Abstract: An ignition device for generating a spark discharge at a spark plug based on a first voltage from a first supply and a second voltage from a second supply. The second voltage is higher than the first voltage. In the ignition device, a primary coil includes a center tap, a first terminal on a ground side of the center tap, and a second terminal on a first-supply side of the center tap, and a secondary coil is electromagnetically coupled to the primary coil and electrically connected to the spark plug. A first switch is configured to make or break an electrical connection between the first terminal and ground, a second switch is configured to make or break an electrical connection between the second supply and the center tap, and a third switch is configured to pass or interrupt a current from the second terminal to the first supply. A controller is configured to control an on/off state of each of the first to third switches.

Abstract: An ignition control device and corresponding method are provided for suppressing reverse rotation of the engine during startup process of a light duty gasoline engine, the ignition control device includes: a charge coil, a transformer, an electric-spark-generating control circuit, a trigger coil, a position sensing circuit, and a micro-controller. The position sensing circuit is used to shape the positive signal and negative signal of the second alternating current signal induced by the trigger coil while the fly wheel rotates respectively to generate a first position signal and a second position signal. According to the first position signal and the second position signal, it is determined by the micro-controller whether the engine is in the state of reverse rotation, and if YES, output of the ignition signal is stopped to make engine halt due to absence of reverse power.

Abstract: An engine ignition control device comprising: a start-up ignition controller having a function for preventing the occurrence of kickback by either delaying an ignition position of an engine or stopping ignition; start-up rotation angle detection means for detecting a rotation angle of a crankshaft of the engine after initiation of a start-up operation of the engine; and switching means for switching control specifics of the start-up ignition controller in accordance with the detected start-up rotation angle so that when the detected start-up rotation angle is less than a set angle, there is created a kickback-preventive effect within a range at which engine startability is not compromised, and when the detected start-up rotation angle is equal to or greater than the set angle, there is created a kickback-preventive effect that is greater than the kickback-preventive effect for when the start-up rotation angle is equal to or less than the set angle.

Abstract: An integrated exciter-igniter architecture is disclosed that integrates compact, direct-mounted exciter electronics with an aerospace designed igniter to reduce overall ignition system complexity. The integrated exciter-igniter unit hermetically seals exciter electronics within a stainless steel enclosure or housing. The stainless enclosure enables the exciter electronics to remain near atmospheric pressure while the unit is exposed to vacuum conditions. The exciter electronics include a DC-DC converter, timing circuitry, custom-designed PCBs, a custom-designed main power transformer, and a high voltage ignition coil. All of which are packaged together in the stainless steel enclosure. The integrated exciter-igniter unit allows for efficient energy delivery to the spark gap and eliminates the need for a high voltage cable to distribute the high voltage, high energy pulses.

Abstract: A voltage transformer circuit for supplying ignition power to a spark plug includes a transformer, a primary circuit, and a secondary circuit. The primary circuit is coupled with the secondary circuit via the transformer in order that, when a transistor switch is closed, power is transmitted from the primary circuit into the secondary circuit. The primary circuit includes a discharge path, for demagnetizing the transformer when the transistor switch is open and via which power can be retransmitted from the secondary circuit for shortening the duration of an arc discharge, and the discharge path forms a demagnetizing current with a primary side of the transformer.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of ignition systems wherein reverse rotation also known as kickback is detected particularly upon engine starting and stopped until the condition has been cleared and forward running is assured.

Abstract: The ignition system for internal combustion engines includes a rotor and an armature having an ignition coil in which voltage signals, each having pulses of opposite polarities are cyclically induced during each rotor revolution; a control unit for the ignition current includes a current-control switch which can be triggered during a positive pulse of the voltage signals, to cut off the current in the primary winding and generate a high voltage on the secondary winding of the ignition coil. A second control switch has the control electrode connected to a current-control resistor in series with the current-control switch, and to the outlet of a voltage comparator connected to a timing circuit enabling the sparking within a pre-established time interval, preventing sparking when the engine is running below a minimum rotational speed, during the forward rotation and at the reverse rotation of the same engine.

Abstract: A circuit to achieve a large ignition advance, limitation of speed of revolutions and to prevent backfiring and reverse direction running in a magnetic ignition system comprises a flywheel with two poles and a three-legged iron core. An ignition transformer (L3/L4), a triggering coil (L2) and a charging coil (L1) are arranged on the legs of the core. The triggering coil is arranged either on the first or second leg in the direction of rotation of the flywheel, and the charging coil on the final leg. A time-constant circuit (an RC net) and a control switch (T2) are arranged between the charging coil and a main switch (T1) that opens/blocks triggering pulses whereby limitation in the speed of revolutions is achieved by means of adjustment of the time-constant circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting the direction of rotation of an internal combustion engine using a magnet wheel which moves past an electrical ignition coil. For each revolution, at least one current or voltage pulse is induced in the coil having a polarity dependent on the direction of rotation. The magnet poles and the coil have geometric relationships that, upon each magnet wheel revolution, the curve form of the current or voltage pulse has at least two prespecified extreme points with a curve characteristic which is substantially neither rising nor falling and at least one break point with a discontinuity. A direction of rotation signal is derived from these curve characteristics.

Abstract: In an engine ignition system having a fail-safe function, a battery, a coil and a transistor are connected in series. A capacitor is connected to the coil by way of a diode. The capacitor, a primary winding of an ignition coil and a transistor are connected in series. A transistor and a diode in serial connection are connected in parallel to the coil and diode in serial connection. A drive circuit turns on and off the transistor to charge the capacitor and operates the transistor to implement the ignition operation. The drive circuit, in the event of system failure, turns on and off the transistor, while retaining the transistor in the on state, thereby to feed energy of the battery to the primary winding.

Abstract: A circuit to achieve a large ignition advance, limitation of speed of revolutions and to prevent backfiring and reverse direction running in a magnetic ignition system that comprises a flywheel with two poles and a two-legged iron core. An ignition transformer (L3/L4), a charging coil (L1) and a triggering coil (L2) that may be connected in antiphase to the charging coil are arranged on the first leg in the direction of rotation of the flywheel. A time-constant circuit (an RC net) and a control switch (T2) are arranged between the charging coil and a main switch (T1) that open/block triggering pulses such that charging takes place one revolution later than triggering. Limitation of the speed of revolutions is achieved with a time constant that can be determined.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting the direction of rotation of an internal combustion engine using a magnet wheel which moves past an electrical ignition coil. For each revolution, at least one current or voltage pulse is induced in the coil having a polarity dependent on the direction of rotation. The magnet poles and the coil have geometric relationships that, upon each magnet wheel revolution, the curve form of the current or voltage pulse has at least two prespecified extreme points with a curve characteristic which is substantially neither rising nor falling and at least one break point with a discontinuity. A direction of rotation signal is derived from these curve characteristics.

Abstract: In an engine ignition system having a fail-safe function, a battery, a coil and a transistor are connected in series. A capacitor is connected to the coil by way of a diode. The capacitor, a primary winding of an ignition coil and a transistor are connected in series. A transistor and a diode in serial connection are connected in parallel to the coil and diode in serial connection. A drive circuit turns on and off the transistor to charge the capacitor and operates the transistor to implement the ignition operation. The drive circuit, in the event of system failure, turns on and off the transistor, while retaining the transistor in the on state, thereby to feed energy of the battery to the primary winding.

Abstract: In an ignition controller for an internal combustion engine, an angle sensor includes a plurality of sensor means for individually outputting a pulse signal SGT1 corresponding to a first reference crank angle and a pulse signal SGT2 corresponding to a second reference crank angle and a control/arithmetic operation circuit includes a timing calculation means for calculating the timings at which ignition coils are controlled according to an operating state, count means for counting the number of the pulses of one of respective pulse signals which are detected between two continuous pulses of the other of them, reverse rotation discriminating means for discriminating the reverse rotation of the internal combustion engine based on the count values CA1 and CA2 of the respective pulse signals and control prohibition means for prohibiting the output of drive signals P1 and P2 in response to a reverse rotation discriminating signal to thereby prohibit ignition control in the occurrence of the reverse rotation by disc

Abstract: A modular system for providing electrical power to the input contact of an engine igniter is constructed within a hollow container. The container includes a space for mechanically mounting and providing electrical power to the igniter. When the igniter is placed within the hollow container, electrical contact is made between the exciter module and the engine igniter.

Abstract: The ignition system for a four-cycle gasoline engine having at least one cylinder includes a spark plug for each cylinder and an ignition coil for each spark plug so that each spark plug has its own ignition coil with a primary and secondary side as well as a control device for controlling the timing of the firing of the spark plugs via the individual ignition coils according to a predetermined firing sequence connected to each of the ignition coils.

Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine, such as an outboard marine engine, which includes an advanced timing schedule, a non-advanced timing schedule, and a circuit for switching between the two schedules or disabling both schedules based upon engine operating conditions. The ignition system includes an opto-electronic time base generator which produces two sets of timing pulses relative to crankshaft position which are non-advanced timing pulses and advanced timing pulses. The time base generator comprises two LED-phototransistor pairs and an encoder disk attached to the crankshaft with slots to interrupt the radiation path between each LED-phototransistor pair. The encoder disk is provided with a synchronizing slot, multiple timing slots associated with the cylinders of the engine, and an direction slot. The direction of the rotation of the engine can be sensed by the spatial relationship between the synchronizing slot and the direction slot.

Abstract: A novel and improved ignition system for an engine with a reverse-rotation preventing function capable of ensuring a proper engine operation over the entire operating range of the engine, particularly during the high-speed rotation thereof.

Abstract: In the embodiment described in the specification, a fuel injection system has a device for proportioning and distributing fuel to the individual cylinders of an internal combustion engine. The proportioning and distribution device has a distribution rotor driven in proportion to the speed of the engine. The distribution rotor is formed with high-pressure channels which communicate with a high-pressure chamber of a pressure pump for selective connection to the fuel injection lines leading to the cylinders of the engine. To control the termination of fuel injection in each cylinder, the distribution rotor has a control valve for connecting the high-pressure channels with the atmosphere. The control valve includes a sealing member actuable by a roller tappet which is mounted in a transverse bore of the distribution rotor. The roller tappet cooperates with a lifting ring surrounding the distribution rotor having camlike projections which are displaceable in the peripheral direction in the rotor housing.

Abstract: Capacitor ignition apparatus for internal-combustion engines with a magneto generator and an ignition pulse generator for the switching through of an electronic switch which discharges the capacitor via the primary winding of the ignition coil, wherein the ignition pulse generator triggered by the magneto generator and provided with a revolution counter effects via a stored ignition characteristics program a revolution-dependent delay of the ignition pulse with respect to the magneto generator pulse.

Abstract: The present invention is an ignition device comprising a circuit for generating an ignition signal in synchronism with the revolutions of an engine, a circuit for inhibiting an igniting operation, a circuit for detecting the starting state of the engine, and a circuit for interrupting the operation of the inhibiting circuit upon detection of such starting state.

Abstract: In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, positive half cycles of an output of the exciter coil are used as the ignition energy. A signal coil outputs a maximum advance angle side signal whose magnitude exceeds a threshold at the maximum advance angle position and a minimum advance angle side signal whose magnitude exceeds a threshold at the minimum advance angle position. An ignition timing control circuit is responsive to a maximum advance angle position indicating pulse derived from the maximum advance angle side signal and a minimum advance angle position indicating pulse derived from the minimum advance angle side signal for producing an ignition signal. The exciter coil and the signal coil have such a phase relation that the minimum advance angle side signals are produced during the negative half cycles of the exciter coil when the engine is rotating forward, and are produced during the positive half cycles of the when the engine is rotating backward.

Abstract: An ignition system of the condensor-discharge type for an internal combustion engine is disclosed which is capable of preventing delay of the ignition position at a high engine speed due to an armature reaction and preventing generation of ignition spark at reverse rotation of the engine without using a signal coil for determining the ignition position.

Abstract: An exciter coil and pulser coil induce voltages in phase reversal to each other by the rotation of an internal combustion engine are provided. A first condenser and second condenser are charged with the negative and positive induced voltage of the exciter coil respectively. A second switching element conductive by the discharged voltage of the second condenser discharged through a first switching element conductive when the induced voltage of the pulser coil reaches a set level is connected in series with a circuit connecting the ignition coil and first condenser. A circuit controlling the switching time of the first switching element is operated so as to retard the operation of the second switching element in the low speed operation range of the engine and to advance the same in the high speed operation range. This circuit includes a further switching element operating in response to the voltage inducing state of the pulser coil.

Abstract: A contactless ignition device for internal combustion engines comprising an exciter coil and pulser coil inducing voltages of phases reverse to each other with the rotation of the internal combustion engine, a first capacitor and second capacitor charged with voltages induced by the respective coils and switching elements connected in series in a circuit connecting the first capacitor with an ignition coil so as to conduct the voltage discharged by the second capacitor when either of both induced voltages reaches a set level. A control circuit controlling the switching time of the switching elements is connected to the switching elements so as to delay the operation of the second switching element with the control circuit in the low speed operation range of the engine and to advance the operation in the high speed operation range. This control circuit includes a switching element operating in response to the voltage inducing state of the exciter coil or pulser coil.

Abstract: A flywheel magneto generates a first and a second angular signal in synchronism with the rotation of an internal combustion engine so that the second signal is broader in pulse width than and delayed by a predetermined time interval relative to the first signal. An ignition time calculation circuit converts the first signal to a rectangular pulse. The second signal is partly bypassed to ground until the pulse is ended in the high and moderate speed ranges of the engine. At the end of the pulse, the second signal cause a thyristor to conduct so as to determine an ignition time. In the low speed range, the pulse is disabled and the second signal cause the thyristor to conduct upon its reaching the threshold voltage of the thyristor.

Abstract: Our overrun prevention ignition system of the capacitor discharge type includes an ignition angle retarding circuit for retarding the ignition angle by an overlapping period between an ignition signal and a predetermined conduction period of a switching transistor associated with an ignition controlling thyristor. The ignition angle retarding circuit includes an ignition signal generating coil sharing a common core with a magneto and includes a capacitor which is charged by a portion of an ignition signal from the ignition signal generating coil. The capacitor discharges for a certain period upon commencement of the decay of the ignition signal to produce a supplemental ignition signal thereby to effectively lengthen the width of the ignition signal. A switching transistor connected to the gate of the ignition controlling thyristor is maintained conductive for a predetermined period of time irrespective of the engine speed to bypass the ignition signal during this period.

Abstract: An alternator-powered breakerless capacitor discharge ignition system for an alternate firing two-cylinder outboard motor provides improved timing characteristics at low, as well as high, engine speeds and prevents reverse engine rotation. The alternator rotor and stator assemblies define a first magnetic circuit which provides constant polarity, constant power pulses for charging a single capacitor in the system. The alternator rotor and trigger assemblies define a second magnetic circuit which provides synchronized narrow trigger pulses, successive one's being of opposite polarity, to operate an electronic control circuit to effect timed capacitor discharge to a pair of spark plug ignition coils in the system. The first magnetic circuit includes a pair of relatively narrow ceramic permanent magnets spaced 180.degree. apart on the alternator rotor flywheel for energizing series-connected, oppositely wound, spaced apart low-speed and high speed stationary windings in the stator assembly.

Abstract: In an ignition system for internal combustion engines having a magneto generator for charging a capacitor and a thyristor for discharging the capacitor through an ignition coil upon receiving an ignition signal, an auxiliary capacitor and an associated transformer are provided as a source of the ignition signal. The auxiliary capacitor is charged through the transformer by each half-cycle of the magneto generator output of the opposite polarity with respect to the charging half-cycle of the capacitor. The auxiliary capacitor is discharged through the gate-cathode path of the thyristor under control of an auxiliary switching element to which a timing signal generator provides a timing signal at a proper ignition time.