Abstract: A method for controlling an ignition system for internal combustion engines where the sparking current together with the sparking period can be set to a particular value. The method described here makes it possible for each cylinder in the engine to be supplied with just the amount of ignition energy to meet the momentary requirement of the engine, and consequently a spark plug replacement interval of more than 100,000 km can be achieved. In accordance with the present invention, both the value of the sparking current and the value of its sparking period are controlled independently according to certain engine parameters, in particular load, engine speed and temperature. The method in accordance with the present invention can be applied preferably in an alternating current or high voltage capacitor ignition system.

Abstract: In an engine and associated ignition energy and breakdown voltage circuit, the engine having at least one spark plug and an associated ignition coil having a primary and secondary winding, the secondary winding in communication with at least one spark plug. The ignition energy and breakdown voltage circuit comprising the ability to sense an arcing current generated by the spark plug, and also includes the ability for probing a spark plug breakdown voltage. A multiplier is provided for multiplying the spark plug arcing current by the arcing voltage and thereby producing a power signal. The ability to store the breakdown voltage of the spark plug for a period of time is provided, and further the ability to produce an energy signal in proportional representation of an amount of energy delivered to the spark plug. A method is also provided for adaptively changing spark plug energy in response to feedback from the ignition energy circuit.

Abstract: An ignition system for internal combustion engines with sequential spark ignition is provided which serves to ensure that the last individual spark (EZ) of a sequential spark ignition does not lead to damage to the internal combustion engine, for instance damage caused by ignition during the exhaust stroke. A closing time corresponding to a charging process (AL) for an individual ignition is subtracted from a distribution limit (VG) to obtain a calculated limit (11). Once this limit is reached, the current charging process proceeds unimpeded to trigger the individual ignition, but no new charging process will be started.

Abstract: An inductive ignition circuit, comprising a secondary winding across a spark plug and a primary winding in series with a lossy transistor switch and a power source, is subject to ringing at the start of the dwell period which can cause premature combustion. Ringing is suppressed by a short switch turn on pulse followed by a short delay prior to the main dwell period, causing a beginning build up of primary current and circuit energy followed by absorption of energy in the switch during switching to dissipate circuit energy needed for oscillation. Preferably, the short pulse is terminated when all the ringing energy is stored in the leakage inductance of the ignition coil.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses an ignition system with an ignition dwell signal (207) having charge and discharge states for driving at least one energy storage device (105) and at least one spark plug (103). This system applies an essentially periodic switching device (107, 209, 211, 215) for discharging excess energy in the energy storage device (105).

Abstract: An ignition device for internal combustion engines includes an ignition coil with separate primary and secondary windings. A sensor is connected in a spark plug current circuit. A peak value of an ignition current for each ignition is stored in a peak value rectifier and is subsequently processed into a value of a closing duration of the primary circuit, which is maintained at a constant by a control value regulation, to compensate for deviations and soiling or age condition changes in the ignition circuit. The closing duration is ascertained cylinder-selectively below an engine rpm limit value, is ascertained above this limit value only for a predetermined cylinder and is used for all of the remaining cylinders.

Abstract: An ignition device for internal combustion engines includes a monitoring device for a closing duration of a primary current circuit of at least one ignition coil, being set into motion simultaneously with an onset of closure of the primary current circuit and opening the primary current circuit again after a monitoring duration has elapsed, in the event that the circuit is still supposed to be closed at that time. The monitoring duration is adjusted as a function of the closing duration to be monitored.

Abstract: An electronic control system for an internal combustion gas engine adapted to control the timing pulse for spark ignition in a single cylinder gas engine wherein precise timing of the spark advance throughout a wide range of engine speeds can be achieved whereby efficient burning of a lean air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of the engine can be achieved to minimize undesirable exhaust gas emissions and to increase the operating engine efficiency.

Abstract: An ignition current conduction time control apparatus, comprising power transistors for producing a spark for ignition at the ignition plugs, and a controller for applying ignition signals to the power transistors, wherein the saturated state of the power transistors is eliminated by controlling the start time of current conduction time of said ignition signals applied to the power transistors according to the internal resistance values of the ignition coils, thereby eliminating the heat generation of the ignition coils.

Abstract: During an abnormal stop condition of an internal combustion engine, the semiconductor devices which control the supply of current to the ignition coils during a dwell time are subject to damage by a high transient current. To prevent this, at least one predetermined time interval is selected on the basis of detected engine temperatures and/or battery supply voltage level and this selected time interval is compared to a time period between reference pulses from a crank angle sensor. When the time period between reference pulses exceeds the selected time interval, a stop condition of the engine is indicated and the semiconductor devices which supply ignition current are controlled to shorten the dwell time or entirely stop the supply of current to the ignition coils.

Abstract: An ignition system for a spark-ignited internal combustion engine has a transistor connected in series with the primary winding of an ignition coil. The transistor is switched ON and OFF in synchronism with rotation of the crankshaft of the engine. Primary winding current is sensed by a resistor and the voltage developed across the resistor is fed back into an error amplifier which causes the transistor to be biased into a current-limiting mode when primary winding current increases to a predetermined level. The feedback loop has a capacitor which is a feedback compensation element. This capacitor, together with a resistor form an RC timing circuit which is operative at times to prevent the transistor from being biased back ON for a predetermined time period after it has been biased OFF.

Abstract: An igniter for an internal combustion engine is provided which is small in size, efficient and inexpensive to manufacture. The entire manufacturing process can be easily automated. The igniter includes a power transistor circuit for turning on and off the current supply to a primary winding of an ignition coil, a current detector for detecting a current supplied to the ignition coil primary winding, and a current limiter for controlling the current supplied to the ignition coil primary winding based on the current detected by the current detector. The current detector comprises a conductor in the form of a conductive wire separately formed from the current limiter and connected between ground and a junction between the power transistor circuit and the current limiter.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine comprises an ignition signal generator whose output signal has a magnitude corresponding to the engine rpms and is in synchronism therewith, a d.c. bias circuit 3 having a predetermined construction and component parameter values for superimposing a d.c. bias voltage on the ignition signal, a threshold setting circuit for determining a threshold level voltage, a comparator 2b having a first input terminal for receiving a signal obtained by superimposing the ignition signal and the d.c. bias voltage and a second input terminal for receiving the threshold level voltage to thereby generate an output having an inverse level in response to the magnitude of the input voltages inputted to the input terminals, and a switching circuit 4 for controlling a primary current to an ignition coil in response to the output of the comparison circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling ignition in an internal combustion engine having N cylinders and a capacitor discharge ignition system. The capacitor discharge system includes an ignition capacitor which is maintained at a predetermined electrical potential by a charging circuit. N transformers are provided, each having a primary coil and a secondary coil. The primary coils include first and second terminals and the secondary coils are electrically connected in parallel with the spark gap in an associated one of the cylinders. Selector switches are connected between the ignition capacitor and an associated one of the primary first terminals. The selector switches are normally biased open and are adapted to close in response to receiving cylinder select signals. The cylinder select signals are produced in response to a desired ignition sequence and for a period of time corresponding to a desired spark duration in an associated cylinder.

Abstract: A distributorless ignition system is shown having a timing controller that is responsive to one cylinder of the engine reaching top dead center for predicting the times at which one or more subsequent cylinders in the firing order should enter dwell and fire based upon the current engine speed, current battery voltage and the time interval between one cylinder reaching top dead center and the preceding cylinder reaching top dead center. At low operating speeds the controller plans for the firing of a cylinder utilizing triple precision calculations. At midrange speeds and high speeds, however, the controller utilizes double precision calculatons. At very high speeds, the controller of the present invention plans the firing of two or more cylinders at the same time forcing the cylinders into overlapping dwell.

Abstract: An ignition system for generating multiple ignitions during a spark interval of an engine cylinder. For controlling an energy of each one of the multiple ignitions, a ramp signal which linearly rises from an initial peak value of a primary charge current for each one of the multiple ignitions of a primary winding of the ignition coil is compared with a preset value and a charge of the primary winding for each one of the multiple ignitions is stopped when the ramp signal exceeds the preset value. After a predetermined time, a primary charge current is supplied again to the primary winding until the ramp signal exceeds the preset value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling the duration of ionization of spark plugs in an internal combustion engine. Generally, the ionization times of the spark plugs are individually measured and compared against a reference ionization time to develop an error signal representing an undesired deviation from the reference ionization time. Then, the duration of current dwell time in the engine's ignition coil is adjusted so as to change ionization time and reduce the size of the error signal.

Abstract: A system for controlling ignition timing of an internal combustion engine which is capable of securing adequate ignition energy in all engine operation regions including acceleration or high speed engine operation. The retard limit for ignition timing is determined with respect to engine speed. A ratio of dwell angle on an ignition coil to a prescribed angle is calculated and compared with reference value. When the ratio is found to exceed the reference value, the retard limit is changed in advance direction so that ignition timing is caused to be advanced. Misfirings are thus avoided.

Abstract: Controlling ignition current in the ignition control system of an internal combustion engine includes determining the amount of time it takes current in the ignition coil to reach a desired or limit value and adjusting the time of starting ignition coil charging before spark firing to be substantially equal to the amount of time it takes ignition coil charging current to reach the desired or limit current value.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus for an engine reduces the duty cycle of a power transistor circuit for controlling the primary winding current of an ignition coil over the entire operating range of the engine including low and high speeds. In one embodiment, a signal generator generates an alternating output signal which is fed through a resistor to a wave form shaper for comparison with a threshold voltage. As long as the signal generator output is higher than the threshold voltage, the wave form shaper generates an output pulse for controlling a conduction time of the power transistor circuit. When the engine is operating at low speeds, the pulse width of the wave form shaper output is reduced by partially absorbing the signal generator output by a current absorbing circuit which is disabled at high engine speeds.

Abstract: An ignition timing control device according to the present invention compensates the energizing preparatory time taken until commencement of energizing an ignition coil in reference to the ignition time which alters as the revolution of an engine varies, e.g., during acceleration.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus for an engine limits the primary winding current of an ignition coil to a prescribed level. The conducting time of drive transistors which control the primary winding current is controlled on the basis of the voltage across a capacitor which is charged by a signal generator. At normal engine speeds, when the primary winding current reaches the prescribed level, current is bypassed around the capacitor by a bypass transistor. When the engine is cranking and the signal generator voltage is low, a switching transistor disables the bypass transistor, and the capacitor is not bypassed, thereby preventing misfiring.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ignition device for combustion engines. The ignition device has a switching transistor (7) which, when a trigger is energized, is current-conductive, further an ignition coil (6), the primary winding (5) of which forms with the transistor (7) a series circuit, and, further, a signal transducer (10) connected in advance of the trigger (11) to supply a capacitor-charging current, after a lapse of a time period of its control signal (a, b) reaching a peak value. The threshold of the trigger (11) can be shifted relative to the control signal (a,b) by use of an electrical storage device (30) which can be charged and discharged, and in which the charge is dependent on the predetermined current value in the primary winding (5).

Abstract: On an outer peripheral portion of a rotor (1), three protrusions are provided per each cylinder. A pickup coil 2 is disposed facing to the outer peripheral portion with a predetermined distance. A rotation signal (S.sub.0) is converted to a rotation signal pulse (S.sub.1) having three pulses (A, B and C) per each cylinder corresponding to the three protrusions. According to the first signal (A) of the rotation signal pulse (S.sub.1) the cranking ignition period (A.sub.1) is determined. According to the second signal (B) of the rotation signal pulse (S.sub.1), the starting timing for flowing current to the ignition coil (8) is decided. According to the third signal (C) of the rotation signal pulse (S.sub.1), the ignition timing at cranking operation is defined by detecting time intervals (3t, t, 2t) between the three signals (A, B, C).

Abstract: Controlling ignition current in the ignition control system of an internal combustion engine includes determining the amount of time it takes current in the ignition coil to reach a desired or limit value and adjusting the time of starting ignition coil charging before spark firing to be substantially equal to the amount of time it takes ignition coil charging current to reach the desired or limit current value.

Abstract: An ignition system for at least one spark plug of an internal combustion engine includes an ignition coil having a secondary winding connected to the plug, a control commutator device controlling the flow of current in the primary winding of the ignition coil, a device for monitoring the intensity of the current flowing in the primary winding and electrical sensors which provide signals indicative of the operating conditions of the engine. A control unit is provided with memory devices in which are stored data indicative of predetermined final values for the current in the primary winding of the ignition coil associated with various operating conditions of the engine. The control unit is also arranged to pilot the commutator device so that each time a spark needs to be generated the flow of current in the primary winding of the ignition coil is stopped when the magnitude of current has reached the final value which is associated in the memory device with the prevailing operating conditions of the engine.

Abstract: Control of spark timing of an ignition system for an internal combustion engine uses a feedback correction signal which is a function of back EMF generated in the primary winding of an ignition coil in response to current change in the secondary winding of the ignition coil due to spark breakdown.

Abstract: There is disclosed an engine ignition control device including a control switch element arranged, in its ON state, to pass a current through a primary side of an ignition coil and, in its OFF state, to break the current passing through the primary side of the ignition coil, thereby inducing a high voltage across a secondary side of the ignition coil to cause an ignition of an engine.

Abstract: When an internal combustion engine is accelerated at high rate, a feedback control constant for an ignition current supply period is changed to control a ratio of a time period for which a primary current of the ignition coil is at a predetermined value to an ignition period to a predetermined value to thereby maintain a sufficient cut off current even at such high rate acceleration of the engine.

Abstract: A control circuit for developing a digital signal for use in a closed loop dwell control of an electronic internal combustion engine ignition system. The circuit has a ramp counter and a down-counter. The ramp counter counts-up clock pulses for a period of time beginning when the primary winding of an ignition coil is energized and ending when primary winding current increases to a sensed current limit value. When current limit is reached, the most significant bits of the count in the ramp counter are loaded into the down-counter. The ramp counter is now counted-up and the down-counter is counted-down until the down-counter underflows. The final or ultimate count magnitude in the ramp counter is equal to the count attained by the ramp counter between energization of the primary winding and attainment of current limit added to a fixed percentage of the count attained by the ramp counter.

Abstract: A constant energy ignition system is disclosed. A first programmable one shot multivibrator controls the dwell of an energy storage device and the firing time to produce an ignition pulse from the stored energy. A second programmable one shot multivibrator, having a duty cycle inversely proportional to the power supply voltage provides the time base for the dwell. A control signal, proportional to the difference of the integrals of the outputs of the first and second one shot multivibrators controls the duty cycle of the first programmable one shot multivibrator.

Abstract: An ignition system for and internal combustion engine ignition coil energization time is controlled in accordance with operating conditions. First and second sections with respective constant angles in an ignition cycle are defined. An integrating circuit integrates in one direction in the second section of a preceding ignition cycle of the angle signal, and in the other direction in the first section of the next ignition cycle. When the integration value reaches a first predetermined value, an energization start signal is generated. An ignition coil begins to be energized at the time of generation of the energization start signal or at the shift of the angle signal from the first section to the second section, whichever arrives earlier, and the energization is stopped when the angle signal shifts from the second to first section.

Abstract: An electronic ignition system is disclosed for controlling as a function of at least one selected engine parameter the ignition or spark instants of an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder with a piston and a rotatable crankshaft coupled to the piston to be rotatably driven as combustions occur within the cylinder at spark instant. The crankshaft has at least one reference position defining a positional relationship of the crankshaft to the cylinder. The electronic ignition system comprises a rotor fixed to rotate with the crankshaft and having a plurality of reference indicia thereon positionally related with respect to the reference position. The reference indicia are disposed at points equally spaced from each other by a predetermined arc of crankshaft rotation about the rotor. At least one of the points has a missing indicium and is disposed in a predetermined relation to the reference position of the crankshaft.

Abstract: A current flowing time period control system for an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine is disclosed in which a current flowing time period setting circuit sets the time period for supplying the primary current of the ignition coil and an output signal of the current flowing time period setting circuit is amplified by a drive circuit and supplied to a power transistor, whereby the primary current of the ignition coil is intermittented to control the ignition operation.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes, selectively, a first signal formed in a first section of an ignition period composed of the first section and a second section with a predetermined ratio or a second signal formed in the second section according to a ratio of a time in which a current is supplied to an ignition coil to the ignition time period to obtain a start time of current supply to the coil means.

Abstract: An ignition system for internal combustion engines is constructed so that, in response to each ignition signal from ignition signal generating means, through a predetermined angle before a succeeding ignition timing, a storage quantity of storing means is gradually increased from an initial value and then it is gradually decreased, and a time point when the storage quantity of the storing means has been decreased to reach the initial value is detected by first storage quantity detecting means to thereby turn on a power transistor for turning on and off a primary current of an ignition coil at that time point, and further the fact that the storage quantity of the storing means has been decreased to reach a set value larger than the initial value is detected by second storage quantity detecting means to thereby change a decrease rate of the storage quantity of the storing means.

Abstract: An ignition control system for an internal combustion engine has means for determining the maximum energizing time of an ignition coil from a signal synchronized with the ignition timing of the engine and controlling the period that the energizing current reaches a predetermined value to a predetermined value, thereby determining the maximum energizing time of the ignition coil from the signal synchronized with the ignition timing of the engine, detecting the energizing current of the ignition coil, and variably setting the maximum closed-circuit rate of energizing the ignition coil according to the operating state of the engine and a battery voltage.

Abstract: An ignition system for a distributorless internal combustion engine ignition system. Parameters related to the energization of a given ignition coil are stored and later utilized to control the dwell time for this same ignition coil. Another coil is energized and deenergized between the storing of parameters and the subsequent use of the parameters that relate to the given coil. The system causes a spark plug to be fired when a calculated spark timing signal is developed or at a time delayed from the occurrence of the calculated spark timing signal. Delayed spark plug firing occurs when certain conditions are not met prior to the time the calculated spark timing signal occurs. One of these conditions is that primary winding current has not attained a current limit value prior to the time that the calculated spark timing signal occurs.

Abstract: A method of controlling ignition timing of an internal combustion engine when an abnormality develops in a system for sensing a reference crank angle position of a crankshaft of the engine, in which the timing at which an ignition coil starts and stops conducting is controlled on the basis of a first pulse signal generated once per at least two revolutions of the crankshaft at a predetermined crank angle position associated with a particular cylinder of the engine, a second pulse signal indicative of a predetermined reference crank angle position of the crankshaft for each cylinder, and a third pulse signal indicative of a predetermined angular position of the crankshaft.

Abstract: In an ignition control system for the internal combustion engine, a reference angle sensor detects the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, and detects a point near the top dead center, and generates a reference angle signal. An angle sensor similarly detects the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, and discriminats the rotational speed for each predetermined angle, and generates an angle signal. A microcomputer includes an output compare register, a free-running counter and a timer control status register, and computes the ignition timing and energization time of the ignition coil in response to a reference angle signal from the reference angle sensor and an angle signal from the angle sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ignition control apparatus for an internal combustion engine arranged to control an ignition timing and a current conduction initiating timing on the basis of a time elapsed from a point in time at which a reference position is reached by a crank shaft, in which a crank reference position detector is caused to generate a crank reference position signal which is reversed in polarity at a crank reference position of each cylinder of the engine as well as at an intermediate position between a preceding and a succeeding timing at the crank shaft reference position, and a leading edge and a trailing edge of the crank reference position signal are detected so as to determine each of the detection of the revolutional speed of the engine, the ignition timing, and the period of current conduction on the basis of a time elapsed from the detected leading edge or the trailing edge.

Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling the energization time of an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine, a desired ignition timing is computed in accordance with a load and rotation speed of the engine and an energization starting time of the ignition coil is computed in accordance with the ignition timing. The energization starting time is retarded in accordance with the primary current through the ignition coil and the energization time of the ignition coil is reduced. The primary current flow through the ignition coil is interrupted at the ignition timing.

Abstract: In an ignition system of an electronic spark advance type including a pickup for generating a pair of position signals indicative of a maximum advance angle in terms of crankshaft rotation degrees for each crankshaft rotation, a signal generating circuit responsive to the output signals of the pickup to generate a pair of comparison signals of different levels within each of the crankshaft rotation degrees of the maximum advance angle and the other crankshaft rotation degrees and a control circuit for comparing the levels of each of the pairs of comparison signals to generate an energization starting position signal and an ignition position signal for respectively determining the energization and ignition timing of an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine, the control circuit generates the energization starting position signal prior to the timing of generation of earlier one of the next pair of position signals from the pickup and also generates the ignition position signal at a timing within the max

Abstract: An r.p.m. limiter for an internal combustion engine operates by gradually reducing the output voltage of the ignition coil until it reaches a point where ignition fails until the r.p.m. is reduced to a predetermined value.

Abstract: An electronic ignition system for a reciprocal piston, spark ignition internal combustion engine includes sensors which generate output signals representative of the rotational position and speed of the engine output shaft. A computer responsive to the sensor inputs generates an output signal which electrically connects a source of electrical energy to the primary coil of an ignition transformer for a predetermined period of time prior to the desired energization of the spark plug regardless of the rotational speed of the engine output shaft, but dependent on the voltage of the source of electrical energy. Initiation of the predetermined period is dependent on a manually set spark advance.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic ignition system for gasoline internal combustion engines wherein a Hall sensor is used to generate the reference signal corresponding to the position of the crankshaft or the pistons in the cylinders. The ignition point is electronically controlled in dependence upon the speed and the load. In accordance with the invention, control information in the form of an information voltage is generated at at least one capacitor by the charging and discharging procedure controlled by the reference signal. To determine the ignition point, this information voltage is either compared with a d.c. voltage which is alterable in dependence upon load or it itself is altered in dependence upon load and compared with an unaltered d.c. voltage.

Abstract: An ignition system with an ignition coil employs a power amplifier driven by a microprocessor for starting and interrupting coil current, in accordance with signals from an engine driven transducer. The power amplifier includes a current limiter, but this does not usually come into operation. Instead, the actual current flowing just before the instant of spark in each engine cycle is measured and the on time of the power amplifier is adjusted for the next cycle to cause the final current to approach a desired value less than the current limit value.

Abstract: A pulse width control circuit for controlling a pulse width of the output signal using a negative feedback signal, which includes a circuit for detecting the pulse width of the output signal. This detector circuit generates a detection output when the pulse width of the output signal is shorter than a predetermined width. There is also provided a circuit operating in response to the detection output, which circuit acts on the control circuit to forcibly vary the feedback signal, resulting in that the pulse width of the output signal is broadened.

Abstract: A digital and linear dynamic ignition control apparatus comprising a burn-time counter, a pre-dwell counter, a current limit counter, engine speed detection apparatus, a biasing circuit and an excess current limit circuit is provided for controlling the start of a dwell in each ignition period. In operation, a current limit adjust window is established for each period. The time of the termination of a dwell in the period relative to the current limit adjust window established for the period starts the dwell in the next period relative to the beginning of the next period at a time calculated to optimize engine performance and minimize energy losses. In general, rapid acceleration in a period starts the dwell earlier in the next period to insure adequate charging of the ignition coil. Conversely, rapid deceleration in a period starts the dwell later in the next period to minimize energy losses.

Abstract: An electronic ignition system is disclosed for controlling as a function of at least one selected engine parameter the ignition or spark instants of an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder with a piston and a rotatable crankshaft coupled to the piston to be rotatably driven as combustions occur within the cylinder at spark instant. The crankshaft has at least one reference position defining a positional relationship of the crankshaft to the cylinder. The electronic ignition system comprises a rotor fixed to rotate with the crankshaft and having a plurality of reference indicia thereon positionally related with respect to the reference position. The reference indicia are disposed at points equally spaced from each other by a predetermined arc of crankshaft rotation about the rotor. At least one of the points has a missing indicium and is disposed in a predetermined relation to the reference position of the crankshaft.