Abstract: A method for managing the lifetime of a battery is disclosed herein. An ambient temperature is measured near a battery. A discharge of the battery is triggered when the ambient temperature exceeds a first temperature threshold. The battery can then be charged when the ambient temperature decreases below a second temperature threshold.

Abstract: A capacitive discharge ignition system for initiating combustion during cold- and hot-ignition of an internal combustion engine requiring minimal mechanical energy input. The capacitive discharge ignition system includes a magneto having a rotor, a first capacitive discharge device electrically connected to the magneto and to an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine and a second capacitive discharge device electrically connected to the first capacitive discharge device, and to the ignition coil. A mechanical startup mechanism, such as a pull-type or kick-type device, is connected to the magneto and adapted to initiate rotation of the rotor, and thereby combustion within the engine. An energy storage device is electrically connected to the second capacitive discharge device and to the magneto. The energy storage device is adapted to store energy generated by the magneto during rotation of the rotor and to provide energy to the ignition coil of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An ignition system employing a piezoelectric transformer having a drive side and an output side. The ignition system further includes circuit elements in electronic communication with the output side that tune output impedance in series with a breakdown gap to optimize power flow from the transformer to the breakdown gap after breakdown and a timing control circuit in electronic communication with the drive side that meters post-breakdown energy delivered to the breakdown gap by timing the duration of post-breakdown power flow.

Abstract: An ignition system employing a piezoelectric transformer having a drive side and an output side. The ignition system further includes circuit elements in electronic communication with the output side that tune output impedance in series with a breakdown gap to optimize power flow from the transformer to the breakdown gap after breakdown and a timing control circuit in electronic communication with the drive side that meters post-breakdown energy delivered to the breakdown gap by timing the duration of post-breakdown power flow.

Abstract: The present invention is an electrical system for an engine of the type used to power a watercraft. A primary power supply of the system is connected to a main circuit by a feed circuit. A main switch controls the flow of power from the primary power supply to the main circuit through the feed circuit. An auxiliary power supply is connected to the main circuit in a manner which allows power to flow from the auxiliary power supply to the main circuit even if the main switch is preventing power to flow from the primary power supply to the main circuit.

Abstract: A Diesel engine is started as a direct fuel injected engine with ignition accomplished by spraying fuel onto a hot wire electrode that is made hot as part of a spark plug activated by an enhanced ignition system. The fuel injector's normally atomized spray pattern is changed to a concentrated fuel sprayed on to the hot wire electrode resulting in ignition of the sprayed fuel. Upon the engine reaching proper temperature, the injector's restrictor is removed, the spark plug is deactivated, and the engine reverts to Diesel operation.

Abstract: A solid-state exciter circuit for establishing arc discharges in igniter devices. The exciter circuit includes first and second transformers, first and second main discharge capacitors, and first and second exciter sub-circuits for controlling the charging and discharging of the latter capacitors. The exciter sub-circuits independently generate component ignition or drive pulses each of which has a magnitude and duration that is optimized for a respective part of an ignition event. The exciter circuit then combines these pulses to produce a composite ignition pulse having voltage and current waveforms that so match the discharge characteristics of an igniter that the latter generates an arc of the desired magnitude and duration substantially without being overexcited or underexcited.

Abstract: Upon starting or in the event of a malfunction of the sensor for detecting the stage of the engine, the ignition in the various cylinders is controlled according to a sequence different from that used during normal operation. In the case of engines with odd numbers of cylinders, the sequence is completed in a rotation of the driving shaft through 360.degree. and acts on only one cylinder at a time; in the case of engines with even numbers of cylinders, the sequence is completed in a rotation of the driving shaft through 720.degree. and involves a pair of cylinders at a time.

Abstract: An emergency ignition system for motor vehicles comprises a high-voltage coil having an input circuit connectible to the vehicle battery and an output circuit connectible to the vehicle distributor for applying high-voltage pulses. The input circuit includes an oscillator generating periodic pulses, and a switch controlled by the oscillator for periodically interrupting the input circuit to the coil and thereby causing the coil to generate high-voltage pulses to be applied to the vehicle distributor. The input circuit further includes a control circuit connectible to the vehicle battery and comprising a voltage-drop sensor for sensing a predetermined voltage drop at the output of the vehicle battery caused by the load thereon when starting the engine, and for producing an enabling signal in response to the predetermined voltage drop to enable the oscillator to output pulses to the switch for periodically interrupting the input circuit to the coil.

Abstract: An ignition device for starting an internal combustion engine surely, having a starting member arranged on a rotor of a manual starter or a self-starter motor, the starting member being engaged with an actuating member of a piezoelectric element, an output terminal of which is electrically connected to a magneto ignition system.

Abstract: In order to improve the cold starting efficiency of a an internal combustion engines using alcohol or low cetane type fuel, an ignition method provides an ignition mode in which a plurality of energizations of the ignition plugs per cycle is effected during engine cold starting operation which is detected by sensing at least one of the engine temperature and the engine speed. The number of energizations per cycle is returned to one after the engine has sufficiently warmed up. The method is applied to both of a plasma ignition system and a conventional spark ignition system.