Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of controlling the ignition timing in an internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion chambers, comprising the steps of: generating a first signal in accordance with an operating cycle of said internal combustion engine, said first signal having a periodic occurrence in said operating cycle which is less than the number of combustion chambers for said internal combustion engine; generating a second signal which is triggered in response to the occurrence of said first signal, said second signal having a variable characteristic which is indicative of the current position in said operating cycle of said engine; and generating a timing signal for each of said combustion chambers in response to said variable characteristic of said second signal so as to establish an ignition timing relationship for each of said combustion chambers which is related to said operating cycle of said internal combustion engine.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of controlling the ignition timing in an internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion chambers, comprising the steps of: generating a first signal in accordance with an operating cycle of said internal combustion engine, said first signal having a periodic occurrence in said operating cycle which is less than the number of combustion chambers for said internal combustion engine; generating a second signal which is triggered in response to the occurrence of said first signal, said second signal having a variable characteristic which is indicative of the current position in said operating cycle of said engine; and generating a timing signal for each of said combustion chambers in response to said variable characteristic of said second signal so as to establish an ignition timing relationship for each of said combustion chambers which is related to said operating cycle of said internal combustion engine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 1, including the step of varying the occurrence of said timing signal for at least one of said combustion chamber in response to at least one operating parameter of said internal combustion engine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein said varying step is responsive to a plurality of operating parameters of said internal combustion engine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 3, wherein said operating parameters includes a parameter related to the actual combustion condition in said combustion chamber(s).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 3, wherein said operating parameters includes a parameter related to the charge density of the fuel/air mixture being received by said engine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein the occurrence of said timing signal is varied by modifying said variable characteristic of said second signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 6, wherein said variable characteristic of said second signal is the waveform of said signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 7, wherein said waveform has a generally sawtooth shape which is reset in response to the occurrence of said first signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said first signal occurs only once during the operating cycle of said engine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
145 words
In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion chambers, a control system, comprising: means for generating a first signal in accordance with an operating cycle of said engine, said first signal having a periodic occurrence in said operating cycle which is less than the number of combustion chambers for said engine; means for generating a second signal which is triggered in response to the occurrence of said first signal, said second signal having a variable characteristic which is indicative of the current position in said operating cycle of said engine; and means for generating a timing signal for each of said combustion chambers in response to said variable characteristic of said second signal so as to establish an ignition timing relationship for each of said combustion chambers which is related to said operating cycle of said internal combustion engine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
145 words
In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion chambers, a control system, comprising: means for generating a first signal in accordance with an operating cycle of said engine, said first signal having a periodic occurrence in said operating cycle which is less than the number of combustion chambers for said engine; means for generating a second signal which is triggered in response to the occurrence of said first signal, said second signal having a variable characteristic which is indicative of the current position in said operating cycle of said engine; and means for generating a timing signal for each of said combustion chambers in response to said variable characteristic of said second signal so as to establish an ignition timing relationship for each of said combustion chambers which is related to said operating cycle of said internal combustion engine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention according to claim 10, wherein said first signal is a pulse signal which occurs only once during said operating cycle of said engine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention according to claim 11, wherein said variable characteristic of said second signal is the waveform of said signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The invention according to claim 12, wherein said waveform is monotonic.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention according to claim 13, wherein said waveform has a sawtooth shape.