METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR STARTING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
A system for starting an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a crankshaft is introduced. An electric turning machine (ETM) is co-axially mounted to the crankshaft. The crankshaft is rotated using a recoil starter for starting the ICE. A position sensor detects the rotation of the crankshaft. While the crankshaft is rotating, an engine control unit (ECU) operatively connected to the position sensor controls a delivery of electric power from a power source to the ETM for starting the ICE. An ICE integrating the system for starting the ICE and the crankshaft with a cylinder, a cylinder head connected to the cylinder, and a piston connected to the crankshaft and disposed in the cylinder to define a variable volume combustion chamber between the piston and the cylinder head is also disclosed.
1 . A system for starting an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a crankshaft, the system comprising:
an electric turning machine (ETM) adapted for being co-axially mounted to the crankshaft;
a recoil starter adapted for causing a rotation of the crankshaft for starting the ICE;
a power source;
a position sensor adapted for detecting a rotation of the crankshaft; and
an engine control unit (ECU) operatively connected to the position sensor and adapted for controlling a delivery of electric power from the power source to the ETM for starting the ICE when the position sensor indicates that the crankshaft is rotating.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ECU is adapted for controlling a delivery of electric power from the ETM for charging the power source while the ICE is operating.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the ECU is adapted for initiating the delivery of electric power from the ETM to the power source when the position sensor indicates that a revolution speed of the crankshaft meets or exceeds a minimal revolution threshold.
4 . The system of claim 2 , further comprising:
a voltage sensor operatively connected to the ECU and adapted for measuring of voltage of the ETM;
wherein the ECU is adapted for initiating the delivery of electric power from the ETM to the power source when the voltage of the ETM meets or exceeds a voltage generation threshold.
5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a voltage sensor operatively connected to the ECU and adapted for measuring of voltage of the power source;
wherein the ECU is adapted for preventing the delivery of electric power from the power source to the ETM is the voltage of the power source is below an assisted start voltage threshold.
6 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a display, the display being operatively connected to the ECU;
wherein the ECU is adapted for:
stopping the ICE:
causing the display to provide a manual start indication if the voltage of the power source is below the assisted start voltage threshold;
causing the display to provide an assisted start indication if the voltage of the power source meets or exceeds the assisted start voltage threshold and if the voltage of the power source is below an electric start voltage threshold; and
causing the display to provide an electric start indication if the voltage of the power source meets or exceeds the electric start voltage threshold.
7 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a sensor operatively connected to the ECU and adapted for measuring an air temperature;
wherein ECU is adapted for preventing the delivery of electric power from the power source to the ETM if the air temperature is below a minimum air temperature.
8 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a sensor operatively connected to the ECU and adapted for measuring a temperature of the ECU;
wherein the ECU is adapted for preventing the delivery of electric power from the power source to the ETM if the temperature of the ECU is below a minimum temperature for the ECU.
9 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a timer operatively connected to the ECU and adapted for measuring a time duration for the delivery of electric power to the ETM;
wherein the ECU is adapted for terminating the delivery of electric power from the power source to the ETM after a maximum time duration for the delivery of electric power to the ETM.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the power source is selected from a battery and a capacitance.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ETM is adapted for operating as a starter and as a generator.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the ETM is adapted for delivering electric power to an accessory.
13 . The system of claim 12 , further comprising a voltage converter adapted for converting a voltage generated by the generator to an accessory voltage.
14 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ECU is implemented on a single processor.
15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ECU is implemented on a single module, the module comprising:
a first processor adapted for controlling a delivery of electric power from the ETM to the power source and for controlling the delivery of electric power from the power source to the ETM; and
a second processor adapted for controlling a fuel injection function and an ignition function of the ICE.
16 . An internal combustion engine (ICE) comprising:
a crankshaft;
the system of claim 1 ;
a cylinder;
a cylinder head connected to the cylinder; and
a piston operatively connected to the crankshaft and disposed in the cylinder, the cylinder, the cylinder head and the piston defining a variable volume combustion chamber therebetween.
17 . The ICE of claim 16 , further comprising:
a fuel injector operatively connected to the ECU; and
an ignition system operatively connected to the ECU;
wherein the ECU is adapted for causing the fuel injector to inject fuel in the combustion chamber as the piston moves toward its top dead center (TDC) position and for causing the ignition system to ignite the fuel in the combustion chamber as the piston moves beyond from its TDC position.