Patents by Inventor Ronald D. Mackie

Ronald D. Mackie has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6339743
    Abstract: An ignition system for energizing an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine. The system including a high voltage unit for energizing the ignition coil of the engine, a memory for storing system function indices and a processor. The processor receives a timing signal from an engine speed pick-up device, accesses the memory to retrieve the system function indices, and causes the high voltage unit to energize the ignition coil based on the system function indices and the frequency of the timing signal. The system also includes a programmer in communication with the processor for allowing a user to instruct the processor to select and modify the system function indices during engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Holley Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Young, Ronald D. Mackie
  • Patent number: 6272428
    Abstract: An ignition system for energizing an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine. The system including a high voltage unit for energizing the ignition coil of the engine, a memory for storing system function indices and a processor. The processor receives a timing signal from an engine speed pick-up device, accesses the memory to retrieve the system function indices, and causes the high voltage unit to energize the ignition coil based on the system function indices and the frequency of the timing signal. System function indices data includes ignition timing curve data with a nominal or base curve and a plurality of adjustment timing curves for cylinder-specific timing calibration. The system also provides for optimal multiple sparking at low engine speeds by taking into consideration battery voltage and capacitor charge times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Holley Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David Heath, Ronald D. Mackie
  • Patent number: 6205395
    Abstract: An ignition system for energizing an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine. The system including a high voltage unit for energizing the ignition coil of the engine, a memory for storing system function indices and a processor. The processor receives a timing signal from an engine speed pick-up device, accesses the memory to retrieve the system function indices, and causes the high voltage unit to energize the ignition coil based on the system function indices and the frequency of the timing signal. The system also includes a programmer in communication with the processor for allowing a user to instruct the processor to select and modify the system function indices during engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Holley Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Young, Ronald D. Mackie
  • Patent number: 4558673
    Abstract: An electronic ignition system for an internal combustion engine. In a first embodiment an input pulse is generated at the same point in each revolution of the engine. Clock pulses at a first pulse rate are counted between consecutive input pulses. The resulting count signal is transferred to a down counter which, between the consecutive input pulses, counts down at a faster rate. For an eight cylinder engine this faster rate is four times the first pulse rate, for a six cylinder engine it is three times the first pulse rate, and for a four cylinder engine it is twice the first pulse rate. In a second embodiment a computed count signal is reset into a down counter which is then counted down. In each embodiment, when the down counter reaches its zero count level the count signal is again preset into it so that it recycles. Each time the down counter passes a pre-selected count level, an output pulse is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: Nutek, Incorporated
    Inventor: Ronald D. Mackie
  • Patent number: 4046125
    Abstract: A high efficiency capacitive discharge ignition system utilizing the principle of simultaneous energy storage on both a capacitor and an inductor during the time that energy is drawn from the vehicle battery. The system is adapted for use with a breakerless type distributor by providing transistor switching circuitry which opens and closes a circuit on the primary side of a transformer in accordance with the output pulse of the distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1977
    Inventor: Ronald D. Mackie