US3554178A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual spark capacitor discharge ignition system
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1969-07-03
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1989-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A capacitor discharge ignition system which produces two sparks per cylinder per compression stroke in response to each halfcycle of alternating current ignition signals. The ignition signals are applied across the base-emitter electrodes of a first normally conducting transistor which is rendered nonconductive during a selected one-half-cycle of each ignition signal cycle. As the first transistor goes nonconductive, a second transistor is triggered conductive to maintain the first transistor in the nonconducting state and a first capacitor begins to charge from a direct current potential source through a series resistor. The charging current of this capacitor produces base-emitter and, consequently collector-emitter current flow through a third transistor while the capacitor is charging. The collector-emitter current flow of this transistor produces a potential drop across an emitter resistor which is applied across the input terminals of an inverter circuit which produces the charging potential for the ignition capacitor and renders an ignition capacitor switch conductive to discharge the ignition capacitor through the primary winding of the ignition coil. With the other half-cycle of each alternating current ignition signal, the first transistor is rendered reconductive to extinguish the second transistor. As the second transistor goes nonconductive, another capacitor begins to charge through a series resistor. The charging current of this capacitor produces base-emitter and, consequently, collector-emitter current flow through a fourth transistor while the capacitor is charging. This collector-emitter current flow through the same emitter resistor, common to both the third and fourth transistors, produces a potential drop thereacross which is applied to the inverter circuit and the sequence of events is repeated as previously described.
Inventors
- 👤 James A Boyer
- 👤 Donald O Ruff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:12
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02P; F02P15/00; F02P15/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
651 words
In a capacitor discharge ignition system for use with internal combustion engines of the type including an output stage having at least an ignition capacitor and a charging circuit therefor, the primary winding of an ignition coil and an electrically operable ignition capacitor switch for connecting the ignition capacitor across the ignition coil primary winding and a converter circuit stage for producing the potential which provides the charge upon the ignition capacitor in response to each input signal cycle having an input circuit and an output circuit across which the ignition capacitor charging circuit and the ignition capacitor switch are connected, the means for producing two like polarity output signal pulses in response to each alternating current input signal cycle comprising in combination with a direct current potential source, a magnetic pulse generator including at least a rotor member of magnetic material rotated in timed relationship with the internal combustion engine with which the ignition system is being used having a pole tip corresponding to each engine cylinder, a stationary pole piece of magnetic material having a rotoraccommodating bore with a plurality of substantially rectangular notches, one for each engine cylinder, equally spaced about the circumference of the bore, a permanent magnet and a pickup coil for producing alternating current ignition signals in timed relationship with the engine: first and second transistors each having two current-carrying electrodes and a control electrode: means for connecting said current-carrying electrodes of both said transistors in parallel across said direct current potential source: means for interconnecting said control electrode of said second transistor and one of said current-carrying electrodes of said first transistor in such a manner that said second transistor is conductive when said first transistor is nonconductive and is nonconductive when said first transistor is conductive; means for applying said alternating current ignition signals across said control electrode and a selected one of said current-carrying electrodes of said first transistor for rendering said first transistor nonconductive during a selected one-half cycle of each one of said alternating current ignition signal cycles and conductive during the other one-half cycle of each one of said alternating current ignition signals; first and second capacitors; first and second resistors; means for connecting the series combination of said first capacitor and said first resistor across said current-carrying electrodes of a selected one of said first and second transistors; means for connecting the series combination of said second capacitor and said second resistor across said current-carrying electrodes of the other one of said first and second transistors; third and fourth transistors each having two current-carrying electrodes and a control electrode; means for connecting said current-carrying electrodes of said third and fourth transistors in parallel across said direct current potential source; means for connecting said control electrode of a selected one of said third and fourth transistors to the junction between said first capacitor and said first resistor whereby said selected one of said third and fourth transistors is rendered conductive while said first capacitor charges when said selected one of said first and second transistors across the said currentcarrying electrodes of which said series combination of said first capacitor and said first resistor is connected is nonconductive; means for connecting said control electrode of the other one of said third aNd fourth transistors to the junction between said second capacitor and said second transistor whereby said other one of said third and fourth transistors is rendered conductive while said second capacitor charges when the other one of said first and second transistors across the current-carrying electrodes of which said series combination of said second capacitor and said second resistor is connected is nonconductive; and at least one common resistor included in said means for connecting said current-carrying electrodes of said third and fourth transistors in parallel across said direct current potential source across which an output signal appears while either one of said third and fourth transistors is conducting.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
651 words
In a capacitor discharge ignition system for use with internal combustion engines of the type including an output stage having at least an ignition capacitor and a charging circuit therefor, the primary winding of an ignition coil and an electrically operable ignition capacitor switch for connecting the ignition capacitor across the ignition coil primary winding and a converter circuit stage for producing the potential which provides the charge upon the ignition capacitor in response to each input signal cycle having an input circuit and an output circuit across which the ignition capacitor charging circuit and the ignition capacitor switch are connected, the means for producing two like polarity output signal pulses in response to each alternating current input signal cycle comprising in combination with a direct current potential source, a magnetic pulse generator including at least a rotor member of magnetic material rotated in timed relationship with the internal combustion engine with which the ignition system is being used having a pole tip corresponding to each engine cylinder, a stationary pole piece of magnetic material having a rotoraccommodating bore with a plurality of substantially rectangular notches, one for each engine cylinder, equally spaced about the circumference of the bore, a permanent magnet and a pickup coil for producing alternating current ignition signals in timed relationship with the engine: first and second transistors each having two current-carrying electrodes and a control electrode: means for connecting said current-carrying electrodes of both said transistors in parallel across said direct current potential source: means for interconnecting said control electrode of said second transistor and one of said current-carrying electrodes of said first transistor in such a manner that said second transistor is conductive when said first transistor is nonconductive and is nonconductive when said first transistor is conductive; means for applying said alternating current ignition signals across said control electrode and a selected one of said current-carrying electrodes of said first transistor for rendering said first transistor nonconductive during a selected one-half cycle of each one of said alternating current ignition signal cycles and conductive during the other one-half cycle of each one of said alternating current ignition signals; first and second capacitors; first and second resistors; means for connecting the series combination of said first capacitor and said first resistor across said current-carrying electrodes of a selected one of said first and second transistors; means for connecting the series combination of said second capacitor and said second resistor across said current-carrying electrodes of the other one of said first and second transistors; third and fourth transistors each having two current-carrying electrodes and a control electrode; means for connecting said current-carrying electrodes of said third and fourth transistors in parallel across said direct current potential source; means for connecting said control electrode of a selected one of said third and fourth transistors to the junction between said first capacitor and said first resistor whereby said selected one of said third and fourth transistors is rendered conductive while said first capacitor charges when said selected one of said first and second transistors across the said currentcarrying electrodes of which said series combination of said first capacitor and said first resistor is connected is nonconductive; means for connecting said control electrode of the other one of said third aNd fourth transistors to the junction between said second capacitor and said second transistor whereby said other one of said third and fourth transistors is rendered conductive while said second capacitor charges when the other one of said first and second transistors across the current-carrying electrodes of which said series combination of said second capacitor and said second resistor is connected is nonconductive; and at least one common resistor included in said means for connecting said current-carrying electrodes of said third and fourth transistors in parallel across said direct current potential source across which an output signal appears while either one of said third and fourth transistors is conducting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
307 words
A circuit for producing two like polarity output signal pulses in response to each alternating current input signal cycle comprising in combination with a direct current potential source: first and second transistors each having two current-carrying electrodes connected in parallel across said direct current potential source and a control electrode; means for interconnecting said control electrode of said second transistor and one of said current-carrying electrodes of said first transistor in such a manner that said second transistor is conductive when said first transistor is nonconductive and is nonconductive when said first transistor is conductive; means for applying said alternating current input signals across said control electrode and a selected one of said current-carrying electrodes of said first transistor for rendering said first transistor nonconductive during a selected one-half cycle of each one of said alternating current signal cycles and conductive during the other one-half cycle of each one of said alternating current signals; third and fourth transistors each having two current-carrying electrodes connected in parallel across said source of direct current potential and a control electrode; output circuit means; first circuit means interconnected with said control electrode and a selected one of said current-carrying electrodes of a selected one of said third and fourth transistors and responsive to said first transistor becoming nonconductive for rendering said selected one of said third and fourth transistors conductive for a predetermined period of time for producing a first output signal across said output circuit means; and second circuit means interconnected with said control electrode and a selected one of said current-carrying electrodes of the other one of said third and fourth transistors and responsive to said second transistor becoming nonconductive for rendering said other one of said third and fourth transistors conductive for a predetermined period of time for producing a second output signal across said output circuit means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
307 words
A circuit for producing two like polarity output signal pulses in response to each alternating current input signal cycle comprising in combination with a direct current potential source: first and second transistors each having two current-carrying electrodes connected in parallel across said direct current potential source and a control electrode; means for interconnecting said control electrode of said second transistor and one of said current-carrying electrodes of said first transistor in such a manner that said second transistor is conductive when said first transistor is nonconductive and is nonconductive when said first transistor is conductive; means for applying said alternating current input signals across said control electrode and a selected one of said current-carrying electrodes of said first transistor for rendering said first transistor nonconductive during a selected one-half cycle of each one of said alternating current signal cycles and conductive during the other one-half cycle of each one of said alternating current signals; third and fourth transistors each having two current-carrying electrodes connected in parallel across said source of direct current potential and a control electrode; output circuit means; first circuit means interconnected with said control electrode and a selected one of said current-carrying electrodes of a selected one of said third and fourth transistors and responsive to said first transistor becoming nonconductive for rendering said selected one of said third and fourth transistors conductive for a predetermined period of time for producing a first output signal across said output circuit means; and second circuit means interconnected with said control electrode and a selected one of said current-carrying electrodes of the other one of said third and fourth transistors and responsive to said second transistor becoming nonconductive for rendering said other one of said third and fourth transistors conductive for a predetermined period of time for producing a second output signal across said output circuit means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
328 words
A circuit for producing two like polarity output signal pulses in response to each cycle of an alternating current input signal cycle comprising in combination with a direct current potential source; first and second transistors each having two current-carrying electrodes connected in parallel across said direct current potential source and a control electrode; means for interconnecting said control electrode of said second transistor and one of said current-carrying electrodes of said first transistor in such a manner that said second transistor is conductive when said first transistor is nonconductive and is nonconductive when said first transistor is conductive; means for applying said alternating current input signals across said control electrode and a selected one of said current-carrying electrodes of said first transistor for rendering said first transistor nonconductive during a selected one-half cycle of each one of said alternating current signal cycles and conductive during the other one-half cycle of each one of said alternating current signals; third and fourth transistors each having two current-carrying electrodes conneCted in parallel across said source of direct current potential and a control electrode; output circuit means; a first R-C circuit connected across said current-carrying electrodes of said first transistor and interconnected with said control electrode and a selected one of said current-carrying electrodes of a selected one of said third and fourth transistors for rendering said selected one of said third and fourth transistors conductive when said first transistor becomes nonconductive for a predetermined period of time for producing a first output signal across said output circuit means; and a second R-C circuit connected across said current-carrying electrodes of said second transistor and interconnected with said control electrode and a selected one of said current-carrying electrodes of the other one of said third and fourth transistors for rendering said other one of said third and fourth transistors conductive when said second transistor becomes nonconductive for a predetermined period of time for producing a second output signal across said output circuit means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
328 words
A circuit for producing two like polarity output signal pulses in response to each cycle of an alternating current input signal cycle comprising in combination with a direct current potential source; first and second transistors each having two current-carrying electrodes connected in parallel across said direct current potential source and a control electrode; means for interconnecting said control electrode of said second transistor and one of said current-carrying electrodes of said first transistor in such a manner that said second transistor is conductive when said first transistor is nonconductive and is nonconductive when said first transistor is conductive; means for applying said alternating current input signals across said control electrode and a selected one of said current-carrying electrodes of said first transistor for rendering said first transistor nonconductive during a selected one-half cycle of each one of said alternating current signal cycles and conductive during the other one-half cycle of each one of said alternating current signals; third and fourth transistors each having two current-carrying electrodes conneCted in parallel across said source of direct current potential and a control electrode; output circuit means; a first R-C circuit connected across said current-carrying electrodes of said first transistor and interconnected with said control electrode and a selected one of said current-carrying electrodes of a selected one of said third and fourth transistors for rendering said selected one of said third and fourth transistors conductive when said first transistor becomes nonconductive for a predetermined period of time for producing a first output signal across said output circuit means; and a second R-C circuit connected across said current-carrying electrodes of said second transistor and interconnected with said control electrode and a selected one of said current-carrying electrodes of the other one of said third and fourth transistors for rendering said other one of said third and fourth transistors conductive when said second transistor becomes nonconductive for a predetermined period of time for producing a second output signal across said output circuit means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
455 words
A circuit for producing two like polarity output signal pulses in response to each cycle of an alternating current input signal cycle comprising in combination with a direct current potential source: first and second transistors each having two current-carrying electrodes connected in parallel across said direct current potential source and a control electrode; means for interconnecting said control electrode of said second transistor and one of said current-carrying electrodes of said first transistors in such a manner that said second transistor is conductive when said first transistor is nonconductive and is nonconductive when said first transistor is conductive; means for applying said alternating current input signals across said control electrode and a selected one of said current-carrying electrodes of said first transistor for rendering said first transistor nonconductive during a selected one-half cycle of each one of said alternating current signal cycle and conductive during the other one-half cycle of each one of said alternating current signals; first and second capacitors; first and second resistors; means for connecting the series combination of said first capacitor and said first resistor across said current-carrying electrodes of a selected one of said first and second transistors; means for connecting the series combination of said second capacitor and said second resistor across said current-carrying electrodes of the other one of said first and second transistors; third and fourth transistors each having two current-carrying electrodes and a control electrode; means for connecting said current-carrying electrodes of said third and fourth transistors in parallel across said direct current potential source. means for connecting said control electrode of a selected one of said third and fourth transistors to the junction between said first capacitor and said first resistor whereby said selected one of said third and fourth transistors is rendered conductive while said first capacitor charges when said selected one of said first and second transistors across the said current-carrying electrodes of which said series combination of said first capacitor and said first resistor is connected is nonconductive; means for connecting said control electrode of the other one of said third and fourth transistors to the junction between said second capacitor and said second transistor whereby said other one of said third and fourth transistors is rendered conductive while said second capacitor charges when the other one of said first and second transistors across the current carrying electrodes of which said series combination of said second capacitor and said second resistor is connected is nonconductive; and at least one common resistor included in said means for connecting said current carrying electrodes of said third And fourth transistors in parallel across said direct current potential source across which an output signal appears while either one of said third and fourth transistors is conducting.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
455 words
A circuit for producing two like polarity output signal pulses in response to each cycle of an alternating current input signal cycle comprising in combination with a direct current potential source: first and second transistors each having two current-carrying electrodes connected in parallel across said direct current potential source and a control electrode; means for interconnecting said control electrode of said second transistor and one of said current-carrying electrodes of said first transistors in such a manner that said second transistor is conductive when said first transistor is nonconductive and is nonconductive when said first transistor is conductive; means for applying said alternating current input signals across said control electrode and a selected one of said current-carrying electrodes of said first transistor for rendering said first transistor nonconductive during a selected one-half cycle of each one of said alternating current signal cycle and conductive during the other one-half cycle of each one of said alternating current signals; first and second capacitors; first and second resistors; means for connecting the series combination of said first capacitor and said first resistor across said current-carrying electrodes of a selected one of said first and second transistors; means for connecting the series combination of said second capacitor and said second resistor across said current-carrying electrodes of the other one of said first and second transistors; third and fourth transistors each having two current-carrying electrodes and a control electrode; means for connecting said current-carrying electrodes of said third and fourth transistors in parallel across said direct current potential source. means for connecting said control electrode of a selected one of said third and fourth transistors to the junction between said first capacitor and said first resistor whereby said selected one of said third and fourth transistors is rendered conductive while said first capacitor charges when said selected one of said first and second transistors across the said current-carrying electrodes of which said series combination of said first capacitor and said first resistor is connected is nonconductive; means for connecting said control electrode of the other one of said third and fourth transistors to the junction between said second capacitor and said second transistor whereby said other one of said third and fourth transistors is rendered conductive while said second capacitor charges when the other one of said first and second transistors across the current carrying electrodes of which said series combination of said second capacitor and said second resistor is connected is nonconductive; and at least one common resistor included in said means for connecting said current carrying electrodes of said third And fourth transistors in parallel across said direct current potential source across which an output signal appears while either one of said third and fourth transistors is conducting.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |