Electro mechanical switching system

Claim 2

In a spark ignition system including a DC source, an energy storing ignition coil and a make-break switch connected in series, the improvement which comprises: a silicon controlled rectifier having anode, cathode and gate terminals, said anode and cathode terminals being connected in series configuration between the ignition coil and the makebreak switch; means responsive to the closing of the switch for applying a gate signal to said gate terminal to render said rectifier conductive, enabling current flow through the ignition coil to store energy therein; and means responsive to the opening of the make-break switch for rendering said rectifier non-conductive, whereby the make-break switch will be isolated from the ignition coil thereby minimizing arcing across the switch and increase the efficiency of the ignition system.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1 wherein said gate signal applying means comprises: a diode connected between the DC source-ignition coil junction and said gate terminal and poled to conduct gate current from the battery to said silicon controlled rectifier gate terminal responsive to the closing of the make-break switch.

Claim 4

The system of claim 2 wherein the make-break switch has a first terminal connected to said cathode terminal and a second terminal connected to a reference potential point, said means for rendering said rectifier non-conductive comprises: a first capacitor connected between said cathode terminal and the reference potential point; and a second capacitor connected between said anode terminal and the reference potential point whereby said first and second capacitors will be charged subsequent to the opening of the make-break switch and thereafter back bias said silicon controlled rectifier to render it non-conductive, the ignition coil and said second capacitor functioning as an isolated tuned circuit after the silicon controlled rectifier is turned off.

Claim 5

In a system which includes a DC source of power, an energy storing inductor means and a periodically opening and closing make-break switch in series electrical configuration, the combination comprising: a silicon controlled rectifier having anode, cathode and gate terminals, said rectifier anode and cathode terminals being connected in series electrical configuration between said inductor means and said make-break switch; means for turning said silicon controlled rectifier on responsive to the closing of said make-break switch whereby energy from said source will be stored in said inductor; and means for turning said silicon controlled rectifier off responsive to the opening of said make-break switch, whereby the make-break switch is electrically isolated from said inductor to prevent arcing across said switch.

Claim 6

In a system which includes a DC source of power, an energy storing inductor means and a periodically opening and closing make-break switch in series electrical configuration, the combination comprising: a silicon controlled rectifier having anode, cathode and gate terminals, said rectifier anode and cathode terminals being connected in series electrical configuration between said inductor means and said make-break switch; means for turning said silicon controlled rectifier on responsive to the closing of said make-break switch whereby energy from said source will be stored in said inductor; and means for turning said silicon controlled rectifier off responsive to the opening of said make-break switch, whereby the make-break switch is electrically isolated from said inductor to prevent arcing across said switch.

Claim 7

An electronic ignition system for internal combustion engines, said system comprising: a DC battery; an ignition coil having primary and secondary windings; a silicon controlled rectifier having anode, cathode, and gate terminals; a pair of breaker points, said battery, ignition coil primary winding, anode and cathode terminals, and breaker points being connected in series electrical configuration with said anode and cathode terminals being connected between said primary winding and said breaker points, the breaker point remote from said cathode terminal being connected to a point of reference potential; a first capacitor connected between said anode terminal and said reference point; a second capacitor connected between said cathode terminal and said reference potential point; and a diode connected between the primary winding terminal remote from said anode terminal and said gate terminal.

Claim 8

An electronic ignition system for internal combustion engines, said system comprising: a DC battery; an ignition coil having primary and secondary windings; a silicon controlled rectifier having anode, cathode, and gate terminals; a pair of breaker points, said battery, ignition coil primary winding, anode and cathode terminals, and breaker points being connected in series electrical configuration with said anode and cathode terminals being connected between said primary winding and said breaker points, the breaker point remote from said cathode terminal being connected to a point of reference potential; a first capacitor connected between said anode terminal and said reference point; a second capacitor connected between said cathode terminal and said reference potential point; and a diode connected between the primary winding terminal remote from said anode terminal and said gate terminal.