Abstract: A magnet rotor assembly is provided with a nonmagnetic ring, which can be made of an elastomeric material, which has at least one locating protrusion extending radially outward from a first surface of the ring. It also comprises at least one locking protrusion extending radially outward from the second surface of the ring. A plurality of permanent magnets are embedded within the nonmagnetic ring and spaced circumferentially around the nonmagnetic ring. The ring is shaped to be received within a rotatable component of an internal combustion engine, such as a flywheel, which has an internal cylindrical surface. The locking protrusions of the ring are shaped to elastically deflect in a radially inward direction in response to contact between the locking protrusions and the internal cylindrical surface of the rotatable component when the nonmagnetic ring is forced axially into the rotatable component.

Abstract: An outer-rotor type engine-operated generator is of low cost and simple construction, can be miniaturized and can leak electricity for ignition without sacrificing generator output. The engine-operated generator has a plurality of magnets arranged along an inner circumference of an outer cylindrical wall of an outer-rotor and a multipolar stator housed within the outer-rotor facing the magnets. An electricity generating section for an engine ignition device is disposed on an outside of and opposite to the outer cylindrical wall of the outer-rotor, and a through window, through which magnetic force of the magnets affects the electricity generating section, is formed in a part of the outer cylindrical wall.

Abstract: A system that provides rope-start capability on a fuel injected engine without the need of a battery. The system provides power to run an electronic fuel injection and the ignition directly from the alternator.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling the fuel and/or air supply to an internal combustion engine in the fuel section thereof, such as a carburetor or a fuel injection system, so that the mixture ratio (A/F ratio) is adjusted automatically to a desired level in response to various operational conditions. In a rotational-speed feed back regulating circuit, a feed-back control unit which receives information on the rotational speed from the engine briefly adjusts an adjustment device to provide a brief change of the mixture ratio and, in connection with the brief A/F/ ratio change, a number of revolution times are measured. At least one revolution time refers to a rotational speed that is essentially unaffected by the A/F ratio change and at least one revolution time refers to a rotational speed that is affected by the A/F ratio change. On the basis of these revolution times, at least one difference in revolution times between affected and unaffected rotational speeds is computed.

Abstract: A rotor assembly comprising a rotor, starter pawls, and springs. The rotor has a permanent magnet and starter pawl mounting posts. The starter pawls are movably mounted on the posts. The springs are mounted on the posts biasing the starter pawls in first positions. The springs each have a middle section with a retaining section that engages the exterior of the post and hold the spring on the post during assembly of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A magnetic ignition system for an internal combustion engine has a magnet wheel revolving with the crankshaft of the engine. At least one permanent magnet rotates with the magnet wheel. A stationary armature with a coil is provided. The permanent magnet induces a voltage in the coil, and the voltage is supplied to an energy storage. The magnet wheel has a magnet support made of a magnetically conducting material. A section of the magnet support that is in magnetic shunt is magnetically saturated.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a circuit for providing a controlled voltage supply to a microprocessor in an ignition circuit of an internal combustion engine equipped with a spark plug. The circuit includes: a generator having an induction coil and magnetic device for generating an alternating voltage in the coil; a microprocessor for controlling the spark plug; the microprocessor having first and second connecting terminals and a capacitor connected across the terminals; a thyristor having a gate electrode is connected between the induction coil and the capacitor; and, a voltage limiter is connected to the gate electrode, The controlled voltage supply for the thyristor is ensured over the entire rpm range of the engine without noticeable energy losses.

Abstract: The invention has for its object to solve the problem associated with the use of a flywheel magneto for supplying ignition power to multiple cylinder combustion engines. The flywheel magneto according to the invention is composed of a flywheel (1) supporting magnets arranged in groups (2, 3, 4, 5-6, 7, 8, 9). The magneto flywheel (1) coacts with a multi-leg (11-20) core (10) of magnetically conducting material, the spacing or pitch of the core legs being such that the number of legs form an integer whereas half this number has to form an odd number. Within each group the magnets (2-9) are spaced in agreement with said core pitch. Said groups (2, 3, 4, 5-6, 7, 8, 9) are separated two pitches.

Abstract: The invention provides a power transmitting system for a small boat, such as a water jet propulsion craft, and more particularly, an improved arrangement for connecting an engine output shaft to a propulsion unit input shaft. Also provided is an arrangement for balancing an engine within the craft against undesirable operational forces tending to render the craft unstable. The connecting assembly includes a coupling arrangement utilizing elastomeric vibration dampening members. One of the dampening members possesses a high degree of elasticity, while another of the dampening members possesses a low degree of elasticity. A durable, yet efficient vibration dampening coupling arrangement, which is additionally able to act as a universal joint, is thereby achieved. The engine balancing arrangement includes a flywheel which rotates in response to the crankshaft assembly of the engine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flywheel comprising a flywheel structure including a hub portion having an axis, an inner end, and an outer end spaced axially from the inner end, a central flange portion extending radially outwardly from the outer end of the hub portion in generally perpendicular relation to the axis of the hub portion, and having a circular outer periphery, an outer portion including a generally cylindrical wall part extending from the outer periphery of the central flange portion in generally spaced and parallel relation to the hub portion and including an end axially adjacent the inner end of the hub portion, and a plurality of exit openings located in the central flange portion and permitting air flow relative to the central flange portion, and a fan structure including a like plurality of inclined vanes located between the exit openings and extending, in inclined relation in the rotary direction counter to the intended direction of flywheel rotation, and operable to cause air flow through the exit

Abstract: A fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine comprises at least one fuel injection valve for supplying fuel into the intake passage of the engine, an electronic control unit responsive to operating conditions of the engine for controlling a time period over which the fuel injection valve is opened and timing for opening the fuel injection valve, a generator responsive to rotation of a flywheel for generating electric power, the generator being connected to an ignition device and the electronic control unit and forming power supplies for driving the ignition device and the electronic control unit, a fuel pump arranged to be driven in unison with the flywheel by torque transmitted from the flywheel, and a pressure regulator for controlling pressure of fuel supplied from the fuel pump to the fuel injection valve.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is apparatus for positioning a sensor relative to a rotatable timing ring included on an internal combustion engine, which apparatus includes a sensor, a structure for adjustably positioning the sensor on the internal combustion engine and relative to the timing ring, which structure is movable relative to the sensor and to the timing ring, and additional structure for fixing the sensor in adjusted position on the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A rotor for a generator includes a core made of a plurality of magnetic plates laminated with each other, a magnet received in a holding portion of the core, and a synthetic resin mold molded on the core in the circular disc shape. A pawl is rotationally supported on the resin mold by means of a support shaft, and a stopper is formed on the support shaft or the resin mold. The stopper allows the pawl to engage the resin mold but prevents the pawl from disengaging from the resin mold. In case a conical opening is formed, a tapered punch may be pushed into a central opening of the core, so that a conical opening and thickened portion are formed on the core. The core can be directly connected to a crank shaft.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block including an outer surface, structure including the engine block and a member connected to the surface of the engine block for defining a substantially closed chamber, a crankshaft extending from the engine block and into the chamber, a flywheel located in the chamber, connected to the crankshaft, and including thereon a starter gear, a stator located in the chamber and fixed to the engine block, a magnet or magnets located in the chamber and fixed to the flywheel for rotation therewith in a path adjacent to the stator, a finned coolant jacket located in the chamber and adapted to be connected to a source of coolant exterior to the chamber, structure on the flywheel for creating air flow in a path extending between the stator and the coolant jacket, a starter motor mounted on the block exteriorly of the chamber and including an output shaft extending into the chamber through the member, and a mechanism locatd in the chamber, drivingly connected to the o

Abstract: The invention relates to a generator arrangement, in particular, ignition systems for internal combustion engines. The arrangement comprises a multi-legged core of magnetically conducting material with the legs radially projecting towards a cooperating magneto flywheel, which exhibits a section with unsymmetrical magnetic flux. The legs carry uniformly wound windings and are connected in two groups in the case of a one-cylinder internal combustion engine. The one group comprises two windings interconnected such that they only deliver an induced voltage when passed by the unsymmetrical section. The other group delivers an induced sum voltage. The voltage of the first mentioned group controls the ignition process whereas the second group charges a capacitor, component of the ignition system.

Abstract: To suppress negative half-waves derived from a magneto armature and not used for ignition without use of external damping networks, the semiconductor switch controlling current flow, and abrupt turn-off to initiate an ignition event, is formed as a monolithic semiconductor element, and the inherent inverse diode of the monolithic element is utilized to pass the reverse voltage half-waves. To prevent damage to the inherent diodes due to over-voltage or current overloading, a damping resistance element is connected in series with the main current carrying path of the monolithic circuit elements, preferably a Darlington transistor, which, preferably, is a semiconductor resistor having a preferred current passage characteristic in the same direction as the current flow through the Darlington transistor, for example a Zener diode, a resistor, or a series of diodes polarized like the inverse diode, bridged by a diode conducting in the same direction as the Darlington transistor, or the like.

Abstract: An alternator assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a regulator whose individual circuit components are mounted directly on the stator of the alternator assembly. The regulator may be in the form of discrete components or integrated circuit chips. The components of the regulator circuit may be mounted to the stator by fasteners or by an adhesive resin such as epoxy.

Abstract: Rotor of a magnetomotive device has a discrete permanent magnetic and a ferromagnetic core injection molded within a synthetic plastic body in the form of a flywheel. The core is of integral, laminar construction and includes hub and counterweight portions and a pair of radially extending, circumferentially spaced arm portion. At their outer ends, the arm portions terminate in pole shoes with opposed, undercut edges to retain the discrete permanent magnet therebetween. Each of the arm portions has a laterally extending shoulder portion and, at their inner ends, connect to the hub by narrow neck or stem portions which are resiliently flexible. From the center of rotation of the rotor, the stem portions are each disposed along a given radius.

Abstract: A low-profile internal combustion engine is disclosed, featuring a unitary flywheel spark generation and distributor assembly. A hydraulic starter system is disclosed which may be adapted to such internal combustion engine. The engine of the invention is particularly suitable for use in push-type lawnmowers, to provide a low-profile construction enabling mowing of landscape areas such as under low lying tree branches, beneath bushes, etc., which are otherwise inaccessible to high-profile conventional lawnmowers.

Abstract: A flywheel magnet rotor assembly. The assembly comprises a core, a magnet, two pole shoes and a molded resin disk. The core is comprised of metallic nonferromagnetic material forming a general can shape with apertures through a first wall. The magnet is sandwiched between the pole shoes inside the can shape and portions of the pole shoes extend out the apertures. The molded resin disk substantially surrounds the core.

Abstract: An engine-igniting signal generation apparatus comprises a flywheel rotatable with the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine, a field magnet attached to the flywheel, and a plurality of pickup devices provided facing the field magnet to produce ignition signals in synchronism with the rotation of the flywheel. The cores of the pickup devices are formed by a substrate body of one piece; each coil wound around the cores connects to a terminal, to output the ignition signals, and is covered with an insulating material.

Abstract: An alternator assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a regulator whose individual circuit components are mounted directly on the stator of the alternator assembly. The regulator may be in the form of discrete components or integrated circuit chips. The components of the regulator circuit may be mounted to the stator by fasteners or by an adhesive resin such as epoxy.

Abstract: An engine ignition and charging system employs magnets mounted on a rotor, and a stator positioned relative to the rotor such that charge coils, alternator coils, and a power coil on the stator are located such that the magnets pass in close proximity thereto as the rotor rotates. The rotor also has a magnetic timing means for generating a timing flux path at a predetermined location relative to the rotor. A Hall effect transducer circuit is positioned in proximity to the rotor such that as the flux path passes, the flux path is sensed so as to generate a timing trigger voltage. This trigger voltage is employed in conjunction with an ignition voltage generating circuit to supply an ignition voltage to a spark plug in timed sequence with rotation of the rotor. The power coil on the stator supplies power to the Hall effect transducer for operation thereof. A charging circuit connects an output of the alternator coils to a system battery for charging thereof.

Abstract: A high efficiency charging and regulating system charges a battery and regulates a voltage delivered to the battery. An alternator having a rotor with at least one magnet thereon and a stator in close proximity to the rotor has at least one alternator coil and at least one power coil. A regulating and charging device connects an output of the alternator coil to a system battery for delivering a regulated voltage to the system battery for charging thereof. Preferably, the charging and regulating means comprises a full wave SCR rectifier, gate inputs of which are controlled by voltage derived from the power coil.

Abstract: An annular permanent magnet rotor (8) is mounted around and fixed to a crankshaft (4) of an internal combustion engine (2) and has a plurality of circumferentially spaced magnetic poles (14) of sequentially alternating north-south polarity type, and a pole (18) reversed out of the alternating sequence. A first fixed stator (24) is provided by an annular ring concentric to the rotor (8) and has a plurality of poles (26) for magnetic flux coupling with the permanent magnet rotor poles (14). A second fixed stator (48) is axially spaced from the first stator (24) and has a pair of poles (50, 52) for magnetic flux coupling with the rotor (8). A first sensor coil (40) around the first stator (24) outputs a timing angle signal. Processing circuitry produces a series of digital pulses having ANGLE-defining edges occurring at fixed angular increments of crankshaft rotation.

Abstract: Heating device comprising a combustion engine (11), a fan (13) and an oil burner (15) with oil pump (16). The combustion engine and the oil burner receive ignition pulses from two transistorized ignition coils (19, 21), both induced by a permanent magnet (18) on and rotatable with the engine flywheel (12).

Abstract: A capacitive discharge ignition system has first and second bypass elements. The bypass elements are controlled to effect equal charging from the positive and negative portions of the generator alternating power output, and to provide conductive paths for the ignition current outside the generator winding. This lessens current-induced generation of heat in the generator winding.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an ignition arrangement for an internal combustion engine of a handheld portable tool such as a chain saw or the like. The engine has a crankshaft and a fan wheel is seated on the crankshaft for rotation therewith. The ignition arrangement includes a permanent magnet. The magnet has two pole shoes and an exciter coil is mounted on the permanent magnet. The permanent magnet equipped in this way is fixedly mounted on the tool to save weight. A relatively light self-supporting annular member with projections is mounted in the fan wheel. The projections of the annular member and the permanent magnet with its pole shoes conjointly define a magnetic circuit. As the projections pass the pole shoes at a minimal spacing therefrom during operation of the engine, the projections alternately open and close the magnetic circuit thereby causing changes in the flux of this circuit.

Abstract: A ignition module for an ignition system originally fitted with mechanical breaker points. The module comprising a drive winding adapted to be circumferentially received about one of the legs of a core for generating a first induced voltage signal in response to engine rotation. The module further comprising a control circuit extending from the drive winding and positioned between a core leg and an ignition coil.

Abstract: A signal generator is located substantially in a center position within an iron cup opposingly to the fore end of a crankshaft, and a timing portion is provided on the inner periphery of the iron cup in a position opposing the signal generator, permitting to dispose the signal generator within the iron cup of a small diameter by effective use of the entire space of the iron cup without obstacled by the crankshaft.

Abstract: A flywheel assembly for a small internal combustion engine including a permanent magnet structure secured to the flywheel near the outer periphery thereof and for cooperating with the ignition stator to induce spark creating voltages therein. The permanent magnet structure includes two pole shoes and a permanent magnet captured between shoulder portions of the pole shoes. A non-magnetic spacer plate includes two protuberances and is inserted between the flywheel and the magnet group consisting of the pole shoes and the permanent magnet. The protuberances cooperate with outer peripheral surfaces of the pole shoes. The magnet group is held accurately and rigidly in position by axially compressing a pair of rivets which pass through the flywheel, the plate and the magnet group, whereby the rivets are radially expanded to tightly fill the respective apertures through which they pass. The protuberances on the plate prevent the pole shoes from pivoting when the pole shoe outer surfaces are machined.

Abstract: A magneto (10) comprising an E-type stator (12) and a rotor (14) movable relative to the stator (12) to induce therein a varying flux field. The three legs or poles (18, 20, 22) of the stator (14) are asymmetrically placed and the center pole (20) supports a charge coil (40) and a trigger coil (42). A suppression coil (42), wound about an iron core (50), is remotely positioned and electrically isolated from the stator poles (18, 20, 22) and situated within a larger spacing (34) defined by the asymmetrically placed stator poles (18, 20, 24).

Abstract: A magnetic structure for use in a chain saw or edge trimmer ignition system or the like where the ignition system includes a flywheel having a plurality of cooling fins disposed around the peripheral portion thereof and at least one magnetic structure embedded in the periphery, a magnetically permeable core disposed adjacent the flywheel, a coil wound on the core and connected to an ignition circuit so that a voltage waveform is induced in the coil and applied to the circuit each time the magnetic structure passes the coil, the magnetic structure including (a) a magnet having first and second end faces and (b) first and second pole pieces which respectively engage the end faces, the pole pieces being asymmetrical in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the flywheel to thereby effect concentration of the flux produced by the magnet and coupled to the core by the pole pieces to thereby permit a reduction in size of the magnet without substantially lessening the energy in the voltage waveform applied to the ign

Abstract: The disclosure describes an ignition coil module for internal combustion engines and method of manufacture thereof. The module is mounted on a ferromagnetic core having a plurality of discrete leg portions with mating cross-bar portions. The module includes an ignition coil encapsulated within a cup-shaped plastic housing which is disposed about the mating portions of the core. A separate trigger coil is also encapsulated within the housing and a separate core pin is axially fitted within the trigger coil. The core pin includes a shank portion and an enlarged pole portion disposed externally of said housing adjacent one of the core legs. The outer ends of the core legs and the pole portion of the core pin, which provides a separate flux path, are disposed approximately on the same circumference adjacent to the permanent magnets carried by a rotor used in conjunction with the ignition coil. The core pin is asymmetrical with its pole portion offset toward the adjacent core leg.

Abstract: The internal combustion engine has, arranged in pairs, cylinders offset in angle in relation to one another in the direction of the axis of rotation of its crankshaft. The engine block consists of two castings, each of which combines integrally in one piece with one another one half of a crankcase, one of the cylinder housings of each pair and the cylinder heads. The castings are symmetrical in rotation at 180.degree. in relation to an axis of symmetry lying in the plane of separation of the crankcase perpendicularly of the axis of rotation of the crankshaft, so that they can be manufactured in one and the same casting mold. The cranks for the crankshaft which are allocated to each piston pair are connected with one another through a cranked middle piece, to reduce the distance between the cylinder axes and thus to reduce vibration.

Abstract: A magneto device for generating signals comprises a rotor including a permanent magnet and a pole piece which are secured to a rotary body, and a stator including a stationary pole piece and a signal output coil. Formed in the outer periphery of the rotary body is a recess in which the permanent magnet and the pole piece are inserted in this order. A cylindrical key member made of a non-magnetic metal is inserted in an annular space between the wall of the recess and the permanent magnet and pole piece. The key member is plastically deformed by pressing to secure the permanent magnet and pole piece to the rotary body.

Abstract: A cooling plate, the hybrid electronic circuit and a circuit board connection plate, are mounted flat at the bottom of a cup-shaped vessel with a reentrant tube for an iron core leg, in which vessel the secondary winding on its spool and a primary winding set inside the spool are put for being imbedded in a casting resin. The vessel and its contents fits over the central core leg of an E-shaped stationary armature of a magneto generator for a one-cylinder internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A scheme for mounting a permanent magnet group on the flywheel of a small internal combustion engine to provide the moving portion of an ignition system for such an engine is disclosed wherein the engine flywheel is formed of cast iron or similar ferromagnetic material and the magnet group is magnetically isolated from that flywheel so as to minimize short circuiting of the magnet group flux. A generally flat region of the flywheel receives a spacer or plate formed from aluminum or a similar substantially non-magnetic material such as zinc with that plate sandwiched between the flywheel and the magnet group by a pair of aluminum or similar non-magnetic material rivets passing through the flywheel plate and magnet group. The magnet group is held accurately and rigidly in position by upsetting the rivets in such a manner as to axially compress and therefore radially expand the rivet material so that the rivets tightly fill the respective apertures through which they pass.

Abstract: An ignition time controlling device having a trigger circuit employing a programmable unijunction transistor which will be ON at a timing when a primary short-circuiting current of an ignition coil is at or a little past a peak. The device includes a charging and discharging circuit for the primary short-circuiting current; a switching controlling circuit interrupting the primary short-circuiting current when the trigger circuit is ON; an ignition coil inducing a high voltage in a secondary coil when the primary short-circuiting current is interrupted; a spark plug generating a spark on receiving the high voltage of the secondary winding and an angle advancing circuit connected between the programmable unijunction transistor and the switching controlling circuit.

Abstract: A single-cylinder motor having a crankshaft mounted or journalled in the crankcase by means of roller-bearing sets. A crank web or lobe with a crankshaft pin is arranged at one end of the crankshaft. The crankshaft pin is drivingly connected via a connecting rod with the piston of the piston-cylinder unit. The other end of the crankshaft, in the region of the end segment thereof, carries the rotor of a magneto ignition device, whereby an end journal of the crankshaft can be coupled with a power take-off or output member. To journal or mount the crankshaft, the roller-body sets are arranged axially nondetachable in a sleeve which coaxially surrounds the crankshaft, whereby the sleeve is pressed or forced into a recess of the crankcase. The sleeve, the roller body sets, and the crankshaft form a structural unit capable of being preassembled.

Abstract: Voltage halfwaves generated by a magneto in one polarity are utilized for powering and timing ignition of an internal combustion engine, and voltage halfwaves of the opposite polarity, taken from the circuit of the primary winding, are utilized both to feed a regulated d.c. voltage source for a timing circuit and to provide a recurring trigger voltage for a monostable circuit that keeps the ignition control circuit operative only so long as the speed of the engine does not exceed a predetermined limit. The monostable circuit is constituted by appropriate connecting up of an available timer integrated circuit unit.

Abstract: An ignition coil includes a primary winding, an auxiliary primary winding and an ignition high voltage generating secondary winding which are wound on the same core. The primary current from the generating coil of a magneto flows to the base of a transistor through the primary winding of the ignition coil. The primary current flowing through the primary winding induces a voltage across the auxiliary primary winding and the induced voltage is applied between the base and emitter of the transistor. At the time of ignition, the primary current flowing to the base of the transistor is shunted by a semiconductor switching element so that the transistor is turned off and the current flowing through the auxiliary primary winding is interrupted, thus generating a high voltage across the secondary winding of the ignition coil.

Abstract: A magneto flywheel includes arcuate ceramic magnets of non-uniform radial thickness. A rotor for the flywheel is made of soft material. The magnets of the magneto flywheel have a set of radial poles of alternating polarity, and an other set of opposite poles directed toward the cylindrical periphery of the magneto rotor. A ferromagnetic band of deflectible material with the surface projection is disposed between the rotor and the magnets.

Abstract: To suppress negative half-waves derived from a magneto armature and not used for ignition without use of external damping networks, the semiconductor switch controlling current flow, and abrupt turn-off to initiate an ignition event, is formed as a monolithic semiconductor element, and the inherent inverse diode of the monolithic element is utilized to pass the reverse voltage half-waves. To prevent damage to the inherent diodes due to over-voltage or current overloading, a damping resistance element is connected in series with the main current carrying path of the monolithic circuit elements, preferably a Darlington transistor, which, preferably, is a semiconductor resistor having a preferred current passage characteristic in the same direction as the current flow through the Darlington transistor, for example a Zener diode, a resistor, or a series of diodes polarized like the inverse diode, bridged by a diode conducting in the same direction as the Darlington transistor, or the like.

Abstract: An ignition system for a small internal combustion engine is disclosed, including a magnetic trigger rotor (33) having two magnets (45) disposed in arcuate slots (43), with a radial slot (41) disposed between the arcuate slots (43) for causing an abrupt flux reversal in a pickup coil (35) to generate an initial ignition timing signal, and two or more holes (47), (49) adjacent the radial slot and made in the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotor, for causing flux distortions which becomes significant at higher rotational speeds, to give a step-type ignition advance.

Abstract: On-off oscillations immediately following the initiation of the spark in a magneto ignition system are prevented by a timing circuit the capacitor of which is charged continually even during the spark time and whose discharge time constant exceeds 10 .mu.s. The capacitor is discharged through the emitter-base circuit of a control transistor and keeps the control transistor in a saturated state throughout the desired spark duration. While the control transistor is in the saturated state, it shortcircuits the emitter-base circuit of the ignition transistor, thereby blocking the ignition transistor continuously. Since the capacitor of the timing circuit is continually charged, the actual spark duration greatly exceeds the 10 .mu.s time constant of the timing circuit and may be as high as 1.2 ms.

Abstract: An ignition timing method and apparatus for presetting the ignition timing of an internal combustion engine having a rotatable shaft and a wheel supported on that shaft carrying a portion of the ignition system with another portion of that ingition system supported by the engine in a relatively fixed position adjacent the wheel. A slot is provided in the shaft surface generally parallel to the axis of rotation of that shaft and a further slot is provided along an inner hub of the wheel so as to be generally alignable with the shaft slot when the wheel is supported on the shaft. A selected one of several different keys is captured between the wheel hub and the shaft so that a portion of the selected key occupies the shaft slot and another portion of the selected key occupies the wheel slot to thereby fix the angular relationship between the shaft and wheel at an angular offset determined by the particular key selected.

Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine having a transistor switch means connected across a primary winding of an ignition coil wherein a base current input terminal of the transistor switch means is connected through a coil to an igniting exciter coil to supply a base current through the coil to the base current input terminal thereby decreasing a power loss at the interruption of a primary current flowing through an ignition coil and operating a transistor in a low power loss region, so that a high voltage may be induced across a secondary winding of an ignition coil.

Abstract: In a capacitor-discharge breakerless ignition system for an internal combustion engine, a safety interlock comprising a rectifier and a switch responsive to a preselected unsafe vehicle condition is connected in the charge circuit of the ignition capacitor. The rectifier is poled in the forward capacitor charge-voltage direction and is connected with respect to the switch such that the capacitor is not charged or, once charged, is discharged prior to engine ignition in response to an unsafe condition indicated by the switch, or in response to intentional or accidental breakage and/or short-circuiting of interlock/ignition interconnection leads. The rectifier and the switch are packaged in such a manner, preferably separate from the rest of the ignition, to deter tampering with the switch alone, and to permit locating the switch and rectifier remote from the ignition circuit. In one preferred application the rectifier-switch package is mounted on the handle of a rotary lawn mower to serve as a deadman switch.

Abstract: A capacitor discharge ignition system is provided with an ignition timing stabilization arrangement to achieve substantially constant ignition timing characteristics over a wide range of engine speeds. The capacitor discharge ignition system is positioned adjacent a rotating permanent magnet that is rotated over a path in synchronism with the operation of an engine to be controlled.The capacitor discharge ignition system includes a stator core having disposed thereon an ignition coil and a control coil assembly. The control coil assembly includes a control winding and a timing stabilization winding. As a first pole of the magnet passes the stator core, a voltage and current of a first polarity is induced in the control winding to charge a storage capacitor.