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.

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.

Implementations of a system for interrupting ignition may include a first spark plug terminal coupled with a first internal contact, the first internal contact extending into a housing; a second spark plug terminal coupled with a second internal contact, the second internal contact extending into the housing; a contactor biased against the first internal contact and the second internal contact; a plunger coupled with a solenoid coupled within the housing; a battery coupled with the solenoid; and a temperature sensor coupled with the battery and the solenoid.

Implementations of a system for interrupting ignition may include a first spark plug terminal coupled with a first internal contact, the first internal contact extending into a housing; a second spark plug terminal coupled with a second internal contact, the second internal contact extending into the housing; a contactor biased against the first internal contact and the second internal contact; a plunger coupled with a solenoid coupled within the housing; a battery coupled with the solenoid; and a temperature sensor coupled with the battery and the solenoid.

A first clamp circuit (4) clamps a voltage between a gate and a first terminal of a switching device (Q1) to equal to or lower than a first clamp voltage. A control circuit (2) controls the switching device (Q1) and includes a driving unit (5) driving the switching device (Q1), an abnormality detecting unit (9) stopping the driving unit (5) upon detection of an abnormality in operation, and a second clamp circuit (10). The second clamp circuit (10) clamps the voltage between the gate and the first terminal to equal to or lower than a second clamp voltage which is lower than the first clamp voltage when the abnormality detecting unit (9) stops the driving unit (5).

A first clamp circuit (4) clamps a voltage between a gate and a first terminal of a switching device (Q1) to equal to or lower than a first clamp voltage. A control circuit (2) controls the switching device (Q1) and includes a driving unit (5) driving the switching device (Q1), an abnormality detecting unit (9) stopping the driving unit (5) upon detection of an abnormality in operation, and a second clamp circuit (10). The second clamp circuit (10) clamps the voltage between the gate and the first terminal to equal to or lower than a second clamp voltage which is lower than the first clamp voltage when the abnormality detecting unit (9) stops the driving unit (5).

A wireless lanyard system for a marine vessel propelled by at least one propulsion device, the system comprising an operator fob configured to be worn by an operator of the marine vessel, a helm transceiver configured to receive radio signals from the operator fob an a controller. The controller is configured to define a permitted zone with respect to a helm area of the marine vessel based on at least one vessel condition, determine based on communications between the operator fob and the helm transceiver whether the operator is within the permitted zone with respect to the helm area, and generate a lanyard event when the operator is not within the permitted zone.

An ignition coil unit includes: an ignition circuit including a primary coil and a secondary coil; a power generator including a generator coil; a controller configured to control an ignition timing of the ignition circuit by an input signal generated by an induced voltage of the generator coil; and a sensor configured to input load information to the controller. The controller includes a memory configured to store working time information which corresponds to operating information based on the input information and the load information, as matrix data composed of the operating information, the load information and time data.

Systems and methods are disclosed for determining, and displaying, the regulatory compliance status of a motorized vehicle, a driver of a motorized vehicle, or a non-vehicle machine. An authorized agent, such as a law enforcement officer, can perform a remotely-initiated safe stop of a motorized vehicle to prevent a high-speed chase. A system management center can receive, store, and transmit regulatory compliance records indicating the regulatory compliance status of drivers, motorized vehicles, and non-vehicle machines. A motorized vehicle can detect, and report, a driver “tail-gating” the motorized vehicle. The regulatory compliance history of drivers, motorized vehicles, and non-vehicle machines can be queried by authorized users.

A spark plug heat up method via transient control of the spark discharge current. The high temperature plasma channel is used to heat up the central electrode, and the temperature and energy of the plasma channel are realized via transient control of the discharge current. The heating up process takes place before firing the engine, using discharge current to actively heat up the spark plug from inside. By monitoring the discharge current amplitude and discharge duration, the temperature change of the central electrode and the ceramic insulator can be carefully measured and controlled within a proper window. This method can be used to measure the heating range of the spark plug, and to prevent or remove the carbon deposit on the central electrode and the ceramic insulator generated under various engine operation conditions, such as engine cold start, full load operation, and heavy EGR condition, as well as realize self-cleaning.