Low impedance capacitor discharge system and method

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 wherein the discharge of the supplemental capacitor is initiated before the discharge of the primary capacitor is terminated.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2 wherein the primary and secondary capacitors are charged from different sources.

Claim 5

The method of claim 3 wherein the peak amplitude of the gap ionization potential applied to the ignition device from the supplemental capacitor is greater than about fifteen percent of the peak amplitude of the gap ionization potential applied to the ignition device from the primary capacitor.

Claim 6

The method of claim 4 wherein the duration of the discharge of the primary and supplemental capacitors is substantially equal.

Claim 7

The method of claim 1 wherein the peak amplitude of the gap ionization potential applied to the ignition device from the supplemental capacitor is greater than about twenty-five percent of the peak amplitude of the gap ionization potential applied to the ignition device from the primary capacitor.

Claim 8

The method of claim 6 wherein the discharge of the supplemental capacitor is initiated before the discharge of the primary capacitor is terminated.

Claim 9

A low impedance capacitor discharge ignition system comprising: a primary capacitor; a first source of direct current; a high voltage transformer; first switch means operable to connect said primary capacitor to said first source of direct current to charge said primary capacitor therefrom and to connect said primary capacitor to said high voltage transformer to discharge said primary capacitor through the primary winding thereof; a supplemental capacitor; a sEcond source of direct current; an ignition device connected in series with the secondary winding of said transformer to receive a gap ionizing potential upon the discharge of said primary capacitor; and, circuit means operable to connect said supplemental capacitor to said second source of direct current to charge said supplemental capacitor therefrom and to connect said supplemental capacitor to said ignition device to discharge said supplemental capacitor through said ignition device in timed relation to the discharge of said primary capacitor.

Claim 10

A low impedance capacitor discharge ignition system comprising: a primary capacitor; a first source of direct current; a high voltage transformer; first switch means operable to connect said primary capacitor to said first source of direct current to charge said primary capacitor therefrom and to connect said primary capacitor to said high voltage transformer to discharge said primary capacitor through the primary winding thereof; a supplemental capacitor; a sEcond source of direct current; an ignition device connected in series with the secondary winding of said transformer to receive a gap ionizing potential upon the discharge of said primary capacitor; and, circuit means operable to connect said supplemental capacitor to said second source of direct current to charge said supplemental capacitor therefrom and to connect said supplemental capacitor to said ignition device to discharge said supplemental capacitor through said ignition device in timed relation to the discharge of said primary capacitor.

Claim 11

The system of claim 8 wherein said switch means include mechanically actuable breaker points.

Claim 12

The system of claim 8 wherein said switch means include coils and a permanent magnet movable with respect to each other.

Claim 13

The system of claim 8 wherein first switch means and said circuit means are operable to initiate the discharge of said primary and supplemental capacitors at substantially the same time.

Claim 14

The system of claim 11 wherein the duration of the discharge of said primary and supplemental capacitors is substantially equal.

Claim 15

The system of claim 8 wherein the duration of the discharge of said primary and supplemental capacitors is substantially equal.

Claim 18

The method of claim 14 wherein the discharge of the primary and supplemental capacitors is substantially simultaneous.

Claim 19

The method of claim 15 wherein the gap ionization potential applied by the primary capacitor to the ignition device is substantially in excess of the gap ionization sustaining potential applied by the supplemental capacitor to the ignition device.

Claim 20

The method of claim 14 wherein the gap ionization potential applied by the primary capacitor to the ignition device is substantially in excess of the gap ionization sustaining potential applied by the supplemetal capacitor to the ignition device.

Claim 21

A low impedance capacitor discharge system comprising: an ignition device; a high voltage transformer; means for applying a gap ionizing potential to said ignition device through a circuit including said high voltage transformer; and, means for applying a gap ionization sustaining potential to said ignition device through a circuit excluding said high voltage transformer whereby the impedance to the application of power to said ignition device may be reduced.

Claim 22

A low impedance capacitor discharge system comprising: an ignition device; a high voltage transformer; means for applying a gap ionizing potential to said ignition device through a circuit including said high voltage transformer; and, means for applying a gap ionization sustaining potential to said ignition device through a circuit excluding said high voltage transformer whereby the impedance to the application of power to said ignition device may be reduced.

Claim 23

The system of claim 18 wherein the gap ionizing potential and the gap ionization sustaining potential are substantially coextensive.

Claim 24

The system of claim 19 wherein the average gap ionizing potential is significantly greater than the average gap ionization sustaining potential.

Claim 25

The system of claim 18 wherein said means for applying a gap ionizing potential and for applying a gap ionization sustaining potential to said ignition device comprises: first and second capacitors; movable magnetic means a coil disposed in flux cutting proximity to the path in which said magnetic means moves; unidirectional current means for connecting said coil to said first and second capacitors; first switch means operable in synchronism with movement of said magnetic means for connecting said first capacitors to said discharge device through said transformer; and, second unidirectional current means for connecting said second capacitor to said discharge device in synchronism with the discharge of said first capacitor.

Claim 26

The system Of claim 18 wherein said means for applying a gap ionizing potential to said ignition device includes a first capacitor, movable magnetic means, a coil disposed in flux cutting proximity to the path in which said magnetic means moves, and first switch means operable in synchronism with movement of said magnetic means for connecting said first capacitor to said ignition device through said transformer; and, wherein said means for applying a gap ionization sustaining potential to said ignition device includes a second capacitor, a source of direct current, and diode means for connecting said second capacitor to said ignition device in synchronism with the discharge of said first capacitor.