b) reading the current engine speed, c) reading at least one time value which indicates the time that has elapsed since a reference time, wherein the reference time can relate to the startup time of the internal combustion engine, and d) determining and/or initiating a switchover process from the starting ignition curve to the operating ignition curve on the basis of the current engine speed and the time value.

Abstract: A method for improving starting of an engine that may be automatically started is provided. In one example, spark timing of an automatically started engine is in advance of spark timing for an operator requested engine start. The approach may reduce vehicle driveline disturbances.

Abstract: Even when an engine is started in various combustion states, an excessive increase in engine speed at the start of the engine is suppressed without an influence of the combustion states and with an excellent responsiveness. Ignition timing (or a combustion injection amount) at the start of an internal combustion engine is corrected in accordance with a crank angle cycle ratio which is a ratio of a combustion period crank angle cycle and a reference crank angle cycle.

Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine which, at cold starting, enables an ignition timing retard control for warm-up of a catalyst device and a speed feedback control by means of ignition timing for converging an engine speed to a target speed includes a function for comparing a final ignition timing with a retard lower limit value, and a function for changing the target speed based upon the result of the comparing. When the final ignition timing reaches the retard lower limit value, the target speed is increased by a predetermined speed and when a difference between the final ignition timing and the retard lower limit value exceeds a predetermined angle on an advance side, the target speed is decreased by a predetermined speed. In this way, at cold starting, the engine speed is early converged to the target speed while restricting rotational variations and early warm-up of a catalyst device can be certainly realized.

Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine which, at cold starting, enables an ignition timing retard control for warm-up of a catalyst device and a speed feedback control by means of ignition timing for converging an engine speed to a target speed includes a function for comparing a final ignition timing with a retard lower limit value, and a function for changing the target speed based upon the result of the comparing. When the final ignition timing reaches the retard lower limit value, the target speed is increased by a predetermined speed and when a difference between the final ignition timing and the retard lower limit value exceeds a predetermined angle on an advance side, the target speed is decreased by a predetermined speed. In this way, at cold starting, the engine speed is early converged to the target speed while restricting rotational variations and early warm-up of a catalyst device can be certainly realized.

Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle that omits a main switch without requiring a special operation to start the engine when battery power is supplied to engine-related electrical components. An electrical circuit has a pickup sensor that detects that the engine is in a start preparation state. An ECU connects an ignition coil, injector and fuel pump with the battery when the start preparation state is detected.

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: A fixed ignition mode in which ignition timing is fixed to a predetermined timing is selected when an engine speed is low. When in the fixed ignition mode, it is determined whether the engine is in a high temperature state or in a non-high temperature state and whether during or after a start-up of the engine. Then, the ignition timing is fixed to a first crank angle when the engine is in the non-high temperature state, and fixed to a second crank angle retarded from the first crank angle when the engine is in the high temperature state and during the start-up. The ignition timing is fixed to a third crank angle advanced from the second crank angle when the engine is in the high temperature state and that the start-up has been completed.

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 method and system for controlling a light-duty combustion engine and, more particularly, a method and system that use an engine speed governor to limit the engine speed to a level that is less than a clutch-in speed of a centrifugal clutch. If it is determined that an operator is attempting to throttle or accelerate the engine, the engine speed governor is disengaged so that normal operation can commence.

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 ignition system of an internal combustion engine having a primary firing pulse generator for charging a capacitor. An electronic switch is included for discharging the capacitor via an ignition coil to generate an ignition voltage. A microcomputer operates the switch to control the ignition timing of the generator. The microcomputer is in communication with a speed sensor that detects the rotational speed of the engine and a speed limitation control that limits the engine speed to a limitation speed below the clutch-in speed of an included centrifugal clutch. The speed limitation control is active or activated when one of either starting the engine or an operating problem of the power tool is detected. The speed limitation control is deactivated when a low speed state of the engine is detected.

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: 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: 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: An ECU executes a determination process determining whether the rate of increase in the engine speed is above a prescribed rate immediately after the engine start, and if so, delays the ignition timing.

Abstract: An invention that judges whether an engine is being cranked by a starter based on the conditions that a prior cranking control has ended, the engine rotates at or less than a limit rotation velocity leading to an engine stall, and a battery voltage falls to or below a predetermined value. When such conditions are met, then engine cranking control is started. The engine can be shifted to the cranking control without an input signal from a starter switch and the engine can be promptly cranked.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine to produce an electrical spark at a spark ignition device. The ignition apparatus includes triggering circuitry having a processor with stored timing data. The processor receives a signal indicative of the rotational position of the magnet and generates a triggering signal. The triggering circuitry switches between a first mode wherein the triggering signal occurs at a fixed time relative to top dead center and a second mode wherein the triggering signal occurs at a variable time relative to top dead center based on the stored timing data.

Abstract: An ECU executes a determination process determining whether the rate of increase in the engine speed is above a prescribed rate immediately after the engine start, and if so, delays the ignition timing.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling an output variable of a drive unit in the starting phase is described. A controller is provided, regulating the actual value of at least one output variable to a setpoint variable of this output variable which is specified as a function of time. When at least one condition marking entry into the starting phase exists, the setpoint value of the output variable is initialized with the actual value of the output variable.

Abstract: For the purpose of precisely controlling a power supply to the glow plug and thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption, and stopping a control logic for a time when a battery voltage is low and thereby preventing a engine stall, the present invention provides a method for dividing an engine starting step into a cranking step and an idling step, controlling power supplied to the glow plug, and operating the glow plug even after successfully entering into a running state in the case of entering into an abnormal engine state based on an amount of injected fuel, an engine speed and a coolant temperature, and thereby controlling the glow plug from before the engine starts through after it is running.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine to produce an electrical spark at a spark ignition device. The ignition apparatus includes triggering circuitry having a processor with stored timing data. The processor receives a signal indicative of the rotational position of the magnet and generates a triggering signal. The triggering circuitry switches between a first mode wherein the triggering signal occurs at a fixed time relative to top dead center and a second mode wherein the triggering signal occurs at a variable time relative to top dead center based on the stored timing data.

Abstract: An ignition-timing controlling apparatus for an internal combustion controls a basic ignition timing during cranking of the engine so as to correctively shift the basic ignition timing toward a retard angle side when the number of times of ignitions occurring in the combustion chamber of the engine are detected to have reached a predetermined number of times after the start of cranking operation. The amount of corrective shifting of the basic ignition timing toward the retard angle side is set by the ignition-timing controlling apparatus, on the basis of a temperature rise in the combustion chamber that is estimated by the detection of the number of times of ignitions.

Abstract: An invention that judges whether an engine is being cranked by a starter based on the conditions that a prior cranking control has ended, the engine rotates at or less than a limit rotation velocity leading to an engine stall, and a battery voltage falls to or below a predetermined value. When such conditions are met, then engine cranking control is started. The engine can be shifted to the cranking control without an input signal from a starter switch and the engine can be promptly cranked.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling ignition timing during startup of a two-stroke internal combustion engine while avoiding ignition timing errors caused by engine speed fluctuations. A rotational component of the engine, such as a flywheel, bears a plurality of spaced indicator markers including a plurality of ignition triggering markers, each of which designates a position on the rotational component that is acceptable for triggering ignition in a respective cylinder of the engine. Ignition in each cylinder is triggered upon detecting the associated ignition triggering marker and without taking engine velocity into account. Ignition timing errors that could otherwise be introduced due to erroneous assumptions based on engine speed therefore are avoided.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided which performs intake air flow control for controlling an engine speed to a target engine speed during starting of the engine, by adjusting a throttle opening depending upon the engine speed. The control apparatus judges a degree of deterioration of a combustion state in the engine, based on a difference between a predetermined reference peak engine speed and an actual peak engine speed, and switches from the intake air flow control to ignition timing control for controlling the engine speed when the engine operates in a poor combustion state, at a point of time that is determined based on the degree of deterioration of the combustion state.

Abstract: An engine ignition timing control system for outboard motor having a propeller connected to the engine to be rotated and mounted on a boat such that the boat is propelled forward or backward. The engine is equipped with a decompression mechanism and is started by a recoil starter. In the system, at the time of engine starting, the ignition timing is set to a predetermined crank angle until the detected engine speed exceeds a first prescribed engine speed, while it is set to a value obtained by retrieving a table by at least the detected engine speed after the detected engine speed exceeds the first prescribed engine speed. And, the ignition timing is advanced until the detected engine speed is equal to or greater than a second prescribed value and is then returned to the retrieved value. With this, the engine speed can be reliably increased at starting, without need for a throttle opener or air-fuel ratio enrichment, thereby enhancing engine starting performance.