Ignition arrangements for internal combustion engines

Claim 2

In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, in combination, spark plug means; ignition capacitor means adapted to be charged and then discharged so as to produce a single spark at said spark plug means for igniting a combustible mixture with said single spark; oscillator means connected to said capacitor means for applying charging pulses to said capacitor means; pulse-operated, normally non-conductive electronic switch means in circuit with said ignition capacitor means and operative to permit discharge of the latter when said electronic switch means is in conductive state, said electronic switch means having a deionization period; pulse generator means coupled to said engine and connected with said electronic switch means for generating control pulses and applying such pulses individually to said electronic switch means and each for the duration of a first time interval for thereby rendering said electronic switch means conductive, the frequency of generation of said control pulses being dependent on the operation of said engine; and auxiliary switch means connected with said oscillator means and with said pulse generator means and including electric timer means controlled by the respective control pulse for preventing charging of said ignition capacitor means for the duration of a second time interval subsequent to said first time interval independent of the timing of the discharge of said capacitor and at least equalling the de-ionization period of said electronic switch means, the frequency of generation of said control pulses corresponding to the frequency of sparks produced at said spark plug means, and the frequency of said charging pulses being substantially higher than the frequency of said control pulses and of said sparks.

Claim 3

An arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said timer means is a monostable multivibrator.

Claim 4

An arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said electronic switch means has a control electrode, said control electrode being connected to operate said auxiliary switch means.

Claim 5

An arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein said electronic switch means is a thyristor and said pulse generator means is an engine operated circuit interrupter.

Claim 6

An arrangement as defined in claim 4, further including a direct current source; series connected control resistor and control capacitor, wherein said control capacitor and the cathode of said thyristor are connected to the negative pole of said direct current source; an input transistor of which the emitter collector path is connected between said control resistoR and the positive pole of said DC source; a control transistor of which the emitter collector path is connected between the junction between said control resistor and capacitor and the control electrode of said thyristor; at least one diode connected non-conductively between the base of said control transistor and the junction between said control resistor and said emitter collector path of said input transistor; at least one first resistor connecting the base of said input transistor to the positive pole of said direct current source; and at least one second resistor connected in series with said circuit interrupter, said second resistor and said circuit interrupter being connected between the base of said input transistor and the negative pole of said direct current source.

Claim 7

An arrangement as defined in claim 5, including a voltage setting resistor shunted across said series connected control resistor and capacitor.

Claim 8

An arrangement as defined in claim 5, including two series connected resistors connected between the collector of said control transistor and the cathode of said thyristor, and the common junction between said two series connected resistors being connected to said thyristor control electrode.

Claim 9

An arrangement as defined in claim 5, including at least one first diode connected between the anode of said thyristor and the common junction between said series connected control resistor and capacitor, the cathode of said first diode being connected to said thyristor anode.

Claim 10

An arrangement as defined in claim 8, including a resistor connected in series with said first diode.

Claim 11

An arrangement as defined in claim 8, including series connected capacitor and resistor shunted across the anode cathode path of said thyristor.

Claim 12

An arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for charging is a DC to AC converter having an input and an output, said input comprising at least one primary winding and at least one control winding and said output having a secondary winding; a common core for said windings; a switching transistor of which the emitter collector path is connected in series with said primary winding across said direct current; means connecting the base of said switching transistor to said control winding; and a charging diode connecting said secondary winding to said ignition capacitor means to form for the latter a charging current path composed of said secondary winding, charging diode, and ignition capacitor means.

Claim 13

An arrangement as defined in claim 11, including a diode non-conductively connecting the base of said switching transistor to one pole of said direct current source; two series connected resistors connected across said direct current source, said control winding being connected to the common junction between said two series connected resistors, whereby the base of said switching transistor is connected through said control winding to said common junction.

Claim 14

An arrangement as defined in claim 11, wherein said input and output are respectively low and high voltage, and said auxiliary switching means comprises a switching path, said switching path being connected in said input.

Claim 15

An arrangement as defined in claim 11, wherein said auxiliary switching means comprises a switching path, and said switching path and said secondary winding are connected in series.

Claim 16

An arrangement as defined in claim 11, wherein said auxiliary switching means comprises a switching path, and said switching path is connected in shunt with said secondary winding.

Claim 17

An arrangement as defined in claim 15, including a resistor connected in series with said switching path, said series connected resistor and switching path being shunted across said secondary winding.

Claim 18

An arrangement as defined in claim 2, wherein said electronic switch means has a control electrode, said control electrode being connected to operate said auxiliary switch means; and further including a direct current source; An input and an output transistor comprised by said multivibrator, the emitter of said input transistor being connected to one pole of said direct current source; a resistor connecting the collector of said input transistor to the other pole of said direct current source; a feedback capacitor connecting the collector of said input transistor to the base of said output transistor; a resistor connecting the base of said output transistor to said other pole of said direct current source; a feedback resistor connecting the base of said input transistor to the collector of said output transistor; an emitter resistor connecting the emitter of said output transistor to said one pole of said direct current source, the collector of said output transistor being connected to said other pole of said direct current source.

Claim 19

An arrangement as defined in claim 17, including a resistor connected between the collector of said output transistor and said other pole.

Claim 20

An arrangement as defined in claim 17, wherein said input and output transistors are both NPN type, the collector and emitter of both said transistors being respectively connected to the positive and negative poles of said direct current source.

Claim 21

An arrangement as defined in claim 13, wherein said auxiliary switch means is a transistor of which the emitter collector path forms a switching path.

Claim 22

An arrangement as defined in claim 13, wherein said auxiliary switch means comprises a switching path, said switching path being connected between the base of said switching transistor and said control winding.

Claim 23

An arrangement as defined in claim 14, wherein said auxiliary switch means is a thyristor and the cathode anode path thereof comprises said switching path.

Claim 24

In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, in combination, ignition capacitor means adapted to be charged and then to be discharged so as to produce an ignition causing spark; means for charging said ignition capacitor means; pulse operated, normally non-conductive, electronic switch means in circuit with said ignition capacitor means to permit discharge of the latter when conductive, said electronic switch means having a de-ionization period; pulse generator means for control pulses in dependence on engine operation to render said electronic switch means conductive; auxiliary switch means controlled by said control pulses for preventing charging of said ignition capacitor means for at least the duration of said de-ionization period of said electronic switch means, whereby the latter can become non-conductive in the intervals between said control pulses; electrical timing means for determining the duration during which said auxiliary switch means prevents charging of said ignition capacitor means, said timing means being a monostable multivibrator, said electronic switch means having a control electrode, said control electrode being connected to operate said auxiliary switch means; a direct current source; an input and an output transistor comprised by said multivibrator, the emitter of said input transistor being connected to one pole of said direct current source; a resistor connecting the collector of said input transistor to the other pole of said direct current source; a feedback capacitor connecting the collector of said input transistor to the base of said output transistor; a resistor connecting the base of said output transistor to said other pole of said direct current source; a feedback resistor connecting the base of said input transistor to the collector of said output transistor; an emitter resistor connecting the emitter of said output transistor to said one pole of said direct current source, the collector of said output transistor being connected to said other pole of said direct current source, said electronic switch means being a thyristor and said pulse generator means being an engine operated circuit interrupter; series connected control resistor and control capacitor, wherein said control caPacitor and the cathode of said thyristor are connected to the negative pole of said direct current source; a further input transistor of which the emitter collector path is connected between said control resistor and the positive pole of said direct current source; a control transistor of which the emitter collector path is connected between the junction between said control resistor and capacitor and the control electrode of said thyristor; at least one diode connected non-conductively between the base of the control transistor and the junction between said control resistor and said emitter collector path of said further input transistor; at least one first resistor connecting the base of said input transistor to the positive pole of said direct current source; at least one second resistor connected in series with said circuit interrupter, said second resistor and said circuit interrupter being connected between the base of said further input transistor and the negative pole of said direct current source; a diode connecting said thyristor control electrode to the base of said multivibrator input transistor to conduct only positive pulses to said base.

Claim 25

In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, in combination, ignition capacitor means adapted to be charged and then to be discharged so as to produce an ignition causing spark; means for charging said ignition capacitor means; pulse operated, normally non-conductive, electronic switch means in circuit with said ignition capacitor means to permit discharge of the latter when conductive, said electronic switch means having a de-ionization period; pulse generator means for control pulses in dependence on engine operation to render said electronic switch means conductive; auxiliary switch means controlled by said control pulses for preventing charging of said ignition capacitor means for at least the duration of said de-ionization period of said electronic switch means, whereby the latter can become non-conductive in the intervals between said control pulses; electrical timing means for determining the duration during which said auxiliary switch means prevents charging of said ignition capacitor means, said timing means being a monostable multivibrator, said electronic switch means having a control electrode, said control electrode being connected to operate said auxiliary switch means; a direct current source; an input and an output transistor comprised by said multivibrator, the emitter of said input transistor being connected to one pole of said direct current source; a resistor connecting the collector of said input transistor to the other pole of said direct current source; a feedback capacitor connecting the collector of said input transistor to the base of said output transistor; a resistor connecting the base of said output transistor to said other pole of said direct current source; a feedback resistor connecting the base of said input transistor to the collector of said output transistor; an emitter resistor connecting the emitter of said output transistor to said one pole of said direct current source, the collector of said output transistor being connected to said other pole of said direct current source, said electronic switch means being a thyristor and said pulse generator means being an engine operated circuit interrupter; series connected control resistor and control capacitor, wherein said control caPacitor and the cathode of said thyristor are connected to the negative pole of said direct current source; a further input transistor of which the emitter collector path is connected between said control resistor and the positive pole of said direct current source; a control transistor of which the emitter collector path is connected between the junction between said control resistor and capacitor and the control electrode of said thyristor; at least one diode connected non-conductively between the base of the control transistor and the junction between said control resistor and said emitter collector path of said further input transistor; at least one first resistor connecting the base of said input transistor to the positive pole of said direct current source; at least one second resistor connected in series with said circuit interrupter, said second resistor and said circuit interrupter being connected between the base of said further input transistor and the negative pole of said direct current source; a diode connecting said thyristor control electrode to the base of said multivibrator input transistor to conduct only positive pulses to said base.

Claim 26

In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, in combination, ignition capacitor means adapted to be charged and then to be discharged so as to produce an ignition causing spark; means for charging said ignition capacitor means; pulse operated, normally non-conductive, electronic switch means in circuit with said ignition capacitor means to permit discharge of the latter when conductive, said electronic switch means having a deionization period; pulse generator means for generating pulses in dependence on engine operation to render said electronic switch means conductive; auxiliary switch means controlled by said single control pulse for preventing charging of said ignition capacitor means for at least the duration of said de-ionization period of said electronic switch means, whereby the latter can become non-conductive in the intervals between said control pulses; electrical timing means for determining the duration during which said auxiliary switch means prevents charging of said ignition capacitor means, said timing means being a mono-stable multivibrator, said electronic switch means having a control electrode, said control electrode being connected to operate said auxiliary switch means; a direct current source; an input and an output transistor comprised by said multivibrator, the emitter of said input transistor being connected to one pole of said direct current source; a resistor connecting the collector of said input transistor to the other pole of said direct current source; a feedback capacitor connecting the collector of said input transistor to the base of said output transistor; a resistor connecting the base of said output transistor to said other pole of said direct current source; a feedback resistor connecting the base of said input transistor to the collector of said output transistor; an emitter resistor connecting the emitter of said output transistor to said one pole of said direct current source, the collector of said output transistor being connected to said other pole of said direct current source, said input and output transistors being both npn type, the collector and the emitter of both said transistors being respectively connected to the positive and negative poles of said direct current source, said means for charging being a DC to AC converter having a low voltage input and a high voltage output, said input comprising at least one primary winding and at least one control winding and said output having a secondary winding, and wherein said auxiliary switch means comprises a switching path, said switching path being connected in said input; and further including a common core for said winding; a switching transistor of which the emitter collector path is connected in series with said primary winding across said direct current source; means connecting the base of said switching tranSistor to said control winding; a charging diode connecting said secondary winding to said ignition capacitor means to form for the latter a charging current path composed of said secondary winding, charging diode, and ignition capacitor means; a diode non-conductively connecting the base of said switching transistor to one pole of said direct current source; two series connected resistors connected across said direct current source, said control winding means connected to the common junction between said two series connected resistors, whereby the base of said switching transistor is connected through said control winding to said common junction, and wherein said auxiliary switch means is an NPN transistor of which the collector is connected to said control winding, the emitter to the base of said switching transistor, and the base to the output transistor of said multivibrator.

Claim 27

In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, in combination, ignition capacitor means adapted to be charged and then to be discharged so as to produce an ignition causing spark; means for charging said ignition capacitor means; pulse operated, normally non-conductive, electronic switch means in circuit with said ignition capacitor means to permit discharge of the latter when conductive, said electronic switch means having a deionization period; pulse generator means for generating pulses in dependence on engine operation to render said electronic switch means conductive; auxiliary switch means controlled by said single control pulse for preventing charging of said ignition capacitor means for at least the duration of said de-ionization period of said electronic switch means, whereby the latter can become non-conductive in the intervals between said control pulses; electrical timing means for determining the duration during which said auxiliary switch means prevents charging of said ignition capacitor means, said timing means being a mono-stable multivibrator, said electronic switch means having a control electrode, said control electrode being connected to operate said auxiliary switch means; a direct current source; an input and an output transistor comprised by said multivibrator, the emitter of said input transistor being connected to one pole of said direct current source; a resistor connecting the collector of said input transistor to the other pole of said direct current source; a feedback capacitor connecting the collector of said input transistor to the base of said output transistor; a resistor connecting the base of said output transistor to said other pole of said direct current source; a feedback resistor connecting the base of said input transistor to the collector of said output transistor; an emitter resistor connecting the emitter of said output transistor to said one pole of said direct current source, the collector of said output transistor being connected to said other pole of said direct current source, said input and output transistors being both npn type, the collector and the emitter of both said transistors being respectively connected to the positive and negative poles of said direct current source, said means for charging being a DC to AC converter having a low voltage input and a high voltage output, said input comprising at least one primary winding and at least one control winding and said output having a secondary winding, and wherein said auxiliary switch means comprises a switching path, said switching path being connected in said input; and further including a common core for said winding; a switching transistor of which the emitter collector path is connected in series with said primary winding across said direct current source; means connecting the base of said switching tranSistor to said control winding; a charging diode connecting said secondary winding to said ignition capacitor means to form for the latter a charging current path composed of said secondary winding, charging diode, and ignition capacitor means; a diode non-conductively connecting the base of said switching transistor to one pole of said direct current source; two series connected resistors connected across said direct current source, said control winding means connected to the common junction between said two series connected resistors, whereby the base of said switching transistor is connected through said control winding to said common junction, and wherein said auxiliary switch means is an NPN transistor of which the collector is connected to said control winding, the emitter to the base of said switching transistor, and the base to the output transistor of said multivibrator.

Claim 28

In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, in combination, ignition capacitor means adapted to be charged and then to be discharged so as to produce an ignition causing spark; means for charging said ignition capacitor means; pulse operated, normally non-conductive, electronic switch means in circuit with said ignition capacitor means to permit discharge of the latter when conductive, said electronic switch means having a de-ionization period; pulse generator means for generating pulses in dependence on engine operation to render said electronic switch means conductive; auxiliary switch means controlled by said pulses for preventing charging of said ignition capacitor means for at least the duration of said de-ionization period of said electronic switch means, whereby the latter can become non-conductive in the intervals between said pulses, said means for charging being a DC to AC converter having an input and an output, said input comprising at least one primary winding and at least one control winding and said output having a secondary winding; a common core for said winding; a switching transistor of which the emitter collector path is connected in series with said primary winding across said direct current source; means connecting the base of said switching transistor to said control winding; a charging diode connecting said secondary winding to said ignition capacitor means to form for the latter a charging current path composed of said secondary winding, charging diodes and ignition capacitor means, said auxiliary switching means comprising a switching path, and said switching path and said secondary winding being connected in series, said auxiliary switching means being a thyristor and the cathode-anode path thereof comprising said switching path; monostable multivibrator timing means for determining the duration during which said auxiliary switch means prevents charging of said ignition capacitor means, and wherein said electrical switch means has a control electrode, said control electrode being connected to operate said auxiliary switch means; and further including a direct current source; an NPN input and an NPN output transistor comprised by said multivibrator, the emitter of said input transistor being connected to the negative pole of said direct current source; a resistor connecting the collector of said input transistor to the positive pole of said direct current source; a feedback capacitor connecting the collector of said input transistor to the base of said output transistor; a resistor connecting the base of said output transistor to said positive pole of said direct current source; a feedback resistor connecting the base of said input transistor to the collector of said output transistor; an emitter resistor connecting the emitter of said output transistor to the negative pole of said direct current source, the collector of said output transistor being connected to the positive pole of said direct current source; and wherein the control electrode and the cathode of said thyristor are respectively connected to the emitter of said multivibrator outpUt transistor and to said charging diode; a diode of which the anode is connected to the cathode of said thyristor and the cathode is connected to the terminal of said emitter resistor remote from the emitter of said multivibrator output transistor.

Claim 29

In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, in combination, ignition capacitor means adapted to be charged and then to be discharged so as to produce an ignition causing spark; means for charging said ignition capacitor means; pulse operated, normally non-conductive, electronic switch means in circuit with said ignition capacitor means to permit discharge of the latter when conductive, said electronic switch means having a de-ionization period; pulse generator means for generating pulses in dependence on engine operation to render said electronic switch means conductive; auxiliary switch means controlled by said pulses for preventing charging of said ignition capacitor means for at least the duration of said de-ionization period of said electronic switch means, whereby the latter can become non-conductive in the intervals between said pulses, said means for charging being a DC to AC converter having an input and an output, said input comprising at least one primary winding and at least one control winding and said output having a secondary winding; a common core for said winding; a switching transistor of which the emitter collector path is connected in series with said primary winding across said direct current source; means connecting the base of said switching transistor to said control winding; a charging diode connecting said secondary winding to said ignition capacitor means to form for the latter a charging current path composed of said secondary winding, charging diodes and ignition capacitor means, said auxiliary switching means comprising a switching path, and said switching path and said secondary winding being connected in series, said auxiliary switching means being a thyristor and the cathode-anode path thereof comprising said switching path; monostable multivibrator timing means for determining the duration during which said auxiliary switch means prevents charging of said ignition capacitor means, and wherein said electrical switch means has a control electrode, said control electrode being connected to operate said auxiliary switch means; and further including a direct current source; an NPN input and an NPN output transistor comprised by said multivibrator, the emitter of said input transistor being connected to the negative pole of said direct current source; a resistor connecting the collector of said input transistor to the positive pole of said direct current source; a feedback capacitor connecting the collector of said input transistor to the base of said output transistor; a resistor connecting the base of said output transistor to said positive pole of said direct current source; a feedback resistor connecting the base of said input transistor to the collector of said output transistor; an emitter resistor connecting the emitter of said output transistor to the negative pole of said direct current source, the collector of said output transistor being connected to the positive pole of said direct current source; and wherein the control electrode and the cathode of said thyristor are respectively connected to the emitter of said multivibrator outpUt transistor and to said charging diode; a diode of which the anode is connected to the cathode of said thyristor and the cathode is connected to the terminal of said emitter resistor remote from the emitter of said multivibrator output transistor.

Claim 30

In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, in combination, ignition capacitor means adapted to be charged and then to be discharged so as to produce an ignition causing spark; means for charging said ignition capacitor means; pulse operated, normally non-conductive, electronic switch means in circuit with said ignition capacitor means to permit discharge of the latter when conductive, said electronic switch means having a de-ionization period; pulse generator means for generating pulses in dependence on engine operation to render said electric switch means conductive; auxiliary switch means controlled by said pulses for preventing charging of said ignition capacitor means for at least the duration of said de-ionization period of said electronic switch means, whereby the latter can become non-conductive in the intervals between said pulses, said means for charging being a DC to AC converter having an input and an output, said output comprising at least one primary winding and at least one control winding and said output having a secondary winding; a common core for said windings; a switching transistor of which the emitter-collector path is connected in series with said primary winding across said direct current source; means connecting the base of said switching transistor to said control winding; a charging diode connecting said secondary winding to said ignition capacitor means to form for the latter a charging current path composed of said secondary winding, charging diode, and ignition capacitor means, said auxiliary switching means comprising a switching path, and said switching path being connected in shunt with said secondary winding; monostable multivibrator timing means for determining the duration during which said auxiliary switching means prevents charging of said ignition capacitor means, and wherein said electrical switch means has a control electrode, said control electrode being connected to operate said auxiliary switch means; and further including a direct current source; an NPN input and an NPN output transistor comprised by said multivibrator, the emitter of said input transistor being connected to the negative pole of said direct current source; a resistor connecting the collector of said input transistor to the positive pole of said direct current source; a feedback capacitor connecting the collector of said input transistor to the base of said output transistor; a resistor connecting the base of said output transistor to said positive pole of said direct current source; a feedback resistor connecting the base of said input resistor to the collector of said output transistor; an emitter resistor connecting the emitter of said output transistor to the negative pole of said direct current source; the collector of said output transistor being connected to the positive pole of said direct current source, and wherein said auxiliary switch means is a thyristor and the cathode anode path thereof comprises said switching path, one end of said secondary winding being connected to the anode of said charging diode, the anode of said thyristor being connected to said one end of said secondary winding, and the cathode of said thyristor being connected to the other end of said secondary winding; and further including a resistor connecting said thyristor control electrode to said thyristor cathode; a transistor of which the collector is connected to said thyristor control electrode, the base is connected to the emitter of said multivibrator output transistor, and the emitter is connected to the positive pole of said direct current source.

Claim 31

In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, in combination, ignition capacitor means adapted to be charged and then to be discharged so as to produce an ignition causing spark; means for charging said ignition capacitor means; pulse operated, normally non-conductive, electronic switch means in circuit with said ignition capacitor means to permit discharge of the latter when conductive, said electronic switch means having a de-ionization period; pulse generator means for generating pulses in dependence on engine operation to render said electric switch means conductive; auxiliary switch means controlled by said pulses for preventing charging of said ignition capacitor means for at least the duration of said de-ionization period of said electronic switch means, whereby the latter can become non-conductive in the intervals between said pulses, said means for charging being a DC to AC converter having an input and an output, said output comprising at least one primary winding and at least one control winding and said output having a secondary winding; a common core for said windings; a switching transistor of which the emitter-collector path is connected in series with said primary winding across said direct current source; means connecting the base of said switching transistor to said control winding; a charging diode connecting said secondary winding to said ignition capacitor means to form for the latter a charging current path composed of said secondary winding, charging diode, and ignition capacitor means, said auxiliary switching means comprising a switching path, and said switching path being connected in shunt with said secondary winding; monostable multivibrator timing means for determining the duration during which said auxiliary switching means prevents charging of said ignition capacitor means, and wherein said electrical switch means has a control electrode, said control electrode being connected to operate said auxiliary switch means; and further including a direct current source; an NPN input and an NPN output transistor comprised by said multivibrator, the emitter of said input transistor being connected to the negative pole of said direct current source; a resistor connecting the collector of said input transistor to the positive pole of said direct current source; a feedback capacitor connecting the collector of said input transistor to the base of said output transistor; a resistor connecting the base of said output transistor to said positive pole of said direct current source; a feedback resistor connecting the base of said input resistor to the collector of said output transistor; an emitter resistor connecting the emitter of said output transistor to the negative pole of said direct current source; the collector of said output transistor being connected to the positive pole of said direct current source, and wherein said auxiliary switch means is a thyristor and the cathode anode path thereof comprises said switching path, one end of said secondary winding being connected to the anode of said charging diode, the anode of said thyristor being connected to said one end of said secondary winding, and the cathode of said thyristor being connected to the other end of said secondary winding; and further including a resistor connecting said thyristor control electrode to said thyristor cathode; a transistor of which the collector is connected to said thyristor control electrode, the base is connected to the emitter of said multivibrator output transistor, and the emitter is connected to the positive pole of said direct current source.

Claim 32

An arrangement as defined in claim 26, including a resistor connecting the emitter of said transistor to the positive pole of said direct current sourcE.