Abstract: The inexpensive sensor detects a low oil or no oil condition in an internal combustion engine and shuts down the engine. The sensor includes two inductors having different resistances disposed in a sensing bridge. The inductors are heated by a steady low voltage. A periodic higher voltage is applied to the inductors by means of a power winding disposed on the same frame as the ignition coil. When at least one of the inductors is disposed in air and not in oil, an imbalance is created in the sensing circuit that is used to short out the ignition primary. Alternatively, the sensor can be used to provide a visual or audible indication of a low oil level without stopping the engine.

Abstract: An engine starting and stopping device for an internal combustion engine includes an energy storing mechanism having at least one elastic member such as a spring, an input element engageable with the elastic member and movable during engine coast down to load the elastic member, and an output element that is movable in response to the energy storing mechanism. The output element is movable in response to the energy storing mechanism as the elastic member unloads from the loaded state, to thereby move a rotatable member (i.e., a crankshaft and/or flywheel) of the engine during starting of the engine. An input control device is also provided for positioning the input element into engagement with the rotatable member of the engine such that rotation of the rotatable member moves the input element to load the elastic member during engine coast down and also to brake the engine.

Abstract: An automatic choke for a small internal combustion engine uses an air vane responsive to an air flow created by a radial fan to position the choke valve during engine starting. A return spring or gravity may be used to reset the automatic choke after the engine has been stopped. The automatic choke includes a thermally-responsive device that keeps the choke at least partially open during hot restarts of the engine.

Abstract: An engine speed limiter for an internal combustion engine having an ignition primary winding that outputs an ignition pulse and fires a spark plug in response to the ignition pulse is disclosed. An electrical storage device receives electrical energy from the ignition primary winding. A control circuit receives electrical energy from the electrical storage device and generates a trigger signal. The potential of the received electrical energy of the controller is limited to a predetermined value by the controller. A switching mechanism is responsive to the trigger signal and shorts the ignition pulse, thereby preventing the spark plug from firing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses asymmetrical bleach activators for use in both solid and liquid additive, bleaching and detergent compositions. The asymmetrical bleach activators display the unique ability to form both hydrophilic and hydrophobic bleaching agents in aqueous liquors such as bleaching solutions. Thus, fabrics, hard surfaces or dishes having hydrophobic stains such as dingy and or hydrophilic stains such as beverages can be effectively cleaned or bleached using the bleach activators of the present invention.

Abstract: A control system for an engine low oil sensor prevents engine starting if the oil level is below a predetermined level, but thereafter enables the engine to run uninterrupted even if the oil level becomes low during engine operation. After the engine is shut off for any reason, the control system resets so that the low oil switch is operable during the next attempted restart of the engine. The control system also includes a visual or audible indicator that indicates when engine starting is prevented due to a low oil condition.

Abstract: An automatic choke for a small internal combustion engine uses an air vane responsive to an air flow created by a radial fan to position the choke valve during engine starting. A return spring or gravity may be used to reset the automatic choke after the engine has been stopped. The automatic choke includes a thermally-responsive device that keeps the choke at least partially open during hot restarts of the engine.

Abstract: Bleach boosters comprising quaternary imine zwitterions are disclosed. The bleach boosters increase bleaching effectiveness in lower temperature solutions and demonstrate superior color safety profiles. The bleach boosters are ideally suited for inclusion into bleaching compositions including those with detersive surfactants and enzymes. Also provided is a laundry additive product including quaternary imine zwitterions. A method for laundering a fabric employing the bleach boosters of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: The improved battery-powered lawnmower includes a safety key that is automatically removed when the removable battery is removed, while at the same time blocking the battery recharger receptacle. The lawnmower also includes a control circuit that shuts off the lawnmower upon the occurrence of one or more of several predetermined conditions, including low battery voltage, the encountering of heavy grass for a period of 3 seconds or more, and high motor current that may occur when the cutting blade is jammed. The cutting blade is designed to move through any debris accumulated between the blade ends and the housing sidewall without sacrificing the lift for needed cutting and mulching. The invention also includes a unique height adjustment assembly for adjusting the height of the chassis, a handle attachment that allows the handle to be positively tightened to the lawnmower chassis, and a telescoping groove for the battery's quick connect/disconnect terminals.

Abstract: The improved battery-powered lawnmower includes a safety key that is automatically removed when the removable battery is removed, while at the same time blocking the battery recharger receptacle. The lawnmower also includes a control circuit that shuts off the lawnmower upon the occurrence of one or more of several predetermined conditions, including low battery voltage, the encountering of heavy grass for a period of 3 seconds or more, and high motor current that may occur when the cutting blade is jammed. The cutting blade is designed to move through any debris accumulated between the blade ends and the housing sidewall without sacrificing the lift for needed cutting and mulching. The invention also includes a unique height adjustment assembly for adjusting the height of the chassis, a handle attachment that allows the handle to be positively tightened to the lawnmower chassis, and a telescoping groove for the battery's quick connect/disconnect terminals.

Abstract: The low cost speed governor is used to provide stable device speed over a wide range of selected reference speeds and loads. The speed governor includes a means for changing the pulse width of a pulsed reference signal as a function of the selected reference speed and the load applied to the device. Operational stability is achieved at low reference speeds by automatically increasing the speed droop as the selected reference speed is lowered and as the applied load is increased. Overall governor cost is reduced by an arrangement that uses the same potentiometer to both vary the selected reference speed and to automatically change the speed droop.

Abstract: The low cost speed governor for internal combustion engines may be completely powered by the ignition coil. The governor receives a periodic signal from the primary ignition winding that is indicative of the actual speed of the engine. A pulsed speed signal is generated that is functionally related to the periodic signal. The pulsed speed signal has a pulse width that is functionally related to the actual engine speed. A pulsed reference signal is generated by a timer circuit, and has a pulse width that is functionally related to a predetermined reference speed. The pulsed speed signal is then compared with the pulse reference signal by a comparator circuit, and a pulsed error signal is generated that has a pulse width which is functionally related to the difference between the speed signal pulse width and the reference signal pulse width. The speed of the device is then changed by a transistor bridge network as a function of the error signal.

Abstract: The device automatically determines whether a load is being applied to the engine, and outputs a change signal that is used to change one or more engine operating parameters accordingly, such as engine speed, engine timing, or fuel flow. The load is sensed without using a manifold pressure or throttle plate position sensor, thereby reducing the cost of the system. The load is sensed by determining a period of a first crankshaft revolution, determining a period of the successive second crankshaft revolution, and computing a difference value that is a function of the difference between the first and second periods. Since the difference value is proportional to engine load, the difference values may be compared with a reference value to determine whether a load is being applied to the engine. The reference value may be preset, may be manually determined by the operator, or may be learned by the system's software.

Abstract: A speed controller for a DC motor minimizes speed droop and load droop through pulse width or frequency modulation. The controller provides an extra power increase upon engine starting or whenever a heavier load is temporarily encountered. The control circuit also has a current limiter, overload indicators, and a battery recharger. The controller is very inexpensive, primarily because all of the timing components are contained on a single integrated circuit timer chip such as a 556 timer. The controller contains other features, including a circuit for limiting the pulse width of the control signal from the pulse width modulator.

Abstract: The modular, automatic idle down system is plugged in series between the 120 VAC output connector of a generator and the input plug of the load device. One prong of the load's input plug may be received directly in a load sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor. The self-contained modular unit is connectable to the mechanical or electronic governor of the generator's engine. The idling system provides two time delays which delay the idling down of the engine upon initial starting and when the load is removed from the generator. When the sensed load current falls below a threshold value, the idling system generates an output signal, after the predetermined time delays, to override the engine's mechanical or electronic governor. The speed-of the engine is thereby reduced from the governed speed to an idle speed.

Abstract: An electronic governor is disclosed for power producing and power absorbing devices having a minimum number of component parts. Power for all of the electronic governor components is supplied by a small coil, thereby avoiding the need for an additional coil frame or other power source. In a preferred embodiment, power supply circuitry converts the alternating signal from the coil to a direct current signal to power the governor. A signal conditioner also provides a low state signal to a 555 timer to start the timing cycle. The length of the timing cycle, and thus the high state control signal output of the timer, is a function of the desired device speed. When the timer output is at a high state while at the same time the alternating signal from the coil is at its first polarity, one or more switches conduct to adjust an electromagnetic actuator. In one embodiment, the switches control a motor connected to an engine throttle and operated in a stepper mode.

Abstract: An idling system is disclosed for devices such as internal combustion engines having a speed controlling or governor. When no load is sensed by a load sensing means, a disable means generates a disable signal to deactivate the engine's speed controller after a predetermined time delay period. When a load is sensed, the disable means is itself disabled, allowing the device's speed control means to operate the device at the higher governed speed.

Abstract: A capacitive-discharge ignition system having a step advance is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the ignition thyristor is gated on at low engine speeds by a first control means in response to a primary winding output signal, and is gated on at higher engine speeds by a second control means in response to a charge winding output signal. In alternate embodiments, the first control means is responsive to a primary winding signal having a first polarity, and the second control means is responsive to a primary winding signal of the opposite polarity. The charge winding is located on a leading pole of a stator, with the primary winding disposed on a distinct, trailing pole. This arrangement enables the charge capacitor to fully charge before the ignition thyristor is gated on.

Abstract: A continuously advancing capacitive discharge ignition system for small internal combustion engines is disclosed in which both the negative and the positive half-cycles of the control winding output signal may be used for the continuous timing advance. Gating of the ignition SCR is controlled by applying a voltage divided first control signal to the SCR gate and a phase shifted second control signal to the SCR cathode. The predetermined voltage differential between the first control signal and the second control signal, which is reached progressively earlier with increased engine speed, is used to gate on the SCR earlier as speed increases to achieve continuous timing advance.

Abstract: An engine speed limiter is disclosed in which the ignition primary winding is shorted to limit engine speed whenever an ignition pulse is received by a switch at the same time that a switch is gated on by a positive output pulse from a timing circuit. A signal conditioning circuit receives a positive-going pulse from the ignition primary winding and outputs a conditioned signal to the timer to begin the timer's positive output signal. The speed limiter is suitable to be retrofit onto existing ignition systems.