Ignition system for an internal combustion engine

Claim 1

For use with an internal combustion engine having a throttle, a crankshaft, distributor means connected in a predetermined timing relationship with said crankshaft and ignition means connected to said distributor means; an improved ignition timing system for controlling said ignition means, said timing system comprising a. speed detecting means connected to the crankshaft for detecting the speed thereof, b. throttle position detecting means connected to the throttle for detecting the degree of openness thereof, c. and time delay means connected to the ignition means for controlling energisation thereof at a selected time in relation to rotation of said crankshaft, d. said time delay means being connected to said speed detecting means and to siad throttle position detecting means for advancing said selected time in response to an increase in the crankshaft speed and for retarding said selected time in response to an increase in the openness of the throttle, e. said throttle position detecting means comprising a variable capacitor and means for increasing the capacitance thereof with increasing openness of the throttle, and f. said time delay means including i. means for charging said capacitor from a predetermined voltage, ii. means for subsequently discharging said capacitor in such a manner that the time of such discharge is substantially proportional to the capacitance of the capacitor, iii. and means for retarding said selected time in response to an increase in such discharge time.