The specification relates to a composite particle for storing lithium. The composite particle is used in an electrochemical cell. The composite particle includes a metal oxide on the surface of the composite particle, a major dimension that is approximately less than or equal to 40 microns and a formula of MMZ, wherein M is from the group of Si and Sn, M is from a group of Mn, Mg, Al, Mo, Bronze, Be, Ti, Cu, Ce, Li, Fe, Ni, Zn, Co, Zr, K, and Na, and Z is from the group of O, Cl, P, C, S, H, and F.

A system and method for mitigating the possibility of missing ignition coil commands is presented. In one example, one or more ignition coils may not be charged and/or discharged during a cylinder cycle in response to the absence of a voltage pulse forming at least a portion of an ignition coil command.

Methods and systems are provided for inferring spark plug fouling due to accumulation of fuel additives thereon. In one example, an engine controller may infer spark plug hot fouling based on higher than expected exhaust temperatures by correlating the elevated exhaust temperature with late combustion phasing due to additive accumulation. A confidence factor of the spark plug hot fouling detection may be enhanced based on data regarding concurrent misfire and/or pre-ignition events.

Methods and systems are provided for inferring spark plug fouling due to accumulation of fuel additives thereon. In one example, an engine controller may infer spark plug hot fouling based on higher than expected exhaust temperatures by correlating the elevated exhaust temperature with late combustion phasing due to additive accumulation. A confidence factor of the spark plug hot fouling detection may be enhanced based on data regarding concurrent misfire and/or pre-ignition events.

An engine-powered work tool includes an engine having a crank shaft, an ignition system, an output controller having a throttle valve shaft for controlling output of the engine, a wind governor connected to the throttle valve shaft, a rotation speed detector and an ignition control unit. The wind governor includes a governor plate movable upon receipt of cooling air generated by a cooling fan to control an angular rotation of the throttle valve shaft. The rotation speed detector detects a rotation speed of the crank shaft. The ignition control unit controls the ignition system based on the rotation speed of the crank shaft detected by the rotation speed detector to reduce the output of the engine when the rotation speed detector determines that the governor plate exceeds a predetermined position.

An engine-powered work tool includes an engine having a crank shaft, an ignition system, an output controller having a throttle valve shaft for controlling output of the engine, a wind governor connected to the throttle valve shaft, a rotation speed detector and an ignition control unit. The wind governor includes a governor plate movable upon receipt of cooling air generated by a cooling fan to control an angular rotation of the throttle valve shaft. The rotation speed detector detects a rotation speed of the crank shaft. The ignition control unit controls the ignition system based on the rotation speed of the crank shaft detected by the rotation speed detector to reduce the output of the engine when the rotation speed detector determines that the governor plate exceeds a predetermined position.

An ignition system and a method for suppressing an ignition spark discharge at a spark gap at an unsuitable time are provided. The method includes a recognition of a spark breakaway and/or a failed ignition and, in response thereto, by producing a conductive path via an ignition spark at the spark gap at a suitable time.

An ignition system and a method for suppressing an ignition spark discharge at a spark gap at an unsuitable time are provided. The method includes a recognition of a spark breakaway and/or a failed ignition and, in response thereto, by producing a conductive path via an ignition spark at the spark gap at a suitable time.

A control system according to one aspect of the present invention is applied to an engine. The engine comprises a cylinder injector and an intake valve driving device capable of changing the closing timing of an intake valve. If the execution condition is satisfied when the injection timing of fuel of the cylinder injector is before intake bottom dead center and an Atkinson cycle is carried out, the engine delays the injection timing of the fuel of the cylinder injector to a time after intake bottom dead center, injects the fuel, then executes fuel cut control.

The detection of the switching state of a stop switch at a switch terminal of an ignition device for an internal combustion engine is provided, in which an ignition pulse for controlling an electronic ignition switch is generated and a first power storage device is discharged via an ignition coil and during this discharge a voltage signal having negative and positive voltage half waves is generated, which is used for synchronizing a sampling, representing the switch state of the stop switch, particularly its closed position, of a voltage value at the switch terminal.