A generator including a source of electric energy connected to means for generating sparks between the electrodes of an ignition spark plug, is characterized in that it comprises a first power portion including first means forming a capacitor for storing energy in series with first means forming a diode, wherein the first means forming a capacitor are also connected to the ignition spark plug through a gas spark gap and at least one second triggering portion including second means forming an energy storage capacitor in series with second means forming a diode, wherein the second means forming a capacitor are connected through at least one controlled semiconductor switching unit, to a primary winding of a voltage step-up transformer for which one secondary winding is connected in series with the gas spark gap between the first means forming a capacitor and the ignition spark plug.

An integrated ignition and electronic auto-choke module for an internal combustion engine and an internal combustion engine including the same. In one aspect, the module includes a housing that is configured to be mounted to an engine block of an internal combustion engine. The housing may contain at least a portion of a first temperature sensor that measures a first temperature indicative of an engine temperature. The housing may also contain a controller and at least a portion of an ignition circuit. The controller may be coupled to the first temperature sensor and configured to determine a starting position of a choke valve based on the first temperature and operate an actuator to move the choke valve into the starting position accordingly.

An internal combustion engine according to the present invention has an ignition control device. When a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine increases beyond a predetermined rotational over speed, the ignition control device advances an ignition timing of the ignition plug to a first BTDC angle where proper combustion is performed. Further, the ignition control device performs a misfire stroke or strokes of the ignition plug in one rotation or rotations of the crankshaft after the proper combustion is performed by activating the ignition plug at the first BTDC angle.

An integrated ignition and electronic auto-choke module for an internal combustion engine and an internal combustion engine including the same. In one aspect, the module includes a housing that is configured to be mounted to an engine block of an internal combustion engine. The housing may contain at least a portion of a first temperature sensor that measures a first temperature indicative of an engine temperature. The housing may also contain a controller and at least a portion of an ignition circuit. The controller may be coupled to the first temperature sensor and configured to determine a starting position of a choke valve based on the first temperature and operate an actuator to move the choke valve into the starting position accordingly.

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.

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.

An ignition coil includes an ignition circuit having a first winding and a second winding, a controller in communication with the ignition circuit, and a light. The ignition circuit is configured to output an ignition timing signal. The controller is configured to establish a rule that limits an engine speed to a maximum engine speed to be provided by the ignition timing signal. The light is configured to illuminate and indicate the maximum engine speed in response to an output signal from the controller.

An ignition system for a light-duty combustion engine includes a charge winding, a microcontroller and a power supply sub-circuit. The sub-circuit is coupled to both the charge winding and the microcontroller and includes a first power supply switch, a power supply capacitor and a power supply zener. The sub-circuit is arranged to turn off the first power supply switch so that charging of the power supply capacitor stops when the charge on the power supply capacitor exceeds the breakdown voltage on the power supply zener. In at least some implementations, the power supply capacitor may power the microcontroller and the power supply sub-circuit may limit or reduce the amount of electrical energy taken from the induced AC voltage of the charge winding to a level that is still able to sufficiently power the microcontroller yet saves energy for use elsewhere in the system.

In at least some implementations, an ignition system for a light-duty combustion engine includes a charge winding, a microcontroller and a power supply sub-circuit. The sub-circuit is coupled to both the charge winding and the microcontroller and includes a first power supply switch, a power supply capacitor and a power supply zener. The sub-circuit is arranged to turn off the first power supply switch so that charging of the power supply capacitor stops when the charge on the power supply capacitor exceeds the breakdown voltage on the power supply zener. In at least some implementations, the power supply capacitor may power the microcontroller and the power supply sub-circuit may limit or reduce the amount of electrical energy taken from the induced AC voltage of the charge winding to a level that is still able to sufficiently power the microcontroller yet saves energy for use elsewhere in the system.

An ignition coil has a core with a longitudinal axis, a secondary winding extending around the core, a sleeve extending around the core, a primary winding wrapped around the sleeve, and a controller connected to the primary winding so as to oscillate alternating current to said primary winding. The secondary winding has a high-voltage end and a low-voltage end. The primary winding is in spaced longitudinal relationship from the secondary winding. Specifically, the primary winding is located longitudinally away from the high-voltage end of the secondary winding. A bobbin is positioned over and around the core. The secondary winding is wrapped around at least a portion of the bobbin.