Patent ID: 9032927
Filing Date: 2015-05-19
Classification: F01B,F02B,F02D,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A method of operating an opposed-piston engine with one or more cylinders, in which each cylinder has a piston-controlled exhaust port coupled to an exhaust subsystem and a piston-controlled intake port coupled to a charge air subsystem, a pair of pistons disposed for opposing movement in a bore of the cylinder, and one or more fuel injectors disposed for injecting fuel into the cylinder, the method comprising: receiving a signal to start the engine; detecting a cold-start condition, followed by: before fuel is injected, limiting charge air flow through the cylinder and heating air retained in the cylinder by cranking the engine; in which limiting charge air flow through the cylinder includes either the step of reducing or blocking gas flow through the exhaust subsystem and the charge air subsystem, or the steps of reducing or blocking gas flow through the exhaust subsystem and providing charge air to the cylinder at a target boost pressure; and then, injecting fuel into a combustion space between opposing end surfaces of pistons in the cylinder according to a cold-start schedule; providing a progressively increasing flow of charge air through the cylinder until an engine idling state is reached; and, injecting fuel into the combustion space according to an idling schedule.