Ignition timing control system for light duty combustion engines

A method for controlling the ignition timing of a light duty combustion engine, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving an electronic speed signal representative of engine speed,
• (b) utilizing said speed signal to select from a plurality of independent operating sequences,
• (c) utilizing said selected operating sequence to determine a desired ignition timing value, and
• (d) utilizing said desired ignition timing value to provide an electronic ignition signal to an ignition device, wherein said ignition signal affects the ignition timing of the engine.

A method for controlling the air-to-fuel ratio of a combustible mixture being provided to a light duty combustion engine, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving an electronic speed signal representative of engine speed,
• (b) utilizing said speed signal to select from a plurality of independent operating sequences,
• (c) utilizing said selected operating sequence to determine a desired air-to-fuel ratio for the combustible mixture, and
• (d) utilizing said desired air-to-fuel ratio to provide an electronic air/fuel signal to a valve control device, wherein said air/fuel signal affects the air-to-fuel ratio of the combustible mixture being provided to the engine.

A control system for use with a light duty combustion engine, said system comprising:

• a speed sensor operatively coupled to the engine and having a signal output for providing an electronic speed signal representative of engine speed,
• an ignition switch operatively coupled to a capacitive discharge ignition system and having a signal input for receiving an ignition signal capable of affecting the engine ignition timing,
• a first air/fuel mixture switch operatively coupled to a solenoid for driving said solenoid in a first direction for enriching a combustible mixture and having a signal input for receiving a first air/fuel signal,
• a second air/fuel mixture switch operatively coupled to said solenoid for driving said solenoid in a second direction for enleaning a combustible mixture and having a signal input for receiving a second air/fuel signal, and
• an electronic processing device coupled to said speed sensor output for receiving said speed signal, coupled to said ignition switch input for providing said ignition signal, coupled to said first air/fuel mixture switch for providing said first air/fuel signal, and coupled to said second air/fuel mixture switch for providing said second air/fuel signal, wherein said processing device is capable of determining said ignition signal and said first and second air/fuel signals according to an independent operating sequence that is capable of being selected by utilizing said speed signal.

A control system for controlling both ignition timing and air-to-fuel ratio aspects of a light duty combustion engine, said system comprising:

• an input capable of receiving a speed signal representative of engine speed,
• an ignition timing output coupled to an ignition device for providing that device with an electronic ignition signal that affects the ignition timing of the engine,
• an air-to-fuel ratio output coupled to an electronic valve control device for providing that device with an air/fuel signal that affects the air-to-fuel ratio of a combustible mixture being provided to the engine, and
• an electronic processing device that is coupled to said input for receiving said speed signal, coupled to said ignition timing output for providing said ignition signal, and coupled to said air-to-fuel ratio output for providing said air/fuel signal, wherein said processing device is capable of utilizing said speed signal or calculations derived from said speed signal to make a selection between one of several independent operating sequences, wherein said independent operating sequences at least include an acceleration sequence.

A control system for use with a light duty combustion engine, said system comprising:

• a first input coupled to an engine speed sensor for receiving an electronic speed signal representative of engine speed,
• a second input coupled to an engine temperature sensor for receiving an electronic temperature signal representative of engine temperature,
• an output coupled to a valve control device for providing that device with an electronic air/fuel signal that affects the air-to-fuel ratio of a combustible mixture being provided to the engine, and
• an electronic processing device coupled to said first input for receiving said speed signal, coupled to said second input for receiving said temperature signal, and coupled to said output for providing said air/fuel signal, wherein said processing device is capable of utilizing said speed signal and said temperature signal to determine said air/fuel signal.