Abstract: An internal-combustion-engine electronic control system according to the present invention is provided with a power switching device that applies or shuts off a primary current of an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine so that at the secondary side of the ignition coil, there is generated a voltage for making an ignition plug of the internal combustion engine produce a spark discharge; and a control unit that turns on or off the power switching device. The internal-combustion-engine electronic control system is characterized in that the control unit is provided with a circuit unit that makes the power switching device softly shut off so as to prevent the ignition plug from producing the spark discharge, and in accordance with the characteristics of the power switching device, the control unit changes the characteristics of the soft shutoff halfway through the shutoff operation.

Abstract: A capacitive discharge ignition system for an internal combustion engine including: a capacitor for storing electrical energy to produce a spark; a first switch having a trigger input for receiving a trigger pulse; a second switch connected to the trigger input of the first switch such that the trigger pulse may be selectively inhibited from triggering the first switch; and a speed sensor for detecting the speed of an engine and in communication with the second switch such that the second switch will not inhibit the trigger pulse when the speed of the engine is below a threshold speed and the second switch will inhibit the trigger pulse when the speed of the engine is above a threshold speed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for providing electrical energy to a traveling spark ignitor operating in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The system may include a conventional ignition system connected to the ignitor and a follow-on current producer which produces a follow-on current that travels between electrodes of the ignitor after an initial discharge of the conventional ignition system through the ignitor. The system may also include a disabling element that prevents the follow-on current from being transmitted to the ignitor. The disabling element may prevent the follow-on current from being transmitted to the ignitor based upon current operating conditions of the engine. When the disabling element prevents the follow-on current from being transmitted to the ignitor the system operates in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A combined heat and power system including a 4 cylinder reciprocating internal combustion engine fuelled by a fuel gas, for example natural gas, and operating at a substantially constant speed and at a substantially constant air to fuel ratio. Operation of a spark generator and distributor device (44) is under control of an ignition spark duration control (10) whereby the duration of an ignition spark between the electrodes of the plug (16) is automatically variable to bring the spark duration closer to a predetermined minimum duration over which predetermined minimum duration there would be supplied to the electrodes of the plugs in turn a minimum-level of electrical ignition energy to substantially avoid misfire in the cylinders provided with the plugs. The minimum level of the electrical ignition energy is variable according to the size of the gap between the electrodes of the plug (16).

Abstract: An anti-corrosion fogging device for internal combustion engines, such as marine engines, includes a system which injects oil having anti-corrosive properties into the engine of a boat. The device may be applied to two cycle outboard motors as well as four cycle engines. The system dispenses the anti-corrosive oil by means of an aerosol spray can permanently connected to a remotely controlled solenoid valve which through a hose supplies oil to a spray nozzle permanently installed on the engine. A user can at will dispense a controllable quantity of anti-corrosive oil into an internal combustion engine at the end of an operating cycle to protect the engine against corrosion during prolonged idleness.

Abstract: An engine ignition device comprises a circuit which generates a bias voltage corresponding to the engine rpm and superimposes it on an ignition signal so that the closing rate of the primary power feeding circuit for an ignition coil is controlled, a switching operation level setting circuit for generating a set voltage which changes with the engine rpm at startup or idling, and a comparison circuit having a first input receiving the ignition signal and superposed bias voltage and a second input receiving the set voltage, and generating an inverted output.

Abstract: A positive starting system and circuit prevents false starting of a multicylinder two-cycle internal combustion engine (10). During initial cranking of the engine, starter kick-out is caused by ignition of a residual combustible charge in a cylinder, however the following cylinder does not have a combustible charge, and the engine ceasing running, thus requiring re-engagement of the starter to start the engine. The problem is solved by delaying ignition upon initial cranking until sufficient combustible charge is developed in the remaining cylinders. Upon initial cranking, ignition is disabled, and a timing delay interval is initiated. At the end of such interval, ignition is enabled.

Abstract: A plasma ignition system for an internal combustion engine which varies a discharge time of a plasma ignition energy charged capacitor according to the engine operating condition, e.g., the current engine speed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine contactless ignition system of the supply voltage variation compensation type in which the length of time an ignition coil is energized is controlled by an input transistor in response to an alternating current signal synchronized with the rotation of an engine and the operating level of the input transistor is automatically shifted in response to variation of the voltage of a power source, further comprises an inverting transistor having a base connected to the collector of the input transistor, an emitter connected to one end of the power source through a common emitter resistor and a collector connected to the other end of the power source through collector resistors and a Zener diode whereby an ignition coil energization controlling power transistor is controlled through the inverting transistor.

Abstract: An engine timed ignition system of the type that combines a short duration high voltage spark with a reduced voltage DC spark sustaining signal. It includes in the system apparatus for starting the DC sustaining signal simultaneously with the high voltage spark. And, it includes apparatus to positively stop the DC sustaining signal after a predetermined interval in order to avoid a continuing spark discharge.

Abstract: A spark ignited internal combustion engine includes a counter which counts a predetermined number of the initial ignition signals during engine start and suppresses those ignition signals to prevent reverse torque due to excessive cylinder pressure before top dead center at the extra-low engine speed of initial start and thus assist engine start, especially in a warm engine. The counter is reset by detection of the closure of the ignition switch through the electric power supply line so that no separate wire from the start switch or motor is required.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing spark ignition of an internal combustion engine in which sparks at the spark plugs are initiated by a high voltage pulse of typically 20 KV and are sustained thereafter by a d.c. voltage of typically 3 KV. In one embodiment the d.c. voltage is produced from a 12 volt supply by a d.c. to d.c. converter, the converter being adapted to produce a substantially constant voltage irrespective of the current drain produced by the spark, within given limits. The converter is also adapted to shut down its operation in the event of an output short circuit. The converter is disclosed connected to a lean burn PROCO engine with the result that only one spark plug per cylinder is required. In an alternative embodiment the d.c. sustaining voltage is derived directly from a conventional alternator driven by the engine.

Abstract: An EGR valve control signal developed by the EGR modulator circuit for controlling the EGR valve is combined in a feedback loop with a signal representative of an engine combustion condition, e.g. engine knock to modify ignition timing through advance or retard.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine comprises a transducer for issuing a signal representative of combustion pressure in a combustion chamber, a unit consisting of a bandpass filter and a wave-form shaping circuit for issuing a signal representative of existing combustion timing of the combustion chamber by processing the signal from the transducer for detection of rapid increase of the combustion pressure; a reference timing circuit for issuing a signal representative of a predetermined reference combustion timing of the combustion chamber in accordance with operation modes of the engine, a comparator circuit for issuing a signal representative of a difference between the signal from the unit and the signal from the reference timing circuit, and a unit consisting of a discriminating circuit and an actuator driving circuit for controlling the ignition timing, the air-fuel ratio of air-fuel mixture and the amount of exhaust gas recirculated into the intake system of the engine, by processing the