Abstract: A vapor separator includes a fuel pump, and a container at least partially defining a fuel reservoir to hold fuel and a pump chamber to hold the fuel pump. A closure is carried by the container to close the fuel reservoir and at least partially defines a vapor chamber above a level of fuel in the fuel reservoir and in fluid communication with the pump chamber. A vapor vent device is carried by the closure to allow fuel vapor to vent out of the vapor separator from the vapor chamber and prevent liquid fuel from flowing therethrough when the vapor separator is declined.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor for determining the rotary position of a rotary component may include a sensor and a magnet. The sensor may be responsive to a characteristic of a magnetic field that changes as the magnetic field moves. The magnet may be carried by the rotary component for rotation with the rotary component and have an anti-rotation feature to prevent rotation of the magnet relative to the rotary component to maintain a desired rotary position of the magnet.

Abstract: A fuel system for a carburetor that supports operation of an engine includes a body with a bore, a fuel source communicated with the bore and from which fuel is supplied to the bore for delivery to the engine, a drain unit and a control. The drain unit is communicated with the fuel source to selectively receive fuel from the fuel source and has a fuel chamber and an actuator operable to vary the volume of the fuel chamber. The control is communicated with the actuator to permit fuel flow from the fuel source to the fuel chamber when the engine is shut down and to cause fuel to flow from the fuel chamber to the fuel source prior to starting the engine.

Abstract: A valve is used with a carburetor, and the carburetor therefor. The valve has a throttle valve and an air valve. The air valve defines an air bore and has a baffle disposed within the air bore. The baffle separates one section of the air bore from another section, and impedes airflow through the air bore during at least some positions of the air valve.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a light-duty combustion engine and, more particularly, a method and system that use an engine speed governor to limit the engine speed to a level that is less than a clutch-in speed of a centrifugal clutch. If it is determined that an operator is attempting to throttle or accelerate the engine, the engine speed governor is disengaged so that normal operation can commence.

Abstract: According to one implementation, a carburetor includes an intake bore, a throttle valve, a main fuel nozzle, an accelerator device and a fuel passage. The throttle valve is movable between an idle and wide open positions and includes a shaft rotatably supported around an axial line extending across the intake bore. The accelerator device may be operable to increase an amount of fuel that flows through the main fuel nozzle when the throttle valve is moved toward its wide open position, and may include a fuel reservoir constructed and arranged to store fuel. The fuel passage communicates with the main fuel nozzle and the fuel reservoir is provided upstream of the main fuel nozzle such that fuel flows through the fuel reservoir before being delivered to the main fuel nozzle.

Abstract: A charge forming device may include a body having a fuel and air mixing passage, a throttle valve and choke valve moveable between first and second positions to control at least in part the fluid flow in the fuel and air mixing passage, and throttle and choke control members associated with the throttle and choke valves, respectively. The choke control member may also be associated with an engine starting system so that the choke valve is moved to its second position upon actuation of the starting system. The choke control member is selectively associated with the throttle control member to hold the choke control member in a position spaced from its first position. In this manner, the throttle valve and choke valve may be automatically positioned in a desired position for starting of the engine upon actuation of the engine starting system.

Abstract: A priming and purging fuel system for an internal combustion engine purges a diaphragm carburetor of the engine of stale liquid fuel and accumulated fuel vapor and air while simultaneously priming the carburetor and/or engine with liquid fuel for starting. A start pump of the fuel system supplies at least liquid fuel to a priming circuit and preferably at least fuel vapor and air to a purging circuit of the fuel system. The priming circuit delivers the priming fuel to the engine via a conduit that leads to an isolation chamber located between an inlet jet and preferably an outlet jet. The cross sectional flow area of the jets are appropriately sized to flow a needed amount of priming fuel to the carburetor and/or engine for starting without flooding the engine. The combination of the enlarged isolation chamber and jets, at least substantially prevents fuel dribble from the priming circuit and into the engine while running.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a light-duty combustion engine and, more particularly, a method and system that use an engine speed governor to limit the engine speed to a level that is less than a clutch-in speed of a centrifugal clutch. If it is determined that an operator is attempting to throttle or accelerate the engine, the engine speed governor is disengaged so that normal operation can commence.

Abstract: A recoil starter for an internal combustion engine has a housing with a pulley carried at least in part for rotation therein. The pulley is arranged in operable communication with a crankshaft of the engine. A pull cord is wound about the pulley with one end of the cord being arranged to be pulled by a user to rotate the pulley. An actuator is carried for rotation in response to rotation of the pulley. A pump is arranged for actuation in response to rotation of the actuator to provide fresh liquid fuel to a carburetor and remove fuel vapor and stale fuel from the carburetor and deliver it to a fuel tank prior to starting the engine.

Abstract: A method, fuel system, and components for facilitating the delivery of liquid fuel from a fuel tank in fluid communication with a float bowl carburetor of an internal combustion engine, wherein evaporative emissions of the fuel from the fuel tank and float bowl carburetor are mitigated. During operation of the engine, fluid communication is permitted between the fuel tank and the carburetor, and fuel vapors at a predetermined threshold superatmospheric pressure are permitted to vent outwardly from the fuel tank. During inoperation of the engine, fluid communication is prevented between the fuel tank and the carburetor, and fuel vapors at a predetermined threshold superatmospheric pressure are permitted to vent outwardly from the fuel tank.

Abstract: A scavenging valve assembly is used in a carburetor. The valve assembly includes a throttle valve and a rotary air valve. The throttle valve opens and closes an air-fuel passage. The rotary air valve opens and closes an air passage and has one or more air bore(s). When the rotary air valve begins to rotate, airflow travels through the bore(s) and the size of an opening area that airflow travels through continuously increases in size.

Abstract: Methods and fuel systems to reduce evaporative emissions of a volatile fuel. A fuel tank contains fuel, a carburetor mixes air with the fuel from the fuel tank, and a plurality of fluid paths route fuel amongst and/or between the fuel tank and the carburetor. A valve actuation device stops flow of fuel in one or more of the plurality of fluid paths and the carburetor is adapted to be drained of fuel during engine shutdown to reduce or prevent evaporative emissions from the fuel system. The carburetor is preferably designed so as to minimize a volume of fuel contained therein.

Abstract: A carburetor includes a main body defining a bore, a main passage and a venturi defined within the bore, and a fuel nozzle carried by the main body and including a fuel nozzle outlet communicating with the venturi. The carburetor may also include a valve member translatable across an axis of the bore, such that in a closed state, the valve member closes the main passage but maintains the venturi at least partially open. The carburetor may also include a needle valve disposed at an end of the fuel nozzle substantially opposite of the fuel nozzle outlet to variably control flow of fuel into a fuel nozzle inlet, and a needle valve transmission may be coupled between a throttle shaft and the needle valve to convert rotation of the throttle shaft to translation of the needle valve.

Abstract: A capacitive discharge ignition (CDI) system that can be used with a variety of light-duty internal combustion engines, including those typically employed by lawn, garden, and other outdoor equipment. According to one embodiment, the CDI system includes an ignition module having a first switching device that shorts a charge coil during an initial portion of a charge cycle. Subsequently, the first switching device is turned ‘off’ so that a flyback charging technique charges an ignition capacitor. A second switching device is then used to discharge the ignition capacitor and initiate the combustion process.

Abstract: An adjustment limiting device for a carburetor including a fuel adjustment valve rotatable to adjust a supply of fuel in or delivered from the carburetor includes an adjustment limiting cap and a connector. The adjustment limiting cap is adapted to be disposed over a portion of the fuel adjustment valve and includes a rotary connection feature adapted to limit relative rotational movement between the adjustment limiting cap and the fuel adjustment valve, and a rotation limiter to limit rotational movement of the adjustment limiting cap. The connector may be carried by the adjustment limiting cap to maintain the adjustment limiting cap on the fuel adjustment valve. The connector may be concealed by the carburetor body, permit the adjustment limiting cap to be fitted onto the fuel adjustment valve, and prevent the adjustment limiting cap from being removed from the fuel adjustment limiting valve.

Abstract: A vapor separator includes a fuel pump, and a container at least partially defining a fuel reservoir to hold fuel and a pump chamber to hold the fuel pump. A closure is carried by the container to close the fuel reservoir and at least partially defines a vapor chamber above a level of fuel in the fuel reservoir and in fluid communication with the pump chamber. A vapor vent device is carried by the closure to allow fuel vapor to vent out of the vapor separator from the vapor chamber and prevent liquid fuel from flowing therethrough when the vapor separator is declined.

Abstract: A method and system that control delivery of start-up fuel to an engine, in one form includes clocking a first predetermined period of time. The method includes allowing start-up fuel to be supplied to the engine during at least some of the first predetermined period of time. The method also includes clocking a second predetermined period of time that comes after the first predetermined period of time. And the method includes not allowing start-up fuel to be supplied to the engine when the second predetermined period of time is clocking. In another form, the system includes a carburetor and a control unit.

Abstract: A rotary throttle valve carburetor has a start assist device with an operating member that interacts with a throttle lever of the throttle valve to axially displace the throttle valve, preferably without rotating it. The operating member may be rotated and moved linearly for selective engagement with the throttle lever by any one of a plurality of starting features generally spaced circumferentially about the operating member. Preferably, each starting feature has a face that faces axially outward with respect to the rotary axis and when in contact with the throttle lever. Each face is spaced at a different distance from the operating member axis thus selection of each will cause the operating member to contact and move the throttle lever a different distance. The different distances correspond to varying fuel enrichments that may be associated with different temperatures of an engine to be started.

Abstract: A pass-through electrical connector assembly with a body having at least one through-hole formed therein. A pin is forced into the through-hole and held by the body. The pin has a shank with opposed ends, each with a blind hole to receive a wire and a solid center portion that seals the wires and the pin. The pin has a tip with a barb at one end and a head with a shoulder at the other end which captures the pin in the body after the pin is forced into the through-hole when the shoulder engages the body. The shank has a circumferential surface that is press-fit within the through-hole to form a seal between the pin and the body. The body can then be sealed to a mating flange of a fluid-holding tank.