Abstract: A tie bolt retention assembly includes a retention ring configured to contact a tie bolt head of a tie bolt; a retention washer configured to be disposed between the tie bolt head and a wheel section of a wheel assembly; and a retainer configured to engage with the retention washer; wherein the retention washer and the retainer are configured to secure the retention ring to the tie bolt head.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine crankshaft assembly includes a crankshaft having an output device, such as a flywheel or crankshaft damper, fastened to the crankshaft. An electronic engine control device is positioned between the crankshaft and the output device. The electronic engine control device includes a generally planar base which contacts both the output device and the crankshaft. The planar base is coated with a pressure-responsive friction-promoting material which causes the output device to be torsionally locked with respect to the crankshaft.

Abstract: A distributor for an internal combustion engine and associated methods comprise a camshaft having a drive gear thereon, a trigger disk positioned on the camshaft so as to rotate coaxially therewith, the trigger disk having a plurality of tabs defining a window between adjacent tabs, an optical sensor positioned relative to the trigger disk so that the plurality of tabs passes within sensor range as the trigger disk rotates on the camshaft, the sensor generating signals responsive to detection of the plurality of tabs, and a microprocessor operatively linked with the optical sensor and programmed with one or more ignition curves providing predetermined rates of ignition advance responsive to signals from the optical sensor.

Abstract: An engine control apparatus for preventing erroneous cylinder identification by clearing cylinder identification information upon detection of on/off operation of a starter (50) includes a sensor (32) for generating crank angle pulse signals with dropout portions corresponding to reference positions defined by tooth dropout sections provided in an angular position detecting member (31), a sensor (22) for generating cylinder identifying pulse signals, an electronic control unit (40) for identifying cylinders of the engine (10) and crank angle positions on the basis of sensor output signals. The electronic control unit (40) includes means for detecting changeover of driving/non-driving states of the starter (50), means for detecting an engine rotation speed (NE), and cylinder identification information invalidating means responsive for changeover of the starter driving states in an engine starting operation to inhibit the information from being employed in succeeding cylinder identification.

Abstract: In a multiple cylinder four-stroke engine with fuel injection, an interference oscillation is generated briefly on the flywheel on starting by varied fuel supply to different cylinders. After oscillation analysis of the resultant oscillation of the flywheel, phase positions of the superimposed interference oscillation and of the resultant oscillation are compared. If predetermined phase positions of the oscillations appear, the engine is considered to be operating in the correct cycle position, but otherwise a control unit is initiated to correct its cycle position so that the correct cycle position of the engine is obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting crank angle position in an internal combustion engine, in which a first rotator, which is interlocked with the crankshaft, has a plurality of detectable parts in the rotation direction, the detectable parts on the first rotator are provided so that adjoining spaces are nearly equal to each other. A second rotator which is interlocked with the camshaft has a plurality of detectable parts in the rotation direction, the detectable parts on the second rotator are provided so that permutations each consisting of at least two of consecutive angle intervals in one rotation direction differ from each other. With this configuration, the stroke of an internal combustion engine can be determined in a short time.

Abstract: In a multiple cylinder four-stroke engine with fuel injection, an interference oscillation (C) is generated briefly on the flywheel on starting by varied fuel supply to different cylinders. After oscillation analysis of the resultant oscillation (A′) of the flywheel, phase positions of the superimposed interference oscillation (D) and of the interference oscillation (C) are compared. If predetermined phase positions of the oscillations appear, the engine is considered to be operating in the correct cycle position, but otherwise a control unit is initiated to correct its cycle position so that the correct cycle position of the engine is obtained.

Abstract: A magnetically energized ignition system (10, 24) for a small engine includes a rotary magnet system (11, 25) driven by the crank shaft of the engine, a charging coil (12, 26) in which a voltage is induced by the rotating magnet system (11, 25) an energy store (12, 28) which is charged by the charging coil (12, 26), a voltage converter (19, 34) which is connected with the energy store (12, 28) and creates a transformed high ignition voltage, a spark plug (23, 35) connected with the output of the voltage converter (19, 34), a crank shaft position indicator (14, 29), and a switch element (13, 27) controlled by the crank shaft position indicator and which has an effect on the energy store (12, 28), and reduces the disadvantages of known ignition systems, especially saving costs in respect to known ignition systems, especially by making possible the saving of costs in respect to high voltage cabling, the ignition system also being particularly suited to the narrow space requirements of small motors in that the vo

Abstract: A distributor for internal combustion engines which includes a connector for electrically coupling a rotation signal detector and an engine control unit and a connector for electrically coupling an ignition coil and the engine control unit, the distributor being constructed to be able to improve working efficiency and productivity during assembly and handling easiness during maintenance.

Abstract: A cylinder discriminating device includes a ratio computing device for computing the ratio between the periods of signal generation over predetermined two sections, a signal group discriminating device for discriminating a predetermined group of signals, and a signal discriminating device for discriminating a predetermined signal from the group of signals. Thus, the cylinder discriminating device can be provided which does not provide erroneous decision in cylinder discrimination in a signal generating device in a single system, but can shorten the time required for cylinder discrimination to effect inherent control for each cylinder.

Abstract: A distributor for internal combustion engines which includes a connector for electrically coupling a rotation signal detector and an engine control unit and a connector for electrically coupling an ignition coil and the engine control unit, the distributor being constructed to be able to improve working efficiency and productivity during assembly and handling easiness during maintenance.

Abstract: High voltage switches distribute ignition voltages to spark plugs of an internal combustion engine. A high-voltage switch uses an array of high voltage semiconductor transistors mounted on a single insulated substrate. The high voltage array requires only a single transistor working with a single photo-diode to trigger the array. A light source is mounted in the center of a distributor cap and light from the light source is directed into a light directing rotor. The light directing rotor is designed to reflect light to the photo-diode trigger of each high voltage array. The control circuitry is operated with low voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine that automatically corrects an error of a reference position to prevent an erroneous calculation of a controlled-parameter so as to accurately control the internal combustion engine, the apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine having a period measuring section for measuring a period of a plurality of reference-position areas and a period of a plurality of areas corresponding to cylinders of a reference-position signal, an angular error detection section for detecting an angular error in each reference-position area in accordance with the period of the reference-position areas and the period of the areas corresponding to the cylinders and an error discrimination section that discriminates validity of the angular error to generate a final angular error, wherein a timer control section corrects the controlled-parameter in accordance with the final angular error, and a control time setting section corrects a time controlled by the timer in

Abstract: A crankshaft angle sensor comprising a crankshaft angle sensing element (33) mounted to a housing (35) and a circuit board (37) mounted to the housing (35) and having an electronic circuit thereon. The electronic circuit is electrically connected to the crankshaft angle sensing element (33) for controlling an ignition timing of an internal combustion engine. The crankshaft angle sensing element (33) and the circuit board (37) are disposed in the direction substantially parallel to the axis of the distributor rotary shaft (31). The crankshaft angle sensing element (33) and the electronic circuit board (37) are electrically connected through a plurality of leads (33aa, 33bb, 38) and insert conductors (44, 54) having a parallel-gap-welded connection portion extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotary shaft (31).

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine including a multiplicity of cylinders. The apparatus comprises a control means for detecting speedily reference positions for control of the individual cylinders with high reliability. In the control means, a reference position signal generating means for generating a reference position signal containing six equiinterval rectangular pulses each having a duty cycle of 1/2 during a single rotation of a crank shaft is provided in combination with a cylinder identification signal generating means for generating a plurality of different-interval rectangular pulses during a rotation of a shaft interlocked to the cam shaft so that a series of four successive signal levels of the different-interval rectangular pulses sampled at one edges of the equi-interval rectangular pulses differ from one to another succeeding series. The series of the signal levels thus fetched are stored in a signal level data storage means.

Abstract: An automotive engine control system is provided for an automobile having a variable rotation speed engine which has a plurality of spark plugs served by respective spark plugs. The system includes an optical rotary encoder having a rotatable pulse scale having a row of code pattern with specific light-permeable or light-deflection slits each for outputting a reference position signal and other light-permeable or light-reflection slits each adapted to reduce the amount of light for outputting an angular signal, both of the optical signals being photoelectronically converted and the waveform of the resultant electric signals being shaped based on threshold voltages into electric pulse signals indicative of a reference angle of 0.degree.

Abstract: A test and maintenance method and apparatus for an ignition system of an internal combustion engine, such as an outboard marine engine, which includes an advanced timing schedule, a nonadvanced 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 nonadvanced 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 a direction slot. The test function of the apparatus verifies the timing and sequence of timing pulses.

Abstract: A distributor for an automotive engine with a built-in crank angle sensor includes a crank angle sensor unit 7A wherein the photodiode 12 opposing the light emitting diode 11 across the rotation disk 6 and the waveform shaper circuit for shaping the output of the photodiode 12 into a rectangular waveform are built into a single-chip photoreceptive integrated circuit 10. The photoreceptive integrated circuit 10A may include constant current source circuit consisting of a voltage divider 31a and 31b, a operational amplifier 32, a transistor 33, and current detector resistor 34, such that the current level through the light emitting diode 11 is kept constant.

Abstract: For a combustion-powered tool, an ignition system is powered by a battery and is arranged so that a sudden discharge of a capacitor, as charged via an oscillator, produces a spark at a spark gap of a spark plug, so that the oscillator is enabled if a trigger switch is closed while a head switch is closed, but not if the trigger switch is closed while the head switch is opened, and if a battery voltage, as monitored, is not less than a reference voltage, and so that a silicon-controlled rectifier, which is arranged to produce a sudden discharge of the capacitor, is switched to a conductive state if the capacitor voltage, as monitored, and is not less than a reference voltage. The head and trigger switches, which are photoelectric, are polled intermittently to determine whether they are closed. Predominantly, solid-state components are used.

Abstract: The power transistor unit 2A for controlling the current supply to the primary side of the ignition coil 3 includes a light emitting diode 10 coupled to the output of the control unit 1, and a phototransistor 11 optically coupled to the light emitting diode 10. The light emitting diode 10 and the phototransistor 11 together constitute a optoisolator. Thus, the ignition coil 3 is electrically isolated from the control unit 1, and hence a filter circuit for suppressing noise from the ignition coil 3 can be dispensed with.

Abstract: A signal generator generates a crank angle reference signal and a cylinder identification signal in synchronism with the rotation of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine. The crank angle reference signal has high and low levels which change at a first reference crank position and at a second reference crank position of each cylinder. The cylinder identification signal corresponds to a specific cylinder and is out of phase with respect to the crank angle reference signal. The operating position of each cylinder is determined on the basis of the crank angle reference signal and the cylinder identification signal so that the ignition of each cylinder is controlled based on these signals. The ignition control for the cylinders is stopped if there is an abnormality in the crank angle reference signal or in the cylinder identification signal. This improves reliability and stability in the control of the overall system.

Abstract: A high-voltage switch (10), which is usable particularly as an ignition voltage distributor for applying the ignition voltage to spark plugs of an internal combustion engine, comprises a cascade circuit of optoelectronic semiconductor elements (11) which are actuated by means of incident light radiation. A plurality of photo semiconductor elements (11) are controlled by a light-emitting element (12) via a biconvex cylinder lens (30). A distribution of the radiation by means of light guide fibers (37) is also possible. The light-emitting elements (12) which are operated with low voltage can be arranged in a housing (36) separate from the high-voltage side by means of the use of light guides (37), so that a complete galvanic separation is achieved.

Abstract: A method of detecting the condition of combustion in each cylinder of an internal combustion engine while monitoring a variation in rotation of a crankshaft in the engine for each cylinder, in which the degree of irregular combustion is judged based on the magnitude of the rotational variation, and/or in which the condition of combustion in a succeeding cylinder is judged based on the difference between rotational variations within one combustion period, of adjacent cylinders, and/or in which the rotational ascending rate within one combustion period, of each cylinder is detected to judge the condition of combustion in the cylinder based on the dropping state of the rotational ascending rate, and/or in which the rotational angular acceleration within one combustion period, of each cylinder is detected to thereby judge that a predetermined cylinder is in a condition of irregular combustion when the quantity of the variation in rotational angular acceleration between adjacent cylinders exceeds a predetermined v

Abstract: An angular position detector mounted within an engine ignition distributor for detecting an angular position of a rotary shaft. The detector comprises a detecting element disposed about the rotary shaft for generating a detection signal corresponding to an angular position of the rotary shaft and a processing circuit disposed around the rotary shaft for processing the detection signal from the detecting element. The detecting element and the processing circuit are connected by an electrical conductor member which is arranged at a position sufficiently remote from the rotary shaft for reducing an undesirable effect of a high voltage which may appear in the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A signal generator generates a crank angle reference signal containing a plurality of pulses for one ignition cycle of each cylinder which correspond to prescribed crank positions, respectively, of a corresponding cylinder. The operation of an engine is controlled on the crank angle reference signal so that reference crank positions for engine control are able to be switched over between the pulses depending upon changes in the operating condition of the engine, thereby improving the reliability and stability in the engine control. In addition, a reference position for engine control can be set as near as possible to a control timing, at which an engine control operation such as ignition, fuel injection, etc., is performed, by using an appropriate one(s) of the rising and falling edges of the pulses contained in the crank angle reference signal.

Abstract: A cylinder recognition apparatus for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine capable of recognizing a specific reference cylinder as well as the remaining cylinders of the engine by use of only a single signal. A signal generator generates a single output signal in synchrony with the rotation of the engine, the output signal including a plurality of positional pulses each representative of prescribed rotational positions of a corresponding cylinder, and a cylinder recognition pulse at a location near a specific one of the positional pulses corresponding to a specific cylinder. A microcomputer discriminates the cylinder recognition pulse among the signal generator output pulses so as to recognize the specific positional pulse corresponding to the speicfic cylinder.

Abstract: A liquid mixing ratio detecting sensor has cylindrical holder which is immersed in sulfuric acid solution. The holder is filled with silicone oil. A glass plate is placed within the holder. A light emitting diode emits light beams which enter the glass plate through its vertical side, and totally reflect from a boundary between the glass plate and the sulfuric acid solution. The light beams coming out from the glass plate is reflected by a reflection plate to enter into the glass plate through its vertical side, and totally reflected from a reference boundary between the glass plate and the silicone oil when a refractive index of the sulfuric acid solution is greater than that of silicone oil. On the other hand, the light beams entered into the glass plate refracts at the reference boundary to fall on a photo diode when the refractive index of the sulfuric acid solution decreases to be smaller than that of silicone oil.

Abstract: An improved cylinder recognition apparatus and method for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine capable of recognizing a specific reference cylinder as well as the remaining cylinders of the engine by use of only a single signal. A signal generator generates a single output signal in synchrony with the rotation of the engine, the output signal including a plurality of positional pulses each representative of prescribed rotational positions of a corresponding cylinder, and a cylinder recognition pulse at a location near a specific one of the positional pulses corresponding to a specific cylinder. A microcomputer discriminates the cylinder recognition pulse among the signal generator output pulses so as to recognize the specific positional pulse corresponding to the specific cylinder.

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: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine, such as an outboard marine engine, which includes an advanced timing schedule, a normal 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 optoelectronic time base generator which produces two sets of timing pulses relative to crankshaft position which are normal timing pulses and advanced timing pulses. The time base generator comprises a LED-phototransistor pair and an encoder disk attached to the crankshaft with slots to interrupt the emission path between LED-phototransistor pair. The normal pulses are generated based upon the trailing edge of each slot while the advanced pulses are generated based up the leading edge, wherein the width of the slots indicate the degree of advancement of the advanced schedule over the normal schedule.

Abstract: A cylinder recognition apparatus for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine has a position sensor which generates for each cylinder output pulses which indicate prescribed positions of the piston of the cylinder. The output pulse for a prescribed reference cylinder of the engine has a different pulse width from the pulses for the other cylinders. A cylinder recognition circuit calculates a ratio which is a function of the pulse width and the period of each output pulse. A comparator compares the ratio with a prescribed value and a cylinder is recognized on the basis of the comparison.

Abstract: In a mixing liquid ratio detector device, a LED and a photo diode are provided in a manner to sandwich an optically permeable column. The light emitting area of the LED and the light receiving area of the photo diode are each arranged in the neighborhood of the column in generally perpendicular relationship with a boundary between a mixing liquid and the column, such that light beams from the LED enter the boundary through one side of the column, the light beams incident on the boundary at an angle more than a critical angle being totally reflected from the boundary, and advancing through an inner portion of the column to come out from the other side of the column, and impinging on the photo diode.

Abstract: The ignition timing system of the present invention comprises a rotor plate having a plurality of pin receiving holes therein. Several pins may be positioned in the desired holes on the upper surface of the rotor plate. The rotor plate rotates in unison with the camshaft of the engine, and the pins pass through optical sensors which are capable of creating an electrical trigger signal each time a pin passes thereby. Electrical circuitry is connected to the optical sensors for converting the trigger signals into firing signals delivered to the cylinders of the engine. The electrical circuitry includes screw adjustments for adjusting the rpms at which the spark advance is changed. The location of the pins on the rotor plate determines the amount of spark advance which occurs at each level.

Abstract: A rotational position detector for detecting the position of the crankshaft of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine is disclosed. A signal generator generates pulses whose leading and trailing edges correspond to the first and second rotational positions of the crankshaft with respect to the respective cylinders. The first and the second rotational positions are at 75 degrees BTDC and 5 degrees BTDC with respect to respective cylinders; however, the second rotational position of the crankshaft with respect to a particular cylinder (cylinder No. 1) is displaced to the retarding side by 10 degrees, i.e. to 5 degrees ATDC. Thus, those pulses which correspond to cylinder No. 1 is identified as follows: first, the duty ratio t/T of the pulse width t to the period T between the leading edges of the two successive pulses is calculated; then, the duty ratio t/T is compared with a predetermined reference level to identify the pulses corresponding to cylinder No. 1.

Abstract: A rotary position detector for an internal combustion engine with a cam shaft, which includes a sleeve to be mounted on the cam shaft for rotation along with the cam shaft; a hermetic housing to be secured to the engine such that the sleeve rotates within the housing; an optical sensor mounted on an inside of the housing; and a perforated shutter disk secured to the sleeve so as to rotate together with the sleeve with respect to the stationary optical sensor to provide a signal corresponding to a rotary position of the engine.

Abstract: An ignition timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine comprises a signal rotor rotating in synchronism with the revolution of the engine, a plurality of trigger poles attached on the outer circumference of the signal rotor at positions corresponding to an ignition timing for each of the cyclinders, a signal coil for generating an angle signal in correspondence to the position of the trigger poles and an ignition timing operating device which measures the periods in the angle signal and compares the periods by multiplying a given coefficient alternately to thereby discriminate the cylinders and operate ignition timing for the cylinders.

Abstract: A very high performance digital ignition system is disclosed which includes a precision angular position sensor within the distributor of an internal combustion engine (or otherwise coupled to the engine to sense its angular position) to provide accurate timing information which is applied to gating means for selectively passing bursts of triggering pulses having, in the exemplary embodiment, a 7-to-1 duty cycle ratio. The selected burst of pulses are applied to a driver circuit which provides power amplification to energize the primary circuit of an ignition coil. An alternative mode of operation is also disclosed which simulates a conventional make and break ignition system to effect a service mode. In the service mode of operation, a single pulse is issued to the ignition coil upon the occurrence of the first or second pulse of the pulse burst after the angular position sensor has sensed that a cylinder firing operation should be instituted.

Abstract: There is provided a rotational signal detecting apparatus comprising a housing, a rotor shaft attached to said housing so as to be freely rotatable, said rotor shaft rotating in synchronism with a crankshaft or a cam shaft of an engine, a photoelectric pickup comprising a rotating portion fixed to said rotor shaft so as to rotate with said rotor shaft as one body and a fixed portion integrally attached to said housing, said fixed portion having photoelectric conversion means for outputting a signal varying according to the quantity of incident light varied in synchronism with the rotation of said rotating portion, an electromagnetic pickup comprising a rotating portion fixed to said rotor shaft so as to rotate with said rotor shaft as one body and a fixed portion integrally attached to said housing, said fixed portion having magnetic field detecting means for outputting a signal varying according to the magnetic field varied in synchronism with the rotation of said rotating portion, one of said photoelectric

Abstract: A crank angle detecting system for a multicylinder engine includes a disc formed with a large number of slits to detect one-degree crank angular positions and a small number of slits to detect a predetermined piston stroke for each cylinder. Since the widths of a small number of slits are different from each other, it is possible to separately discriminate each cylinder in crank angular position on the basis of the crank angle signals obtained by a large number of slits. In the case where the detecting system is incorporated with a group-ignition system, it is possible to detect a predetermined piston stroke for each cylinder immediately after the engine is started, thus preventing the engine from erroneous ignition.

Abstract: A digital ignition system is disclosed including a precision angular position sensor within the engine distributor or in cooperation with another rotary engine part providing accurate timing information applied to gating means selectively passing bursts of triggering pulses having a 7-to-1 duty cycle ratio. The bursts are applied to a driver circuit providing power amplification energizing the coil primary. An alternative mode is also disclosed simulating a conventional make and break ignition system for a service mode. In the service mode, a single pulse is issued to the coil upon the first pulse of the pulse burst after the angular position sensor senses that a cylinder firing operation is required. Thus, ordinary timing and diagnostic instruments may be used during the service mode to accurately establish ignition timing during normal, burst mode operation.

Abstract: A very high performance digital ignition system is disclosed which includes a precision angular position sensor within the distributor of an internal combustion engine (or otherwise coupled to the engine to sense its angular position) to provide accurate timing information which is applied to gating means for selectively passing bursts of triggering pulses having, in the exemplary embodiment, a 7-to-1 duty cycle ratio. The selected burst of pulses are applied to a driver circuit which provides power amplification to energize the primary circuit of an ignition coil. An alternative mode of operation is also disclosed which simulates a conventional make and break ignition system to effect a service mode. In the service mode of operation, a single pulse is issued to the ignition coil upon the occurence of the first or second pulse of the pulse burst after angular position sensor has sensed that a cylinder firing operation should be instituted.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor for a distributorless ignition system is useable in an internal combustion engine. A Hall-effect device is spaced intermediate a pair of opposing permanent magnets for concurrently generating dual magnetic flux fields within respective air gap regions formed between each of the magnets and the device. Alternatively a magnet is placed between two Hall-effect devices to define the regions. A toothed disk rotatably connected to the crank-shaft of the engine causes different teeth to shunt the fields in each of the regions in a predetermined sequence for generating pulses at the device output indicative of the firing order of the engine. Alternatively, a disk having outer and inner notched rims is used to shunt the fields in each of the regions. Further, an elongated channel shaped member has sides movable in the regions for detecting relative linear motion between two parts.

Abstract: In an electronic ignition control apparatus having RAM to initially store first and second signals indicative of the starting and terminating points for calculation of a time necessary for rotation of a predetermined angle defined by integer times as large as a predetermined angular interval of an output shaft of an engine, a rotation time of the output shaft is calculated during rotation of an angle of the output shaft defined by the first and second signals from RAM to calculate an optimum spark advance angle in relation to the operating condition of the engine such that an angular position defined by integer times as large as the predetermined angular interval at the advance angle side of the calculated advance angle is determined to be stored in RAM as a third signal.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine ignition system includes an output switching transistor (7), the emitter-collector path of which is in series with the primary winding (5) of an ignition coil (6). To attain a constant amount of ignition energy in the ignition coil (6), the control current for the base of the output switching transistor (7) is supplied by a constant-current source (9), the level of the constant control current being selected such that while the ignition energy is being stored in the ignition coil (6), the saturated operation of the output switching transistor (7) is maintained.

Abstract: To provide a signal representative of angular crankshaft position from an ignition distributor, independently of change of ignition timing, the ignition distributor includes a further or additional rotating transducer system (8, 9, 10, 11), for example a rotating disk (8) positively coupled to the shaft (3) of the distributor. The disk (8) carries markers (10) which are picked up by an optic, magnetic (Hall generator) or inductive pick-up (9). To provide a reference marker output, for example a reference, e.g. TDC position of a reference piston, the rotating disk (8) can carry an additional reference marker (10a) picked up by a reference pick-up (9a) which can be similar to the other pick-ups used in the construction. The specific crankshaft position signals are especially suitable and desirable if the engine is coupled to an engine knock sensing and knock prevention system (KS).

Abstract: An ignition position controlling apparatus for a multicylinder internal combustion engine is disclosed which is capable of generating clock pulses and cylinder discriminating signals for detecting proper angular positions necessary to determine the ignition positions of cylinders of the engine using an inductor-type signal generator simple in construction which includes signal generating means in number corresponding to the number of cylinders of the engine and a single disc-like toothed inductor.

Abstract: An electronic ignition and fuel control system is provided for internal combustion automotive vehicle engines which are of the spark ignition type. The ignition and fuel control system of this invention includes an electronic timing and detector circuit, distributor circuit, clock and command circuit, ignition power circuit and air-fuel control circuit. The clock and command circuit responds to selected positioning of an accelerator control element to provide either a plurality of firing pulses to the engine ignitors in an acceleration mode of operation, or to provide single pulse firing in the case of steady state operation or a deceleration mode of operation. In the ignition and power circuit, individual coils are provided for generating a high voltage firing pulse applied to each of the ignitors that are interconnected with the respective coil.

Abstract: A distributor for an ignition system that includes a plurality of optical switches (20) and a rotating member (40) having two windows (41, 42) spaced 180 degrees apart so that each switch is activated twice for each revolution of the distributor shaft. The distributor requires only as many optically coupled switches (20) as there are cylinders.

Abstract: The advance and retard of the spark ignition in an ignition system of an internal combustion engine is achieved electronically by generating two series of pulses in synchronism with the engine using one series as a reference for maximum advance and the other series to operate a counter to count down the requisite number of pulses beyond the maximum advance point before the spark is initiated, the count of the counter being varied from a computer in accordance with speed and/or load on the engine.

Abstract: A crank angle detecting system for a multicylinder engine includes a disc formed with a large number of slits to detect one-degree crank angular positions and a small number of slits to detect a predetermined piston stroke for each cylinder. Since the widths of a small number of slits are different from each other, it is possible to separately discriminate each cylinder in crank angular position on the basis of the crank angle signals obtained by a large number of slits. In the case where the detecting system is incorporated with a group-ignition system, it is possible to detect a predetermined piston stroke for each cylinder immediately after the engine is started, thus preventing the engine from erroneous ignition.