Abstract: A ignition module for an ignition system originally fitted with mechanical breaker points. The module comprising a drive winding adapted to be circumferentially received about one of the legs of a core for generating a first induced voltage signal in response to engine rotation. The module further comprising a control circuit extending from the drive winding and positioned between a core leg and an ignition coil.

Abstract: A capacitive discharge magneto ignition system comprising a magneto (10) for generating an ignition spark through a plurality of ignition coils (66,68). The magneto (10) supports a plurality of coils (40,42) on its center pole (20) or leg and a separate pulse suppression coil (46) situated between two of its poles (20,22) or legs. The system includes control circuitry (200) interposing the magneto (10) and ignition coils (66,68) for varying ignition spark timing (206), limiting the maximum speed of engine rotation (208) and for preventing reverse engine rotation.

Abstract: A magneto (10) comprising an E-type stator (12) and a rotor (14) movable relative to the stator (12) to induce therein a varying flux field. The three legs or poles (18, 20, 22) of the stator (14) are asymmetrically placed and the center pole (20) supports a charge coil (40) and a trigger coil (42). A suppression coil (42), wound about an iron core (50), is remotely positioned and electrically isolated from the stator poles (18, 20, 22) and situated within a larger spacing (34) defined by the asymmetrically placed stator poles (18, 20, 24).

Abstract: A capacitor-discharge magneto ignition system utilizes an E-shaped core and a time delay circuit to provide a step advance at a predetermined speed, the magnitude of the spark advance being a function of the spacing of the legs of the E-shaped core and the spacing of magnet pole pieces of a magnet-carrying flywheel. The waveform induced in the windings about the center leg of the E-shaped core has a first positive portion, a second negative portion and a third positive portion. The storage capacitor is charged during the second portion, and discharged through a switching means by a trigger signal derived during the third portion below a predetermined engine speed. A trigger signal is also derived from the first portion, and is ineffective at lower engine speeds, because the storage capacitor is not yet charged, but does energize a time delay means including a trigger signal shunting means which remains conductive for a predetermined time.

Abstract: An ignition system for a rotating internal combustion engine is provided with a digital timing circuit for determining speed-responsive ignition advance angles, responsive to a rotating armature having teeth which are unequally spaced, the unequal spaces between teeth being used to identify one particular tooth. The time required for the passage of a tooth is a measure of rotational speed, which determines advance angle. The circuit causes a dwell period to start at the leading edge of the identified tooth, computes an advance angle from previously determined rotational speed, and provides an ignition spark at an angle corresponding to the difference between the tooth angle and the actual advance angle, and stores this angle. Upon the passage of the leading edge of the next tooth, the ignition spark will occur at the stored angle.

Abstract: A circuit for selecting between two or more detecting elements, such as magnetic pickups or resonant sensors (10, 12, 14) or (132, 134) spaced around a rotating member (15a, 157) to generate timing signals for an ignition system for an engine (15, 156) is disclosed. One disclosed embodiment is usable with a conventional mechanical advance to provide an additional advance above a predetermined vehicle (102) speed, and which may be negated by a vacuum switch (119) if the engine (156) is under heavy load. Another disclosed embodiment utilizes a plurality of such sensors (10, 12, 14) to provide a step-type ignition advance for an engine (15).