In an engine ignition method according to the present invention, an ignition coil and an exciter coil are provided in a magneto generator driven by an engine. After charging an ignition capacitor using an output voltage of the exciter coil, the ignition capacitor is discharged through a primary coil of the ignition coil at an ignition timing of the engine, whereby a high voltage induced in a secondary coil of the ignition coil is applied to an ignition plug and a first spark discharge is generated in the ignition plug, and a voltage induced in the secondary coil of the ignition coil accompanied with rotation of the magneto rotor is applied to the ignition plug in a state that insulation across discharge gaps of the ignition plug is broken down due to the first spark discharge, whereby a second spark discharge is produced in the ignition plug.

In an engine ignition method according to the present invention, an ignition coil and an exciter coil are provided in a magneto generator driven by an engine. After charging an ignition capacitor using an output voltage of the exciter coil, the ignition capacitor is discharged through a primary coil of the ignition coil at an ignition timing of the engine, whereby a high voltage induced in a secondary coil of the ignition coil is applied to an ignition plug and a first spark discharge is generated in the ignition plug, and a voltage induced in the secondary coil of the ignition coil accompanied with rotation of the magneto rotor is applied to the ignition plug in a state that insulation across discharge gaps of the ignition plug is broken down due to the first spark discharge, whereby a second spark discharge is produced in the ignition plug.

An ignition device for igniting an air/fuel mixture in at least one combustion chamber, having an ignition system with electrodes for each combustion chamber, a high-voltage source for generating an electrical high-voltage impulse at an output of the high-voltage source, and a high-frequency voltage source for generating an electrical high-frequency alternating voltage, wherein m ignition systems (10i) are provided with the formula (I) (natural numbers without zero) and m2, wherein high-frequency voltage sources are provided with the formula (II), and <m, wherein at least one power distributor device is provided which is electrically connected, on the one hand, to at least one high-frequency voltage source and, on the other hand, to n ignition systems, wherein formula (III) and 2nm, the power distributor device transmits the high-frequency alternating voltage or voltages from the high-frequency voltage source or sources to the ignition systems n.

In at least some implementations, a method of controlling spark events in an engine includes determining for at least two engine revolutions in a four-stroke engine at least one characteristic of the primary coil voltage for a spark event, determining, based upon the characteristic of the primary coil voltage, which of the spark events is associated with a compression phase and which of the spark events is associated with an exhaust phase of engine operation, and providing spark events in subsequent engine revolutions that are associated with the compression phase of engine operation but not in revolutions associated with the exhaust phase of engine operation. In at least some implementations, the characteristic is the duration of the spark event as determined by changes in the primary coil voltage, and the characteristic may be that the duration that the primary coil voltage is above a threshold voltage.

In at least some implementations, a method of controlling spark events in an engine includes determining for at least two engine revolutions in a four-stroke engine at least one characteristic of the primary coil voltage for a spark event, determining, based upon the characteristic of the primary coil voltage, which of the spark events is associated with a compression phase and which of the spark events is associated with an exhaust phase of engine operation, and providing spark events in subsequent engine revolutions that are associated with the compression phase of engine operation but not in revolutions associated with the exhaust phase of engine operation. In at least some implementations, the characteristic is the duration of the spark event as determined by changes in the primary coil voltage, and the characteristic may be that the duration that the primary coil voltage is above a threshold voltage.

A kill switch assembly for an internal combustion engine may include a housing, a first terminal carried by the housing and connected to a ground wire, a second terminal carried by the housing and connected to an engine microcontroller communication wire, and a kill switch. The kill switch may be carried by the housing, electrically connected to the first and second terminals, and manually operable by an operator to change the state of the electric switch to provide an engine stop signal to the engine microcontroller. The assembly may also include an electronic circuit carried by the housing, connected to the first and second terminals, and through the wires communicating with the engine microcontroller.

A capacitive ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes a voltage converter which has two primary terminals and two secondary terminals a primary voltage source has two voltage source terminals (A+, A) which are connected in each instance to one of the primary terminals so that a primary circuit is formed; a switch which is incorporated within the primary circuit and a controller so that the switch can be closed and opened; a first control device constructed to actuate the controller in accordance with an ignition pattern for closing and/or opening; an electrical capacitance (C1, C2) within the primary circuit; and a second control device (25) constructed to maintain constant a voltage rise at the secondary terminals, which occurs in order to reach the ignition voltage, as the ignition energy requirement of an ignition device connected to the secondary terminals changes.

A capacitive ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes a voltage converter which has two primary terminals and two secondary terminals a primary voltage source has two voltage source terminals (A+, A) which are connected in each instance to one of the primary terminals so that a primary circuit is formed; a switch which is incorporated within the primary circuit and a controller so that the switch can be closed and opened; a first control device constructed to actuate the controller in accordance with an ignition pattern for closing and/or opening; an electrical capacitance (C1, C2) within the primary circuit; and a second control device (25) constructed to maintain constant a voltage rise at the secondary terminals, which occurs in order to reach the ignition voltage, as the ignition energy requirement of an ignition device connected to the secondary terminals changes.

The control device includes a microcomputer which controls operation of the internal combustion engine, a power regulator which outputs a direct current regulated voltage regulated from electric power of the AC generator, a 5V regulator which receives an output from the power regulator and supplies it to the microcomputer; a first capacitor with a small capacity connected to an output of the power regulator, plural second capacitors connected in parallel with the first capacitor; and plural opening and closing means connected in series to the plural second capacitors, respectively. The opening and closing means are controlled to be opened and closed by the microcomputer so that the second capacitors are charged when the output of the power regulator has reached an ON voltage below the regulated voltage.

A multi-function key system and method is provided that includes key identification system, a first key, and a second key. The multi-function key system is in communication with an item of power equipment, and comprises first and second sensors for detecting magnetic fields. The first key is configured to interact with the key identification system, the first key comprises a first magnet generating a first magnetic field. The second key is configured to interact with the key identification system. The second key comprises a second magnet generating a second magnetic field. Wherein the first and second sensors differentiate between the first and second key based upon the first and second magnetic fields. The key identification system initiates a first functionality of the power equipment responsive to identifying the first key, and initiates a second functionality of the power equipment responsive to identifying the second key.