Abstract: A system for controlling a starter for starting a power source includes an air starter relay valve fluidly connected between an air tank and the starter. The air starter relay valve is configured to control an amount of air supplied to the starter from the air tank. The system also includes a control device connected to the air starter relay valve and configured to control the air starter relay valve. The system further includes a fuel valve interlock fluidly connected to a source of fuel via a fuel line. The fuel valve interlock is configured to open based on a pressure in the fuel line and configured to send a signal to the control device for controlling the air starter relay valve when the fuel valve interlock is opened.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus including a compressed air energy storage system that includes an ambient air intake configured to intake a quantity of ambient air for storage in a compressed air storage volume, a compression system having a compression path that is configured to convey air compressed by the compression system through the compression system, a first path configured to convey ambient air to the compression system, a second path proceeding from the compression system to the compressed air storage volume and configured to convey compressed air to the compressed air storage volume, and a dehumidifying system. The dehumidifying system is coupleable to at least one of the first path that proceeds from the ambient air intake to the compression system, the compression path, and the second path. The dehumidifying system includes a dehumidifying component configured to remove moisture from the ambient air and/or the compressed air.

Abstract: A vehicle control system is programmed to stop the vehicle's internal combustion engine upon certain conditions including the vehicle being stopped and engine temperature having reached a minimum operating level. On vehicles equipped with air brakes and having an engine driven air compressor, engine restarts are provided by an air pressure supported hydraulic motor once triggered by operator actions such as releasing the brake and/or depressing the vehicle's accelerator indicative of the driver's intention to move the vehicle.

Abstract: An automotive starting system includes an accumulator, a hydraulic motor, and an engine controller. The accumulator is adapted for holding a charge of pressurized fluid. The hydraulic motor has a fluid input operatively connected to the accumulator and has an output shaft operatively connected to an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle. The engine controller shuts off the engine if an idle engine condition exists and restarts the engine using the hydraulic motor following an idle engine shut-off if a predetermined engine-start condition exists. A method for starting an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle includes having the engine controller shut off the engine if an idle engine condition exists and thereafter having the engine controller restart the engine using the hydraulic motor if a predetermined engine-start condition exists.

Abstract: A system and method for starting an engine having a crankshaft is provided. Pressurized fluid is stored in an accumulator. A flow of pressurized fluid is released from the accumulator. The flow of pressurized fluid released from the accumulator is directed to a pump that is operatively engaged with the crankshaft of the engine. The flow of pressurized fluid drives the pump to generate a rotation of the crankshaft and thereby start the engine.

Abstract: A power plant for generating electric power and pneumatic pressure includes an internal combustion engine, an electrical generator, and a compressor and pneumatic supply tanks. Both the electrical generator and the compressor are driven by the engine, however, the engine drive is so coupled and controlled that the engine drives the generator as its primary load, and the compressor as its secondary load and apportions the engine power between these units according to need. When the generator uses all the engine power, pneumatic power is supplied by the pneumatic supply tanks, permitting a smaller than normal drive engine. A quick start and quick kill mechanism is provided for the engine by using the air supply from the pneumatic supply tank and an air motor, and a time delay shut down relay when no power is being used. Also the generator can be used as an electric drive motor for the compressor in place of the internal combustion engine, where 110 volt power is available on the job site.

Abstract: A fluidic starter for turbines using a flow limiter (20) and a mechanical valve (32) that is maintained closed until an operator moves a handle to provide fluid which has passed through the flow limiter to a starter motor (16) mechanically connected to the turbine. The handle is latched so the valve is open until the turbine is started then the handle is unlatched and the valve closes.

Abstract: In order to avoid the necessity of a conventional electric starter motor a hydrostatic starting system for the engine of a motor vehicle is proposed for the engine whose output shaft is connected with a hydromechanical power transmission, composed of a mechanical part and at least two hydrostatic machines. The starter system comprises its own hydraulic accumulator which as regards its filling capacity and power output is designed for starting the engine at least once and a controller which responds to certain halt and operational states of the vehicle. The charging of the hydraulic accumulator takes place during braking of the vehicle via the hydrostatic machines of the power transmission or, if there is insufficient brake power, of an auxiliary device.

Abstract: A compressed air starting device includes a starter with a starter motor operated at least indirectly from a pneumatic pressure reservoir and a meshing unit controlled by a signal input. A main valve is provided in the supply line between the pressure reservoir and the starter motor and a signal connection is provided between the meshing unit and the main valve. The compressed air starting device includes a control device with a sensor input for the pressure level in the pressure reservoir, a signal output connected to the signal input of the starter, a signal input for introducing the starter signal as well as an input for supplying the auxiliary energy required for generating signals. The auxiliary energy may be compressed air taken from the pressure reservoir. Electrical, mechanical or hydraulic energy can also be used as the auxiliary energy.

Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine which includes a lobed combustion rotor and a similar compression rotor on a common shaft and firing chambers external to the combustion and compression cavities. The compression rotor compresses excess amounts of air during normal operation which is stored in a tank. During operation, the rotational speed of the engine shaft and the position of an accelerator are sensed. The engine may be run in a non-idle mode by inhibiting the flow of fuel and air to the firing chambers and inhibiting the spark plugs when an idle speed accelerator position and an idle engine speed are sensed, to shut down the engine. When the accelerator is afterwards pressed, the engine is restarted by valving stored compressed air to the combustion cavity to cause the combustion rotor to turn.

Abstract: A starter for internal combustion engines comprising a driving shaft to be driven by the air motor, a main valve for controlling the flow of compressed air to the air motor, and an air piston to advance the driving shaft to a position for starting the engine. Before feeding compressed air through the main valve to the air motor, a branched stream of compressed air is fed through a sub-valve to the air motor to rotate it at low speed and also to the main valve and the air piston to actuate them.

Abstract: A heat engine with a compressor, an external combustion chamber from which combustion gases pass through suitable valving to an expander, an air compressor, a heat exchanger where exhaust gases from the expander preheat compressed air which then flows to the combustion chamber, and an accumulator for storing unneeded compressed air from the compressor. The system also has the capability of regenerative braking, i.e. slowing of the engine by employing it as a compressor to compress air which is passed to the accumulator.

Abstract: A diesel internal combustion engine in which during the starting and partial load operation, a number of the cylinders are operated as compressor cylinders and a number as engine cylinders. The supplied charging air of one compressor cylinder (26) is used as actuating medium for the valves (35 to 42) which are to be controlled corresponding to the operating condition of the internal combustion engine, in the connecting lines (27 to 34) between the compressor cylinders (19 to 26) and the engine cylinders (11 to 18) in the absence of a compressed air network. As a result thereof, auxiliary energy of the internal combustion engine (10) is needed only for the initiating control and a rapid shifting of the operating conditions is attained with minimum expenditures.

Abstract: A system for obviating chance damage in starting a diesel engine due, for example, to hydraulic lock utilizes a two step starting cycle and includes means for applying power to initiate and maintain a drive of the engine for starting thereof and associated controls rendered operative on a drive of the engine to sense the speed of crankshaft rotation and interrupt said application of power in response to a pre-set speed thereof which is substantially less than that required to start the engine to induce thereby a reduction of said speed and in response to such reduction a reapplication of said power. A portion of said controls is conditioned to automatically respond to a predetermined extent of rotation of the engine crankshaft to nullify ability of the controls to thereafter functionally interfere with the engine drive, whereupon there is an increase in the speed of crankshaft rotation to a level sufficient to induce a starting of the engine and its normal operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a compressed air starter including pneumatically operating starting valves for diesel engines, wherein one main starting valve is connected to the cylinder head of the engine and is provided with a valve body, which co-operates with a valve seat in order to alternately open and close an inlet opening for compressed air to one cylinder, whereby during the start up of the engine, starting air (compressed air) continuously is supplied to the main starting valve, said valve body including one servo piston, which is controlled by servo air from a supply of servo air, which servo air acts on the servo piston during moments related to the working phase of the engine.The invention simplifies the pipe arrangement for the compressed air in a diesel engine with several cylinders where there is usually arranged a main distributor for distributing the servo or pilot air, which controls the starting valves.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder diesel internal combustion engine with a supercharger and a charging air starting arrangement which includes a starting air reservoir and a starting air distributor. An additional air reservoir is provided for storing a quantity of supplemental charging air with the additional air reservoir being selectively communicated with air inlet valves during at least an acceleration and/or sudden loading of the engine.