Ignition system for a two-cycle engine

Claim 1

In an ignition system for a two-cycle internal combustion engine having a throttle valve and N cylinders (wherein N is a number 3 or greater), including ignition signal generating means for generating in consecutive order N firing pulse signals consisting of odd numbered and even numbered firing pulse signals at evenly spaced time intervals relative to the crankshaft position of the engine, and N switching elements each responsive to a respective one of said N firing pulse signals for igniting a respective one of said N cylinders; the improvement comprising: a flip-flop that is toggled each complete revolution of said engine so that the Q and Q output thereof change each successive engine revolution; N transistors each connected between one of said switching elements and ground and having the base terminals of the transistors associated with the switching elements triggered by the odd numbered firing pulse signals connected to one of the Q or Q output of said flip-flop and the base terminals of the transistors associated with the switching elements triggered by the even numbered firing pulse signals being connected to the other of said Q or Q output of said flip-flop, so that each of said transistors is rendered conductive during every second engine revolution for inhibiting every second firing pulse signal from firing its respective switching element and further so that the non-inhibited firing pulse signals remain at evenly spaced time intervals; and a switch responsive to said throttle valve for enabling said N transistors below a predetermined throttle valve setting.