Abstract: In at least some implementations, a lamination stack includes a plurality of plates coupled together, each plate including at least one leg that collectively define a leg of the stack, with the leg of the stack arranged so that a wire coil may be arranged on the leg of the stack, and wherein the leg of the stack includes a location feature arranged to facilitate location of the stack relative to an adjacent component. In at least some implementations, the location feature may be integrally formed with at least one of the plates, and may be defined by a projection extending from a free end of at least one leg of the stack.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a method of directing use of a handheld device including a tool which is used to perform work on a property, includes analyzing the property to determine at least one area in which work is to be performed, determining a starting point for the work, determining an ending point for the work, determining a work path to be taken by a user between the starting point and the ending point, and communicating the work path to a user of the handheld device. The communication may occur via a screen of a portable electronic device, like a phone, tablet or a dedicated display for the device.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a fuel supply module includes a reservoir and a fuel pump carried by the reservoir. The reservoir may include a body and a lid that define an internal volume to contain a supply of fuel, and the reservoir may include an inlet through which fuel enters the internal volume and an outlet from which fuel is discharged from the fuel supply module. The fuel pump is carried by the reservoir and has a first inlet communicating with the internal volume to take fuel into the fuel pump from the internal volume and a second inlet spaced above the first inlet relative to the direction of the force of gravity to take fluid or vapors into the fuel pump from the internal volume. The fuel pump includes an outlet from which fluid is discharged for delivery to an engine through the reservoir outlet.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a lamination stack includes a plurality of plates coupled together, each plate including at least one leg that collectively define a leg of the stack, with the leg of the stack arranged so that a wire coil may be arranged on the leg of the stack, and wherein the leg of the stack includes a location feature arranged to facilitate location of the stack relative to an adjacent component. In at least some implementations, the location feature may be integrally formed with at least one of the plates, and may be defined by a projection extending from a free end of at least one leg of the stack.

Abstract: A speed regulating circuit in communication with an ignition circuit having a primary coil coupled to an ignition member to cause an ignition event within an engine, the speed regulating circuit being arranged to selectively prevent energy from the primary coil from being discharged to the ignition member to selectively prevent an ignition event. In at least some implementations, the speed regulating circuit includes a bidirectional or bilateral triode thyristor having an anode coupled to the primary coil and an anode coupled to ground, and an input gate that may be selectively actuated to route to ground energy received at the triode thyristor from the primary coil to inhibit transfer of energy from the primary coil to the ignition member. The triode thyristor may be selectively actuated, for example, as a function of engine speed, such as an engine speed above a threshold speed.

Abstract: A kill switch assembly for an internal combustion engine may include a housing, a first terminal carried by the housing and connected to a ground wire, a second terminal carried by the housing and connected to an engine microcontroller communication wire, and a kill switch. The kill switch may be carried by the housing, electrically connected to the first and second terminals, and manually operable by an operator to change the state of the electric switch to provide an engine stop signal to the engine microcontroller. The assembly may also include an electronic circuit carried by the housing, connected to the first and second terminals, and through the wires communicating with the engine microcontroller.

Abstract: A fuel system that in at least some implementations includes a carburetor having a fluid passage, a solenoid, a valve, a driver circuit and a control circuit. The valve may be moved by the solenoid between an open position permitting fluid flow through the fluid passage and a closed position at least partially inhibiting fluid flow through the fluid passage. The driver circuit and control circuit are communicated with the solenoid to contribute to providing power to the solenoid and controlling actuation of the solenoid. The driver circuit and control circuit provide a first magnitude of power to the solenoid to initially change the solenoid from its closed position to its open position and a second magnitude of power to maintain the solenoid in its open position wherein the second magnitude of power is less than the first magnitude.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a fuel supply module includes a reservoir and a fuel pump carried by the reservoir. The reservoir may include a body and a lid that define an internal volume to contain a supply of fuel, and the reservoir may include an inlet through which fuel enters the internal volume and an outlet from which fuel is discharged from the fuel supply module. The fuel pump is carried by the reservoir and has a first inlet communicating with the internal volume to take fuel into the fuel pump from the internal volume and a second inlet spaced above the first inlet relative to the direction of the force of gravity to take fluid or vapors into the fuel pump from the internal volume. The fuel pump includes an outlet from which fluid is discharged for delivery to an engine through the reservoir outlet.

Abstract: A kill switch assembly for an internal combustion engine may include a housing, a first terminal carried by the housing and connected to a ground wire, a second terminal carried by the housing and connected to an engine microcontroller communication wire, and a kill switch. The kill switch may be carried by the housing, electrically connected to the first and second terminals, and manually operable by an operator to change the state of the electric switch to provide an engine stop signal to the engine microcontroller. The assembly may also include an electronic circuit carried by the housing, connected to the first and second terminals, and through the wires communicating with the engine microcontroller.

Abstract: A fuel system that in at least some implementations includes a carburetor having a fluid passage, a solenoid, a valve, a driver circuit and a control circuit. The valve may be moved by the solenoid between an open position permitting fluid flow through the fluid passage and a closed position at least partially inhibiting fluid flow through the fluid passage. The driver circuit and control circuit are communicated with the solenoid to contribute to providing power to the solenoid and controlling actuation of the solenoid. The driver circuit and control circuit provide a first magnitude of power to the solenoid to initially change the solenoid from its closed position to its open position and a second magnitude of power to maintain the solenoid in its open position wherein the second magnitude of power is less than the first magnitude.

Abstract: A fuel system that in at least some implementations includes a carburetor having a fluid passage, a solenoid, a valve, a driver circuit and a control circuit. The valve may be moved by the solenoid between an open position permitting fluid flow through the fluid passage and a closed position at least partially inhibiting fluid flow through the fluid passage. The driver circuit and control circuit are communicated with the solenoid to contribute to providing power to the solenoid and controlling actuation of the solenoid. The driver circuit and control circuit provide a first magnitude of power to the solenoid to initially change the solenoid from its closed position to its open position and a second magnitude of power to maintain the solenoid in its open position wherein the second magnitude of power is less than the first magnitude.

Abstract: A fuel system that in at least some implementations includes a carburetor having a fluid passage, a solenoid, a valve, a driver circuit and a control circuit. The valve may be moved by the solenoid between an open position permitting fluid flow through the fluid passage and a closed position at least partially inhibiting fluid flow through the fluid passage. The driver circuit and control circuit are communicated with the solenoid to contribute to providing power to the solenoid and controlling actuation of the solenoid. The driver circuit and control circuit provide a first magnitude of power to the solenoid to initially change the solenoid from its closed position to its open position and a second magnitude of power to maintain the solenoid in its open position wherein the second magnitude of power is less than the first magnitude.

Abstract: A control circuit for use with an ignition system of a light-duty combustion engine. In one embodiment, the control circuit includes a charging circuit, a timing circuit and a shut down circuit that includes a manual stop switch. Activation of the manual stop switch causes the control circuit to shut down the engine, and can do so even if the manual stop switch is only momentarily engaged by the operator.

Abstract: A control circuit for use with an ignition system of a light-duty combustion engine. In one embodiment, the control circuit includes a charging circuit, a timing circuit and a shut down circuit that includes a manual stop switch. Activation of the manual stop switch causes the control circuit to shut down the engine, and can do so even if the manual stop switch is only momentarily engaged by the operator.

Abstract: A capacitor discharge ignition (CDI) system for a light-duty spark ignition combustion engine includes an analog control circuit having a charging circuit, a trigger circuit and a shutdown circuit. In response to activation of a kill-switch, the shutdown circuit causes a switching device to discharge an ignition capacitor. Through the use of an RC circuit, the switching device continues to be biased such that it prolongs the discharge of the ignition capacitor, thereby preventing it from storing charge for the upcoming ignition pulse. This generally continues until the engine has come to a stop, at which time the engine can be immediately restarted without having to reset anything. The control circuit may also include engine speed limiting and ignition timing features.

Abstract: A capacitor discharge ignition (CDI) system includes a trigger circuit that generates a trigger signal in synchronism with operation of an engine for discharging an ignition capacitor. A timing circuit is connected to the trigger circuit for controlling the timing of the trigger signal and includes a timing coil for generating a timing signal in synchronism with operation of the engine. The timing circuit further includes a switch that has primary electrodes connected to the trigger circuit and a control electrode coupled to the timing coil for shorting the trigger circuit as a function of engine speed. The CDI system is thus capable of advancing engine timing to enable low-speed startup. The timing circuit is further adaptable to provide skip-spark speed-governing, timing retard speed-governing, and anti-reverse rotation of the engine.