Abstract: A booster circuit for use with an ignition system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The booster circuit includes a relay control circuitry disposed in parallel between the voltage source and the one or more ignition coils for igniting fuel in the engine in synchronism with engine operation; a controllable switching element for selectively completing a booster circuit for connecting the relay control circuitry in series with the voltage source and the one or more ignition coils; and the booster circuit having electronic circuitry including at least one output for providing booster energy at the at least one output, when the booster circuit is completed by the controllable switching element to assure producing of a suitable voltage applied to the one or more ignition coils.

Abstract: An ignition system for an engine includes a sparkplug, ignition circuitry electrically connected to the sparkplug, and an ignition control unit structured to energize the ignition circuitry to fire the sparkplug at an ignition timing, detect a fault condition caused by an abnormal response of the sparkplug to the energizing, and to energize the ignition circuitry to dry fire the sparkplug at an offset timing such as during an exhaust, stroke based on the detection of the fault condition. Dry firing the sparkplug reduces a break down voltage required to subsequently fire the sparkplug and extends sparkplug service life.

Abstract: An ignition system includes a primary coil, a secondary coil, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a fourth switch, and a switch control section. The primary coil includes a first winding, and a second winding which is connected in series with the first winding. The secondary coil is connected to an ignition plug and is magnetically coupled to the primary coil. The first switch connects and disconnects an electrical path between a first terminal and a ground. The second switch connects and disconnects an electrical path between a power supply and a second terminal. The third switch connects and disconnects an electrical path between the power supply and the first terminal. The fourth switch connects and disconnects an electrical path between a contact point and the ground. The switch control section controls opening and closing of each switch to connect and disconnect the associated electrical path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vehicle that includes an engine and an electric machine are described. In one example, operation of the engine may be adjusted to compensate for conditions when carbon deposits may build on one or more engine spark plugs. The engine adjustments may help to remove carbon deposits from the engine's spark plugs.

Abstract: An igniter includes a switching element, a control circuit section, and a protection element. The switching element is connected to a primary winding of an ignition coil. The control circuit section is configured to control operation of the switching element. The protection element is configured to electrically protect the control circuit section. The switching element and the protection element are formed in the same semiconductor chip, and are mounted on the same lead frame.

Abstract: A method includes configuring a switching control circuit to operate a power switch to apply power to an inductive device in response to a control signal. The switching control circuit includes a voltage regulator configured to generate a supply voltage from the control signal to power the switching control circuit when the control signal is at or above an operating voltage of switching control circuit. Further, the switching control circuit is configured to controllably discharge the inductive device after power has been applied to the inductive device for a maximum dwell time. The method further includes sampling a flyback voltage off the discharging inductive device, and generating, from the sampled flyback voltage, the supply voltage to power the switching control circuit when the control signal has dropped below the operating voltage of switching control circuit.

Abstract: Provided is a device for performing an automatic stop operation for an internal combustion engine when a predetermined automatic stop requirement is satisfied during an operation of the internal combustion engine and performing a restart operation for the internal combustion engine when a predetermined restart requirement is satisfied during an automatic stop time period of the internal combustion engine. In the device, restart control means (22) executes fuel injection control at the time of start of the restart operation by determining whether or not initial asynchronous injection of a fuel into a cylinder that is in an intake stroke is executable in accordance with an initially detected crank angle after the start of the restart operation and determining a next fuel injection cylinder and a fuel injection timing for the next fuel injection cylinder.

Abstract: A control circuit for a semiconductor switching element includes a control terminal, a main electrode terminal, and a current sensing terminal, and controls the semiconductor switching element including a diode connected to the main electrode terminal or the current sensing terminal. The control circuit includes an overheat detection circuit, a current detection circuit, and an interruption circuit. The overheat detection circuit outputs an overheat detection signal when a temperature detected based on an output of the diode is equal to or higher than a predetermined set temperature. The current detection circuit outputs a current detection signal when an output value of the current sensing terminal is equal to or greater than a predetermined set current value. The interruption circuit turns off the semiconductor switching element when both the overheat detection signal from the overheat detection circuit and the current detection signal from the current detection circuit are input.

Abstract: An apparatus is adapted to drive an insulating gate-type semiconductor element by a first control voltage and a second control voltage, that are supplied to a first insulating gate and a second insulating gate, respectively, and includes a first noise filter inputting a signal about current that passes through the insulating gate-type semiconductor element, a first comparator making a comparison between an output signal of the first noise filter and a first reference signal and outputting a first comparison result, a first control voltage output circuit, and a second control voltage output circuit, the second control voltage output circuit being adapted to reduce the second control voltage when it is determined from the first comparison result that overcurrent passes through the insulating gate-type semiconductor element, the first control voltage output circuit being adapted to reduce the first control voltage after the second control voltage is reduced.

Abstract: An electric circuit for use with an AC power source includes a diode electrically connected to a line input from the AC power source, a transistor having a gate, a drain, and a source, wherein the drain is electrically connected to the diode, a zener diode electrically connected between the gate and the source of the transistor, a resistor electrically connected between the drain of the transistor and a neutral input from the AC power source, and a capacitor electrically connected in parallel with the resistor.

Abstract: An internal-combustion-engine electronic control system according to the present invention is provided with a power switching device that applies or shuts off a primary current of an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine so that at the secondary side of the ignition coil, there is generated a voltage for making an ignition plug of the internal combustion engine produce a spark discharge; and a control unit that turns on or off the power switching device. The internal-combustion-engine electronic control system is characterized in that the control unit is provided with a circuit unit that makes the power switching device softly shut off so as to prevent the ignition plug from producing the spark discharge, and in accordance with the characteristics of the power switching device, the control unit changes the characteristics of the soft shutoff halfway through the shutoff operation.

Abstract: A control apparatus, which is for an internal combustion engine with a spark plug having a center electrode and a ground electrode disposed so as to form a spark discharge gap therebetween, includes a voltage applying section for applying a voltage to the spark discharge gap, a constant-voltage path including a constant-voltage element parallel-connected to the spark discharge gap of the spark plug for preventing the spark discharge gap from being applied with a voltage higher than a set voltage, and an operation control circuit for controlling an operating condition of the internal combustion engine. The operation control circuit is configured to measure a current-flowing time during which a current flows through the constant-voltage path when a voltage higher than the set voltage is applied to the constant-voltage path, and change the operating condition of the internal combustion engine in accordance with the measured current-flowing time.

Abstract: An igniter is not provided with a depression IGBT and is configured such that a distance between a main IGBT and a sense IGBT is equal to or greater than 100 ?m and equal to or less than 700 ?m and preferably equal to or greater than 100 ?m and equal to or less than 200 ?m. The igniter is controlled such that, before the overcurrent of the main IGBT reaches a predetermined upper limit, a sense current of the sense IGBT is saturated. Therefore, it is possible to provide the igniter which has a small size and prevents the overshoot of a collector current of the main IGBT when a current is limited and an internal combustion engine ignition apparatus which includes the igniter, has a small size, and prevents an ignition error.

Abstract: In order to reduce AC ringing of the secondary voltage after the spark event in a capacitive ignition system, which would influence ion-sensing, a secondary winding current (IR) flowing through the secondary winding (4) after the spark event is forced to flow through a forward-biased muting diode (D1) that is connected across the secondary winding (4).

Abstract: Generally, this disclosure provides systems and methods for a power switching system with a switching control circuit powered by a supply voltage derived from an input control signal. The system may include a power switch configured to electrically couple a device between a battery voltage and a ground, the device to be powered by the battery when the power switch is closed; a control circuit coupled to a gate port of the power switch, the control circuit configured to open and close the power switch by adjusting a gate driving signal provided to the gate port in response to a switching control signal provided to the control circuit; and a voltage conditioning circuit configured to generate a supply voltage based on the switching control signal, such that the supply voltage powers the control circuit.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an ignition system of an internal combustion engine which can appropriately judge deterioration of a spark plug is disclosed. The ignition system includes a spark plug and a Zener diode. These are connected in parallel. In the ignition system, a constant-voltage path whose one of two ends is grounded is connected to the connecting path which connects the center electrode of the spark plug to a secondary coil. The constant-voltage path includes a Zener diode and a resistor. In a case where electric current is detected at the resister in a term from the start of current supply to a primary coil to the end, the control apparatus judges the spark plug being deteriorated.

Abstract: When throttle lever is pulled with the rotation lock member of the engine-powered tool in a state in which rotation of rear handle is permitted, the electrode terminal provided on the rotation lock member and the electrode terminal provided on throttle lever contact each other. As a result of this contact, the two output terminals of the engine generator are short-circuited, the supply of electric power to the ignition device from the engine generator is stopped and the supply of electric power from the ignition device to sparkplug in the engine is stopped. Through this, operation of the blade is prevented when rotating rear handle.

Abstract: An integrated exciter-igniter architecture is disclosed that integrates compact, direct-mounted exciter electronics with an aerospace designed igniter to reduce overall ignition system complexity. The integrated exciter-igniter unit hermetically seals exciter electronics within a stainless steel enclosure or housing. The stainless enclosure enables the exciter electronics to remain near atmospheric pressure while the unit is exposed to vacuum conditions. The exciter electronics include a DC-DC converter, timing circuitry, custom-designed PCBs, a custom-designed main power transformer, and a high voltage ignition coil. All of which are packaged together in the stainless steel enclosure. The integrated exciter-igniter unit allows for efficient energy delivery to the spark gap and eliminates the need for a high voltage cable to distribute the high voltage, high energy pulses.

Abstract: An ignition coil for an Otto engine for an high-voltage winding has a conductive, laminar component, which is at a specified distance from the high-voltage winding and which is electrically connected to a terminal of the ignition coil. In a method for the capacitive coupling of the high-voltage winding of an ignition coil for diagnostic purposes, a conductive, laminar component of the ignition coil, which is at a specified distance from the high-voltage winding and which is electrically connected to a terminal of the ignition coil, is used as a capacitive coupling element.

Abstract: When an ECU applies to an igniter a plurality of pulse signals, the duty ratio of which is lower than a predetermined duty ratio, as a lock release signal, a latch circuit of a lock inhibition circuit stops applying a shut-off signal to a shut-off circuit thereby to release a lock condition of an IGBT. A drive main circuit thus restarts current supply to the IGBT. A condition detection circuit outputs to the ECU a condition signal corresponding to the current supplied while the IGBT is turned on.

Abstract: A plasma ignition device comprising: an ignition plug; an ignition circuit applying a high voltage to the plug to start discharge; a power supply circuit including a battery section for supplying an electric energy to a discharge space of the plug having impedance reduced by discharge start, and a charging section charging the battery section with a boosted voltage by a booster circuit, wherein the power supply circuit including: a first means 610 for stopping a boosting operation of the booster circuit when the charging section voltage is equal or higher than a first reference for high-voltage abnormality; a second means 630 for detecting the charging section abnormal voltage by comparison with a second reference for low-voltage abnormality for detecting ground to conduct a given control on the power supply circuit; a third means 600 for invalidating the control of the second means until the charging section is sufficiently charged.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of attaching a propulsion unit 12 to a scarifier 10. The device 22 verifies via a switch 24 closure that the coupler 14 and ball 16 are attached. The switch 24 is located in the tube 26 to which the ball 16 mounts. When the coupler 14 is placed on the ball 16 a spring loaded plate 28 is depressed. This plate 28 travels down with the coupler and activates the switch 24. The scarifier 10 can be configured to prevent operation unless the propulsion unit 12 is attached via the hitch. The object of this interlock is to encourage operators to use the propulsion unit in order to minimize vibration to the operator.

Abstract: A coil failure detection circuit detects a rise of a collector current of an IGBT and a timer circuit measures the length of a rise period. If the rise is not a normal one, an electronic control unit judges that a coil failure has occurred. The electronic control unit turns off the IGBT to prevent misfires and stops a flow of fuel gas to a combustion chamber to prevent melting or deterioration of a catalyst.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having at least one actuator for controlling charge dilution of at least one cylinder and at least one spark plug per cylinder include attempting to improve combustion quality by modifying ignition energy of the at least one spark plug before modifying charge dilution of the cylinder, and modifying both ignition energy and charge dilution substantially simultaneously to establish combustion if an ionization sense signal associated with the cylinder indicates a misfire.

Abstract: An ignition device, including: an ignition coil (1) having a primary coil and a secondary coil; a switching element (5) for causing a primary current to be conducted through and shut off from the primary coil of the ignition coil; a waveform shaping circuit (6) for shaping a waveform of an ignition signal transmitted from an outside through a signal line to supply a conduction signal thus obtained to the switching element; ion current detecting means (8, 9) connected to the secondary coil of the ignition coil, for detecting an ion current flowing through the secondary coil; and ion signal generating means (10, 11, 12) for outputting an ion signal, which indicates the ion current detected for a predetermined period after the conduction signal of the waveform shaping circuit has been turned off, to the outside through the signal line while invalidating the conduction signal from the waveform shaping circuit.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus detect an erroneous connection between a plurality of ignition devices and a fuel injection control device. A first time interval is measured from an input of an ignition signal for a certain cylinder to an input of the next ignition signal and a second time interval from an input of the next ignition signal to an input of a further next ignition signal. An erroneous connection is determined by comparing a relationship between the first time interval and the second time interval with a previously stored normal relationship between the first time interval and the second time interval that are correctly connected in accordance with a predetermined procedure. The erroneous connection is outputted and displayed to a predetermined erroneous connection display device if it is determined that the erroneous connection exists.

Abstract: A method for detecting emissions from an internal combustion engine generally including determining a reference air/fuel mixture signal based on an engine speed and an airflow into the engine. The method includes determining an actual air/fuel mixture signal from an air/fuel mixture sensor and comparing the reference air/fuel mixture signal to the actual air/fuel mixture signal. The method also includes determining whether an air/fuel imbalance condition occurs based on the comparison and setting a service indicator based on the determination of whether the air/fuel imbalance condition occurred.

Abstract: A spark plug capable of removing the remaining electric charges is proposed. The spark plug can be installed in a vehicle and has an insulating body, a center electrode, a conductive housing and a conductive wire. The center electrode is passed through the insulating body. The conductive housing is disposed outside the insulating body. One end of the conductive wire is connected to the conductive housing and the other end of the conductive wire is fixed on a negative electrode of a battery of the vehicle. Since the electric charges remaining in the spark plug can be removed by the conductive wire after the high-voltage current sent from the ignition system induces the sparks, the present invention can avoid the damage of the spark plug to keep the spark plug in good status, maintain the efficiency of the engine, and make the car safer in usage.

Abstract: This feature of the present invention comprises a method and apparatus that provides a regulated power supply for in-cylinder ionization detection by harvesting the excess ignition coil leakage and magnetizing energy immediately following the turn off of the ignition coil IGBT. It uses an additional energy storage capacitor which replaces a first capacitor as the primary energy storage device. Thus, this feature of the present invention uses a two step method for charging the ionization detection circuit, as opposed to just one stage. The second capacitor is charged first, typically up to 400 Volts DC, and is then used as a reservoir to charge the first capacitor.

Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine is connected to an ignition coil and to a circuit for providing an ignition signal. The ignition system includes a switch circuit connected to the ignition coil that switches on or off current supplied to the ignition coil, a control circuit that controls the switch circuit based on the ignition signal and a protection circuit that includes a pair of back-to-back connected zener diodes connected between the input terminal of the control circuit and a ground.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes a power transistor connected to a primary coil of an ignition coil, a current sensing resistor connected in series with the power transistor, a constant current circuit and an abnormal oscillation control circuit that connects the gate resistor with the feedback circuit when the constant current circuit controls the primary current to be constant. The constant current circuit has a gate resistor connected in series to the control gate of the power transistor and a feedback circuit connected between the gate resistor and the current sensing resistor and controls current supplied to a control gate of the power transistor so as to control the primary current to be constant.

Abstract: An ignition control apparatus for an internal combustion engine of the present invention has a switching circuit and a control circuit. The switching circuit includes a first switch controlling a main current constituting the most portion of the coil current, a second switch controlling a sensing current constituting the coil current together with the main current; and a temperature sensor detecting temperatures of the first and the second switches, which are realized by semiconductors. The control circuit, which is heat-isolated from the switching circuit, includes a current limiting circuit operating the first switch and the second switch to adjust the coil current to a predetermined value based on the sensing current, and a thermal shutoff circuit turning off both the first switch and the second switch when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Two embodiments of an integrated ionization detection circuit and ignition coil driver, an ASIC and a single electronic package, are disclosed. The apparatuses reduce the cost and complexity of an in-cylinder ionization detection system by combining like functionality into one ASIC or electronic module easing packaging constraints. In both embodiments, a current sink is used. The current sink removes noise in the form of voltage splices. The voltage spikes are high voltage, but of short duration. The current sink prevents these spikes from turning on the IGBT. However, the current sink allows the IGBT command signal to pass. This device also comprises a switch whereby ionization current and coil primary current are multiplexed.

Abstract: An ignition control circuit (12) is responsive to a control signal (ESTC) to apply a drive signal (GD) to a power switching device (22) to conduct ignition coil current (IC) therethrough. A resistor (RS) included within the circuit (12) receives, and dissipates heat generated by, the coil current (IC). The circuit (12) includes a first transistor (QHOT) positioned adjacent to the resistor (RS) such that an operating temperature thereof is near that of the resistor (RS), and a second transistor (QREF) positioned remote from the resistor (RS) and having an operating temperature defining a reference temperature. The first and second transistors (QHOT, QREF) are configured to produce an output voltage (VOUT) proportional to a difference in operating temperatures thereof, and a latch circuit (L1) disables the control signal (ESTC) to thereby turn off the power switching device (22) when the output voltage (VOUT) difference exceeds a reference voltage (VREF).

Abstract: A testing apparatus for testing a waste-power ignition coil is provided and includes an igniter simulator having a first switching device electrically connected to an output of the primary side of a waste-power ignition coil under test and a triggering means for changing a state of the first switching device at a predetermined interval. A second switching device bears a first pair of contacts being electrically connected to one of a positive going and negative going output of a secondary winding of the waste-power ignition coil under test and a second pair of contacts being electrically connected to another of a positive going and negative going output of the secondary winding of the waste-power ignition coil under test. The second switching device acts substantially synchronously with the igniter simulator actuator to ground a respective one of the positive going and negative going output of the secondary winding of the waste-power ignition coil under test to simulate a waste-stroke phase.

Abstract: An interface for providing thermal overload protection includes a switching device, a temperature indicating device, a drive circuit and a thermal monitoring circuit. The thermal monitoring circuit is coupled across the temperature indicating device and provides a shutdown signal to the drive circuit when the temperature of the switching device is above a predetermined temperature level as indicated by a temperature signal provided by the temperature indicating device. The drive circuit responds to the shutdown signal by removing current sources and current sinks from a control terminal of the switching device at which point leakage currents cause the switching device to reduce a drive current to an inductive load.

Abstract: In a first preferred embodiment, the present feature of the invention multiplexes both the ionization and driver current feedback signals into one signal, thus reducing cost and making coil packaging easier. The multiplexed signal first outputs the ionization detection signal and then replaces the ionization signal with the charge current feedback signal when the charge command Vin is enabled. In other words, the multiplexed feedback signal outputs the ionization feedback signal and switches to the charge current feedback signal when the charge command Vin is active. In a second preferred embodiment, the present feature of the invention comprises a method and apparatus to multiplex the ignition driver gate signal with both the ignition coil charge current feedback signal and the ionization signal, thus reducing the package pin count by two.

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 rotation angle detector for detecting the angular position of a shaft, i.e. a camshaft or a camshaft of an internal combustion engine, includes a rotatable detector wheel coupled to the shaft. Markings of a first type are distributed along a periphery of the detector wheel and are detectable by a sensor for determining a relative rational angle. Markings of a second type are also distributed over the periphery of the detector wheel. The markings of the second type are distinguishable from each other for determining an absolute rotational angle of the shaft or for determining selection of a combustion chamber for injection.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine ignition device able to suppress misfires etc. at abnormal times and achieving smaller size and lower cost, provided with an IGBT (switching device SW), a current limiting circuit for limiting a primary current running through the IGBT to within a predetermined value, a fast gate voltage drop circuit for making the gate voltage of the IGBT fast drop to an extent where spark discharge occurs at the spark plug, an abnormality detecting circuit for detecting an abnormal state of an igniter or electronic control unit and outputting an abnormality detection signal, and a slow gate voltage drop circuit having a gate voltage feed cutoff circuit for cutting off the feed of the gate voltage at an abnormal time and a discharge circuit for discharging the gate capacitor charge of the IGBT to make the gate voltage slowly drop to an extent where no spark discharge will occur at the spark plug.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine ignition device able to suppress misfires etc. at abnormal times and achieving smaller size and lower cost, provided with an IGBT (switching device SW), a current limiting circuit for limiting a primary current running through the IGBT to within a predetermined value, a fast gate voltage drop circuit for making the gate voltage of the IGBT fast drop to an extent where spark discharge occurs at the spark plug, an abnormality detecting circuit for detecting an abnormal state of an igniter or electronic control unit and outputting an abnormality detection signal, and a slow gate voltage drop circuit having a gate voltage feed cutoff circuit for cutting off the feed of the gate voltage at an abnormal time and a discharge circuit for discharging the gate capacitor charge of the IGBT to make the gate voltage slowly drop to an extent where no spark discharge will occur at the spark plug.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for preventing a reverse rotation of an engine. In connection with starting an engine, when an operation of a starter motor stops while a predetermined monitoring condition for a reverse rotation is satisfied, it is determined whether a reverse rotation of the engine is occurring, and then at least one of fuel injection and ignition of the engine is stopped for a certain period if it is determined that the engine undergoes reverse rotation.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine comprising: an ignition coil comprising a primary winding and a secondary winding, the ignition coil generating an igniting high voltage in the secondary winding by turning off a primary current flowing in the primary winding; an ignition switching unit; a spark plug connected to an igniting high voltage generation end of the secondary winding; a reverse current prevention unit series-connected on a current-conduction path of the discharge current connecting the secondary winding to the spark plug; a voltage application unit connected to an other end of the secondary winding opposite to the igniting high voltage generation end; an ionic current detection unit; and an ionic current detection switching unit series-connected on a current-conduction path of the ionic current-detecting voltage connecting the voltage application unit to the other end.

Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine, which has at least two cylinders, having a detection device for detecting the misfirings occurring at each cylinder, and having a calculation device which, for each cylinder, has at least one associated misfiring counter that, in response to a misfiring detected in the cylinder in one revolution of the internal combustion engine, is increased as a function of the total number of misfirings in all cylinders detected in the preceding revolution.

Abstract: This feature of the present invention comprises a method and apparatus that provides a regulated power supply for in-cylinder ionization detection by harvesting the excess ignition coil leakage and magnetizing energy immediately following the turn off of the ignition coil IGBT. It uses an additional energy storage capacitor which replaces a first capacitor as the primary energy storage device. Thus, this feature of the present invention uses a two step method for charging the ionization detection circuit, as opposed to just one stage. The second capacitor is charged first, typically up to 400 Volts DC, and is then used as a reservoir to charge the first capacitor.

Abstract: In a first preferred embodiment, the present feature of the invention multiplexes both the ionization and driver current feedback signals into one signal, thus reducing cost and making coil packaging easier. The multiplexed signal first outputs the ionization detection signal and then replaces the ionization signal with the charge current feedback signal when the charge command Vin is enabled. In other words, the multiplexed feedback signal outputs the ionization feedback signal and switches to the charge current feedback signal when the charge command Vin is active. In a second preferred embodiment, the present feature of the invention comprises a method and apparatus to multiplex the ignition driver gate signal with both the ignition coil charge current feedback signal and the ionization signal, thus reducing the package pin count by two.

Abstract: This feature of the present invention comprises two embodiments of an integrated ionization detection circuit and ignition coil driver according to the present invention, an ASIC and a single electronic package. The apparatuses reduce the cost and complexity of an in-cylinder ionization detection system by combining like functionality into one ASIC or electronic module easing packaging constraints. In both embodiments, a current sink is used. The current sink removes noise in the form of voltage spikes. The voltage spikes are high voltage, but of short duration. The current sink prevents these spikes from turning on the IGBT. However, the current sink allows the IGBT command signal to pass. This feature of the present invention also comprises a switch whereby ionization current and coil primary current are multiplexed.

Abstract: A motorized beach vehicle with a safety remote control and emergency safety switch power shutoff device includes a CDI unit having an engine operation stopping line that is connected to a relay, a remote control unit, and a safety switch. The safety switch includes two lines connected to the relay. An electrically conductive seat is mounted on the two lines, and an elastic sleeve is mounted on the electrically conductive seat. A rubber cap is mounted on the safety switch, and is connected to a first end of a strap which has a second end that may be tied on a driver's body, so that the rubber cap may be detached from the safety switch by the strap in an emergency condition.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine has an arrangement comprising a power part and a control part which are accumulated in a one-chip in an IGBT monolithic silicon substrate. The control circuit part has current limiting function of prevent the flowing of any current which is above a predetermined value as well as function of detecting malfunction heat generation by which a primary electric current is blocked compulsorily. The secondary voltage of an ignition coil is generated repeatedly below a plug discharge voltage so as not to generate spark discharge in the sparking plug when the electric current compulsory blocking is carried out, and energy charged in the ignition coil is emitted or discharged. With this arrangement, the one-chip ignition apparatus with high reliability can be achieved.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to prevent abnormal increase in temperature of an IGBT of an ignition device or the like caused by rise in a low-level signal, while maintaining small size and formation of the IGBT, a thermal shutoff circuit, a current limiting circuit, and the like on one chip. An ignition device for an internal combustion engine is provided with a shutoff circuit for forcedly shutting off passage of a current to an ignition switching element (IGBT) when abnormal increase in temperature of the IGBT is detected or the high level of an ignition signal continues for predetermined time or longer. As a power source of the shutoff circuit, a high-level voltage of the ignition signal is used. Until the voltage of the ignition signal becomes the level at which the shutoff circuit operates, agate of the IGBT is short-circuited to the ground by an operation level setting circuit. Thus, the IGBT has a dead zone of the ignition signal.