In an ignition device, a proportion of a yoke end width defined as a distance from one end to another end of an end portion of each of a pair of yokes in the circumferential direction to a magnet width defined as a distance from one end to another end of a permanent magnet disposed on the outer circumferential surface of a flywheel, in the circumferential direction is in a range of 60% to 100%. Moreover, a proportion of the magnet width to a yoke interval between the pair of yokes is in a range of 95% to 100%.

A system and method for enhancing spark generation in an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine at low rotational speeds of the flywheel. The method and system monitor the rotational speed of the flywheel and, when the rotational speed of the flywheel is below a threshold rotational speed, the system and method supplies voltage pulses to the primary winding. The timing of the voltage pulses supplied to the primary winding are triggered off of voltage transitions in pulses induced in the primary winding upon rotation of the flywheel. Once the internal combustion engine has started, the switching device transitions into a second condition to disconnect the electrical storage device from the primary winding. The spark generation system of the present disclosure allows for starting of an internal combustion engine upon slower initial rotational speeds.

In at least some implementations, a method of maintaining an engine speed below a first threshold, includes: (a) determining an engine speed; (b) comparing the engine speed to a second threshold that is less than the first threshold; (c) allowing an engine ignition event to occur during a subsequent engine cycle if the engine speed is less than the second threshold; and (d) skipping at least one subsequent engine ignition event if the engine speed is greater than the second threshold. In at least some implementations, the second threshold is less than the first threshold by a maximum acceleration of the engine after one ignition event so that an ignition event when the engine speed is less than the second threshold does not cause the engine speed to increase above the first threshold.

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 K high-frequency voltage sources are provided with the formula (II), and K<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.

A downlink communication data DND from a main control circuit section to a combination control circuit section is divided into first and second downlink data, high-speed communication using a downlink clock signal and a transmission start instruction signal is performed, a high-speed load which has been directly driven from the main control circuit section is indirectly driven at high speed from the combination control circuit section by the first downlink data, a low-speed analog input signal ANL which has been indirectly inputted to the combination control circuit section is inputted to a specific input channel of a multi-channel converter through an indirect multiplexer, and channel selection is made by the downlink communication data.

In at least some implementations, a method of controlling spark events in a combustion engine, includes determining change in voltage at an input of a sensor during an engine revolution, and providing at least two spark event signals to attempt to provide at least two spark events in the engine during the engine revolution. In at least some implementations, the engine revolution is within a first threshold number of engine revolutions from attempted starting of the engine. In at least some implementations, the first threshold may include the first and up to ten engine revolutions from attempted starting of the engine.

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.

In at least some implementations, an auxiliary power supply in an ignition system for a light-duty combustion engine includes a first auxiliary winding and a second auxiliary winding coupled in parallel with the first auxiliary winding such that both windings are arranged to provide power to an auxiliary load. The first auxiliary winding may include a greater number of turns than the second auxiliary winding. A ratio of the number of turns in the first auxiliary winding to the number of turns in the second auxiliary winding may be between 1.5:1 and 10:1, the first auxiliary coil and the second auxiliary coil may have between 50 and 2,000 turns, and the first auxiliary coil and the second auxiliary coil are formed from wire between 25 and 45 gauge.

A failure diagnosis device for an ignition circuit, comprising: an ignition plug; an ignition coil; a capacitor series connection including a high side capacitor and a low side capacitor; a switching-element series connection including a high side switching element and a low side switching element; an inter-terminal voltage detection unit for detecting an inter-terminal voltage of the capacitor series connection; an intermediate voltage detection unit for detecting an intermediate voltage at the connection point of the high side capacitor and the low side capacitor; and a determination unit for determining a failure location of the ignition circuit based on at least one of the inter-terminal voltage and the intermediate voltage.

The ignition control device includes a spark plug that includes a first electrode and a second electrode disposed so as to oppose each other, an ignition coil that includes a plurality of sets of a primary coil and a secondary coil, generates a high voltage in the secondary coil by energizing or interrupting a primary current supplied to the primary coil, and applies the generated high voltage to the first electrode, and a control unit that, in a case where a plurality of the primary coils are driven during a single ignition process, temporarily stops energization of a primary current supplied to a second primary coil when a primary current supplied to a first primary coil is interrupted, and re-energizes the primary current supplied to the second primary coil following the elapse of an energization stoppage period.