Abstract: A distributorless ignition system of an internal combustion engine has a supplementary spark energy module to increase spark energy. Two ignition coils each have secondary coils with split secondary center taps. Each of the primary windings is coupled to its own ignition module. The supplementary spark energy module is coupled to each of the split secondary center taps. A pair of spark plugs is coupled to one of the secondary windings and another pair of spark plugs is coupled to the other secondary winding.

Abstract: An auxiliary cable having a plurality of wires and connecting terminals at each end provides electrical connections between an electronic ignition control unit and engine starting elements to permit starting a vehicle internal combustion engine despite a malfunctioning spark timing control unit. The cable includes five insulated wire conductor leads with a receptacle at one end which mates with an external plug on the electronic ignition control unit and a plug on the other end which engages a receptacle connected to the engine starting elements.

Abstract: A distributorless ignition system of an internal combustion engine has a supplementary spark energy module to increase spark energy. Two ignition coils each have secondary coils with split secondary center taps. Each of the primary windings is coupled to its own ignition module. The supplementary spark energy module is coupled to each of the split secondary center taps. A pair of spark plugs is coupled to one of the secondary windings and another pair of spark plugs is coupled to the other secondary winding.

Abstract: A plasma ignition system for an internal combustion engine, which comprises: (a) a low DC voltage power supply; (b) a DC-DC converter which converts a low DC voltage from the low DC voltage supply to the corresponding AC voltage and inverts the AC voltage to a high DC voltage; (c) a plurality of plasma ignition plugs each located within one of the cylinders; (d) a plurality of first capacitors each for changing the high DC voltage received from the DC-DC converter; (e) a plurality of photosensitive switching elements each connected between each corresponding first capacitor and ground and which turns on to apply the plasma ignition energy charged within the corresponding first capacitor to the corresponding plasma ignition plug at a predetermined timing; (f) a plurality of voltage-boosting transformers each having a common terminal of primary and secondary windings connected to one terminal of each corresponding plasma ignition energy capacitor and another terminal of the primary winding connected to the corr

Abstract: A plasma ignition system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine each cylinder having a plasma ignition plug, including diesel engine. According to the present invention, in addition to the elements of the conventional plasma ignition system there is provided an oscillation device which generates and outputs a high-frequency oscillating voltage into each of the plasma ignition plugs to be ignited before the plasma ignition timing so that a multiple sparking occurs and therefore the resistance of the plasma ignition plug to be ignited is reduced to facilitate plasma ignition with relatively low plasma ignition energy without misfire even during a high engine load.

Abstract: The invention includes an ignition control assembly including a first ignition control module adapted to be connected to the distributor and to control electrical operation of the distributor, and a redundant ignition control module including circuit means adapted to be connected to the distributor to control electrical operation of the distributor. The control modules are mounted in a location remote from the distributor. The mounting includes a heat sink for maintaining the control modules at relatively low temperatures. A switch and circuitry are also provided for alternatively providing an electrical connection between the first control module and the distributor and between the redundant control module and the distributor.

Abstract: A variable ignition distributor for furnishing a high-voltage spark to a spark plug in a first cylinder and for furnishing a low-voltage spark to a spark plug in a second cylinder. A conventional distributor is modified so that a rotor of the distributor carries an ignition electrode for furnishing high voltage to the spark plug in the first cylinder and a variable electrode carried by the rotor furnishes low voltage to a spark plug in the second cylinder. The low voltage is generated at the same time as the high voltage so that there need be only one terminal connected to the ignition coil. Preferably, the variable electrode is adjustable so that the low voltage charge is furnished as a function of the operating speed of the engine.

Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes two power transistors respectively connected to opposite ends of the primary winding of an ignition coil to interrupt the primary currents which flow from a power source through the mid-tap of the primary winding. The two power transistors have emitters connected in common and a resistor is connected to the junction of this common connection to detect respective primary currents with the single resistor. A single current control circuit is provided to control the two power transistors in response to the detected respective primary currents.

Abstract: A plasma ignition system for an internal combustion engine which can prevent irregular ignition when the insulation between the electrodes of the spark plug deteriorates due to carbon on the electrodes, and further can prevent electrical noise from being emitted. The system according to the present invention comprises a plasma ignition energy storing condenser, a plurality of switching units, and boosting transformers one each for each of the engine cylinders. In this system, a high tension is generated at the secondary coil of the boosting transformer to generate a spark between the electrodes of the plug and subsequently a large current is passed through the electrodes by the remaining energy stored in the condenser.

Abstract: A plasma jet ignition system for an internal combustion engine has a plasma jet spark plug which receives ignition energy from two energy sources, one for a spark ignition and the other for a plasma jet ignition, and performs a plasma jet ignition as well as a spark ignition. There are further provided various control circuits to control the ignition energy to reduce energy consumption and to promote the functions of the plasma jet ignition. One of these circuits is arranged to stop the plasma jet ignition during a cranking period while cranking is continued after duration of a plasma jet ignition for a predetermined time period. Another control circuit is arranged to control the plasma jet ignition energy corresponding to the engine temperature.

Abstract: A plasma ignition system for an internal combustion engine which can prevent irregular ignition when the insulation between the electrodes of the spark plug deteriorates due to carbon on the electrodes, and further can prevent electrical noise from being emitted. The system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of independent plasma ignition energy storing condensers, switching units, and boosting transformers one each for each of the engine cylinder. In this system, a high tension is generated at the secondary coil of the boosting transformer to generate a spark between the electrodes of the plug and subsequently a large current is passed through the electrodes by the remaining energy stored in the condenser.

Abstract: An engine is provided with two spark plugs in each combustion chamber to ignite stoichiometric air-fuel mixture mixed with a large proportion of inert gases to lower NOx emission level. The engine is equipped with hydraulic valve lifters which are mechanically connected to intake and exhaust valves to control the valve overlap of the intake and exhaust valves. By the action of the valve lifters, the valve overlaps are increased in the normal driving operation range of the engine to prevent discharge at the terminal stage of exhaust valve opening exhaust gases containing a considerably large amount of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: To combine the advantage of a capacitor discharge ignition system, in which the spark intensity is essentially independent of engine speed even at high speeds of the engine, and the extended spark discharge of electromagnetic coil storage ignition by interrupting current through an ignition coil, an ignition event control circuit--for example a breaker contact, optical or electromagnetic transducer or the like--controls a discharge circuit through a capacitor which, after having been charged, suddenly and abruptly discharges through the ignition coil to generate an ignition event. Triggering of the ignition event also initiates repetitive energization of the ignition coil, under control of a frequency generator, which is then connected to the ignition coil to repetitively cause current flow, and abrupt interruption thereof, so that the spark duration, initiated for discharge of the capacitor, is extended.

Abstract: A spark plug is located in a combustion chamber so as to decrease the combustion time of the charge inducted into the combustion chamber. The charge is formed, before inducted into the combustion chamber, by mixing an air-fuel mixture and substantially inert gas such as exhaust gas so that the weight ratio of the fuel combusted in the combustion chamber and the substantially inert gas falls within the range from 1:13.5 to 1:18.5 during normal engine operation.