Abstract: A high-voltage switch is suggested which is usable particularly as an ignition voltage distributor for applying the ignition voltage to spark plugs of an internal combustion engine. The high-voltage switch comprises a cascade circuit of optoelectric semiconductor elements which are actuated or connected through by means of incident light radiation. Very high voltages can accordingly be switched in an exact manner, wherein a galvanic separation is provided between control circuit and high-voltage circuit. The control circuit can be operated with low voltage, so that use in connection with electronic ignition systems is particularly simple.

Abstract: To reduce the size of a high-voltage semiconductor optically responsive switch, for example suitable to control the flow of ignition energy from an ignition coil (4) to a spark plug (ZK), a stack of disk or plate-shaped semiconductor chips (9) is formed with the major surfaces of the chips placed against each other and light responsive regions of the chips at the outer surface thereof to form an array of chips with a control surface (14). The light responsive regions (13) are large enough so that, at any position of the respective chips in the array, the can receive sufficient switching energy from a point source, such as a light emitting diode (17) (LED). Thus, a single LED can control all the semiconductor switching elements.

Abstract: A cylinder recognition apparatus for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine has a position sensor which generates for each cylinder output pulses which indicate prescribed positions of the piston of the cylinder. The output pulse for a prescribed reference cylinder of the engine has a different pulse width from the pulses for the other cylinders. A cylinder recognition circuit calculates a ratio which is a function of the pulse width and the period of each output pulse. A comparator compares the ratio with a prescribed value and a cylinder is recognized on the basis of the comparison.

Abstract: An ignition controlling apparatus of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine which distinguishes successively at least one cylinder to be ignited among plural cylinders of the internal combustion engine, distributes an ignition controlling signal switching on/off an ignition coil on the basis of successively distinguishing information, and stores and learns the distinguishing information, thereby being capable of distinguishing cylinders normally according to the stored and learned distinguishing information even when it is impossible to distinguish cylinders.

Abstract: An ignition timing circuit controls operational amplifiers 41, 42 associated with respective engine cylinders in accordance with relative voltage levels, V1, V2 and V3 established by resistive dividers in response to timing signals from pulse coil windings 21, 22 and the output of an operating circuit 39, thereby avoiding the use of flip flops.

Abstract: A crank angle detector includes a first generator 2 for sequentially generating a first signal including a plurality of first pulses corresponding to the number of engine cylinders in two crankshaft revolutions, and a second generator 3 for generating a second signal in two revolutions including a plurality of groups of second pulses, each group of second pulses having a condition which corresponds to a specific period of the first signal and which is different from those of the other groups. A cylinder discriminator 4 is connected to the first and second generators for discriminating the operating strokes of the respective cylinders by detecting a specific pulse condition of the second signal which occurs within a specific period of the first signal. In a preferred embodiment, each of the second pulses has a width less than that of each pulse of the first signal, and each group of second pulses has a total sum of rising and falling edges which is different from that of each of the other groups.

Abstract: An engine control system comprises a crank angle sensor for generating reference signals, each outputted at a first predetermined rotational angle interval of the engine and position signals for controlling the ignition timing, an angle ignition signal generator for generating an angle ignition signal on the basis of the reference signal and the position signal, a clock signal generator for generating clock signals with a constant time period, a time ignition signal generator for generating a time ignition signal on the basis of the reference signal and the clock signal, abnormality detector for detecting abnormality in the position signals and outputting selecting means for selecting to output the angle ignition signals in a normal state and the time ignition signals when the abnormality in the position signals is detected, whereby the ignition timing is controlled in both normal and abnormal states of the position signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically controlling the spark advance of selected cylinders of a multicylinder engine so that the spark of the selected cylinders is advanced beyond others of the cylinders. For example, the selected cylinders may be advanced normal operational advance to increase combustion chamber temperatures and pressures for a relatively short period so as to clean the surfaces of the combustion chamber. The cylinders which are advanced are changed in sequence or at random so that all of the cylinders are cleaned. The system may also be used to control the spark advance of the cylinders to provide differing advances for the respective cylinders to accommodate differences in operational conditions at the cylinders.

Abstract: An engine igniter for a multi-cylinder engine has a plurality of power transistors for controlling the currents of corresponding ignition coils. The emitters of the power transistors are connected in common to a current sensing resistor. A differential amplifier amplifies the difference between the voltage across the current sensing resistor and a reference voltage. A current mirror circuit having a plurality of output terminals is driven by the output of the differential amplifier. Base current control transistors which control the base currents of the power transistors are controlled by the outputs of the current mirror circuit.

Abstract: An improved electronic position sensor assembly and engine control system is provided in which two sensing elements in a dual sensor provide separate, independent position signals related to multi-cylinder engine cycle position by sensing the angular position of a engine-rotated slotted wheel. The sensing elements provide identical sensing signals shifted from each other by a predetermined angular amount. In response to the simultaneous occurrence of a pulse by both sensing elements, a first reference signal identifying a reference cylinder is provided for controlling electronic distribution of either spark timing and/or fuel injection signals to the various engine cylinders. In response to one of the sensing elements producing a pulse which has a predetermined longer duration than a preceding produced pulse, a second reference signal is produced indicative of top-dead center engine cylinder cycle position for one of the cylinders.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine comprising an electromagnetic energy accumulator, a power source for supplying electromagnetic energy to the electromagnetic energy accumulator increasing an electromgnetic supplying line, a switching device responsive to rotation of the engine for controlling the supply of energy from the power source to the accumulator, a transformer having a primary winding connected to the accumulator, and a secondary winding for inducing a flow of electromagnetic energy in the secondary winding in response to the flow of electromagnetic energy in the primary winding, a rectifier for controlling the direction of flow of the electromagnetic energy in the primary winding and a spark generator connected to the secondary winding of the transformer for generating an electric spark in response to the energy flowing in the secondary winding.

Abstract: Opposite first projections are formed on a crankshaft disk secured to a crankshaft of an engine on diametrically opposite positions, which correspond to top dead centers for specific positions at least two groups in which a pair of cylinders are in opposite phase to each other. A first sensor is provided for sensing the first projections and for producing a crank angle signal. Second projections are formed on a camshaft disk for representing the number of cylinders. A second sensor is provided for sensing the second projections for producing a cam angle signal. A specific cylinder is discriminated by a projection formed on the camshaft disk. In accordance with the crank angle signal and with the cam angle signal, operations for cylinder in each group is controlled at start of the engine. Further, in accordance with the cam angle signal and crank angle signal and with the discrimination of cylinder, the operation for each cylinder is independently controlled.

Abstract: An ignition system having a first primary coil magnetically coupled only to a first second coil and a second primary coil magnetically coupled only to a second secondary coil. The secondary coils are electrically coupled to the output terminals through a diode steering circuit for connecting both secondary coils in voltage-aiding series such that the sum of the voltages on both secondary coils is coupled across the output terminals when both primary coils are simultaneously actuated; only the first secondary coil is coupled across the output terminals when only the first primary coil is actuated; and only the second secondary coil is coupled across the output terminals when only the second primary coil is actuated.

Abstract: An ignition timing control device for an internal combustion engine includes a load detector for detecting a load on the engine, an engine-revolution detector for detecting a number of revolution of the engine, a cylinder discrimination signal generator for generating cylinder discrimination signals, an operating device for operating the optimum ignition timing for the engine based on the outputs from the load detector and the engine-revolution detector, a drive signal generator for generating drive signals corresponding to the ignition timing for each of the ignition coils provided in each cylinder, and a distributor for distributing the drive signal to each of the ignition coils in an appropriate sequence on the basis of the cylinder discrimination signal. The distributor is provided with a distribution sequence maintaining device for maintaining the distribution sequence of the drive signal, even when the cylinder discrimination signal is stopped.

Abstract: A method for recognition of the power stroke of an internal combustion engine is proposed, in which recognition as to whether a cylinder is currently in the power stroke is possible by means of camparison of a signal that is synchronous with the crankshaft angle and a signal that is modulated by the combustion events of the engine.

Abstract: In a capacitive ignition system for an internal combustion engine, the discharging and charging of an ignition capacitor is controlled by a control unit which actuates a first circuit-breaking element in a discharging circuit and a second circuit-breaking element in a charging circuit. For the purpose of prolonging the ignition sparks so as to reliably ignite, especially in a lean fuel/air mixture, the control unit, at a time following the ordinary ignition time, actuates the second circuit-breaking element in such a way that it is kept conductive simultaneously with the first circuit-breaking element. Current is then supplied from an electrical energy source and via a primary winding. Thereafter, the control unit actuates either the first or second circuit-breaking elements in such a way that the current supply via the primary winding is interrupted, by which means a renewed ignition voltage is obtained which prolongs the ordinary ignition spark.

Abstract: An ignition system for a spark ignited internal combustion engine wherein a source of high direct voltage is connected to a spark plug by a solid-state high voltage switch. The switch comprises a plurality of series connected metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors which form a first string of series connected transistors. The system has a second string of series connected field effect transistors. The second string is connected in parallel with the spark plug and the second string is biased conductive when the first string is biased nonconductive. The system has a third string of series connected field effect transistors which operate as a voltage level shifter. The individual transistors that form the strings are mounted on common substrates formed of an insulating material such as sapphire.

Abstract: An engine stroke discriminating method and apparatus for a 4-cycle internal combustion engine which discriminates a stroke of the engine with accuracy, the method and apparatus being simple in construction and low in cost. The stroke discriminating method and apparatus is characterized by taking advantage of the fact that the rotational speed of a crankshaft after the top dead center of a cylinder of an engine rises substantially relative to that before the top dead center in a compression stroke of the cylinder but does not rise in an exhaust stroke. The stroke of the engine is thus, discriminated by determining the difference in rotational speed of the crankshaft before and after the top dead center of the cylinder.

Abstract: An ignition timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine comprises a signal rotor rotating in synchronism with the revolution of the engine, a plurality of trigger poles attached on the outer circumference of the signal rotor at positions corresponding to an ignition timing for each of the cyclinders, a signal coil for generating an angle signal in correspondence to the position of the trigger poles and an ignition timing operating device which measures the periods in the angle signal and compares the periods by multiplying a given coefficient alternately to thereby discriminate the cylinders and operate ignition timing for the cylinders.

Abstract: A trigger system for spark-fired internal combustion engines includes a plurality of magnets mounted in a structure that rotates in a timed relationship with the engine. One magnet is provided for each cylinder in the engine. All of the magnets except one have the same pole face exposed to couple inductively with a sensing coil, while the remaining magnet has an exposed pole of opposite polarity. The sensing coil is doubly wound and the resulting two coils are connected in opposite senses. The outputs of the two coils are taken to a decoding unit which produces an output of one pulse per magnet. Those pulses are substantially identical, regardless of magnet polarity, and are used to fire the spark plugs at the appropriate times. The decoding unit also produces a unique pulse which identifies the magnet of opposite polarity. That pulse is used to identify a selected cylider in the engine, such as the No. 1 cylinder.

Abstract: A device for controlling an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle comprises a stationary pickup element provided with a control circuit for ignition or the like of a motor vehicle, and a transducer wheel arranged to rotate with the shaft of the engine of the motor vehicle and operatively connected with the stationary pickup element, the transducer wheel having a circumference and being provided on the circumference with a number of segments that is proportional to a number of cylinders of the engine, the segments affecting the pickup element and extending substantially in a circumferential direction, at least one of the segments having a perforation with a width which is measured in a direction transverse to a direction of elongation of the segment and which increases in the direction of elongation of the segment to supply a signal serving as a marking for the control circuit.

Abstract: A pulse generator disk is secured to a crankshaft of an engine. The disk has notches representing a compression top dead center of each cylinder. A first magnetic pickup is provided for producing a first output signal in accordance with the notches. A rotary member is secured to a camshaft of the engine. The member has toothed portions comprising projections provided at positions corresponding to respective cylinders. The number of the projections in each toothed portion is set to represent a corresponding cylinder. A second magnetic pickup is provided for producing a second output signal in accordance with the projections. A control system is provided to respond to the second output signal determining the number of the projections to produce a cylinder designating signal, and to respond to the first output signal after the cylinder designating signal to produce a crank angle signal.

Abstract: The system comprisesa low-voltage electrical supply,an inductive voltage-increaser,a plurality of plugs, anddistribution means for allowing the selective supply of high voltage to the plugs through the voltage-increaser.The latter comprisesa low-voltage winding through which current flows each time a spark is prouduced in at least one plug, anda plurality of coils each of which is associated with a respective plug. Each coil includes first and second windings magnetically coupled together, the second winding being connected electrically to the plug. The distribution means are also adapted to connect the first winding of one or more of the coils selectively to the low voltage winding and to allow current to flow through the said windings to create the spark in the plugs connected to the said coils.

Abstract: A method of determining the cylinder #1 power firing event in a wasted spark ignition system comprises developing a first signal comprising the integration of all power firing event signals, a second signal comprises the integration of all wasted firing event signals and comparing the amplitudes of the two signals to determine which represents the power firing events. The firing event signals are sorted for integration based upon knowledge of the polarity of spark plug firings, the cylinder firing order and the occurrence of a #1 cylinder firing event signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronically-controlled plasma ignition device for internal combustion engines.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine comprising an ignition coil adapted to produce a secondary reversible voltage, two wires commonly branched from the one end of the ignition coil, and two spark plugs connected to the wires. In each of the two wires, there are provided a series gap forming device and a diode. The diodes are arranged in reverse directions relative to each other, so that the secondary high voltage generated in one direction can pass through one of the diodes and the secondary high voltage in the reverse direction can pass through the other diode, whereby a spark is realized at one end of the two spark plugs by a selective application of the primary current.

Abstract: A system for stroke identification of an internal combustion engine, comprising first sensor means for detecting given angles of a drive shaft; second sensor means for detecting given angles of a distributor shaft; third processing means for receiving signals from the first and second sensor means and for identifying the strokes on the engine; and on which the aforementioned second sensor means comprise a single sensor element.

Abstract: An auxiliary revolution sensor (16) is disposed for detecting a reference position signal (16a) of each cylinders. A computer (3) outputs an auxiliary reference cylinder signal (3d) by the reference position signal (16a). A pseudo reference position signal generator (12, 13, 14, 15) generates a pseudo reference position signal (15a) by the auxiliary reference cylinder signal (3d). An electronic distributor (5) outputs ignition signals (6) to ignitors (6-11) by outputting signals of the pseudo reference position signal generator and the computer, when a revolution sensor (1) is out of order.

Abstract: A crank angle detecting system for a multicylinder engine includes a disc formed with a large number of slits to detect one-degree crank angular positions and a small number of slits to detect a predetermined piston stroke for each cylinder. Since the widths of a small number of slits are different from each other, it is possible to separately discriminate each cylinder in crank angular position on the basis of the crank angle signals obtained by a large number of slits. In the case where the detecting system is incorporated with a group-ignition system, it is possible to detect a predetermined piston stroke for each cylinder immediately after the engine is started, thus preventing the engine from erroneous ignition.

Abstract: An ignition timing control system for an internal combustion engine comprises first signal generating means for generating a first signal at a crank angle position of the engine corresponding to each one of a plurality of cylinder groups; second signal generating means for generating a second signal at a crank angle position corresponding to a top-dead-center position of each cylinder, and distributing means for distributing ignition command signals to ignition devices provided for respective cylinder groups, in response to the first and second signals. Further, cylinder-discriminating means is provided for generating a third signal at a crank angle position corresponding to a particular one of the cylinders in response to the first and second signals.

Abstract: An inductive ignition system for a spark ignited internal combustion engine. An N-channel field effect transistor (FET) is connected in series with the primary winding of an ignition coil. The primary winding and the FET are connected in a high side drive connection. An NPN transistor has its collector-emitter circuit connected between the gate and source of the FET. When the FET is biased off a flyback voltage is developed across the primary winding which is used to bias the NPN transistor conductive thereby clamping the gate and source voltage of the FET together to keep the FET switched off.

Abstract: An automotive ignition system including an ignition capacitor electrically connected to a primary winding of a ignition transformer for providing energy to a spark plug which is connected to a second winding of the ignition transformer is disclosed. A charge circuit charges the ignition capacitor from a DC-DC voltage converter and includes an inductor and a thyristor. A discharge circuit discharges the ignition capacitor to the primary winding, and a control circuit operates the charge circuit and the discharge circuit in proper timed sequence during a demanded firing duration.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic ignition signal distributor for automobile engine, in which cylinders of the engine are identified using an ignition sequence counter and basing on the reference position signal and crank angle signal. The cylinder identity signal is taken AND with the distributed ignition position signal before being applied to the ignition device, thereby preventing the delivery of an active ignition signal in the event of a malfunctioning of the counter or cylinder identifying circuit, and ultimately preventing an erroneous ignition of irrelevant cylinders caused by a noise or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ignition signal control apparatus and method for a distributorless ignition system of the type having a sensing circuit which generates at least one reference signal which may be used to periodically indicate when ignition spark plugs should be fired, and at least one identifier signal determinative of the engine's crank angle position to identify the spark plug firing sequence. One aspect of the invention includes detecting that a transition in the identifier signal has not occurred, and generating a replacement signal independent of the crank angle position, to select one or more of the spark plugs to fire.

Abstract: A method or apparatus whereby the primary windings of a multi-coil ignition system may be connected to a common terminal to provide a composite signal identifying the start of each cylinder ignition sequence. Means may also be provided for inhibiting the generation of ignition pulses by selected coils.

Abstract: An ignition system for four cycle engines generates a first pulse when the crankshaft revolves by a first setting angle from a base position. The second pulse is generated when the crankshaft revolves to a second setting angle which is larger than the first setting by the angle difference between cylinders. The third pulse is generated at the position of a third setting angle which is between the first setting angle and the second setting angle in the position of the crankshaft when the crankshaft revolves twice. The generation of the first and second pulses is stopped or inhibited during the generation of the third pulse, allowing the first pulse to fade away.

Abstract: An engine has a crankshaft and cylinders. Each of the cylinders is associated with an ignition coil and a power transistor for controlling the ignition coil. Reference signals are generated at reference crank angles corresponding to the cylinders respectively. The cylinders are separated into groups and the cylinders in a common group are different from each other by an interval of 360.degree. in crank angle. The reference signals corresponding to the cylinders in a common group are similar to each other. The reference signal corresponding to the cylinder in a group is different from the reference signal corresponding to the cylinder in other group. The reference signal corresponding to preset one of the cylinders is different from the reference signals corresponding to the other cylinders.

Abstract: A digital ignition system is disclosed including a precision angular position sensor within the engine distributor or in cooperation with another rotary engine part providing accurate timing information applied to gating means selectively passing bursts of triggering pulses having a 7-to-1 duty cycle ratio. The bursts are applied to a driver circuit providing power amplification energizing the coil primary. An alternative mode is also disclosed simulating a conventional make and break ignition system for a service mode. In the service mode, a single pulse is issued to the coil upon the first pulse of the pulse burst after the angular position sensor senses that a cylinder firing operation is required. Thus, ordinary timing and diagnostic instruments may be used during the service mode to accurately establish ignition timing during normal, burst mode operation.

Abstract: An ignition system for controlling the distribution of ignition signals among a plurality of cylinders of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine. An ignition timing signal and a BCD code signal obtained by counting (3) the cylinder discrimination signal generated at predetermined intervals of crank angle in accordance with the engine speed and a default signal produced at the time of a trouble with the ignition system are applied to a distribution ROM (5). The ROM, in turn, applies an ignition timing signal to each cylinder on the basis of stored data in accordance with the combination of these input signals. A fixed-position ignition is established at the time of a trouble.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ignition system for a multicylinder Otto-type four-stroke engine equipped with at least one spark plug per cylinder, the ignition system including for each spark plug an ignition device (61,62) connectible to said spark plug in the engine substantially without cables, the ignition system also incorporating a control unit (8) sending signals in response to the engine operating conditions for triggering sparks at the spark plugs in a predetermined order. In order to ensure, in such ignition systems, transmission of maximum ignition voltage to the engine spark plugs and enable simple and safe handling of the ignition system during service and the like, the invention is mainly distinguished in that the ignition devices (61,62) to at least two adjacent spark plugs are included in a common, handleable unit, a so-called ignition cassette (70).

Abstract: The ignition system of a five-cylinder gasoline engine utilizes two ignition coils, each serving two cylinders which are fired at instants of the firing sequence which are separated by the firing of one of the cylinders served by the other of these ignition coils. A third ignition coil fires only the remaining cylinder. The sparkplugs of two cylinders fired by the same ignition coil are connected through oppositely poled diodes. This arrangement avoids circuit closing sparks when either of the twin primary windings of the ignition coils serving two cylinders is turned on. There are thus five separate primary windings and only three separate secondary windings, and the former are turned on and off by individual electronic switching circuits triggered in sequence by individual pulse generators responsive to a magnet on a single rotary disc.

Abstract: An electronic ignition system, for a four-stroke, four-cylinder engine, having:sensors that provide signals indicative of the running conditions of the engine,two ignition transformers, each having their respective output windings connected to the spark plugs of a respective pair of cylinders of the engine,means for monitoring the current flow in the respective input windings of the two transformers,switching means for selectively and alternately connecting output of a single integrated circuit to the input windings of the two transformers, and a micro-processor unit. The switching means has two electronically controlled switch devices, respectively in series with the input winding of the first and of the second ignition transformer, connected together in a current path in parallel.

Abstract: An invention for detecting loss of input signals to a distributorless ignition system (17) and for providing appropriate responses upon detecting fault conditions. If a SPOUT signal (31) faults low, the invention will control ignition sequence through use of a CID signal (14), and the CID signal (14) and a PIP signal (13) will be operably substituted for the missing SPOUT signal (31) to assure timely ignition. If the SPOUT signal (31) faults high, the CID signal (14) will again be utilized to sequence the firing sequence and the PIP signal (13) will be substituted for the SPOUT signal (31). If the CID signal (14) faults, firing sequence will continue to be incremented in response to receipt of the SPOUT signal (31). In addition, the invention provides for recovery of normal operation should any of the above fault conditions prove to be transient.

Abstract: A crank angle detecting system for a multicylinder engine includes a disc formed with a large number of slits to detect one-degree crank angular positions and a small number of slits to detect a predetermined piston stroke for each cylinder. Since the widths of a small number of slits are different from each other, it is possible to separately discriminate each cylinder in crank angular position on the basis of the crank angle signals obtained by a large number of slits. In the case where the detecting system is incorporated with a group-ignition system, it is possible to detect a predetermined piston stroke for each cylinder immediately after the engine is started, thus preventing the engine from erroneous ignition.

Abstract: In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine which is operable in synchronism with rotation of the engine to switch on and off a primary current in an ignition coil and applies to a spark plug a high voltage induced in the ignition coil secondary winding upon the off switching, a Zener diode is connected to the low-voltage side of the ignition coil secondary winding in order to prevent a secondary voltage induced upon the on switching of the primary current from being applied to the spark plug.

Abstract: An electronic ignition system is disclosed for controlling as a function of a selected engine parameter the ignition instants of an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, a piston, a spark plug for effecting combustion in the cylinder and a rotatable crankshaft coupled to the piston to be rotatably driven as combustions within said cylinder occur at said ignition instants. The crankshaft has a reference position defining a positional relationship of the crankshaft to the cylinder. The ignition system includes an optical encoder directly coupled to the crankshaft for generating ignition signals upon the termination of a variable crankshaft arc beginning at a point fixed with respect to the reference position. The length of the crankshaft arc is set as a function of one or more selected engine parameters.

Abstract: To reliably provide ignition energy only to specific spark plugs (11, 12; 14, 15) of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine (ICE), a double-E core has primary windings (6, 8) located on a main or central branch, and separate secondary windings (10, 13) located in shunt branches, each secondary winding being associated with respective spark plugs. The primary windings are so energized that, at any one time, only one of the primary windings is conductive. In accordance with the invention, permanent-magnet biasing magnets (18, 20) are located in air gaps in the shunt magnetic paths (17, 19), and so polarized that the flux generated upon current flow through the respective branches of the primary windings is counter the bias magnetization of the respective magnet (18, 20) in the respective shunt path (17, 19) on which the secondary winding (10, 13) is wound which is associated with the respectively energized primary winding (e.g.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing a high voltage arc from the high voltage ignition coil of a piston type internal combustion engine to the respective spark plug terminals by means of a high resistance, field-interrupting dielectric device which has an aperture therethrough defining a conductive path through the non-conductive dielectric device. The device is rotated in a fixed gap between the fixed location high voltage ignition coil electrode and the opposing spark plug terminal electrodes in such a manner so as to cause the aperture therethrough to pass directly between the electrodes which in turn allows a high voltage arc to bridge the fixed gap between the electrodes thus causing the spark plugs to be fired. When the aperture is not present in the fixed gap between the electrodes, the high resistance dielectric material of the device interrupts the electrical field between the electrodes, thus preventing an arc from bridging the gap and the spark plugs from being fired.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine having two or more cylinders. Two or more sensors are correspondingly associated with the two or more cylinders. These sensors are further correspondingly associated with flip-flops. The outputs of these flip-flops are combined by an OR gate and then distributed by an additional distributing flip-flop and AND gates for each of ignition elements also associated with the cylinders, whereby even though the output of any one of the sensors fails to attain a required level of the flip-flops, an erroneous distribution is prevented for the ignition elements of the engine.

Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes an ignition coil having a plurality of primary coils corresponding respectively to individual cylinders of the internal combustion engine, a basic ignition signal detector for producing basic ignition signals in synchronism with the engine rotation, an ignition control circuit for receiving the basic ignition signals and producing an ignition control signal having a controlled predetermined pulse width, a basic cylinder discriminating signal detector for producing a basic cylinder discriminating signal having a period twice that of the basic ignition signals in synchronism with the engine rotation, a cylinder discriminating signal forming logic circuit for receiving the ignition control signal and the basic cylinder discriminating signal and forming a cylinder discriminating signal by changing-over the basic cylinder discriminating signal in accordance with a state thereof, at a transition point of a waveform of the ignition control signal which co