US3722489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic relay and ignition system utilizing same
Assignee: Howard Associates Inc
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Filing: 1969-03-13
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1989-03-13
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure describes an electronic relay which is particularly adapted for use with a capacitor discharge ignition system to control the supply of current from the battery to the capacitor discharge ignition system. The electronic relay may include first means for at least substantially preventing the flow of electrical energy from the battery to the capacitor discharge ignition means and second means electrically connectible to the ignition switch and responsive to receiving electrical energy therefrom when the ignition switch is closed to permit the flow of the electrical energy from the source of electrical energy to the capacitor discharge means.
Inventors
- 👤 H Howard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 03:20
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02P; F02P3/00; F02P3/06; F02P3/08; F02P3/0876; F02P3/0884
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
In an ignition system electrically connectible to a source of electrical energy and including an ignition switch electrically connectible to the source of electrical energy, a coil having primary and secondary windings, a resistor connected between the ignition switch and the primary winding of the coil, a capacitor discharge ignition circuit for supplying electrical energy from the source of electrical energy to the primary winding, the improvement comprising: conductor means electrically connectible to the source of electrical energy and to the capacitor discharge ignition circuit to supply electrical energy from the source of electrical energy to the capacitor discharge ignition circuit; and semiconductor means in said conductor means for at least substantially preventing the flow of current from the source through said conductor means to said capacitor discharge ignition circuit when the ignition switch is open; and second means coupled to the ignition switch to receive current from the electrical energy source through the ignition switch when the ignition switch is closed and responsive to receiving electrical current from the ignition switch when the latter is closed to render said semiconductor means conductive to permit flow of current from the electrical energy source through said conductor means to the capacitor discharge ignition circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
In an ignition system electrically connectible to a source of electrical energy and including an ignition switch electrically connectible to the source of electrical energy, a coil having primary and secondary windings, a resistor connected between the ignition switch and the primary winding of the coil, a capacitor discharge ignition circuit for supplying electrical energy from the source of electrical energy to the primary winding, the improvement comprising: conductor means electrically connectible to the source of electrical energy and to the capacitor discharge ignition circuit to supply electrical energy from the source of electrical energy to the capacitor discharge ignition circuit; and semiconductor means in said conductor means for at least substantially preventing the flow of current from the source through said conductor means to said capacitor discharge ignition circuit when the ignition switch is open; and second means coupled to the ignition switch to receive current from the electrical energy source through the ignition switch when the ignition switch is closed and responsive to receiving electrical current from the ignition switch when the latter is closed to render said semiconductor means conductive to permit flow of current from the electrical energy source through said conductor means to the capacitor discharge ignition circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
125 words
An improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said semiconductor means includes a first transistor in said conductor means for normally blocking the flow of current from said electrical energy source through said conductor means to said capacitor discharge ignition circuit and said second means includes a second transistor having the base thereof electrically connectible to the ignition switch, said transistors being of different polarities, said improvement also including circuit means for electrically connecting the transistors whereby the current from said ignition switch renders said second transistor conductive and the current then flowing in said circuit means renders the first transistor conductive to thereby permit supply of electrical energy from the source of electrical energy through said conductor means to said capacitor discharge ignition circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An improvement as defined in claim 2 including means for causing the second transistor for drawing significantly less current than said first transistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
119 words
A vehicle ignition system of the type having an ignition switCh electrically connectible to a source of electrical energy, said vehicle ignition system comprising: capacitor discharge ignition means electrically connectible to the source of electrical energy for supplying pulses of electrical energy for use in producing ignition sparks; semiconductor means for at least substantially preventing the flow of electrical energy from the source of electrical energy to said capacitor discharge ignition means; and control means electrically connectible to the ignition switch and responsive to receiving electrical energy therefrom when the ignition switch is closed to render said semiconductor means conductive to permit the flow of electrical energy from the source of electrical energy to the capacitor discharge ignition means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
119 words
A vehicle ignition system of the type having an ignition switCh electrically connectible to a source of electrical energy, said vehicle ignition system comprising: capacitor discharge ignition means electrically connectible to the source of electrical energy for supplying pulses of electrical energy for use in producing ignition sparks; semiconductor means for at least substantially preventing the flow of electrical energy from the source of electrical energy to said capacitor discharge ignition means; and control means electrically connectible to the ignition switch and responsive to receiving electrical energy therefrom when the ignition switch is closed to render said semiconductor means conductive to permit the flow of electrical energy from the source of electrical energy to the capacitor discharge ignition means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
An ignition system as defined in claim 4 wherein said control means is also responsive to the failure of said control means to receive electrical energy from the ignition switch as a result of the opening of the ignition switch to cause said semiconductor means to return to its substantially nonconductive state in which the semiconductor means substantially prevents flow of electrical energy from the source of electrical energy to the capacitor ignition discharge system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A vehicle ignition system as defined in claim 4 wherein said control means includes semiconductor means responsive to receiving electrical energy from the ignition switch when the latter is closed to render the first mentioned semiconductor means conductive.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
106 words
A vehicle ignition system as defined in claim 4 wherein said semiconductor means includes a PNP transistor and said second means includes an NPN transistor and circuit means for interconnecting the collector of the NPN transistor to the base of the PNP transistor, the base of the NPN transistor being electrically connectible to the ignition switch whereby closing of the ignition switch supplies current to the base of the NPN transistor to render the latter conductive to permit current to flow in said circuit means to thereby render the PNP transistor conductive to permit the supply of electrical energy therethrough to the capacitor discharge ignition means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
A vehicle ignition system as defined in claim 4 wherein said capacitor discharge ignition means includes means for increasing the voltage of the electrical energy supplied thereto by the source of electrical energy, a capacitor for receiving the electrical energy of increased voltage and chargeable in response thereto, and means for causing said capacitor to discharge the electrical energy stored therein to supply electrical energy for the production of an ignition spark.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
An ignition system as defined in claim 4 including a first conductor for electrically interconnecting the semiconductor means and the source of electrical energy and second conductor means for electrically connecting the control means and the ignition switch, said first conductor being of greater cross sectional area than said second conductor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
131 words
A vehicle ignition system having an ignition switch electrically connectible to a source of electrical energy, said vehicle ignition system comprising: ignition means for supplying pulses of electrical energy for use in producing ignition sparks; first and second conductor means of different potentials, said first conductor means being connected to said ignition means; a first transistor connected in series with said first conductor means to selectively permit and prevent the flow of electrical energy therethrough to said ignition means; and a second transistor connected across said conductor means to operate said first transistor, said second transistor being operable in response to the electrical energy received from the source of electrical energy through the ignition switch when the ignition switch is closed whereby the first transistor is controlled by the ignition switch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
131 words
A vehicle ignition system having an ignition switch electrically connectible to a source of electrical energy, said vehicle ignition system comprising: ignition means for supplying pulses of electrical energy for use in producing ignition sparks; first and second conductor means of different potentials, said first conductor means being connected to said ignition means; a first transistor connected in series with said first conductor means to selectively permit and prevent the flow of electrical energy therethrough to said ignition means; and a second transistor connected across said conductor means to operate said first transistor, said second transistor being operable in response to the electrical energy received from the source of electrical energy through the ignition switch when the ignition switch is closed whereby the first transistor is controlled by the ignition switch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
175 words
An ignition system for retrofit on a vehicle having a source of electRical energy, an ignition switch coupled to the source of electrical energy, a resistor in series with the ignition switch, and a coil, said ignition system comprising: a capacitor discharge ignition system coupled to the coil for supplying electrical energy thereto; conductor means for coupling the capacitor discharge ignition system to said source along a conductive path which excludes said resistor; a semiconductor having conductive and nonconductive states; means for connecting said semiconductor in series with said ignition switch and said resistor whereby upon the closing of the ignition switch the semiconductor receives electrical energy from said source which causes said semiconductor to assume the conductive state, said semiconductor becoming nonconductive upon the opening of the ignition switch; and said conductor means including means responsive to said semiconductor being in said conductive and nonconductive states to close and open said conductive path, respectively, whereby the capacitor discharge ignition system is supplied with full power from said source when the ignition switch is closed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
175 words
An ignition system for retrofit on a vehicle having a source of electRical energy, an ignition switch coupled to the source of electrical energy, a resistor in series with the ignition switch, and a coil, said ignition system comprising: a capacitor discharge ignition system coupled to the coil for supplying electrical energy thereto; conductor means for coupling the capacitor discharge ignition system to said source along a conductive path which excludes said resistor; a semiconductor having conductive and nonconductive states; means for connecting said semiconductor in series with said ignition switch and said resistor whereby upon the closing of the ignition switch the semiconductor receives electrical energy from said source which causes said semiconductor to assume the conductive state, said semiconductor becoming nonconductive upon the opening of the ignition switch; and said conductor means including means responsive to said semiconductor being in said conductive and nonconductive states to close and open said conductive path, respectively, whereby the capacitor discharge ignition system is supplied with full power from said source when the ignition switch is closed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |