Homelite, Inc.

Other

Christopher L Watson

John A Morrow

A dual ignition system for a truly opposed piston engine providing offsets from the standard timing separation, which is 1440 degrees divided by the number of pistons. Timing is obtained from a timing mark on the flywheel. An ignition transformer is provided on each cylinder. Each transformer has two output coils, and fires two cylinders on the same side of the engine that are separated by 360 degrees of timing plus or minus the offset. A cam position disk is provided on a camshaft of the engine. Half of its circumference is marked sensibly differently from the other half. A cam position sensor adjacent this disk provides input to a logic circuit that determines which of the two adjacent offset timings to send to each transformer depending on which half of the 720-degree engine cycle is in effect.

Dual ignition system with timing offsets for opposed piston engine

A method for controlling an AC generator includes a first step of varying the duty cycle of a pulse width modulated signal as a function of an output voltage appearing across at least one output winding so as to increase the duty cycle as the output voltage decreases and to decrease the duty cycle as the output voltage increases. A second step controls the current flow within a rotor winding in accordance with the pulse width modulated signal so as to decrease the current flow when the output voltage increases and to increase the current flow when the output voltage decreases. The method further includes the steps of (a) monitoring a current flow through the at least one output winding so as to detect an unloaded condition and, in response to detecting an unloaded condition, (b) delaying a first predetermined period of time; and (c) initiating an idle condition by slowing the speed of the drive engine. Further in response to detecting an unloaded condition, the method includes the steps of (d) delaying a second predetermined period of time; and (e) automatically decreasing the duty cycle of the pulse width modulated signal so as to decrease the current flow within the rotor winding to thereby decrease the output voltage. Circuitry for accomplishing the method is also described.

Electronic voltage regulator and idle control circuit for generators

An air inlet control system for a carburetor of an internal combustion engine. The system includes a magnet, an air inlet valve, and a temperature controlled limiter. The magnet is used to automatically attract the air inlet valve towards a fully closed position. The temperature controlled limiter limits the range of movement of the air inlet valve based upon the temperature of the engine. The limiter limits the open position of the valve to a position less than fully open when the engine is cold and, limits the closed position of the valve to a position less than fully closed when the engine is hot.

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Rock Hill, SC, United States of America

Christopher L Watson