Abstract:
An ignition system for internal combustion engines with a control unit for triggering at least one ignition final stage and means for suppressing a switch-on spark. A first embodiment of an ignition system in accordance with the present invention includes a voltage-controlled switch coupled to each output of the control unit for coupling the respective output to ground until the supply voltage ramps up to a value required for the operation of the control unit. A second embodiment of an ignition system in accordance with the present invention includes a voltage-controlled switch which is coupled to all outputs of the control unit, and which switches all outputs to ground until the supply voltage ramps up to a value required for the operation of the control unit.
Abstract:
A snowmobile electrical system having a battery conservation circuit. The system is designed to conserve battery power after deactivation of the engine using the kill switch, even if the key switch is left on. Battery power is normally consumed by continued connection of the microprocessor-based electronic engine control unit (ECU) to the battery after kill switch activation. To prevent battery consumption, the ECU monitors the electrical output of the ignition system at a position within the system wherein the output is dependent on engine speed. If the output drops to a specified level, a signal generator in the ECU is activated. Signals from the signal generator are directed to a solid state switching system which disconnects the battery from the ECU. As a result, battery consumption is controlled.
Abstract:
A system and method for its implementation for suppressing RFI effects on an electronic control module enclosed in a metal housing includes inserting a plurality of high frequency shunts in the wires attached to the module through the housing. The shunts, comprising by-passing capacitors include one capacitor on the incoming wire disposed closely adjacent the housing and grounded thereto and another capacitor on each wire disposed closely adjacent the connection of the wire to the active circuit of the module and grounded to the circuit ground network. The housing includes a direct connection to ground and the ground network for the electronic module has a single ground connection to the housing.
Abstract:
Apparatus for immediately shutting down the engine of a motor vehicle in the event that the throttle sticks in an open position. A connecting member is secured at one end of the throttle linkage of a carburetor and at the other end to a piston slidably contained within a housing. A cut-off spring acts between the housing and the piston with sufficient force to drive the piston against the push button actuator of a cut-off switch wired into the engine ignition system. The opposite end of the connecting member is attached to the throttle return spring which acts through the connecting member with a greater opposing force than the cut-off spring to prevent the piston from cycling the shut-off switch. In the event the throttle return spring breaks or the throttle linkage becomes jammed in an open position, the cut-off spring is released and the engine immediately shut down.
Abstract:
A V-shaped, air-cooled engine is provided with a cover on the front thereof, which houses a cooling fan connected to the engine's crankshaft. The interior of the cover is fitted with dividers to separate the air flow and direct it to the opposite sides of the engine, and to form a compartment for housing components of a non-contact ignition system. The non-contact ignition system is operated by the cooling fan, and is cooled by the flow of air through the cover. Components of the ignition system are permanently connected to each other, without the usual separable connectors.
Abstract:
A flame and explosion preventive safety shield for detachable securement to the head block of an internal combustion engine in surrounding and encasing relation to each spark plug to provide a structural flame barrier between the spark plug and its high tension lead and the ambient atmosphere surrounding the engine. The safety shield incorporates a spark coil and a secondary lead for supplying high voltage current to the spark plug and one or more fine mesh wire screens arranged to form a heat sink-type flame barrier around the spark plug and the high voltage secondary lead of the spark coil to thereby isolate the spark plug and its high voltage lead from a potentially combustible atmosphere surrounding the engine.
Abstract:
An electronic device for controlling an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine includes a high voltage switch, a driving unit and a control unit. The driving unit controls the closure of the switch during charging energy in the primary winding and the opening of the switch during transferring energy from the primary winding to a secondary winding. A current measuring circuit is connected in series to a second terminal of the secondary winding to detect current generated on the secondary winding during the charging step and generate a signal representative of the detected current. The control unit receives the signal representative of the current detected by the measuring circuit, compares a relevant value of such signal with a predefined first reference value and activates a mode for detecting a soiling of the spark plug when the relevant value of the signal exceeds said predefined first reference value.
Abstract:
An ECU outputs an ignition signal and a discharge waveform control signal. An ignition device closes an ignition switching element in a period during which the ignition signal is input. After a stop of the input of the ignition signal and in a period of input of the discharge waveform control signal, the ignition device controls current flowing through a primary coil to a discharge current command value that is determined by the discharge waveform control signal by opening or closing a control switching element. A discharge control unit determines whether there is an abnormality. When it is determined that there is an abnormality, the ECU avoids control executed by the discharge control unit, and causes the discharge control unit to execute control during times of low-rotation and low-load operation of an internal combustion engine in order to determine whether the discharge control unit has returned to a normal state.
Abstract:
An electromagnetic wave oscillation device includes: a buck-boost circuit having buck-boosters and switching elements; an electromagnetic wave oscillator; an amplifier to amplify an electromagnetic wave and supply an amplified electromagnetic wave to a resistive part; a detector to detect a reflected wave from the resistive part; and a controller to send to one of the switching elements an operation signal in predetermined order, synchronizing with an oscillation timing of the electromagnetic wave oscillator, to output a current from the corresponding buck-boosters to the amplifier in a non-smooth manner. When a detected value of the reflected wave exceeds a predetermined value upon said current output by operating the one of the switching elements, the controller stops sending the operation signal to one or more of the other switching elements that are supposed to output the current after said current output by operating the one of the switching elements.