METHOD OF STARTING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

摘要

A method is disclosed for starting an internal combustion engine having a compressed air supply. The engine is provided with cam actuated poppet valves adapted to operate selectively with a first valve timing schedule that causes the engine to act as a compressed air driven motor and with a second schedule that causes the engine to perform as an internal combustion engine. In the invention, prior to each engine shut down, the engine is operated with the first valve timing schedule for a short period of time with the fuel supply discontinued, and during subsequent restarting of the engine, the engine is operated with the first valve timing schedule and connected to the compressed air supply to crank the engine. On reaching a desired cranking speed, the compressed air supply is disconnected switching the valve timing is switched to the second schedule and normal engine aspiration and fuelling are resumed.