An operating system for a standby generator includes a control unit, a switch, an inverter, a terminal, a current sensor, a starter circuit, a power control circuit, and an ignition kill circuit. The control unit is powered by a rechargeable twelve volt DC battery. The switch is selectively operable by the control unit to connect one of a first input or a second input to an output. The second input receives the supply of electrical power from an internal combustion engine. The inverter is positioned between the DC battery and the first input, and supplies electrical power to the electrical device when a movable contact of the switch connects the output to the first input. The power control circuit is connected to the control unit and is operable to adjust the movable contact of the switch to selectively connect the output to either the first input or the second input.

Engine systems which are safer and have reduced risk of fire are desirable in a wide range of equipment markets. The present engine systems utilize sensors and control systems which reduce the probability of fire or spark exiting the exhaust system. The sensors may monitor a wide range of conditions within the exhaust system to alter the operating parameters of the engine to prevent ignition of objects adjacent the engine system during use. By altering operation of the engine, conditions such as exhaust temperature or unburned fuel can be controlled to minimize risk of undesired ignition.

Engine systems which are safer and have reduced risk of fire are desirable in a wide range of equipment markets. The present engine systems utilize sensors and control systems which reduce the probability of fire or spark exiting the exhaust system. The sensors may monitor a wide range of conditions within the exhaust system to alter the operating parameters of the engine to prevent ignition of objects adjacent the engine system during use. By altering operation of the engine, conditions such as exhaust temperature or unburned fuel can be controlled to minimize risk of undesired ignition.

According to one or more embodiments presently described, a method of operating an internal combustion engine that includes injecting fuel into a combustion chamber to form an air-fuel mixture, where the combustion chamber includes a cylinder head, cylinder sidewalls, and a piston that reciprocates within the cylinder sidewalls. The method may also include detecting pre-ignition of the air-fuel mixture during a detected intake or compression stroke of the piston, determining that a super knock condition could occur, and mitigating formation of a super knock condition by deploying a super knock countermeasure within the detected compression stroke.

According to one or more embodiments presently described, a method of operating an internal combustion engine that includes injecting fuel into a combustion chamber to form an air-fuel mixture, where the combustion chamber includes a cylinder head, cylinder sidewalls, and a piston that reciprocates within the cylinder sidewalls. The method may also include detecting pre-ignition of the air-fuel mixture during a detected intake or compression stroke of the piston, determining that a super knock condition could occur, and mitigating formation of a super knock condition by deploying a super knock countermeasure within the detected compression stroke.

Engine systems which are safer and have reduced risk of fire are desirable in a wide range of equipment markets. The present engine systems utilize sensors and control systems which reduce the probability of fire or spark exiting the exhaust system. The sensors may monitor a wide range of conditions within the exhaust system to alter the operating parameters of the engine to prevent ignition of objects adjacent the engine system during use. By altering operation of the engine, conditions such as exhaust temperature or unburned fuel can be controlled to minimize risk of undesired ignition.

Engine systems which are safer and have reduced risk of fire are desirable in a wide range of equipment markets. The present engine systems utilize sensors and control systems which reduce the probability of fire or spark exiting the exhaust system. The sensors may monitor a wide range of conditions within the exhaust system to alter the operating parameters of the engine to prevent ignition of objects adjacent the engine system during use. By altering operation of the engine, conditions such as exhaust temperature or unburned fuel can be controlled to minimize risk of undesired ignition.

An ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes a switching circuit and a control circuit. The control circuit monitors a voltage level inputted to a switching device which is installed in the switching circuit and connected to a primary winding of an ignition coil. The control circuit includes an overvoltage protection circuit which outputs an energization inhibit signal to inhibit energization of the switching device when the monitored voltage level is higher than an overvoltage threshold level. When the monitored voltage level exceeds the overvoltage threshold level in an output duration in which the energization control signal is outputted, the overvoltage protection circuit stops output of the energization inhibit signal until the output duration expires. This enables the switching device to be protected from damage and an ignition operation to be executed at a correct timing to eliminate a risk of damage to the internal combustion engine.

An ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes a switching circuit and a control circuit. The control circuit monitors a voltage level inputted to a switching device which is installed in the switching circuit and connected to a primary winding of an ignition coil. The control circuit includes an overvoltage protection circuit which outputs an energization inhibit signal to inhibit energization of the switching device when the monitored voltage level is higher than an overvoltage threshold level. When the monitored voltage level exceeds the overvoltage threshold level in an output duration in which the energization control signal is outputted, the overvoltage protection circuit stops output of the energization inhibit signal until the output duration expires. This enables the switching device to be protected from damage and an ignition operation to be executed at a correct timing to eliminate a risk of damage to the internal combustion engine.

Disclosed is a method for determining a need for changing a spark plug of a combustion engine, comprising the following steps: monitoring a current flowing through the spark plug, analyzing the current and thereby determine a time interval that is indicative for the time between application of a voltage to the spark plug and formation of an arc discharge between electrodes of the spark plug, creating a signal indicative of the need to change the spark plug if the duration of the determined time interval is outside predefined bounds.