Engine Speed Reduction By Partial Or Complete Omission Of The Ignition Patents (Class 123/334)
  • Patent number: 11591981
    Abstract: According to the invention, a diagnostic system is provided for diagnosing a misfire condition is provided of individual engine cylinders in a turbocharged diesel engine having at least a first and a second cylinder associated with a common exhaust path. The system comprises a pressure sensor in an exhaust path, for measuring a pressure value; a crankshaft position sensor, for detecting a rotational crankshaft position; and a processor unit for reading the pressure sensor and the crankshaft position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: DAF Trucks N.V.
    Inventors: Jan Gillot, John De Graaf
  • Patent number: 11260844
    Abstract: Methods and controllers for coordinating firing fraction transitions that occur in conjunction with transmission shifts are described. In one aspect, an engine controller transmits a do-not-shift instruction to a transmission controller based at least in part on a determination that a particular type of firing fraction transition is desired. The firing fraction transition is then implemented using a skip fire transition protocol. In this manner, the transmission is affirmatively prevented from shifting during the firing fraction transition. The described approaches are well suited for use in connection with transitions to DCCO or DFCO operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Phillips, Louis J. Serrano, Xiaoping Cai
  • Patent number: 11156171
    Abstract: A control device for a compression ignition engine is provided. At least in a high-load range where an engine load is higher than a given value, among an operating range where a partial compression ignition combustion is performed, an EGR valve is opened, and a first injection in which fuel is injected at least from an intake stroke to the first half of a compression stroke is carried out. While an engine body is operated in the high-load range, when a torque down request and a request for reducing external EGR gas amount introduced into the cylinder are issued, the opening of the EGR valve is reduced, and a second injection in which fuel is injected in the second half of the compression stroke is carried out, and a ratio of a fuel amount of the second injection to the total fuel amount injected in a combustion cycle is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Inoue, Yusuke Kawai
  • Patent number: 10247165
    Abstract: A handheld engine-driven working machine comprises an internal combustion engine with a throttle valve, a throttle adjusting device for adjusting an opening degree of the throttle valve of the internal combustion engine, and a control device provided in the internal combustion engine. The control device is configured to detect a rotational speed and an amount of change in the rotational speed at every at least one rotation of the internal combustion engine. The control device determines that the throttle valve is partially opened when the amount of change in the rotational speed is greater than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: YAMABIKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuniyoshi Eto, Toshiharu Sawada
  • Patent number: 8813733
    Abstract: When throttle lever is pulled with the rotation lock member of the engine-powered tool in a state in which rotation of rear handle is permitted, the electrode terminal provided on the rotation lock member and the electrode terminal provided on throttle lever contact each other. As a result of this contact, the two output terminals of the engine generator are short-circuited, the supply of electric power to the ignition device from the engine generator is stopped and the supply of electric power from the ignition device to sparkplug in the engine is stopped. Through this, operation of the blade is prevented when rotating rear handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fukushi Tamura, Shigetoshi Ishida
  • Publication number: 20130333663
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an engine wherein one group of cylinders is active and a second group of cylinders is switchable, such that under low loads the second group of cylinders is deactivated, and under high loads the second group of cylinders is activated. Following deactivation of the second group of cylinders a throttling element in an intake line for the second group of cylinders is gradually closed. The closing of the throttling element may reduce pumping losses and thus increase engine efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Guohui Chen, Werner Willems, Leonhard Bartsch, Helmut Hans Ruhland
  • Patent number: 8340865
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle wheel spin control apparatus that, when it is determined that a wheel spin occurs, reduces engine torque to prevent the wheel spin, including: detecting driving control information and information on the state of a vehicle and determining whether basic conditions required to perform engine torque limit control to prevent the wheel spin are satisfied; when the basic conditions are satisfied, calculating a speed variation and the speed gradient value, and comparing the speed gradient value with a predetermined speed gradient value to determine whether a spin occurs; when it is determined that the spin occurs, using a torque gradient map set according to the current engine torque to perform the engine torque limit control; and when the vehicle speed is reduced by the engine torque limit control and cancellation conditions are satisfied, canceling the engine torque limit control and returning to normal control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyungsoo Lee
  • Patent number: 8256398
    Abstract: A high-pressure pump (50) is provided which is drivingly connected to an engine output shaft (1) and delivers fuel to an injector (4) through a delivery pipe (5) based on the rotation of the output shaft (1). The high-pressure pump (50) includes an electromagnetic valve (50b) that adjusts, based on the engine operating state, a fuel delivery amount within an adjustable range that changes according to a rotation speed of the engine output shaft (1). When an abnormality is detected in the electromagnetic valve (50b), the rotation speed of the engine output shaft (1) is restricted to equal to or less than a reference engine speed (NT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Akita, Naoki Kurata
  • Patent number: 8146565
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine of a vehicle, the engine having one or more deactivatable cylinders, the method including controlling the stability of a vehicle in response to vehicle acceleration, and reactivating or deactivating combustion in at least a cylinder in response to vehicle acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Donald J. Lewis, Husein Sukaria, Eric Tseng
  • Publication number: 20100199949
    Abstract: When throttle lever is pulled with the rotation lock member of the engine-powered tool in a state in which rotation of rear handle is permitted, the electrode terminal provided on the rotation lock member and the electrode terminal provided on throttle lever contact each other. As a result of this contact, the two output terminals of the engine generator are short-circuited, the supply of electric power to the ignition device from the engine generator is stopped and the supply of electric power from the ignition device to sparkplug in the engine is stopped. Through this, operation of the blade is prevented when rotating rear handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fukushi Tamura, Shigetoshi Ishida
  • Publication number: 20100179747
    Abstract: A low fluid sensor for an internal combustion engine. The sensor includes a base with helically threaded post and a float slidably mounted on the post. The float rotates about the post as it moves longitudinally along it. In the preferred embodiment, eccentric mounting of the assembly along with its lobe shape act in concert with the pitch of the screw threads and fluid viscosity to dampen the buoyant movement of the float against fluid turbulence. At a predetermined level a latch spring on the float contacts an ignition circuit terminal and grounds the engine ignition circuit. A catch holds the float at the pre-determined level, preventing engine starting, so that the sensor may only be reset by addition of fluid and re-insertion of the dipstick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: C-K Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Edward McCormick, Mark Murray
  • Patent number: 7699039
    Abstract: A method for controlling an ignition system of an internal combustion engine having a primary firing pulse generator for charging a capacitor. An electronic switch is included for discharging the capacitor via an ignition coil to generate an ignition voltage. A microcomputer operates the switch to control the ignition timing of the generator. The microcomputer is in communication with a speed sensor that detects the rotational speed of the engine and a speed limitation control that limits the engine speed to a limitation speed below the clutch-in speed of an included centrifugal clutch. The speed limitation control is active or activated when one of either starting the engine or an operating problem of the power tool is detected. The speed limitation control is deactivated when a low speed state of the engine is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Husqvarna AB
    Inventors: Bo Carlsson, Mikael Larsson, Lars Andersson, Tore Aronsson
  • Patent number: 7571707
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine having a plurality of cylinders, the method comprising of transitioning the engine from a first mode to a second mode, and temporarily adjusting an amount of torque produced by a cylinder of the engine for at least one cycle responsive to a difference in an amount of torque produced by a previous firing cylinder and a subsequent firing cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, John Ottavio Michelini
  • Publication number: 20090183711
    Abstract: A high-pressure pump (50) is provided which is drivingly connected to an engine output shaft (1) and delivers fuel to an injector (4) through a delivery pipe (5) based on the rotation of the output shaft (1). The high-pressure pump (50) includes an electromagnetic valve (50b) that adjusts, based on the engine operating state, a fuel delivery amount within an adjustable range that changes according to a rotation speed of the engine output shaft (1). When an abnormality is detected in the electromagnetic valve (50b), the rotation speed of the engine output shaft (1) is restricted to equal to or less than a reference engine speed (NT).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Akita, Naoki Kurata
  • Publication number: 20090159042
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an engine including a unit for retarding an ignition timing from an MBT by a predetermined value or more during cranking at engine starting or during a period from a first combustion up to an idling engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Kazuhiko Kanetoshi, Kozo Katogi, Takanobu Ichihara, Minoru Ohsuga
  • Publication number: 20080133111
    Abstract: An engine torque control module comprises a derivative module and a cylinder torque module. The derivative module determines a derivative term for a first cylinder of an internal combustion engine based on rotation of a crankshaft and determines an average derivative term for the first cylinder based upon the derivative term. The cylinder torque module determines an operating condition of the first cylinder based on the average derivative term, adjusts a torque output of the first cylinder based on the operating condition, and adjusts a torque output of a second cylinder based on the operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Buslepp, Douglas R. Verner, Randall J. Guild, David S. Mathews, Todd R. Shupe, Robert Douglas Shafto, Kevin C. Wong, Karen A. Blandino
  • Patent number: 7177753
    Abstract: A method for limiting the rotational speed in an internal combustion engine is provided. A detection device detects prevailing operating parameters. Based on the prevailing operating parameters, the control variables for the ignition, injection and throttle valve position are determined. When the prevailing rotational speed (nact) reaches a preselectable maximum rotational speed value (nmax), through a change in at least one of the control variables, the rotational speed is limited to this preselectable maximum rotational speed value, and a hard rotational speed limitation is achieved by fade-in and fade-out of the injection and/or by intervention in the ignition with simultaneous support by the throttle valve and whereby a soft rotational speed limitation is achieved by retarding the ignition and by varying the throttle valve. Activation of a soft rotational speed limitation or hard rotational speed limitation is coordinated by the control unit according to the requirements of driving performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andreas Bader
  • Patent number: 6939266
    Abstract: A shift enabling interrupt system that facilitates the shifting of gears of an outboard engine is disclosed. The system is activated by the signal from a sensor that determines if the user is attempting to shift the gears by detecting a lost motion in a shift linkage manually activated by the user to shift the gear train of the engine. Upon such activation, the system ECU carries out a set of steps that periodically reduce the speed of the engine by disabling one or more cylinders to facilitate the gear shift. After a predetermined number of revolutions, the disabled cylinders are again enabled to return the engine speed back to normal operation. A timer establishes a maximum elapsed time to complete the shifting operation and the gear shifting itself is only permitted if the RPM of the engine is less that a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc
    Inventors: Scott A. Koerner, Thomas A. Busse, Douglas M. Goebel
  • Patent number: 6792912
    Abstract: A combustion control system controls combustion in a direct fuel injection spark ignition engine that maintains a constant pressure in an accumulator when fuel is not being injected. The combustion control system controls combustion when fuel injection is resumed after being temporarily stopped. The combustion control system has a target fuel pressure acquiring section that acquires a target fuel pressure based on an engine rotational speed and an engine load, an actual fuel pressure detecting section that the actual fuel pressure, a timing acquiring section, and a first timing control section. The timing acquiring section acquires the fuel injection timing and ignition timing (50 and 30 degrees BTDC) based on the rotational speed and load. The first timing control section controls the fuel injection timing and the ignition timing based on actual fuel pressure, e.g., retards the fuel injection and ignition timings to 40 and 25 degrees BTDC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kikuchi, Shinichi Okamoto, Masahiko Yuya, Kazuhiro Semii
  • Patent number: 6701889
    Abstract: A method for determining the load angle of a three-phase current synchronous machine with the aid of position information of an internal combustion engine. The latter is furnished with an engine control device, in which operating parameters and the position information of components of the internal combustion engine are stored. The following method steps are run through: First of all, the rotational position of the internal combustion engine is recorded in the engine control device when the internal combustion engine is switched off. Before the start of the internal combustion engine, the transmission of the rotational position information of the internal combustion engine to the electrical three-phase current machine takes place for the adjustment between the rotational position information and the load angle of the electrical three-phase current machine, at a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine of n=0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Lehner, Klaus Scherrbacher
  • Patent number: 6688282
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for regulating engine idle speed by coordinating control of two actuators: a slow actuator and a fast actuator. The slow actuator is preferably a throttle valve and the fast actuator is preferably an ignition system affecting spark timing. The slow actuator is controlled based on an idle power requirement and the target idle speed; whereas the fast actuator is controlled based on the idle power requirement and the actual idle speed. Additionally, control of the two actuators is further based on a desired power reserve and an actual power reserve. Power reserve is related to the ratio of the power produced by the engine and the power that would be produced by the engine if the faster actuator were at its optimal setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Carol Louise Okubo, David Karl Bidner, Jeffrey Allen Doering, John Ottavio Michelini
  • Patent number: 6484692
    Abstract: An ignition control system is provided, which includes: an engine speed detector (101) for calculating an engine speed according to an engine crank angle signal (100); a current supply start controller (102) for outputting a proper current supply start timing signal corresponding to the engine speed to an ignition coil (5); a current supply finish controller (103) for outputting a proper current supply timing signal corresponding to the engine speed to an ignition coil; an ignition coil controller (104) for controlling supply of power to the ignition coil (5) according to the current supply start timing signal and the current supply finish timing signal; and an overspeed determination device (105) for outputting an overspeed determination signal when determining that the engine speed is in excess of a predetermined limit value. The overspeed determination signal prohibits starting the supply of current, and retards the current supply finish timing to such a degree as to decrease engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Umemoto, Tadayuki Saga, Tatsuji Irie, Wataru Fukui
  • Patent number: 4957082
    Abstract: A vehicle control system embodying an engine driving the vehicle and, selectively, a power takeoff shaft. When the power takeoff shaft is being driven, a governor controls the speed of the engine. A device is provided for detecting the shaft speed and the engine will be slowed when the shaft speed is exceeded to protect element being driven by the power takeoff shaft in the event the governor fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Takayama
  • Patent number: 4903662
    Abstract: Several embodiments of spark timing control for spark ignited internal combustion engines that improve running under certain adverse conditions. Arrangements are disclosed for reducing the speed of the engine in response to certain abnormal conditions, such as shifting of an associated transmission. The speed is reduced by interrupting the spark of the engine. In accordance with the disclosed embodiments, uneven running and stalling is avoided by advancing the spark if the engine speed falls below a predetermined engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaishi
    Inventors: Itsushi Hirukawa, Kazuya Takeuchi, Nobuki Motoshige
  • Patent number: 4883033
    Abstract: A method and a system for controlling the ignition timing of internal combustion engines, or more in particular for preventing engine over-revolutions by reducing the engine speed when it becomes excessively high. The ignition timing control system is realized by a microcomputer, so that when the engine speed exceeds a predetermined high level, ignition stop operations by an ignition stop unit and ignition retard operations by a retarded ignition unit are repeated as many times as determined by the number of cylinders involved to reduce the engine speed. When the engine speed is in a predetermined high range, the ignition retardation is controlled by feedback in accordance with the engine speed, and further controlled in combination with the ignition stop as required. The method and system according to the invention is suitably used for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having an ignition system of electronic distribution type with a carburetor and a simultaneous ignition coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuharu Hosoe, Teruyoshi Itoh, Ryosuke Tachi, Takao Nojiri
  • Patent number: 4755790
    Abstract: A float switch and a control apparatus of an internal combustion engine are disclosed. This float switch comprises a float attached to a main body so as to be vertically swung around one end thereof, a magnetic material fixed to the float, and a contact adapted to be closed or opened in response to the approach or removal of the magnetic material. The float switch is provided in the pathway of a coolant passage and a lubricating oil passage of the engine. The control apparatus has a warning apparatus which is operative in response to an absence signal from the float switch which is indicative of the absence of the fluid that is being sensed, and has a rotating speed control apparatus to reduce the engine speed. The absence of the fluid is informed to the operator by the warning and the speed reduction. A warning apparatus for an outboard engine to control the engine speed when an abnormality occurs is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Suzuki Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Umehara
  • Patent number: 4573440
    Abstract: In an externally ignited internal combustion engine for a vehicle with an electronic device for controlling the gas mixture composition and the point of ignition a leaner fuel-air mixture and the an earlier point of ignition is set before the maximum permissible speed is attained. The reduction of power of the combustion engine caused thereby shows the driver that the speed of the combustion engine approaches the maximum permissible speed at which the fuel supply and the ignition will be interrupted. This should cause the driver to release the gas pedal or switch into the next higher gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Audi NSU Auto Union Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Reiner Pischke, Karl-Heinz Kohler
  • Patent number: 4553902
    Abstract: A floating portable pump is constructed of a float defining a well for containing water, a centrifugal pump supported on the float with its impeller shaft extending vertically and with its suction inlet submerged in water in the well, and an internal combustion engine arranged to drive the pump impeller. The pump and engine are secured together on the float in an arrangement such that the engine causes rotation of the pump impeller to cause the pump to draw water from the well through its suction inlet and discharge water from the pump discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Diesel Kiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: H. Alfred Eberhardt
  • Patent number: 4492197
    Abstract: An electronic revolution rate limiting apparatus is described which generally comprises a transducer for generating a tachometer signal which is indicative of the revolution rate of the internal combustion engine, a circuit for producing a control signal which is responsive to the tachometer signal and the operation state of the engine and which determines the maximum revolution rate for each of a plurality of operation states, and a switch for interacting with the ignition system of the engine to prevent a sparking voltage from being induced in the ignition system in response to the value of the control signal. When the revolution rate limiting apparatus is employed in a power plant in which the operation states comprise a plurality of drive states (e.g., forward, neutral, reverse), the circuit for producing the control signal is also responsive to which drive state the power plant is in, such that the maximum revolution rate may be individually controlled for each drive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Yamamoto, Isao Kanno
  • Patent number: 4436076
    Abstract: Electronic shut-off circuit is provided in a capacitor discharge ignition system for internal combustion engines to protect against excessive high-speed operation. The circuit includes an electronic switching component connected across the main capacitor of the ignition system. A trigger coil is connected in circuit with a control electrode of the electronic switching component. The trigger coil is selected to generate a sufficient voltage to bias the switching means to its conductive state, thereby providing a low impedance shunt path to short the capacitor and to prevent it from discharging its energy into the primary of the ignition coil. A resistance-capacitance network, in circuit with the switching component, serves to hold it "on" until the engine is shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: R. E. Phelon Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Piteo
  • Patent number: 4385601
    Abstract: Speed limiting in an ignition system utilizing a magneto generator is accomplished by increasing the damping of the half wave not utilized for ignition. This is accomplished by switching in additional resistance in parallel with the damping circuit resistance when the speed of the engine exceeds the speed to which it is to be limited. The additional damping during the half wave which is not utilized causes a decrease in the current and voltage wave utilized for ignition because of armature reaction. The decrease, in turn, causes a sudden change in ignition timing in the direction of late ignition and therefore an additional damping or complete suppression of ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1983
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Orova, Jiri Podrapsky
  • Patent number: 4385617
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device wherein a positive voltage induced in an exciter coil at the time of a high speed rotation is sensed, a switching transistor is switched on by the terminal voltage of a time constant circuit connected in series with the exciter coil through the switching transistor and, in spite of a negative voltage then induced in the exciter coil, the discharge of a discharging capacitor connected in series with an ignition coil to the ignition coil is delayed by a thyristor for controlling the discharge in response to the above mentioned time constant characteristic to delay the ignition speed, that is, to positively prevent the over-rotation of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1983
    Assignee: Oppama Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakata, Masao Iwata
  • Patent number: 4336778
    Abstract: A safety system for limiting the speed of a fuel powered engine, particularly an internal combustion engine of a vehicle or machine, preferably by controlling the engine ignition. The system is especially useful for vehicles such as snowmobiles, motorcycles, power boats, and the like. An alternating or pulsed electrical output directly proportional to engine rpm is detected and the rpm is limited to one of two or more different levels, depending upon the condition of a programming switch or switches, in this embodiment a throttle switch. An upper level limits engine speed to a safe rpm in the event of load removal, such as when a drive belt breaks or a gear change is missed. Engine speed is limited to a lower level if the throttle switch indicates idle rpm is desired and if the engine does not begin to decelerate from a higher rpm within a predetermined time, regardless of the actual throttle condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1982
    Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Howard