Abstract: An engine igniting coil device adapted to be mounted in a cylindrical bore of an engine and directly connected with an ignition plug therein has a coil case containing an igniting coil assembly and made of conductive magnetic material which is held at the ground potential level, thus preventing a decrease of output factor of the igniting coil of produced magnetic flux when spreading about and passing through a cylinder head of the engine and eliminating the possibility of leakage discharge from a high-voltage portion of the igniting coil assembly to the coil case and the cylinder head.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for reducing peaks of operating power drawn from a power source by a multi-channel system. Each channel of the system drives a load and demands operating power from the power source in an intermittent manner. Power is supplied to the multi-channel system from the power source. Operating power from the power source is drawn in an intermittent manner into each of two or more channels of the multi-channel system. The drawing of the operating power is by the two or more channels so that occurrences of peak operating power launched in a first channel do not fully overlap the occurrences of peak operating power in a second channel.

Abstract: A resonance transducer ignition system for an engine includes a voltage source, a semiconductor circuit-breaker, a resonance capacitance, an energy recovery diode, an open- and closed-loop control unit, a spark plug and an ignition transformer. The resonance capacitance is part of a first resonant circuit. A second resonant circuit is composed of a secondary capacitance. The secondary capacitance is composed of a spark plug capacitance and a stray capacitance. The two resonant circuits are coupled to one another via the ignition transformer, the coupling coefficient, k, being >0.65.

Abstract: An ignition coil, particularly for use in connection with an internal combustion engine, wherein a toroidal permanent magnet is located at one end thereof between the magnetic core and the outer cylinder. This magnet provides a reverse bias magnetic field which interacts with the field generated by the primary coil to produce a composite magnetic field which increases the efficiency of the ignition coil. The reverse bias magnetic field acts in the opposite direction from the magnetic field generated by the primary coil. In another embodiment of the coil, a support is provided in which the toroidal magnet is placed. The support may have an open top or open sides. In the former case, the complete magnet is pressed into the support and retained by gripping portions. In the latter case, the magnet is composed of at least two members, each of which is pressed into the magnet holding chamber formed by the support. Gripping portions retain the members in position.

Abstract: An engine igniting coil device adapted to be mounted in a cylindrical bore of an engine and directly connected with an ignition plug therein has a coil case containing an igniting coil assembly and made of conductive magnetic material which is held at the ground potential level, thus preventing a decrease of output factor of the igniting coil of produced magnetic flux when spreading about and passing through a cylinder head of the engine and eliminating the possibility of leakage discharge from a high-voltage portion of the igniting coil assembly to the coil case and the cylinder head.

Abstract: An engine igniting coil device directly attachable to an igniting plug, wherein both primary and secondary coil bobbins have flangeless ends, the secondary coil bobbin has inwardly protruding ribs for coaxially supporting the flangeless end of the primary coil bobbin mounted therein and the secondary coil bobbin also has protrusions formed at its external wall apart from a high-voltage terminal of the secondary coil wound thereon and is coaxially mounted in a coil case by abutting its protrusions on an inner wall thereof, thus eliminating the possibility of damaging the bobbins by a large thermal stress produced in solidified insulating resin in a coil case by a differential thermal shrinkage in an axial direction and preventing a leakage current from a high-voltage side of the secondary coil bobbin to the coil case through a flange-like connection.

Abstract: An engine igniting coil device adapted to be mounted in a cylindrical bore of an engine and directly connected with an ignition plug therein has a coil case containing an igniting coil assembly and made of conductive magnetic material which is held at the ground potential level, thus preventing a decrease of output factor of the igniting coil of produced magnetic flux when spreading about and passing through a cylinder head of the engine and eliminating the possibility of leakage discharge from a high-voltage portion of the igniting coil assembly to the coil case and the cylinder head.

Abstract: An ignition coil device for an internal-combustion engine reduces the deterioration in reliability caused by heat stress. The ignition coil device is provided with: a case (5); a core (6) provided in the case (5); a primary coil (8) which is provided so that it surrounds the core (6) and which has a primary winding (13) trough which a primary current flows composed of a conductor wound around a bottomed cylindrical primary bobbin (12); a secondary coil (9) which is provided so that it surrounds the primary coil (8) and in which high voltage is generated by the interruption of the primary current; a stopper (21) which is provided at an opening (12a) of the primary bobbin (12) to close the opening (12a) of the primary bobbin (12); and an insulator (11) composed of a thermosetting resin which is provided in the case (5) to secure the primary coil (8) and the secondary coil (9) in the case (5).

Abstract: An ignition apparatus is received in a plug hole which is formed by a cylinder head and a cylinder head cover of an internal combustion engine. A side core has a slit between two horizontally extending side wall ends. The side core is selected from a laminated sheet structure comprised of two grain oriented silicon steel sheets, each having a slit between two horizontally extending side wall ends, and the plural slits align at substantially the same position. The slit prevents a one-turn short of a magnetic flux of the side core. Thereby a predetermined secondary voltage more than an engine requirement secondary voltage is obtained. An ignitor reception portion has an independent and individual ignitor reception portion and an independent and individual coil reception portion, with the ignitor reception portion and the coil reception portion being combined.

Abstract: An ignition coil has a stress absorbing member with a coefficient of linear expansion which is smaller than a coefficient of linear expansion of a potting resin. The stress absorbing member faces along a circuit element of a mold ignition circuit and is buried in the potting resin. Thus, stress, caused by temperature change, which is applied to the circuit element of the mold ignition circuit from the potting resin can be reduced by the stress absorbing member. Therefore, peeling at a bonding portion of the circuit elements or at the crack can be prevented. Furthermore, the stress absorbing member is only facing along the circuit element mounting surface, and the mold ignition circuit is not wrapped by the stress absorbing member. Therefore, heat radiation from the mold ignition circuit is not suppressed by the stress absorbing member. The radiation performance of the ignition apparatus is thus improved, and the durability and credibility of the ignition circuit is improved.

Abstract: An ignition coil arrangement for internal combustion engines is embodied so that a housing of an individual ignition coil can be produced economically, and attachment of the ignition coil can be accomplished easily. The ignition coil is configured as a rod-type ignition coil, and the housing is of basically cylindrical shape, since a holding element for fastening the ignition coil is configured in the high-voltage output of the ignition coil itself. Assembly and retention of the ignition coil are accomplished by a direct threaded connection on the high-voltage terminal of a spark plug. For rotational immobilization, a primary terminal of the ignition coil is coupled to a fastenable mating plug as a joining member. The ignition coil arrangement is preferably used in motor vehicles.

Abstract: An engine ignition coil device which comprises a coil case composed of a first cylindrical case and a second case having a small tubular hole in its center portion and an upper external shoulder at its open end fitted in an open end of the first case to form a closed end of the coil case and an internal unit assembled from a primary side coil bobbin, a secondary-side coil bobbin having a high-voltage terminal holder projecting from a center of its end flange portion, a rod-shaped core, and a high-voltage terminal attached to the high-voltage terminal holder and having a contact for electrically connecting an ignition plug thereto. The internal assembly is mounted in the coil case by inserting the high-voltage terminal holder in the small tubular hole of the secondary case with a tip of the contact projected outwardly therefrom and formed integrally with the coil case by injecting melted insulating resin into the coil case.

Abstract: A magnetic core-coil assembly generates an ignition event in a spark ignition internal combustion system having at least one combustion chamber. The assembly comprises a magnetic core of amorphous metal having a primary coil for low voltage excitation and a secondary coil for a high voltage output to be fed to a spark plug. A high voltage is generated in the secondary coil within a short period of time following excitation thereof. The assembly senses spark ignition conditions in the combustion chamber to control the ignition event.

Abstract: An ignition coil device is provided in which a damaged portion can be exchanged and which requires no connector for connecting a power switch with a wiring harness. Since an ignition coil device 2 is constructed such that a primary coil portion 21 and a power switch 22 are secured by fitting the primary coil portion 21 into a hollow core of a secondary coil portion 23 mounted in advance on an engine 30, the primary and secondary coil portions 21, 23 can be detachably connected via an iron core 21c as a magnetic core. Accordingly, only the secondary coil portion 23 having a relatively short life due to the generation of varying high voltage can be easily exchanged. Further, since the power switch 22 and the primary coil portion 21 are integrally or unitarily connected with a wiring harness 40, the construction can be made inexpensive and simple by the deletion of a connector provided in a prior art ignition coil device, thereby enhancing electrical reliability.

Abstract: To provide an ignition coil for an internal combustion engine which improves high-voltage sealing performance and moreover reduces housing outer diameter, an ignition coil for an internal combustion engine is made up of a transformer portion of cylindrical configuration housed within a housing chamber of a case, a control-circuit portion which is positioned on one end portion of this transformer portion and causes primary current of the transformer portion to be intermittent, and a connecting portion which is positioned on another end portion of the transformer portion and supplies secondary voltage of the transformer portion to a spark plug. The interior of the housing chamber is filled with insulating oil which has a flash point of 180.degree. C. or more, a total acid number of oxidation stability of 0.6 mgKOH/g or less, a pour point of -20.degree. C. or less with no cloudiness occurring before that temperature is reached, and a kinematic viscosity of not less than 20 cSt and not more than 180 cSt at 40.

Abstract: An ignition coil is composed of a transformer, an igniter, a housing accommodating them and a fixing portion disposed at a place within easy access from an opening of the housing to fix the igniter, a terminal pin disposed at a place of the housing within easy access from the opening and connected to the control circuit and a connector pin fixed to the housing and connected to the terminal pin. The igniter and fixing portion have a member for adjusting relative location therebetween to connect the connector pin and terminal pin without stress.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine in which an iron coil is easily and securely grounded. In the ignition device, an ignition coil includes an iron core formed by laminating a plurality of cut steel plates; a primary coil wound around the iron core; a secondary coil wound around the primary coil; and a conductive plate being arranged between the iron core and a primary bobbin of the primary coil, having a contact surface with which sections of the steel plates are in contact and being electrically connected to a ground terminal of an external terminal.

Abstract: A improved stator apparatus for use in the ignition system of an internal combustion engine. The stator apparatus comprises a magnetically permeable core having a coil housing mounted to a leg portion thereof. A coil assembly including a voltage transformer is maintained in the coil housing. The various coils of the coil assembly are mounted about a central chimney member of the housing coaxial with the portion of the core extending therethrough. A circuit grounding member is electrically connected between the voltage transformer and the core by frictional contact therebetween. The circuit grounding member is constructed of a generally flat conductive piece having a longitudinal ridge defined along a portion of its length. In exemplary constructions, the longitudinal ridge extends along side a portion of the core and is biased into frictional contact therewith. The ridge facilitates assembly of the stator apparatus as well as enhancing electrical connection of the grounding member with the core.

Abstract: An ignition coil for an internal combustion engine, includes a housing to be mounted in on the internal combustion engine and a coil portion dipped in an insulating oil filled in the housing. The housing is molded of a material containing any selected from the group consisting of polyphenylene sulfide, polyphenylene oxide, polyarylate, polyether imide and a liquid crystal polymer, and a reinforcing filler is added to the material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an ignition coil for use in an internal combustion engine. The ignition coil includes a core and a bobbin in which at least a part of the core is received. Primary and secondary windings are wound around the bobbin. A secondary terminal is mounted on the bobbin, and a high-tension terminal is mounted on a housing. The secondary terminal is formed in a Y-letter shape with its body portion and a pair of leg portions. The high-tension terminal is formed with a recess, in which the leg portions of the secondary terminal are received. Each of the leg portions has a projection which is biased to contact with the inner surface of the recess.

Abstract: A spark plug and ignition coil having concentrically wound primary and secondary coils about a plastic coated iron core are integrated in a dielectric fluid filled assembly characterized by advantageous employment of structurally inherent capacitances for radio frequency attenuation.

Abstract: In an ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine, to reduce the size of the apparatus and improve the layout property for mounting the apparatus and a radiating property of the apparatus, a primary coil 2 and a secondary coil 4 are concentrically wound around the center core 6a of a magnetic core 6 of a closed magnetic circuit and accommodated in an outer case 15. A module accommodating portion 15a is provided with the outer case 15 and located at a position where it is overlapped with the side core 6b of the core 6 in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the closed magnetic circuit formed by the core 6 (axial direction of the core 6).

Abstract: Wirings on the low-tension side which are comprised of a terminal connected to a primary winding, terminals of an electronic component, and terminals of connectors electrically connected to external devices are formed as a unit by means of a molding and formed as an insert assembly 13, and electrical connections of the respective terminals are established by welding. An arrangement is provided such that the primary winding and the insert assembly are electrically connected by fusing, are then bent and accommodated in a case.

Abstract: Two separate iron cores 31 and 32, forming a magnetic path, are engaged with both ends of a cylindrical coil body 12. Each iron core has upper and lower limbs disposed in parallel with each other. Cylindrical coil body 12 accommodates a primary coil 221 and a secondary coil 223 therein, and has a core-insertion hole 4 for receiving the iron cores 31 and 32. The upper limb of each iron core is inserted in core-insertion hole 4 while lower limb extends along an outer wall of cylindrical coil body 12, so that cylindrical coil body 12 is engaged with iron cores 31 and 32 by these upper and lower limbs clamping between an inside wall of core-insertion hole 4 and the outer wall of cylindrical coil body 12. Primary coil 221 has an outermost layer formed into a dense alignment winding layer at its end part and into a non-dense alignment winding layer at its middle part.

Abstract: An inner core for an ignition coil is inserted into a bobbin, around which a primary winding and a secondary winding are disposed. An outer core is inserted into a housing to form a magnetic circuit with the inner core. A magnet member, which is made of a permanent magnet material such as Sm.sub.1 Co.sub.5, is connected to the inner core. The bobbin, which is assembled with the inner core, the magnet member, the primary and secondary windings, is inserted into the housing, with the magnet member positioned between the inner core and the outer core, and then the inside of the housing is molded by a synthetic resin. Thereafter, the magnet member is magnetized to provide a predetermined magnetic force. The magnet member may be molded by Sm.sub.1 Co.sub.5 to form a plate having a thickness of 1.5 mm and more.

Abstract: An engine monitor includes, in a self-contained preferably sealed unit, a spark sensor, inductively and capacitively coupled through the case to a spark pick up wire, a timer, and a running time detector, responsive to inputs from the spark pick up to provide total running time, job time, and service time metering. Preferably, storage means are included for storing maximum RPM and spark mode data, that is, data indicating the number of firings per RPM for the particular engine, as well as a preset service interval and one or more auxiliary timers.

Abstract: A cylindrical type ignition apparatus housed in a spark plug hole of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A center core, a primary coil, a secondary core and a side core are provided, and a closed magnetic path is formed by connecting magnetically the center core and the side core by a core on a high voltage side and a core on a low voltage side, or a semi-closed magnetic path is formed by connecting magnetically the center core and the side core by a core on a low voltage side.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a power switch 16 for intermittently feeding a primary current to an ignition coil, and primary and secondary coils 5, 6 of the ignition coil contained in an insulation case 1 with the power switch and fixed by an insulating resin material 15 poured into the case. An insulating member 21 is interposed between the secondary coil 6 and the power switch 16 for suppressing thermal flow between the secondary coil 6 and the power switch 16. with this arrangement, a temperature increase caused by thermal interference between the ignition coil and the power switch is thus suppressed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine including a power switch 20 for intermittently feeding a primary current to an ignition coil, a primary coil 5 and a secondary coil 6 of the ignition coil being contained in an insulation case 1 with the power switch 20, primary coil 5 and secondary coil 6 being fixed by an insulating resin material 15 poured into the insulation case 1, the ignition apparatus comprising a shield plate 23 interposed between the secondary coil 6 and the power switch 20 to shield the power switch 20 from electromagnetic waves. With this arrangement, there can be obtained an ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine by which the malfunction of the power switch and the like caused by electromagnetic waves generated at the ignition coil can be prevented.

Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine is provided which includes an ignition coil formed with a primary winding and a secondary winding and a switching element for interrupting a current flow through the primary winding of the ignition coil at given timing. The ignition coil has a secondary winding to primary winding turns ratio a which meets the condition of V.sub.D .multidot.a >V.sub.r where V.sub.r is a required voltage of a spark plug of the engine and V.sub.D is a breakdown voltage of the switching element which is greater than or equal to 450 V.

Abstract: An ignition coil for an internal combustion engine to suppress the superposition of a noise signal caused by a capacitive discharge current at an ignition plug to thereby prevent the faulty operation of other circuit devices. The ignition coil has first and second non-magnetic bobbins into which a magnetic core 3 is inserted, a primary coil (1) wire wound around the first bobbin, a secondary coil (2) wire wound around the second bobbin, an interrupting circuit 7 connected to one end of the primary coil for interrupting a primary current i1 flowing to the primary coil, and an ignition plug 5 connected to one end of the secondary coil for generating a discharge spark by a secondary voltage V2 output from the secondary coil. A buffer coil 8 having an inductance which is much smaller than that of the primary or secondary coil is connected in series with one of them.

Abstract: An ignition coil device has a plug cap engaging a spark plug; a secondary coil surrounding the plug cap; a primary coil coaxially surrounding the secondary coil; a cylindrical case with a bottom surrounding the plug cap, the secondary coil and the primary coil; and a sealing member for sealing an opening of the case. Furthermore, the coil ends of the primary coil extend close to a bottom of the case and are individually connected to terminals which extend substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spark plug. The coil ends and the external wiring are not passed through the sealing member, thereby improving the sealability of the ignition coil. Further, because the coil ends and the external wiring do not interfere with the sealing member, they are not worn by vibrations, thereby improving the durability of the external wiring.

Abstract: An ignition coil has an inorganic insulator material featuring a larger conductivity in the direction along the surface of the material than in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the material, between high-tension voltage components internal to a casing and conducting components internal and external to the casing. Localized discharge deterioration advancing from the high-tension components toward the conducting components is changed in its direction of advance to the direction along the surface of the inorganic insulator material, and is diffused accordingly. The resistance of the ignition coil against localized discharge deterioration is increased, and improved reliability in breakdown performance is resulted. This leads to a compact design.The casing and bobbins are constructed of mica sheet as inorganic insulator material using insert molding technique, and productivity of the ignition coil is improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metal fixation insert for stiffening the fixation zone of a part of plastic material on a support. This metal fixation insert is made of rolled steel which is perforated.

Abstract: An ignition coil for an internal combustion engine has a housing composed of synthetic plastic material, at least one main core provided with a coaxial primary and secondary coils, a return flux core surrounding the main core, a dome extending from the housing and having a high voltage connection connected with the secondary coil and associated with a spark plug of an internal combustion engine. The main core and the return flux core are composed of a plurality of coated lamellas. The return flux coil is provided with recesses extending through the lamellas for passage of mounting means for the ignition coil, the recesses each being coated with a bushing. The bushings are formed as synthetic plastic injection molded parts which are connected of one-piece with a synthetic plastic jacket of the return flux core.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying the power stroke of a particular cylinder in a multi-cylinder engine which utilizes a wasted spark electronic distributorless ignition system but lacks a camshaft driven cylinder identification sensor, wherein a single sensor can be placed in a coil pack adjacent to and substantially equidistant from the ignition coil towers. The sensor will produce a signal reflecting the difference in voltage drops between corresponding pairs of spark plugs who share the same coil and which utilizes this signal to determine the power stroke of individual cylinders to produce a resulting synthetic cylinder identification signal. This apparatus can further be used as a permanent on-board sensor, thereby negating the need for a separate camshaft driven sensor, to determine the cylinder identification.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine ignition device comprises an ignition coil, a preliminary assembly, and a casing for accommodating and covering the ignition coil and the preliminary assembly with resin. The preliminary assembly comprises a heat sink, a control unit, and a cushion cover for covering the heat sink and control unit and having at least one first protrusion. The control unit comprises a control circuit for controlling the flow of primary current in the ignition coil, and at least one first recess for engaging with the first protrusion of the cushion cover.

Abstract: An ignition coil device for an internal combustion engine comprising: a plurality of iron cores; a plurality of ignition coils having a plurality of primary coils provided around said plurality of iron cores and a plurality of secondary coils magnetically-coupled with said plurality of primary coils through the plurality of iron cores; a case accommodating the plurality of iron cores and the plurality of ignition coils; and a plurality of control units accommodated in said case of which number is equal to the number of the plurality of ignition coils.

Abstract: An internal-combustion-engine ignition device in which such components as the ion-current-detection unit are provided integrally with other ignition-device components to realize a simplified structure, thereby helping to attain a reduction in cost and an improvement in terms of layout and reliability, the internal-combustion-engine ignition device including: a distributor cap having a central electrode connected to an ignition coil, a plurality of peripheral electrodes respectively connected to the ignition plugs of cylinders and adapted to be selectively connected to the central electrode, and diodes each connected at one end to the peripheral electrodes and at the other end to the central electrode, the distributor cap having openings lodging the diodes for detecting an ion current generated upon combustion of air-fuel mixture inside the cylinders, caused by ignition of the ignition plugs.

Abstract: An ignition coil unit for an internal combustion engine for containing an ignition voltage detective capacitor for misfire discrimination, including a core, a primary and a secondary coil wound around the core, and a case housing the core and the primary and secondary coils which is filled with an insulative material. In this unit, a first conductive electrode plate is placed in the case and electrically connected with the output of the secondary coil, and a second conductive electrode plate is also placed in the case in parallel with the first conductive electrode plate while maintaining a predetermined distance therefrom. An insulator is interposed between the first and second conductive electrode plates forming a capacitor that uses the insulator as the dielectric.

Abstract: An engine ignition and control system for an internal combustion engine. The system includes an ignition transformer mounted directly to a spark plug and adapted to rapidly refire the spark plug during a combustion cycle enabling the performance of various ignition diagnostic procedures. A controller provides signals to a circuit which causes charging of the transformer for ignition and subsequent charging of the transformer for diagnostic purposes. The system also includes a diagnostic circuit, connected to the transformer, which can detect the occurrence of electrical discharges across the spark plug electrodes as a result of the diagnostic charges. The detection circuit either outputs a signal or omits a signal to the controller which allows the controller to diagnose conditions within the combustion cylinder. Additionally, the diagnostic circuit is capable of outputting a signal which can be correlated to the load on the engine.

Abstract: A method for detecting misfire in the combustion cylinder of a spark ignition internal combustion engine. The method includes the steps of charging an ignition transformer to a maximum ignition charge and initiating an ignition discharge between electrodes of the spark plug. The ignition transformer is then charged to a predetermined diagnostic charge which is less than said maximum ignition charge. If combustion is occurring within the cylinder, the temperature and pressure near the spark plug will be sufficient to allow the diagnostic charge to discharge. If the diagnostic charge does not discharge, the charge will be reflected back into the ignition transformer where it will be detected by a circuit as an indicia of misfire.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an ignition coil assembly comprising a housing of molded plastic material. A coil assembly in the housing includes a primary coil member and a secondary coil member, the secondary coil member includes a high voltage output lead. The housing includes a base wall, and an integral cylindrical stem portion which extends outwardly from the base wall along an axis. A secondary coil output lead terminal member extends in the general direction of the axis through the base wall, and is connected to the high voltage output lead at one end and terminates in a clasp portion at its other end. The clasp portion is received within the annular stem portion. The annular stem portion includes an interior annular wall and an exterior annular wall. The clasp is concentrically located within the stem portion and is spaced therefrom to thereby provide an annular clearance cavity.

Abstract: An ignition system of an internal combustion engine for simultaneously exciting pairs of spark plugs, which system includes direct current circuits connecting in series primary windings of ignition coils having a coupling coefficient of higher than or equal to 0.9 and connected to spark plugs of engine cylinders working in pairs, one cylinder in a compression stroke while the other in an exhaust stroke, MOSFETs at one ends of the circuits, and an energy accumulating portion including a capacitor and a wiring coil, wherein the MOSFET turns on at an exciting timing for the corresponding cylinder to excite the corresponding direct current circuit by excitation energy accumulated in the energy accumulating portion in order to produce sparks in paired spark plugs, resulting in reliable firing of air/fuel mixture in engine cylinders in compression stroke in a short period and small energy of current in the windings.

Abstract: A unipolar ignition of the invention provides a current waveform at the ignitor plug which initially rises relatively slowly, followed by a transition to a fast rising current which quickly peaks and thereafter slowly dissipates. Such a current waveform provides an initially hotter and longer lasting spark which does not harm the ignitor plug of the system or shorten its life expectancy. Neither does the spark create stress on the solid state circuitry which delivers the energy to the ignitor plug. To provide the foregoing spark and current characteristics, an inductor having a saturable core is in series with the ignitor plug, and it provides an initially high inductance which limits the rate of current rise at the plug as energy is transferred from an energy storage device to the plug. As the current through the inductor increases, its core begins to saturate and the effective inductance begins to decrease, allowing the current to rise more quickly.

Abstract: An electrically wiring arrangement mounted on the upper portion of a gasoline engine in an automobile or the like in which the current receiving connectors can be readily engaged with the current supplying connectors of a wire harness. Mounting parts, namely, ignition coils, are mounted above the cylinders, respectively, forming the upper portion of an engine body with screws. Each ignition coil has a current receiving connector on top which has contact terminals extending upright. An igniter having an external current receiving connector is mounted on the inner surface of one end portion of the cylinder head cover, and current supplying terminals, each of which has a connector housing in which female metal terminals are disposed, are mounted on the same inner surface of the cylinder head cover in such a manner that they are in alignment with the contact terminals of the ignition coils. The female metal terminals are connected to the igniter through conductors arranged in a predetermined circuit pattern.

Abstract: An ignition and engine control system for an internal combustion engine. The system includes a flyback ignition transformer which can rapidly re-fired a spark plug during a combustion cycle to perform various ignition diagnostic procedures using the spark plug as a feedback element of the control system. The transformer is adapted for mounting directly to a spark plug and includes a core about which a primary and secondary are toroidally wound. A controller provides signals to a circuit which causes maximum charging of the transformer for ignition and subsequent charging of the transformer for diagnostic purposes. The system also includes a diagnostic circuit which can detect the occurrence of an electrical discharge, and/or its duration, across the spark plug as a result of one of the diagnostic charges by monitoring the transformer for a reflected voltage in its primary.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a current limiting function is simple in construction and can avoid variations In the current limiting values for respective power transistors 103. A current limiting circuit 109 includes a common resistor 105 connected at one end thereof to a power supply 101 and at the other end thereof to a plurality of ignition voltage generating circuits 104. an operational amplifier 107 making a comparison between a voltage V.sub.105 across the resistor 105 and a reference voltage Vr which corresponds to a predetermined upper limit current for each power transistor 103 and generating an output signal A of a magnitude proportional to a difference (V.sub.105 -Vr) therebetween, and a plurality of transistors 108 provided one for each power transistor 103 and connected to receive the output signal A from the operational amplifier 107 for limiting a current through a corresponding power transistor 103 in response to the output signal A.

Abstract: An ignitor comprising a casing, an ignition coil (1) disposed within the casing (20), a power-transistor package (26) disposed within the casing (20) and electrically connected to the ignition coil (1) for interrupting an electric current flowing through the ignition coil (1), an electrical connector (21) mechanically attached to the power-transistor package (26) and for electrically connecting the ignition coil (1) and the power transistor package (26) to an external circuit and an electrically insulating resin (28) filled within the casing for hermetically sealing and supporting therein the ignition coil (1) and the power-transistor package (26). The power transistor package (26) may comprises a holder (23) mounting the mold resin package and electrically connecting the electrical connector (21) to the power-transistor package (26) and the electrical connector (21) may be fixed to the holder (23) by fastening means (22, 24).

Abstract: An ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine, comprises, an ignition coil including a primary coil and a secondary coil for generating a peaked high-voltage output from an abrupt input-current decrease in the primary coil, and an extension device which extends from the ignition coil to supply the peaked high-voltage output to a spark plug, wherein a part of an outer periphery of the secondary coil at an intermediate position of the outer periphery of the secondary coil sinks in relation to the other part of the outer periphery of the secondary coil to form a groove extending in a radial direction of the secondary coil, the peaked high-voltage output is transmitted from the secondary coil through the groove to the extension device, and the extension device includes a first member extending from the ignition coil, a second member for being connected to the spark plug and an elastic member connecting the first member to the second member so that the first member moves elastically in relation to the se