Booster circuit for ignition systems

Claim 2

In a booster circuit for use with an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, the ignition system including a voltage source, ignition means for igniting fuel in the engine in synchronism with engine operation, controllable switch means for selectively completing a circuit with the voltage source and the ignition means to ignite fuel in the engine, the switch means having a control terminal responsive to a control signal to actuate the switch means to complete the circuit, and a trigger pulse generator for generating a control signal applied to the control terminal for actuating the switch means, the combination therewith of: a booster power circuit having electronic circuitry including at least two outputs for providing booster energy at the outputs, first means for connecting one of the outputs of the booster circuit power with the circuit completed by the controllable switch means to assure producing of a suitable voltage applied to the ignition means to ignite fuel in the engine, and second means for connecting another output of the booster power circuit with the trigger pulse generator to provide an increased intensity control signal to assure actuation of the switch means.

Claim 3

The booster circuit of claim 1 in which the trigger pulse generator includes a magnetogenerator having a magnetic circuit, and the second means for connecting another output of the booster power circuit with the trigger pulse generator includes a booster coil connected in the magnetogenerator to which the booster energy is applied for increasing the magnetic energy in the magnetic circuit to provide an increased intensity control signal.

Claim 4

The booster circuit of claim 2 in which the first means connects the booster power circuit with the circuit of the voltage source to increase the electrical energy from the voltage source applied to the ignition means.

Claim 5

The booster circuit of claim 3 in which the booster power circuit is connected with the voltage source and the trigger pulse generator upon starting the engine.

Claim 6

The booster circuit of claim 1 in which the voltage source includes capacitive means and a magnetogenerator for charging the capacitive means, the switch means completing the circuit with the capacitive means and the ignition means for discharging the capacitive means through the ignition means, and the first means connects the booster power circuit to the circuit to charge the capacitive means.

Claim 7

The booster circuit of claim 5 in which the trigger pulse generator includes a magnetogenerator having a magnetic circuit, and the second means for connecting another output of the booster power circuit with the trigger pulse generator includes a booster coil in the trigger pulse generator to which the booster energy is applied for increasing the magnetic energy in the magnetic circuit to provide an increased intensity control signal by the trigger pulse generator.

Claim 8

The booster circuit of claim 1 in which the second means connects the booster power circuit with the trigger pulse generator by circuitry in the trigger pulse generator which increases the intensity of the control signal to actuate the switch means.

Claim 9

The booster circuit of claim 7 in which the circuitry in the trigger pulse generator includes a booster coil responsive to the booster energy from the booster power circuit.

Claim 10

The booster circuit of claim 1 in which the trigger pulse generator includes a magnetic circuit with a magnet pole and a conductor rotated past each other in synchronism with engine operation to generate the control signal in the conductor, and the second means for connecting another output of the booster power Circuit with the trigger pulse generator includes a booster coil which is interposed in the magnetic circuit of the trigger pulse generator for increasing the energy in the magnetic circuit to provide an increased intensity control signal in the conductor to actuate the switch means.

Claim 11

The booster circuit of claim 9 in which the voltage source comprises a magnetogenerator and the first means connects one of the outputs of the booster power circuit to the output of the magnetogenerator.

Claim 12

The booster circuit of claim 9 in which the magnet pole is rotated relative to the conductor, and the booster coil is positioned coaxial with the axis of rotation of the magnet pole.

Claim 13

The booster circuit of claim 9 in which the magnet pole is supported by and rotates with a shaft, and the booster coil encircles the shaft and creates a magnetic flux which increases the magnetic flux of the magnet pole.

Claim 14

The booster circuit of claim 12 in which the booster coil is supported by a nonrotatable structure.

Claim 15

The booster circuit of claim 1 in which the booster power circuit includes a source of voltage, oscillator means responsive to the source of voltage for generating a series of pulses and rectifier means for providing output pulses of one polarity.

Claim 16

The booster circuit of claim 14 in which the oscillator means comprises a blocking oscillator.

Claim 17

The booster circuit of claim 14 in which the rectifier means includes an electronic switch having a control element responsive to a predetermined voltage and means connected in the circuit of the control element for permitting passage of current to the control element in response to a voltage in excess of a predetermined level, and energy storage means responsive to the output of the oscillator means for charging to a voltage in excess of the predetermined level applied to the means connected in the circuit of the control element for actuating the electronic switch by the predetermined voltage to permit discharge of the energy storage means through the electronic switch to provide pulses of booster energy.

Claim 18

In a booster circuit for use with an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, the ignition system including a voltage source, ignition means for igniting fuel in the engine in synchronism with engine operation, controllable switch means for selectively completing a circuit with the voltage source and the ignition means to ignite fuel in the engine, the switch means having a control terminal responsive to a control signal to actuate the switch means to complete the circuit, and a trigger pulse generator for generating a control signal applied to the control terminals for actuating the switch means and including a magnetic circuit with a magnet pole and a conductor rotated past each other in synchronism with engine operation to generate the control signal in the conductor, the combination therewith of: a booster power circuit having electronic circuitry including at least one output for providing booster energy at the output, and means for connecting the output with the trigger pulse generator to increase the intensity of the control signal to assure actuation of the switch means, the means for connecting the output of the booster power circuit with the trigger pulse generator including a booster coil which is interposed in the magnetic circuit of the trigger pulse generator for increasing the energy in the magnetic circuit to provide an increased intensity control signal in the conductor to actuate the switch means.

Claim 19

In a booster circuit for use with an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, the ignition system including a voltage source, ignition means for igniting fuel in the engine in synchronism with engine operation, controllable switch means for selectively completing a circuit with the voltage source and the ignition means to ignite fuel in the engine, the switch means having a control terminal responsive to a control signal to actuate the switch means to complete the circuit, and a trigger pulse generator for generating a control signal applied to the control terminals for actuating the switch means and including a magnetic circuit with a magnet pole and a conductor rotated past each other in synchronism with engine operation to generate the control signal in the conductor, the combination therewith of: a booster power circuit having electronic circuitry including at least one output for providing booster energy at the output, and means for connecting the output with the trigger pulse generator to increase the intensity of the control signal to assure actuation of the switch means, the means for connecting the output of the booster power circuit with the trigger pulse generator including a booster coil which is interposed in the magnetic circuit of the trigger pulse generator for increasing the energy in the magnetic circuit to provide an increased intensity control signal in the conductor to actuate the switch means.

Claim 20

The booster circuit of claim 17 in which the magnet pole is rotated relative to the conductor, and the booster coil is positioned coaxial with the axis of rotation of the magnet pole.

Claim 21

The booster circuit of claim 17 in which the magnet pole is supported by and rotates with a shaft, and the booster coil encircles the shaft and creates a magnetic flux which increases the magnetic flux of the magnet pole.