US3716037A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Capacitive discharge ignition system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-10-15
•
Granted: 1973-02-13
•
Expires: 1989-10-15
Abstract
Abstract An ignition system for internal combustion engines utilizing a capacitive discharge to supply energy to the spark plugs. Charging and discharging of the capacitor is controlled by a circuit utilizing a silicon controlled rectifier which operates in response to the contact breaker for turning on and in response to positive back-biasing for turning off. The system automatically adjusts spark characteristics to accommodate changes in engine environment and running conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 C Jacobs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 02:51
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02P; F02P3/00; F02P3/06; F02P3/08; F02P3/0876; F02P3/0884
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
An ignition system for internal combustion engines comprising: a high voltage power supply; a capacitive means for storing electric energy coupled to the power supply; means for coupling the capacitive means to an ignition coil; control circuit means including an electronic switch coupled to the coupling means and the capacitive means for closing the switch to discharge said capacitive means; and first circuit means including an inductor coupled in series with the capacitive means and the ignition coil, said inductor having an inductance value of a magnitude sufficient to limit the current flowing through the electronic switch during discharge of the capacitor means independent of the effective inductance of the ignition coil and sufficient to back bias the switch after discharge of the capacitor means a sufficient length of time independent of the effective inductance of the ignition coil to thereby permit the capacitive means to be recharged.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
An ignition system for internal combustion engines comprising: a high voltage power supply; a capacitive means for storing electric energy coupled to the power supply; means for coupling the capacitive means to an ignition coil; control circuit means including an electronic switch coupled to the coupling means and the capacitive means for closing the switch to discharge said capacitive means; and first circuit means including an inductor coupled in series with the capacitive means and the ignition coil, said inductor having an inductance value of a magnitude sufficient to limit the current flowing through the electronic switch during discharge of the capacitor means independent of the effective inductance of the ignition coil and sufficient to back bias the switch after discharge of the capacitor means a sufficient length of time independent of the effective inductance of the ignition coil to thereby permit the capacitive means to be recharged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
148 words
An ignition system for internal combustion engines comprising: a high voltage power supply; a capacitive means for storing electric energy coupled to the power supply; means for coupling the capacitive means to an ignition coil; control circuit means including an electronic switch coupled to the coupling means and the capacitive means for closing the switch to discharge said capacitive means; and first circuit means including an inductor coupled in series with the capacitive means and the ignition coil, said inductor having an inductance value of a magnitude sufficient to limit the current flowing through the electronic switch during discharge of the capacitor means independent of the effective inductance of the ignition coil and sufficient to back bias the switch after discharge of the capacitor means a sufficient length of time independent of the effective inductance of the ignition coil to thereby permit the capacitive means to be recharged.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
148 words
An ignition system for internal combustion engines comprising: a high voltage power supply; a capacitive means for storing electric energy coupled to the power supply; means for coupling the capacitive means to an ignition coil; control circuit means including an electronic switch coupled to the coupling means and the capacitive means for closing the switch to discharge said capacitive means; and first circuit means including an inductor coupled in series with the capacitive means and the ignition coil, said inductor having an inductance value of a magnitude sufficient to limit the current flowing through the electronic switch during discharge of the capacitor means independent of the effective inductance of the ignition coil and sufficient to back bias the switch after discharge of the capacitor means a sufficient length of time independent of the effective inductance of the ignition coil to thereby permit the capacitive means to be recharged.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ignition system according to claim 1 wherein the electronic switch is a silicon controlled rectifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
An ignition system according to claim 2 wherein the silicon controlled rectifier has an anode, a cathode and a gate electrode, including first means for biasing the gate negatively with respect to the cathode and second means for simultaneously biasing the anode negatively with respect to gate and cathode during the back biasing interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
An ignition system according to claim 3 wherein said first and second biasing means are a pair of diodes, said pair of diodes being connected in series circuit relationship between a source of reference voltage and the anode of the silicon controlled rectifier, the gate of the silicon controlled rectifier being connected to the junction between the series connected diodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An ignition system according to claim 4 including second circuit means coupled to the first circuit means and the silicon controlled rectifier for preventing high voltage spike signals present in the ignition system from reaching the silicon controlled rectifier.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
An ignition system according to claim 5 wherein the second circuit means includes a unidirectional current carrying device connected so as to conduct current in a direction away from the silicon controlled rectifier.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-13 | 1976-08-14 | 1977-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-13 | 1980-08-14 | 1981-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-13 | 1984-08-14 | 1985-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |