Patent ID: 8113166

Claim:
An auto choke device for an engine, the auto choke device comprising: a starter motor configured to start the engine; a choke valve configured to vary an opening of an intake passage of the engine; an actuator arranged to move the choke valve to vary the opening of the intake passage; and a controller programmed to control the actuator to move the choke valve to fully closed position regardless of the temperature of the engine such that the choke valve is always in the fully closed position when the starter motor is first activated, to then start opening the choke valve from the fully closed position upon the activation of the starter motor, and to then continue to open the choke valve at a desired valve opening speed until the choke valve achieves a predetermined start opening position based at least on the temperature of the engine; wherein the controller is programmed to control the actuator to hold the choke valve at a midway opening position during its opening motion when an engine speed is below a desired start rotational speed, and to control the actuator to move the choke valve from the midway opening position toward the predetermined start opening position when the engine speed has reached or surpassed the desired start rotational speed.