Device for detecting actual ignition in a simultaneous ignition engine

Claim 1

For use with an engine having two cylinders receiving ignition pulses simultaneously but actually ignited in an alternative manner by simultaneously applying ignition pulses generated in inverse polarities between the two terminals of an ignition coil of the engine, a device for detecting the timing of actual ignition of the cylinders of the engine, comprising: first means of detecting the ignition pulses applied to one of said cylinders to generate a first pulse signal; second means for generating second and third pulse signals inverted at the respective leading edges of said first pulse signal to have different polarities; third means made responsive to said second and third pulse signals for generating fourth and fifth pulse signals composed of respective trains of alternate pulses of said first pulse signal; and fourth means made responsive to said fourth and fifth pulse signals for selecting either said second or third pulse signal to, enable the output of said fourth means so that it will have a predetermined phase with respect to the misfire timing of said one cylinder.