The vehicles have undergone both dynamometer and on-road testing the test results show somewhat conflicting data. These vehicles were chosen to represent three types of systems: (1) spark ignition with 12-V belt alternator starter (2) compression ignition with 12-V belt alternator starter and (3) direct-injection spark ignition, with 12-V belt alternator starter/combustion restart. more » As part of the United States Department of Energy’s Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity, ECOtality North America has tested the real-world effect of IS systems on fuel consumption in three vehicle models imported from Europe. In contrast, currently there are only three non-hybrid vehicle models for sale in North America with IS systems and these models are distinctly low-volume models. IS systems are a low-cost and fast-growing technology in the industry-wide pursuit of increased vehicle efficiency, possibly becoming standard features in European vehicles in the near future.

This capability reduces fuel consumption and emissions during periods when the engine is not being utilized to provide propulsion or to power accessories. Vehicles equipped with idle-stop (IS) systems are capable of engine shut down when the vehicle is stopped and rapid engine re-start for the vehicle launch. The engine may stop whenever the accelerator is released for fuel economy during idling with assured restarting on demand. The invention provides an assured starting transition to normal operation with simple more » apparatus and a low input of energy. As the engine advances into phases of normal operation, the reactants having negligible activation energy are injected into a working fluid at optimal compression for efficient conversion to mechanical energy which is transmitted to a load. Starting comprises injecting the reactants in a contacting relationship into the combustion chamber which is stopped in an expansion phase whereby ignition must occur to rapidly evolve the hot gas and force the engine to advance. An internal combustion engine is stopped in an expansion phase where it may remain for a time which is sufficient to approach equilibrium at ambient temperature and pressure in a combustion chamber.

The invention includes reactants which have negligible activation energy, such as an alkali metal with water, and thus react upon contact to evolve a hot gas. In a typical starting process, a separate starter motor turns the engine through several full cycles so that a compressed mixture of the reactants will ignite.

Conventional reactants, such as hydrocarbons or hydrogen with air, which are used by most internal combustion engines have substantial activation energies which limit conditions under which the engines will start and operate.

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