Ignition module with low speed control
AssigneeWalbro Corporation
InventorsMartin N. Andersson, Cyrus M. Healy, Robby L. Linton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In at least some implementations, an ignition system for a combustion engine includes analog circuit components arranged to control ignition events at an engine speed below a first threshold of engine speed and a microprocessor to control ignition events at engine speeds higher than the first threshold. Hence, ignition can be controlled at lower engine cranking speeds to facilitate starting the engine at lower engine rotational speeds.
Claims19
An ignition system for a combustion engine, comprising:
- analog circuit components arranged to control ignition events at an engine speed below a first threshold of engine speed and a microprocessor to control ignition events at engine speeds higher than the first threshold, wherein the analog circuit components control ignition events before the microprocessor has sufficient power for the microprocessor to control ignition events.
An ignition system for an engine having a flywheel, a magnetic element carried by the flywheel, and a piston, the system comprising:
- a trigger coil and a charge coil arranged so that rotation of the flywheel passes the magnet near both the trigger coil and the charge coil to induce a current within the coils;
- a main charge storage element coupled to the charge coil to store energy from the charge coil;
- a main switch coupled to the charge storage element and to an ignition element to selectively couple the main charge storage element to the ignition element to provide power from the main charge storage element to the ignition element to cause an ignition event;
- a peak detect charge storage element coupled to the trigger coil and to the main switch;
- a peak detect switch coupled between the main switch and the peak detect charge storage element to selectively provide power from the peak detect charge storage element to the main switch to change the state of the main switch and permit power to flow from the main charge storage element to the ignition element to cause an ignition event;
- and
- a controller coupled to the main switch to selectively change the state of the main switch, wherein the controller is powered by energy induced in a coil and provided to the controller when the engine is at a speed at which the energy above a threshold is induced in the coil that provides power to the controller so that the controller controls the state of the main switch and the timing of ignition events when the controller is provided with power above said threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.