Abstract: A method and apparatus for firing a detonator in a perforating gun string into a wellbore to a predetermined location using solid state electronics comprising: raising the voltage on the wireline to signal a solid state dual firing circuit within the perforating gun string to energize a detonator, energize the detonator, opening the detonator, firing a first perforating gun, and lowering the voltage of the wireline.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for firing a detonator in a perforating gun string into a wellbore to a predetermined location using solid state electronics comprising: raising the voltage on the wireline to signal a solid state dual firing circuit within the perforating gun string to energize a detonator, energize the detonator, opening the detonator, firing a first perforating gun, and lowering the voltage of the wireline.

Abstract: A system and method of managing the energy stored in a single ignition coil of a distributor inductive ignition for an engine. The engine comprises a plurality of cylinders and the ignition coil has a primary coil current. The ignition coil has a stored energy and a released energy during an ignition period. A pre-dwell time period and a pre-dwell current level is determined. The stored energy of the ignition coil and the released energy of the ignition coil are balanced during the ignition period at least in part by dwelling the primary coil current in the ignition coil at substantially the pre-dwell current level.

Abstract: An electronic driver and method for producing an output waveform for use by a tachometer comprises an input line that is connected in series with at least one ignition coil. The at least one ignition coil is driven during at least one current dwell period per an ignition cycle. A signal representative of at least one spark is caused to be generated on the input line by the at least one ignition coil during the at least one current dwell period of the ignition cycle. A controller is coupled to the input line. The controller discriminates between single and multiple sparks over consecutive ignition cycles. The signal is representative of at least one spark received on the input line from the at least one ignition coil. The controller responsively forms an output waveform having substantially equally spaced pulses aligned with the first spark and the output waveform corresponds to the ignition cycle received on the input line.

Abstract: A measuring gauge includes a rotatable LED pointer having a light output. As the pointer is rotated about a lens at a constant rate, the output of the LED pointer appears as an arc of light to a user. The arc of light represents a quantity of a desired display unit. A brushless motor and a rotary transformer are magnetically coupled to the LED pointer. A high speed controller is coupled to the motor and the rotary transformer. The controller receives an indication of the quantity and is responsively programmed to actuate the rotary transformer in order to illuminate the LED pointer as it rotates radially about a face of a graduated lens at a substantially constant speed and to activate and deactivate the LED pointer so as to adjust the length of the arc of light and thereby to indicate the quantity of the desired display unit to the user.

Abstract: A system and method of adjusting the rate of supplementary fuel flow to an engine while monitoring the operating characteristics of an engine. The amount of pressure to apply to a regulator valve is determined based at least in part upon the operating conditions of the engine and information included in a stored fuel grid.

Abstract: A engine control device is disclosed for monitoring and controlling the RPM of an engine. The device restricts the over-revving of an engine due to a lack of resistance by monitoring the RPM and determining whether measured RPM indicate a likely lack of resistance causing over-revving of an engine, such as would occur if the tires are slipping relative to the road. The revlimiter may monitor the revolutions per minute of a crankshaft of an engine and, upon certain conditions, may slow the engine when the RPM exceed certain parameters. The revlimiter may slow the engine if the RPM of the crankshaft exceed a target RPM value. The programming of the device may be gear specific. In this manner, the revlimiter serves to prevent engine over-revving and serves as a form of traction control.

Abstract: A system and method of managing the energy stored in a single ignition coil of a distributor inductive ignition for an engine is described. The engine comprises a plurality of cylinders and the ignition coil having dwell control parameters. The engine is operated at different operating speeds. At least one engine performance parameter is determined. At least one dwell control parameter of the ignition coil in all of the different speeds is adjusted, the adjustment based at least in part upon an evaluation of the at least one engine performance parameter. The cylinders of the engine are fired. The stored energy of the ignition coil is altered to an optimum value between the firings of the engine cylinders, the altering being effected for each of the different speeds and as a result of the adjusting of the dwell control parameters.

Abstract: A programmable electronic ignition system is provided including a hand-held programmer, or in the alternative a computer, for controlling engine control parameters including revolutions per minutes limiters, ignition timing retards, gear shift controls and revolutions per minute switching. The hand-held programmer or computer provides a menu driven interface which directs the user through the engine control parameters using easy to recognize terms. The programmable electronic ignition system can employ a cylinder location sensor to identify a predetermined cylinder for controlling individual cylinder ignition timing retards.

Abstract: A digital ignition system tachometer driver connected to an ignition coil of the ignition of an automobile for converting the ignition coil signal from one or more ignition coils to a single tachometer output signal. The digital ignition system tachometer driver includes a current mirror for mirroring the coil current, a voltage comparator for comparing the mirrored current to a reference voltage, and a mode detector for determining whether the coils are operating in a multispark mode. A reverse-polarity and over-voltage protection circuit is provided to protect the current mirror. An input current and voltage limiting circuit is provided for protecting the tachometer driver circuit.

Abstract: A programmable electronic ignition system is provided including a hand-held programmer, or in the alternative a computer, for controlling engine control parameters including revolutions per minutes limiters, ignition timing retards, gear shift controls, revolutions per minute switching, and fuel addition. The hand-held programmer or computer provides a menu driven interface which directs the user through the engine control parameters using easy to recognize terms. The programmable electronic ignition system can employ a cylinder location sensor to identify a predetermined cylinder for controlling individual cylinder ignition timing retards.

Abstract: An ignition system including an improved power circuit and a timing circuit. The timing circuit includes a microprocessor or microcontroller to provide for engine control. The microcontroller supervises, for example, multispark, revlimit and retard controls. The power circuit includes a variety of overvoltage protection circuitry and employs a reduced size toroid flyback transformer and employs an IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor) ignition coil switch.

Abstract: A programmable electronic ignition system is provided including a hand-held programmer, or in the alternative a computer, for controlling engine control parameters including revolutions per minutes limiters, ignition timing retards, gear shift controls, revolutions per minute switching, and fuel addition. The hand-held programmer or computer provides a menu driven interface which directs the user through the engine control parameters using easy to recognize terms. The programmable electronic ignition system can employ a cylinder location sensor to identify a predetermined cylinder for controlling individual cylinder ignition timing retards.

Abstract: A programmable electronic ignition system is provided including a hand-held programmer, or in the alternative a computer, for controlling engine control parameters including revolutions per minutes limiters, ignition timing retards, gear shift controls and revolutions per minute switching. The hand-held programmer or computer provides a menu driven interface which directs the user through the engine control parameters using easy to recognize terms. The programmable electronic ignition system can employ a cylinder location sensor to identify a predetermined cylinder for controlling individual cylinder ignition timing retards.

Abstract: A programmable electronic ignition system is provided including a hand-held programmer, or in the alternative a computer, for controlling engine control parameters including revolutions per minutes limiters, ignition timing retards, gear shift controls and revolutions per minute switching. The hand-held programmer or computer provides a menu driven interface which directs the user through the engine control parameters using easy to recognize terms. The programmable electronic ignition system can employ a cylinder location sensor to identify a predetermined cylinder for controlling individual cylinder ignition timing retards.

Abstract: An electronic ignition system includes a converter for receiving DC power from a source of DC power such as a battery. The convertor converts the DC power at low voltage to a high frequency signal which is stepped up to provide a higher voltage to a charge storage device such as a capacitor. The higher voltage on the capacitor is then made available to an ignition coil under the control of a microprocessor or a microcontroller for providing high voltage electrical energy to one or more spark plugs of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An electronic ignition system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a Hall effect device for detecting crankshaft rotation. A circuit is provided to select first or second ignition timing responsive to the Hall effect device output based on the rate of crankshaft rotation.

Abstract: An electronic ignition system replacing corresponding stock circuitry but utilizing the stock magneto and ignition coil provided with the engine of a sport vehicle, such as a jet ski or snowmobile, to provide improved performance. A timing circuit is provided as part of the ignition circuitry to enable a trigger pulse of a predetermined duration to be delivered to the ignition coil and further, to inhibit subsequent trigger pulses limiting the engine speed below a determined rpm limit. The timing circuitry uses an over-temperature switch connecting a capacitance to lengthen the inhibit time period reducing the maximum rpm limit. A holeshot switch connected across the over-temperature switch lowers the rpm limit while the throttle is held in the full speed position. Compensated pickup circuitry, automatic battery connect/disconnect, low impedance kill switch circuitry and an impedance protected tachometer output is provided to enhance the performance and features of the ignition systems of sport vehicles.

Abstract: A pulse width modulation control circuit includes a pulse width modulator which supplies a signal to a power switch tying together a DC signal generator and a motor and various sensing circuit including a control voltage disabler circuit. All of the sensing circuits are appropriately designed to ensure that the various components of the circuit are not damaged under abnormal conditions whether due to motor loads heavier than rated or undesired changes in AC current input or control voltages.

Abstract: A pulse width modulation control circuit includes a pulse width modulator which supplies a signal to a power switch tying together a d.c. signal generator and a motor and various sensing circuit including a control voltage disabler circuit, a motor voltage and current feedback circuit, and a low control voltage disabler circuit. All of the sensing circuits are appropriately designed to ensure that the various components of the circuit are not damaged under abnormal conditions whether due to motor loads heavier than rated or undesired changes in a.c. current input or control voltages.