Abstract: A high-voltage lead intended for use in ignition systems of engines, typically large engines, the lead having an inner insulated conductor surrounded either by an inner conductive sleeve and an outer insulating sleeve, or by a single insulating sleeve with a conductive layer on its inner surface. The conductive sleeve or conductive layer, which is preferably non-metallic, provides shielding but permits the use of conventional pickup devices to detect electrical pulses in the lead and thereby monitor engine performance with the use of a timing light, oscilloscope or similar device. The presence of two insulating layers provides a desired measure of safety in the presence of an explosive gas and air mixture. The conductive layer provides both shielding and static electricity discharge. The structure of the invention is less expensive than ignition leads with conventional braided stainless steel shielding, and requires less effort and cost to maintain in safe condition.

Abstract: The invention provides a circuit (100) that isolates the electrical signals or noise in an ignition system from a computer (60) which controls the timing of the ignition system. The circuit is characterized by an electro-optical coupling device (130) such as a photosensitive transistor (125) controlled by a light emitting diode (120) to provide a variable light output in response to a variable output signal from the computer analyzing the operation of the engine.

Abstract: This invention provides a circuit for automatically advancing the timing of an ignition system independent of engine speed. The invention is characterized by timing circuit (100) which initiates a timing change in reponse to a computer output signal (60) by operating a transistor (125) in its active region as a resistor.

Abstract: A distributor for an ignition system that includes a plurality of optical switches (20) and a rotating member (40) having two windows (41, 42) spaced 180 degrees apart so that each switch is activated twice for each revolution of the distributor shaft. The distributor requires only as many optically coupled switches (20) as there are cylinders.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for obtaining a uniform advance for an internal combustion engine requiring unequal firing angles between cylinders and is characterized by an electromagnetic pulse generator having a trigger wheel that includes a number of metal vanes greater than a number of cylinders in the internal combustion engine. Although the trigger wheel generates more trigger pulses for each operating cycle of the engine than there are spark plugs only the number of trigger pulses equal to the number of spark plugs are transmitted to one or more switching devices to allow the discharge of stored electrical energy through a respective spark plug in timed relation to the operating cycle of the engine.

Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine that provides automatically advanced timing over a predetermined range of engine speeds. The ignition system includes a timing circuit (100) that controls the resistance and hence voltage across a capacitor (53) that biases a switch in the trigger circuit (50) of the system. The transistor (125) is operated in its active region so that the transistor (125) operates as a variable resistor. As the resistance of the transistor (125) decreases with increasing engine speed the timing of the system advances. The predetermined speed at which the advance begins is determined by zener diode (119) in series with the base of the transistor (125). The maximum advance of the system is limited by a resistor (94) in series between the transistor (125) and the capacitor (53) of the trigger circuit (50). The transistor (125) is operated in its active region by a transistorized circuit that receives its power from the main storage capacitor (27) of the ignition system.

Abstract: A breakerless distributor for an internal combustion engine ignition system in which a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (73, 75, 77, 79) equal to the number of engine cylinders are connected in series for simultaneous energization by the timing pulses. A phototransistor (83, 85, 87, 89) arranged in spaced, confronting relationship to each LED is connected to a silicon controlled rectifier (95) which triggers the energizing circuit (7, 9, 11, 13) for an individual spark plug (103) each time the phototransistor is turned on by emissions from its associated LED.

Abstract: A fuel control system for an electronically controlled fuel injected internal combustion engine, whereby fuel is injected into the cylinders for a fixed number of degrees with respect to the crankshaft rotation. A trigger pulse is fed into a tachometer circuit (32) giving a DC ramp output with respect to speed. A portion of this ramp signal is fed into a monostable circuit (31) whose output pulse duration is now speed dependent and remains constant in degrees of engine crankshaft as the speed of the crankshaft increases. By adjusting the slope of DC ramp output fed into the monostable circuit (31), the fuel "on" time may be set to any fixed number of engine crankshaft degrees desired for a particular engine.

Abstract: A pulse generating system especially adapted for use in ignition systems of internal combustion engines including a solid state pulse triggering circuit for controlling spark timing and in which the timing is advanced with increased engine speed and can be changed independently of engine speed by a voltage biasing means. The triggering circuit can be programmed to provide any desired spark timing and can be controlled in response to a condition, such as engine fuel, temperature, pressure or other parameter.