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

Abstract: A supplementary ignition system in an internal combustion engine having an induction coil ignition systems of the type in which a first spark signal is generated to provide a single second spark signal a predetermined time after the start of the first spark signal. The invention supplements and does not alter or affect the first spark signal the first spark signal provided by the primary ignition system for the internal combustion engine. Augmentation with the second strike ignition system results in a longer duration and higher quality double strike spark at the spark plug of the engine during the compression stroke of the engine to provide more complete combustion of the fuel/air mixture in each cylinder of the engine. Being a supplemental ignition system, it can be removed at any time with immediate reversal back to the original equipment and its performance.

Abstract: A supplementary ignition system in an internal combustion engine having an induction coil ignition systems of the type in which a first spark signal is generated to provide a single second spark signal a predetermined time after the start of the first spark signal. The invention supplements and does not alter or affect the first spark signal the first spark signal provided by the primary ignition system for the internal combustion engine. Augmentation with the second strike ignition system results in a longer duration and higher quality double strike spark at the spark plug of the engine during the compression stroke of the engine to provide more complete combustion of the fuel/air mixture in each cylinder of the engine. Being a supplemental ignition system, it can be removed at any time with immediate reversal back to the original equipment and its performance.

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

Abstract: A solid-state, push rod actuated breakerless ignition system is disclosed that is particularly suitable for use as original equipment or an after market upgrade for many industrial engines of the type having a cam-operated push rod actuated ignition. The apparatus includes a base for mounting to the engine, a rocker arm movably mounted to the base for periodic actuation by the cam lobe and having a first transducer element fixably located thereon for movement in an arm path, a second transducer element mounted in predetermined relation to the base proximate the arm path, and a circuit for producing an electrical trigger signal in response to the movement of the first transducer element to a predetermined spatial relation with the second transducer element, the combustion being initiated in response to the trigger signal.