Engine control system for intake valve opening timing during cold start

An engine comprising:

• an intake valve delay system;
• an electric heater configured to increase a temperature of intake air within the engine;
• and
• at least one controller in communication with the engine and the electric heater, the at least one controller being configured to:
• monitor a first value of one or more parameters regarding operation of the engine;
• determine that the engine is expected to fail to start or be slow to start based on the first values of the one or more parameters;
• initiate, in response to determining that the engine is expected to fail to start or be slow to start, at least one of delaying opening of an intake valve by the intake valve delay system or turning on the electric heater;
• detect a temperature value of the one or more parameters associated with the engine subsequent to the first values;
• compare the temperature value to a temperature threshold;
• and
• responsive to the temperature value exceeding the temperature threshold, disengage one of the intake valve delay system or the electric heater while maintaining the engagement of the other of the intake valve delay system or the electric heater.

A method of emissions reduction for cold start engine operation, the method comprising:

• detecting a first temperature value associated with an engine at a starting of the engine;
• comparing the first temperature value to a first temperature threshold;
• responsive to the first temperature threshold exceeding the first temperature value:
• engaging an intake valve delay system to delay opening of an intake valve;
• and
• engaging an electric heater;
• detecting a second temperature value associated with the engine subsequent to the first temperature value;
• comparing the second temperature value to a second temperature threshold, greater than the first temperature threshold;
• and
• responsive to the second temperature value exceeding the second temperature threshold, disengaging one of the intake valve delay system or the electric heater while maintaining the engagement of the other of the intake valve delay system or the electric heater.