Abstract: An ignition system includes an ignition coil, electronic control module that generates a signal, a distributor having a reluctor assembly, and an ignition module for receiving a signal from the electronic control module (ECM) and reluctor assembly. The ignition module includes a microprocessor for generating a control signal to the ignition coil and switching ON and OFF the primary current therein and reducing the duty cycle as applied to the control signal from the ignition module to the ignition coil.

Abstract: A system and method of managing the energy stored in a single ignition coil of a distributor inductive ignition for an engine is described. The engine comprises a plurality of cylinders and the ignition coil having dwell control parameters. The engine is operated at different operating speeds. At least one engine performance parameter is determined. At least one dwell control parameter of the ignition coil in all of the different speeds is adjusted, the adjustment based at least in part upon an evaluation of the at least one engine performance parameter. The cylinders of the engine are fired. The stored energy of the ignition coil is altered to an optimum value between the firings of the engine cylinders, the altering being effected for each of the different speeds and as a result of the adjusting of the dwell control parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ignition system for a 14 V or 42 V on-board power system voltage which is connected to the ignition transformer directly via the semiconductor power output stage without an intermediate power unit. After an input signal from a superordinate engine control device, the semiconductor power output stage is switched on by an ignition control device. As a result, a current is built up at the primary side of the ignition transformer. After the predefined maximum current value is reached for the first time, the primary side of the ignition transformer is switched off for a predefined time period. In this time period, a maximum voltage for the spark breakdown is built up at the electrodes of the spark plug according to the principle of self induction. After the spark breakdown, the primary side of the ignition transformer is timed and current-limited up to the end of the ignition process which is predefined by the superordinate engine control device.

Abstract: The ignition controller includes a crank angle sensor of an internal combustion engine, a cam sensor, and a control unit for controlling the ignition of each cylinder on the basis of a crank angle signal and a cam signal. Upon detecting a change in the engine speed of the internal combustion engine, the control unit has an ignition correcting unit for correcting the ignition energization start timing and the ignition timing in correspondence with that engine speed.

Abstract: In a method for controlling a primary current in an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine with controlled ignition, the current is established in an inductive primary circuit over a given duration, referred to as the conduction time and determined by calculation and/or as a function of measurements carried out in the primary circuit.

Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus and method that calculates parameters for ignition control with respect to a reference cylinder every 180° of crank angle and actuates a dwell-on period and the ignition of the ignition cylinder based on those parameters. A timer-monitored period between crank-position sensor pulse is minimized by setting a reference angle, and misfires are prevented by forcing the dwell-on period and the ignition of the ignition cylinder based on a number of crank-position sensor pulses corresponding to a pre-dwell-on period. Errors relating to missing pulses are also prevented.

Abstract: A device for ignition of an internal combustion engine is described, having a computer and an ignition output stage. A current flow through the primary side of an ignition coil is controllable by the ignition output stage. Furthermore, an arrangement is provided for measuring current flow through the primary side. A charge starting point is calculated by the computer, at which the ignition output stage begins to control a current flow through the primary side. The ignition is triggered at a preselected current through the primary side. The instant of triggering is acknowledged to the computer, which takes this instant into consideration in a further, subsequent calculation of a charge starting point.

Abstract: A device for regulating the energy supply for the ignition of an internal combustion engine including an ignition coil and a central control unit, the ignition coil including a primary winding and an ignition power module connected to the primary winding. The central control unit ascertains a time difference between the beginning of current flow through the primary winding and the reaching of a first threshold value of the primary current, and in the light of the time difference, the central control unit determines an additional power loss of the ignition power module and/or active energy reduction, caused by interturn short circuits in the primary winding. When the additional power loss of the ignition power module exceeds a power loss threshold value, the ignition power module is switched off.

Abstract: An ignition system includes an ignition coil, electronic control module that generates a signal, a distributor having a reluctor assembly, and an ignition module for receiving a signal from the electronic control module (ECM) and reluctor assembly. The ignition module includes a microprocessor for generating a control signal to the ignition coil and switching ON and OFF the primary current therein and reducing the duty cycle as applied to the control signal from the ignition module to the ignition coil.

Abstract: An ignition coil assembly for providing ignition energy to a spark plug in accordance with a dwell pulse and transmitting diagnostic data related to an ignition event occurring after the dwell pulse. The assembly has an ignition coil with a spark plug terminal adapted to mate with the spark plug, and a transistor for conducting current flow through the primary winding of the ignition coil. The current flow is in accordance with the dwell pulse, which arrives over a signal line. A diagnostic block receives at least one electrical signal from the ignition coil and derives diagnostic data therefrom for transmitting over the same signal line in the absence of the dwell pulse.

Abstract: An improved electronic ignition arrangement for an internal combustion engine having an output drive shaft, a rotary shaft drivingly coupled to the output drive shaft, a plurality of spark plugs, an ignition coil, and a rotor and distributor arrangement to effect sequential firing of the spark plugs, the rotor coupled to the rotary shaft for rotation therewith, the ignition system arrangement producing a software modifiable control signal routed to the ignition coil to effect optimal sequential firing conditions for the ignition col and spark plugs and thereby improving performance of the engine.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine and a corresponding device are described, in which reference pulses are generated synchronously with respect to the cyclical movement of at least one part of the internal combustion engine. At least one event moment for the occurrence of at least one event is calculated by an output unit at specific, definitively preset time intervals of the cyclical movement. Moreover, an independent clock-pulse generator is provided which generates clock pulses, the interval of the clock pulses being independent of the movement, and the interval of the clock pulses being smaller than the interval of the reference pulses. The at least one event moment is expressed as the number of clock pulses of the independent clock-pulse generator, and the at least one event is triggered upon reaching the number of clock pulses.

Abstract: The electronics partitioning for an ignition system with complex control circuits configures a first ignition coil out of a plurality of ignitions coils for an internal combustion engine to include an electronic circuit, such as a complex integrated circuit, that can be shared with the remainder of the plurality of ignition coils. An appropriate wiring harness is configured so that the remainder of the plurality of ignition coils can use the common, shared integrated circuit in the first ignition coil in response to the operation thereof. The inventive arrangement substantially reduces cost of electronics by a factor that is the reciprocal of the number of ignition coils, as well as increases reliability by reducing the absolute total number of complex integrated circuits.

Abstract: An automotive ignition system (50) includes a control circuit (52) operable to drive a coil current switching device (24) connected between an ignition coil (30) referenced at battery voltage (VBATT) and a sense resistor (RS) referenced at ground potential. The control circuit (52) includes a drive circuit (20) and voltage trip circuit (54) defining a reference voltage (VTH) for comparison with a sense voltage (VS) developed across the sense resistor (RS) due to increasing coil current (IC) through the ignition coil (30). As the sense voltage (VS) increases to the reference voltage (VTH), the voltage trip circuit (54) produces a trip voltage signal (VTRIP) to which the drive circuit (20) is responsive to deactivate the coil current switching device (24). The voltage trip circuit (54) is configured such that the reference voltage (VTH) is temperature and battery voltage, and optionally engine speed, dependent.

Abstract: An ignition system for a vehicle includes a distributor having with a Hall Effect stator assembly and ignition module formed preferably as a thick film integrated (TFI) module, which receives a spark output (SPOUT) signal from an electronic control assembly (ECA). The ignition module includes a microprocessor for generating a control signal to an ignition coil and switching ON and OFF the primary current therein. A temperature sensing circuit is operative with the microprocessor for reducing the duty cycle or overall current or power as applied to the control signal from the TFI ignition module to the ignition coil and reducing the heat generated by the. TFI ignition module when a temperature threshold for the TFI ignition module has been exceeded.

Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus and method that calculates parameters for ignition control with respect to a reference cylinder every 180° of crank angle and actuates a dwell-on period and the ignition of the ignition cylinder based on those parameters. A timer-monitored period between crank-position sensor pulse is minimized by setting a reference angle, and misfires are prevented by forcing the dwell-on period and the ignition of the ignition cylinder based on a number of crank-position sensor pulses corresponding to a pre-dwell-on period. Errors relating to missing pulses are also prevented.

Abstract: An ignition coil assembly for providing ignition energy to a spark plug in accordance with a dwell pulse and transmitting diagnostic data related to an ignition event occurring after the dwell pulse. The assembly has an ignition coil with a spark plug terminal adapted to mate with the spark plug, and a transistor for conducting current flow through the primary winding of the ignition coil. The current flow is in accordance with the dwell pulse, which arrives over a signal line. A diagnostic block receives at least one electrical signal from the ignition coil and derives diagnostic data therefrom for transmitting over the same signal line in the absence of the dwell pulse.

Abstract: An ignition control device for controlling an ignition coil device for an internal combustion engine, having an angle measuring device for measuring the current crank angle of the internal combustion engine and for outputting an equidistant angle pulse signal and an angle signal for indicating the respective beginning of a working cycle. The ignition control device includes a synchronization device for synchronizing the angular positions of the individual cylinders to the output signal of the angle measuring device, a rotational speed measuring device for measuring the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine at a measuring time point within the ignition cycle of an individual cylinder, and a calculating device for calculating a preestablished ignition angle corresponding to the measured rotational speed. A preestablished charging time corresponds to the measured battery voltage, and a beginning charging angle corresponds to the respective calculation angles in accordance with the synchronization.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine is provided which is capable of satisfying the demand of reducing the size, weight and cost thereof, and at the same time fulfilling sufficient timing accuracy for ignition timing without using a high performance CPU.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine and a corresponding device are described, reference pulses (45) being generated synchronously with respect to the cyclical movement of at least one part of the internal combustion engine. At least one event moment for the occurrence of at least one event is calculated by an output unit (24) at specific, definitively preset time intervals of the cyclical movement. Moreover, an independent clock-pulse generator (25) is provided which generates clock pulses, the interval of the clock pulses being independent of the movement, and the interval of the clock pulses being smaller than the intervals of the reference pulses. The at least one event moment is expressed as the number of clock pulses of the independent clock-pulse generator, and the at least one event is triggered upon reaching the number of clock pulses.

Abstract: In order to improve the control characteristics for ignition timing during transient operating conditions including engine startup, during engine transient operating conditions, a controller (1) sets an advance limit ADVLMT restricting the maximum value of the ignition timing advance to a limit ADMLMTS which is a large value when compared to the value for steady-state operating conditions. Furthermore during transient operating conditions, the dwell angle TDWLLB is also increased and the correlation of the ignition timing control with respect to a suitable ignition timing is improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ignition control device for the control of an ignition coil device for an internal combustion engine having an engine speed detection device for detecting the engine speed of the internal combustion engine at a detection instant within the ignition cycle of a given cylinder; a determination device for determining a predetermined ignition angle corresponding to the detected engine speed, a charging time corresponding to the detected engine speed and an appropriate start-of-charging angle; an ignition control value output device to output the start-of-charging angle and the charging time in a charging time output mode and to output the start-of-charging angle and the ignition angle in an ignition output mode to the ignition coil device; a detection device for detecting critical power loss states of the ignition control device driver stage in ignition angle output mode; and an ignition control mode determination device for selecting an ignition control mode from among the igni

Abstract: A device for regulating the energy supply for the ignition of an internal combustion engine having an ignition coil and a central control unit (16) is proposed, the ignition coil having a primary winding (4) and an ignition power module (13) connected to the primary winding (4). The central control unit ascertains a time difference between the beginning of current flow through the primary winding (4) and the reaching of a first threshold value of the primary current, and in the light of the time difference, the central control unit (16) determines an additional power loss of the ignition power module (13) and/or active energy reduction, caused by interturn short circuits in the primary winding (4). When the additional power loss of the ignition power module (13) exceeds a power loss threshold value, the ignition power module is switched off.

Abstract: An AC ignition system for an internal combustion engine having a voltage source, an ignition coil coupled to the voltage source and at least one spark plug having a spark gap, the ignition coil has a primary winding and a secondary winding, the secondary winding has a high turn ratio with respect to the primary winding. The primary winding is electrically coupled to the voltage source and the secondary winding is electrically connected to the spark gap. A switch is connected in series with the primary winding and is configured for movement between an open position and a closed position the closed position electrically couples the voltage source to the primary winding. The ignition coil generates a make voltage after the primary winding is coupled to the voltage source. The make voltage is sufficient to ionize the spark gap.

Abstract: For minimizing spark energy and improving durability of a spark plug (13) without controlling a time for energizing a primary wiring (L1); the ignition unit (1,2 and 3) for an internal combustion engine is arranged in that actions of a transistor (17) are controlled by an ECU (19) to abruptly interrupt a primary current (i1) such that high voltage for ignition induced to a secondary wiring (L2) is applied on the spark plug (13) for generating spark discharge. For forcibly interrupting spark discharge at a spark discharge duration, the ECU (19) switches the thyristor (21 and 210) ON to supply current to the primary wiring (L1) for forcibly interrupting the spark discharge. By controlling the spark discharge duration to be optimum on a basis of an operating condition of the internal combustion engine, it is possible to restrict generation of multiple discharge and to restrict exhaustion of electrodes of the spark plug (13).

Abstract: In order to improve the control characteristics for ignition timing during transient operating conditions including engine startup, during engine transient operating conditions, a controller (1) sets an advance limit ADVLMT restricting the maximum value of the ignition timing advance to a limit ADMLMTS which is a large value when compared to the value for steady-state operating conditions. Furthermore during transient operating conditions, the dwell angle TDWLLB is also increased and the correlation of the ignition timing control with respect to a suitable ignition timing is improved.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine is provided which is capable of satisfying the demand of reducing the size, weight and cost thereof, and at the same time fulfilling sufficient timing accuracy for ignition timing without using a high performance CPU.

Abstract: An ignition control system is provided, which includes: an engine speed detector (101) for calculating an engine speed according to an engine crank angle signal (100); a current supply start controller (102) for outputting a proper current supply start timing signal corresponding to the engine speed to an ignition coil (5); a current supply finish controller (103) for outputting a proper current supply timing signal corresponding to the engine speed to an ignition coil; an ignition coil controller (104) for controlling supply of power to the ignition coil (5) according to the current supply start timing signal and the current supply finish timing signal; and an overspeed determination device (105) for outputting an overspeed determination signal when determining that the engine speed is in excess of a predetermined limit value. The overspeed determination signal prohibits starting the supply of current, and retards the current supply finish timing to such a degree as to decrease engine torque.

Abstract: An ignition control device for controlling a coil device for an internal combustion engine, having a speed measuring device for measuring the speed of the internal combustion engine at a measuring time point within the ignition segment of a specific cylinder; an evaluating device for determining a preestablished ignition angle corresponding to the measured speed, a preestablished charging time corresponding to the measured speed, and a corresponding initial charging angle; an ignition-control-value output device for outputting to the coil device the initial charging angle and the charging time in a charging-time output mode, and the initial charging angle and the ignition angle in an ignition-angle output mode; an error estimating device for estimating an error of the ignition angle in the charging-time output mode and/or an error of the charging time in the ignition-angle output mode, on the basis of a possible speed change after the measuring time point; and an ignition control mode determining device for d

Abstract: An ignition control system is provided, which includes: an engine speed detector (101) for calculating an engine speed according to an engine crank angle signal (100); a current supply start controller (102) for outputting a proper current supply start timing signal corresponding to the engine speed to an ignition coil (5); a current supply finish controller (103) for outputting a proper current supply timing signal corresponding to the engine speed to an ignition coil; an ignition coil controller (104) for controlling supply of power to the ignition coil (5) according to the current supply start timing signal and the current supply finish timing signal; and an overspeed determination device (105) for outputting an overspeed determination signal when determining that the engine speed is in excess of a predetermined limit value. The overspeed determination signal prohibits starting the supply of current, and retards the current supply finish timing to such a degree as to decrease engine torque.

Abstract: In an engine igniter 1, when a spark-discharge duration time Tc calculated on the basis of operation conditions of an internal combustion engine has elapsed after generation of spark discharge by an ignition coil 13, an electricity-supply resumption circuit 51 is operated in order to resume supply of primary current i1 to a primary winding L1, to thereby interrupt the spark discharge. Further, a signal processing control circuit 23 performs electricity-supply-start timing delay control processing in order to delay the timing of supplying electricity to the primary winding L1 in accordance with the power source voltage, to thereby maintain the magnetic flux energy accumulated in the ignition coil 13 at a substantially constant level.

Abstract: In the ignition apparatus for internal combustion engine according to the invention, during a period when spark discharge voltage is detected by a waveform detecting unit 20 and an ignition coil 12 supplies the spark discharge voltage by use of ignition detection 22, ignition in each of cylinders is detected in accordance with discharged voltage by the waveform detecting unit 20. When the ignition detection 22 detects the ignition by use of, for example, an ignition control unit 24, during a discharging period of supplying the spark discharge voltage having detected the ignition, the supply of the spark discharge voltage is stopped. Thereby, since the supply of the spark discharge voltage is stopped after having detected the ignition, it is possible to avoid the surplus supply of spark energy to the spark plug 10 after having fired.

Abstract: A method for controlling spark energy from a spark plug of a combustion engine. The method includes determining a spark energy intensity based on at least one engine operating condition, determining a period of time to supply current to an ignition coil connected to the spark plug to achieve the determined spark energy intensity from the spark plug as a function of a voltage supplied from a power supply to the ignition coil, and connecting the power supply to the ignition coil for the determined period of time.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for energy control on an ignition system for an internal combustion engine are presented having an ignition coil or an ignition transformer whose primary winding can be short circuited by means of a switch, called a short-circuit switch, the ignition coil forming the ignition voltage and having a primary winding and a secondary winding, and, an ion current can be measured with the secondary winding of the ignition coil by means of one or several spark plugs, the primary current in the short-circuit phase of the short-circuit switch is detected with a suitable means and is transmitted to the control unit, the measurement quantity is processed in the form of a function or filtering in the control unit after actuation of the short-circuit switch and an energy control via closure time or closure angle is built up with the obtained feature.

Abstract: A system is provided for preventing spark-on-make in an internal combustion engine, using manifold pressure information. The system includes a pressure sensor and a controller. The pressure sensor is adapted to detect pressure in an intake manifold and provide an output signal indicative of that pressure. The controller is at least indirectly connected to the pressure sensor and is adapted to delay initiation of ignition dwell in a coil by a period of time sufficient to avoid spark-on-make, in response to the output signal from the sensor. Preferably, the pressure sensor is a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor. The controller preferably is implemented by suitably programming or otherwise configuring an electronic engine control unit (ECU). Also provided is a method for preventing spark-on-make in an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling ignition timing in an internal combustion engine includes a cam sensor for generating a standard position signal for each standard piston position, a position sensor for generating a single angle signal, a control unit for controlling ignition timing based on the standard position signal and the single angle signal, a timer for detecting a time from the standard position signal before the ignition timing, and a device for setting an ignition-starting timing after said standard position signal when an engine rotation speed is less than a predetermined rotation speed.

Abstract: A method for controlling spark energy from a spark plug of a combustion engine. The method includes determining a spark energy intensity based on at least one engine operating condition, determining a period of time to supply current to an ignition coil connected to the spark plug to achieve the determined spark energy intensity from the spark plug as a function of a voltage supplied from a power supply to the ignition coil, and connecting the power supply to the ignition coil for the determined period of time.

Abstract: An inductive ignition device for spark plugs of an internal combustion engine is having at least one activation circuit for at least one ignition coil and having at least one spark plug. A high-voltage switch associated with the at least one spark plug is brought by a first activation signal of the activation circuit into a conductive, switched-on state. In the switched-on state, the high-voltage switch has passing through it the spark current (I.sub.2) of the at least one spark plug (3; 3a to 3n), and which is designed so that without further activation it remains in the conductive state until the spark current falls below a certain value (holding current).

Abstract: In an automotive ignition system having ignition coil banks with at least one ignition coil for energizing a corresponding spark plug, input/output (I/O) devices are provided in electrical communication with the ignition coil banks for relaying ignition coil signals, each ignition coil bank having at least one set of corresponding I/O devices relaying similar signals. The similar signals relayed by sets of corresponding I/O devices are stored in memory at addresses having a constant offset from each other. Program routines are also stored in memory for processing and generating the similar signals relayed by sets of corresponding I/O devices. The similar signals are accessed by the program routines using an indexed addressing mode and the constant address offset such that a single program routine controls one set of corresponding I/O devices independent of the ignition coil bank involved.

Abstract: A lobe sensor arrangement for an internal combustion ignition system provides a control signal to an ignition coil of the internal combustion engine to effect sequential firing of spark plugs, the ignition system comprising a distributor camshaft having a plurality of alternate circumferentially spaced lobes and valleys. The lobe sensor arrangement includes a pair of sensors spaced from the rotating camshaft and sensing the proximity of the spaced lobes to provide a pair of sensor output signals, and a processor circuit for analyzing the two sensor output signals and generating an ignition control signal upon the occurrence of the sensor output signals having values meeting relative predetermined criteria. One criterion requires that the two output signals be equal in magnitude. Another criterion may require that both output signals have magnitudes above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An engine control system in which a rotary body rotates in association with a crankshaft of an engine and has portions to be detected every predetermined angle and at least one of the portions to be detected is missing, and a pickup is arranged near an outer periphery of the rotary body and generates a pulse each time the portion to be detected passes. In the case where a reference time point to start a measurement of a time until a control start time point to start a predetermined control of the engine is a rotational angle time point of the crankshaft when no pulse is generated from the pickup due to a missing portion to be detected, a timer is allowed to measure the time from a generation time point of the pulse generated from the pickup just before the non-pulse generation period of time during which no pulse is generated until the control start time point.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a magneto having two sets of primary windings and no secondary windings which will allow the magneto to function as an ignition source even though one set of primary windings fail. Each primary winding provides current to an independent set of points, condensers, high voltage transformers, and then to a common distributor. The magneto will also continue to function even though one set of points, one condenser, one high voltage transformer or one secondary winding fails. The primary windings are formed, by winding two wires joined by insulation onto a common laminated core.

Abstract: An ignition control system controls an ignition of a vehicle engine based on a pulse signal generated by a pulse coil in response to a rotation of the vehicle engine by using a rectified output of a regulator for correcting a generated output of an AC-generator activated by the vehicle engine. The ignition control system does not require a dedicated AC generator and modifications of an engine layout. It includes an anti-theft feature and is applicable to vehicles that do not use a battery. The ignition control system includes a reference voltage generator that generates a reference voltage each time a rectified output is produced by a generator, and an ignition controller that controls ignition of the vehicle engine on the basis of the reference voltage and the rectified output.

Abstract: A two-stroke direct fuel injected internal combustion engine has an ignition coil dwell time control system. An electronic control unit controls switching of electronic ignition coil drivers in a manner to minimize ignition coil dwell times at medium and high engine speeds where low ignition coil dwell times can be used without sacrificing engine performance. The electronic control unit also implements an intermittent spark plug cleaning strategy to remove carbon deposits from fouled spark plugs. Intermittent cleaning is accomplished during engine operation by periodically raising the ignition coil dwell time to an exaggerated cleaning level for a relatively short period of time (e.g. one minute) after it is determined the spark plug cleaning should occur (e.g. 10 to 20 engine operating hours since previous cleaning).

Abstract: A combined heat and power system including a 4 cylinder reciprocating internal combustion engine fuelled by a fuel gas, for example natural gas, and operating at a substantially constant speed and at a substantially constant air to fuel ratio. Operation of a spark generator and distributor device (44) is under control of an ignition spark duration control (10) whereby the duration of an ignition spark between the electrodes of the plug (16) is automatically variable to bring the spark duration closer to a predetermined minimum duration over which predetermined minimum duration there would be supplied to the electrodes of the plugs in turn a minimum-level of electrical ignition energy to substantially avoid misfire in the cylinders provided with the plugs. The minimum level of the electrical ignition energy is variable according to the size of the gap between the electrodes of the plug (16).

Abstract: An apparatus controls an ignition timing in association with rotation of an engine. The engine has an ignitor, an ignition coil and a spark plug. The ignitor provides the ignition coil with primary current to actuate the ignition coil. The ignition coil provides the spark plug with secondary current to actuate the spark plug when the primary current is cut off. A sensor detects the rotation of the engine by a predetermined angle and outputs a first signal based on the detection. An electronic control unit (ECU) computes an ignition timing of the ignition coil based on the first signal and driving state of the engine. The ECU outputs a second signal to the ignitor to control the primary current provided to the ignition coil. The ECU prohibits a provision of the primary current to the ignition coil when the primary current is provided to the ignition coil for a first predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method and system for generating an ignition coil output signal to control charging and discharging of a plurality of ignition coils in an internal combustion engine. A plurality of holding registers asynchronously receive a plurality of ignition coil data from a processor. The plurality of holding registers are memory-mapped and store the plurality of ignition coil data until subsequent ignition coil data is received from the processor. A sensor is provided for determining a position of the engine and generating a corresponding engine signal. A plurality of match registers are coupled to the plurality of holding registers for comparing the ignition coil data with a reference signal and generating an ignition coil output signal for receipt by one of the plurality of ignition coils based on the engine signal and the comparison between the ignition coil data and the reference signal.

Abstract: An electronic ignition system for a reciprocating engine includes a pre-ignition prevention control sub-system which acts as an independent monitor system to ensure the ignition system can only command a spark plug to fire when the next cylinder to fire is outside its pre-ignition zone. The pre-ignition prevention sub-system is independent from the circuitry which commands the spark plug to fire to ensure a single point failure of the system can not lead to a controller erroneously commanding a spark plug to fire in the pre-ignition prevention sub-system. An advantage of the present invention is the increased safety the pre-ignition prevention sub-system provides to the engine by significantly reducing the likelihood that fuel/air mixture within a cylinder will be ignited prematurely.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus for internal combustion engine includes an ignition power unit 1A having an ignition coil 13 and a power transistor 14 for supplying and shutting off a primary current i1 to the ignition coil; and a control circuit 2A for determining ignition timing of the internal combustion engine and a period for supply of the primary current in accordance with driving conditions D of the internal combustion engine so that it generates an ignition signal Ga in the form of a pulse to the power transistor. The primary current is supplied and shut off by the power transistor in accordance with the ignition signal to produce a high-tension secondary voltage V2 from the ignition coil. The control circuit includes an oscillation circuit 23 starting operation from a point when the ignition signal rises and operating for a predetermined period shorter than a pulse width of the ignition signal, the waveform of the ignition signal thereby being made to rise gradually.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus for internal combustion engine capable of easily and securely sensing an ignition state based on the voltage level of an ignition signal to a power transistor includes ignition coils 13 each serving an ignition power unit 1 of the internal combustion engine, the power transistor 14 for feeding and shutting off a primary current i1 to and from the ignition coil, an ignition sensing circuit 5 for confirming that the primary current is normally fed and shut off, and a control circuit 4 including a CPU 41 for controlling fuel injection to each cylinder based on operating state signals D from various sensors 3 and outputting an ignition signal G by calculating a primary current feed time and an ignition timing of the internal combustion engine.