US3795235A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Breakless ignition system with means for preventing reverse engine operation
Assignee: Outboard Marine Corp
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Filing: 1971-12-16
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Granted: 1974-03-05
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Expires: 1991-12-16
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein is a breakerless ignition circuit for an internal combustion engine, which circuit includes trigger switch means, means for periodically conditioning the ignition circuit to obtain spark production in response to operation of the switch means, means for operating the switch means subsequent to previous conditioning of the ignition circuit by the periodic conditioning means, and in response to engine rotation in one direction when the piston is located relative to top dead center so as to obtain continued engine rotation in the one direction, and means for operating the switch means subsequent to previous conditioning of the ignition circuit by the periodic conditioning means and in response to engine rotation in the opposite rotative direction and when the piston is located so far in advance of top dead center so as to preclude continued engine rotation in the opposite direction. Also disclosed are means for preventing reconditioning or recharging of the ignition circuit for subsequent spark firing operation until well after the piston has passed top dead center so as to insure prevention of continued engine operation in the opposite direction.
Inventors
- 👤 J Donohue
- 👤 H Shore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:22
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02P; F02P1/00; F02P1/08; F02P1/086; F02P11/00; F02P11/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
A breakerless ignition circuit for an internal combustion engine having a piston, said circuit including trigger switch means, means for periodically conditioning said ignition circuit to obtain spark production in response to operation of said trigger switch means and including a charge coil and a magnet, said coil and magnet being mounted for relative rotation in response to engine operation so as to generate a potential in said charge coil, means including a trigger coil and said magnet for operating said trigger switch means subsequent to previous conditioning of said ignition circuit by said periodic conditioning means and in response to rotation of said engine in the forward rotative direction and when said piston is located relative to top dead center so as to obtain continued forward engine rotation, a flux conducting shoe extending from said trigger coil in the direction counter to reverse engine rotation and positioned to cut the flux path of said magnet, said shoe being operative during initial reverse engine operation to cause the trigger coil to operate the trigger switch means so far in advance of top dead center as to preclude continued reverse engine operation, said means for periodically conditioning said ignition circuit being inoperative during reverse engine rotation subsequent to operation of said trigger switch means and top dead center.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
A breakerless ignition circuit for an internal combustion engine having a piston, said circuit including trigger switch means, means for periodically conditioning said ignition circuit to obtain spark production in response to operation of said trigger switch means and including a charge coil and a magnet, said coil and magnet being mounted for relative rotation in response to engine operation so as to generate a potential in said charge coil, means including a trigger coil and said magnet for operating said trigger switch means subsequent to previous conditioning of said ignition circuit by said periodic conditioning means and in response to rotation of said engine in the forward rotative direction and when said piston is located relative to top dead center so as to obtain continued forward engine rotation, a flux conducting shoe extending from said trigger coil in the direction counter to reverse engine rotation and positioned to cut the flux path of said magnet, said shoe being operative during initial reverse engine operation to cause the trigger coil to operate the trigger switch means so far in advance of top dead center as to preclude continued reverse engine operation, said means for periodically conditioning said ignition circuit being inoperative during reverse engine rotation subsequent to operation of said trigger switch means and top dead center.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
233 words
An ignition circuit for an internal combustion engine having a piston, including a magnet mounted for rotation about an axis in relation to movement of the piston, a spark plug, a charging circuit having a charging coil mounted adjacent the rotational path of the magnet whereby the charging circuit is charged before the desired ignition time, trigger switch means operative to cause discharge of the charging circuit to fire the spark plug in response to a control signal, a trigger coil mounted adjacent the rotative path of said magnet to generate a control signal in response to passage of the magnetic flux of said magnet, the angular relationship of both coils relative to the axis of magnet rotation and to the angular embrace of said magnet being so related so as to produce a control signal and thus fire the spark plug a desired number of degrees in advance of top dead center when the engine is rotating in its normal direction to thereby sustain engine operation, a flux conducting shoe extending from the coil in a direction opposite reverse rotation of the engine and having a portion adjacent the path of the magnet of sufficient mass to induce a control signal during initial reverse engine rotation to fire the spark plug so far in advance of the piston reaching top dead center as to preclude sustaining operation of the engine in reverse.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
233 words
An ignition circuit for an internal combustion engine having a piston, including a magnet mounted for rotation about an axis in relation to movement of the piston, a spark plug, a charging circuit having a charging coil mounted adjacent the rotational path of the magnet whereby the charging circuit is charged before the desired ignition time, trigger switch means operative to cause discharge of the charging circuit to fire the spark plug in response to a control signal, a trigger coil mounted adjacent the rotative path of said magnet to generate a control signal in response to passage of the magnetic flux of said magnet, the angular relationship of both coils relative to the axis of magnet rotation and to the angular embrace of said magnet being so related so as to produce a control signal and thus fire the spark plug a desired number of degrees in advance of top dead center when the engine is rotating in its normal direction to thereby sustain engine operation, a flux conducting shoe extending from the coil in a direction opposite reverse rotation of the engine and having a portion adjacent the path of the magnet of sufficient mass to induce a control signal during initial reverse engine rotation to fire the spark plug so far in advance of the piston reaching top dead center as to preclude sustaining operation of the engine in reverse.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
An ignition circuit according to claim 2 in which the angular relationship of the coils precludes recharging the charging circuit subsequent to firing the spark plug during reverse engine rotation and the piston reaching top dead center.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A breakerless ignition circuit in accordance with clAim 1 wherein said shoe extends so as to cause generation of a spark when the piston is at least about 60* before top dead center in reverse engine rotation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
A breakerless ignition circuit in accordance with claim 1 wherein said shoe extends for about 55* from said trigger coil in the direction opposite to the reverse engine rotation direction and wherein said trigger coil is located relative to said magnet and to said piston so as to produce a spark when the piston is at about 100* before top dead center when said engine is rotating in said reverse direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
237 words
An ignition system for an internal combustion engine including a piston reciprocable relative to a top dead center position, said ignition system comprising a breakerless ignition circuit including a charge coil, trigger switch means operable to cause discharge of said charge coil to produce a spark to fire the engine, a trigger coil electrically connected to said trigger switch means and operable to cause said switch means to discharge said charge coil in response to the generation of a pulse in said trigger coil, a magnet, means mounting said charge coil, said trigger coil and said magnet relative to the piston and for rotation of said magnet in response to engine rotation relative to said charge coil and said trigger coil so as sequentially to charge said charge coil and to generate a pulse in said trigger coil during rotation of said magnet relative to said charge coil and said trigger coil in one rotative direction, and means cooperating with said trigger coil and with said magnet for generating a pulse in said trigger coil in response to initial rotation of said magnet relative to said trigger coil in the opposite rotative direction and when the piston is located in a position so far in advance of the top dead center position such that effective firing of the engine to continue rotation of said magnet relative to said trigger coil in said opposite rotative direction is prevented.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
237 words
An ignition system for an internal combustion engine including a piston reciprocable relative to a top dead center position, said ignition system comprising a breakerless ignition circuit including a charge coil, trigger switch means operable to cause discharge of said charge coil to produce a spark to fire the engine, a trigger coil electrically connected to said trigger switch means and operable to cause said switch means to discharge said charge coil in response to the generation of a pulse in said trigger coil, a magnet, means mounting said charge coil, said trigger coil and said magnet relative to the piston and for rotation of said magnet in response to engine rotation relative to said charge coil and said trigger coil so as sequentially to charge said charge coil and to generate a pulse in said trigger coil during rotation of said magnet relative to said charge coil and said trigger coil in one rotative direction, and means cooperating with said trigger coil and with said magnet for generating a pulse in said trigger coil in response to initial rotation of said magnet relative to said trigger coil in the opposite rotative direction and when the piston is located in a position so far in advance of the top dead center position such that effective firing of the engine to continue rotation of said magnet relative to said trigger coil in said opposite rotative direction is prevented.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
An ignition system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said ignition circuit comprises a capacitor electrically connected to said switch means and means connected to said capacitor for charging of said capacitor when said trigger coil and said magnet are rotating relative to each other in the opposite rotative direction at a time other than when the piston is traveling from said piston position to the top dead center position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
An ignition system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said ignition circuit comprises a capacitor electrically connected to said switch means, a charge coil electrically connected to said capacitor, and means mounting said charge coil and said magnet relative to the piston and for rotation relative to each other in response to engine rotation for charging said capacitor except when said trigger coil and said magnet are rotating relative to each other in the opposite rotative direction and the piston is traveling from said piston position to the top dead center position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
A breakerless ignition system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said means cooperating with said trigger coil and with said magnet so as to prevent continued rotation in said opposite rotative direction comprises a flux conducting shoe extending from said trigger coil in the direction counter to said opposite rotative direction to adjacent to the path of said magnet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A breakerless ignition system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said shoe extends so as to cause generation of spark when the piston is at least about 60* before top dead center.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
A breakerless ignition system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said shoe extends for about 55* from the trigger coil in the direction opposite to the opposite rotative direction and wherein said coil is located relative to said magnet and to said piston so as to produce a spark when the piston is at about 100* before top dead center when said magnet is rotating in said opposite rotative direction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-04 | 1977-09-03 | 1978-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-04 | 1981-09-03 | 1982-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-04 | 1985-09-03 | 1986-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |