Circuits and methods to control a current in a coil are disclosed. The circuit and methods provide over-dwell protection and soft shut-down functionality to safely discharge the coil. The safe discharge of the coil is facilitated by a soft-start ramp signal that reduces the coil current gradually by controlling a switching device according. A profile of the soft-start ramp signal over time determines the gradual reduction. The profile of the soft-start ramp signal can be adjusted to set (i) an over-dwell period of the coil current, after which the coil current is shut down, and (ii) a soft shut-down period, over which the coil current is gradually reduced.

A method for manufacturing engine powered machinery having a fuel cut functionality to promote more rapid shutdown of the rotating parts of the engine powered machinery. In one aspect, the method is implemented by assembling a wiring harness disposed exclusively on the engine which are configured to simultaneously disable one or more ignition coils and prevent a fuel-air mixer from supplying a mixture of air and fuel to the engine upon activation of a safety switch. In alternate aspects, the method further comprises a stator brake which is activated by the safety switch to provide additional braking torque on the engine. These features bring the machinery to a rapid halt, further enhancing safety.

A method for manufacturing engine powered machinery having a fuel cut functionality to promote more rapid shutdown of the rotating parts of the engine powered machinery. In one aspect, the method is implemented by assembling a wiring harness disposed exclusively on the engine which are configured to simultaneously disable one or more ignition coils and prevent a fuel-air mixer from supplying a mixture of air and fuel to the engine upon activation of a safety switch. In alternate aspects, the method further comprises a stator brake which is activated by the safety switch to provide additional braking torque on the engine. These features bring the machinery to a rapid halt, further enhancing safety.

A portable power generator with power monitor and control. The portable generator may include an alternator powered by an engine and configured to generate an alternator output, a first output receptacle coupled to the alternator output through a first switch, and a second output receptacle coupled to the alternator output through a second switch. The portable generator may further include a sensor unit configured to detect at least one output parameter of the first output receptacle. An electronic processor of the portable generator may be configured to receive first sensor signals indicating a measured quantity of the at least one output parameter of the first output receptacle and determine that the measured quantity exceeds a predetermined threshold. The processor may also be configured to disable the first output receptacle in response to determining that the measured quantity exceeds the predetermined threshold.

A system for monitoring and cleaning a spark plug is disclosed. In one example, rim firing of a spark plug is detected according to characteristics of a voltage of a primary coil of an ignition coil. The system may institute spark plug cleaning after rim firing of a spark plug is detected.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling spark plug fouling in newly manufactured vehicles. In one example, an engine is operated with a first, more aggressive spark discharge schedule when in a pre-delivery state and transitioned to a second, less aggressive spark discharge schedule when in a post-delivery state. In each spark discharge schedule, a spark plug ignition coil is repeatedly discharged when the engine is off, such as when the engine is spinning down to rest on a shutdown event or before the engine is fueled on an engine restart event.

A driver alert arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a sensor detecting a level of carbon monoxide associated with the motor vehicle and transmitting a signal indicative of the detected level of carbon monoxide. An engine ignition has an ON state in which the engine ignition enables operation of an engine of the motor vehicle, and an OFF state in which the engine ignition disables operation of the engine of the motor vehicle. An electronic processor is communicatively coupled to the sensor and to the engine ignition. The electronic processor receives the signal from the sensor and controls whether the engine ignition is in the ON state or the OFF state dependent upon the signal.

Circuits and methods to control a current in a coil are disclosed. The circuit and methods provide over-dwell protection and soft shut-down functionality to safely discharge the coil. The safe discharge of the coil is facilitated by a soft-start ramp signal that reduces the coil current gradually by controlling a switching device according. A profile of the soft-start ramp signal over time determines the gradual reduction. The profile of the soft-start ramp signal can be adjusted to set (i) an over-dwell period of the coil current, after which the coil current is shut down, and (ii) a soft shut-down period, over which the coil current is gradually reduced.

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 method for controlling the operation of a spark ignition internal combustion engine is described. The engine includes: a combustion chamber, an intake duct for placing the combustion chamber in communication with the external, a throttle valve arranged inside the intake duct, a carburetor for introducing fuel into the intake duct to form an air/fuel mixture to be intaken into the combustion chamber, and a spark plug arranged inside the combustion chamber to generate a spark for igniting the combustion of the air/fuel mixture. The method includes: monitoring the opening degree of the throttle valve; monitoring the speed of the engine, preventing the spark plug from generating the spark, if the opening degree of the throttle valve drops below a first opening degree threshold value and the speed of the engine is greater than a first engine speed threshold value.