Internal combustion engine ignition system

Claim 2

An internal combustion engine ignition system comprising in combination with a source of alternating current ignition signals produced in timed relationship with the engine, a direct current potential source and an ignition coil having at least a primary winding: at least one ignition coil primary winding switching transistor having two current carrying electrodes and a control electrode; a control impedance element; means for connecting said ignition coil primary winding, said current carrying electrodes of said switching transistor and said control impedance element in series across said direct current potential source; means responsive to each cycle of said alternating current ignition signals for operating said switching transistor conductive and not conductive through said current carrying electrodes in timed relationship with said engine; a differential amplifier circuit for producing a direct current control signal in response to and of a magnitude proportional to the potential developed across said control impedance element while said switching transistor is conducting primary winding energizing current through said current carrying electrodes thereof; first circuit means responsive to said control signal for limiting the flow of primary winding energizing current through said current carrying electrodes of said switching transistor to a predetermined magnitude; and second circuit means responsive to said control signal for determining the length of time said switching transistor is conductive through said current carrying electrodes during each said alternating current ignition signal cycle.

Claim 3

An internal combustion engine ignition system comprising in combination with a source of alternating current ignition signals produced in timed relationship with the engine, a direct current potential source and an ignition coil having at least a primary winding: at least one ignition coil primary winding switching transistor having two current electrodes and a control electrode; a control impedance element, means for connecting said ignition coil primary winding, said current carrying electrodes of said switching transistor and said control impedance element in series across said direct current potential source; a normally not conducting control transistor of the type having a control electrode, two current carrying electrodes and a quasi-collector electrode through which forward control electrode drive current is supplied to said control electrode of said switching transistor while said control transistor is not conducting through said current carrying electrodes for producing conduction through said current carrying electrodes of said switching transistor to complete an ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit for the flow of ignition coil primary winding energizing current through said current carrying electrodes of said switching transistor, said ignition coil primary winding and said control impedance element; means responsive to each cycle of said alternating current ignition signals for operating said control transistor conductive through said current carrying electrodes thereof to extiNguish said switching transistor whereby said switching transistor is operated conductive and not conductive through said current carrying electrodes thereof in timed relationship with said engine; a differential amplifier circuit for producing a direct current control signal in response to and of a magnitude proportional to the potential developed across said control impedance element while said switching transistor is conducting primary winding energizing current through said current carrying electrodes thereof; means for applying said control signal to said control electrode of said control transistor for limiting the flow of primary winding energizing current through said current carrying electrodes of said switching transistor to a predetermined magnitude; and circuit means responsive to said control signal for establishing the electrical angle of each cycle of said alternating current ignition signals at which said control transistor is extinguished.

Claim 4

An internal combustion engine ignition system comprising in combination with a source of alternating current ignition signals produced in timed relationship with the engine, a direct current potential source and an ignition coil having at least a primary winding: at least one ignition coil primary winding switching transistor having two current electrodes and a control electrode; a control impedance element, means for connecting said ignition coil primary winding, said current carrying electrodes of said switching transistor and said control impedance element in series across said direct current potential source; a normally not conducting control transistor of the type having a control electrode, two current carrying electrodes and a quasi-collector electrode through which forward control electrode drive current is supplied to said control electrode of said switching transistor while said control transistor is not conducting through said current carrying electrodes for producing conduction through said current carrying electrodes of said switching transistor to complete an ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit for the flow of ignition coil primary winding energizing current through said current carrying electrodes of said switching transistor, said ignition coil primary winding and said control impedance element; means responsive to each cycle of said alternating current ignition signals for operating said control transistor conductive through said current carrying electrodes thereof to extiNguish said switching transistor whereby said switching transistor is operated conductive and not conductive through said current carrying electrodes thereof in timed relationship with said engine; a differential amplifier circuit for producing a direct current control signal in response to and of a magnitude proportional to the potential developed across said control impedance element while said switching transistor is conducting primary winding energizing current through said current carrying electrodes thereof; means for applying said control signal to said control electrode of said control transistor for limiting the flow of primary winding energizing current through said current carrying electrodes of said switching transistor to a predetermined magnitude; and circuit means responsive to said control signal for establishing the electrical angle of each cycle of said alternating current ignition signals at which said control transistor is extinguished.

Claim 5

An internal combustion engine ignition system comprising in combination with a magnetic distributor of the type which produces alternating current ignition signals in a pickup coil in timed relationship with the engine, a direct current potential source having positive and negative polarity output terminals and an ignition coil having at least a primary winding: at least one ignition coil primary winding switching transistor having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode; a control element impedance element; means for connecting said ignition coil primary winding, said collector-emitter electrodes of said switching transistor and said control impedance element in series across said direct current potential source; a control transistor of the type having a base electrode, a collector electrode, an emitter electrode and a quasi-collector electrode; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said control transistor across said direct current potential source; means for connecting said quasi-collector electrode of said control transistor to said base electrode of said switching transistor through which base-emitter drive current is supplied to said switching transistor while said control transistor is not conducting; means responsive to each cycle of said alternating current ignition signals for operating said control transistor not conductive and conductive in timed relationship with said engine; a differential amplifier circuit having an input circuit and an output circuit for producing a control signal upon said output circuit; means for connecting said input circuit of said differential amplifier circuit to the junction between said current carrying electrodes of said switching transistor and said control impedance element, means for applying the signal appearing upon said output circuit of said differential amplifier circuit across said base-emitter electrodes of said control transistor; a first transistor having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode; a resistor; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said first transistor and said resistor in series across said direct current potential source; means for connecting one terminal end of said pickup coil to the junction between said collector-emitter electrodes of said first transistor and said resistor; a capacitor; a diode; a charging circuit including said diode through which said capacitor is charged by said alternating current ignition signals produced in said pickup coil; means for applying the charge upon said capacitor across said base-emitter electrode of said first transistor; a second transistor having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said second transistor across the junction between said diode and said capacitor and said negative polarity output terminal of said direct current potential source; and means for applying the signal upon said output circuit of said differential amplifier circuit across said base-emitter electrodes of said second transistor.

Claim 6

An internal combustion engine ignition system comprising in combination with a magnetic distributor of the type which produces alternating current ignition signals in a pickup coil in timed relationship with the engine, a direct current potential source having positive and negative polarity output terminals and an ignition coil having at least a primary winding: at least one ignition coil primary winding switching transistor having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode; a control element impedance element; means for connecting said ignition coil primary winding, said collector-emitter electrodes of said switching transistor and said control impedance element in series across said direct current potential source; a control transistor of the type having a base electrode, a collector electrode, an emitter electrode and a quasi-collector electrode; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said control transistor across said direct current potential source; means for connecting said quasi-collector electrode of said control transistor to said base electrode of said switching transistor through which base-emitter drive current is supplied to said switching transistor while said control transistor is not conducting; means responsive to each cycle of said alternating current ignition signals for operating said control transistor not conductive and conductive in timed relationship with said engine; a differential amplifier circuit having an input circuit and an output circuit for producing a control signal upon said output circuit; means for connecting said input circuit of said differential amplifier circuit to the junction between said current carrying electrodes of said switching transistor and said control impedance element, means for applying the signal appearing upon said output circuit of said differential amplifier circuit across said base-emitter electrodes of said control transistor; a first transistor having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode; a resistor; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said first transistor and said resistor in series across said direct current potential source; means for connecting one terminal end of said pickup coil to the junction between said collector-emitter electrodes of said first transistor and said resistor; a capacitor; a diode; a charging circuit including said diode through which said capacitor is charged by said alternating current ignition signals produced in said pickup coil; means for applying the charge upon said capacitor across said base-emitter electrode of said first transistor; a second transistor having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said second transistor across the junction between said diode and said capacitor and said negative polarity output terminal of said direct current potential source; and means for applying the signal upon said output circuit of said differential amplifier circuit across said base-emitter electrodes of said second transistor.

Claim 7

An internal combustion engine ignition system comprising in combination with a magnetic distributor of the type which produces alternating current ignition signals in a pickup coil in timed relationship with the engine, a direct current potential source having positive and negative polarity output terminals and an ignition coil having at least a primary winding; at least one ignition coil primary winding switching transistor having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode; a control impedance element; means for connecting said ignition coil primary winding, said collector-emitter electrodes of said switching transistor and said control impedance element in series across said direct current potential source; a control transistor of the type having a base electrode, a collector electrode, an emitter electrode and a quasi-collector electrode; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said control transistor across said direct current potential source; means for connecting said quasi-collector electrode of said control transistor to said base electrode of said switching transistor through which base-emitter drive current is supplied to said switching transistor while said control transistor is not conducting; means responsive to each cycle of said alternating current ignition signals for operating said control transistor not conductive and conductive in timed relationship with said engine; a differential amplifier circuit having an input circuit and an output circuit for producing a control signal upon said output circuit; means for connecting said input circuit of said differential amplifier circuit to the junction between said circuit carrying electrodes of said switching transistor and said control impedance element, means for applying the signal appearing upon said output circuit of said differential amplifier circuit across said base-emitter electrodes of said control transistor; a first transistor having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode; a first resistor; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said first transistor and said first resistor in series across said direct current potential source; means for connecting one terminal end of said pickup coil to the junction between said collector-emitter electrodes of said first transistor and said first resistor; a diode; a second resistor; a capacitor; means for connecting said diode, said second resistor and said capacitor in series across said pickup coil in that order whereby said capacitor is charged by said alternating current ignition signals produced in said pickup coil; means for connecting said base electrode of said first transistor to the junction between said second resistor and said capacitor; a second transistor having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said second transistor across the junction between said diode and said capacitor and said negative polarity output terminal of said direct current potential source; and means for applying the signal upon said output circuit of said differential amplifier circuit across said base-emitter electrodes of said second transistor.

Claim 8

An internal combustion engine ignition system comprising in combination with a magnetic distributor of the type which produces alternating current ignition signals in a pickup coil in timed relationship with the engine, a direct current potential source having positive and negative polarity output terminals and an ignition coil having at least a primary winding; at least one ignition coil primary winding switching transistor having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode; a control impedance element; means for connecting said ignition coil primary winding, said collector-emitter electrodes of said switching transistor and said control impedance element in series across said direct current potential source; a control transistor of the type having a base electrode, a collector electrode, an emitter electrode and a quasi-collector electrode; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said control transistor across said direct current potential source; means for connecting said quasi-collector electrode of said control transistor to said base electrode of said switching transistor through which base-emitter drive current is supplied to said switching transistor while said control transistor is not conducting; means responsive to each cycle of said alternating current ignition signals for operating said control transistor not conductive and conductive in timed relationship with said engine; a differential amplifier circuit having an input circuit and an output circuit for producing a control signal upon said output circuit; means for connecting said input circuit of said differential amplifier circuit to the junction between said circuit carrying electrodes of said switching transistor and said control impedance element, means for applying the signal appearing upon said output circuit of said differential amplifier circuit across said base-emitter electrodes of said control transistor; a first transistor having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode; a first resistor; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said first transistor and said first resistor in series across said direct current potential source; means for connecting one terminal end of said pickup coil to the junction between said collector-emitter electrodes of said first transistor and said first resistor; a diode; a second resistor; a capacitor; means for connecting said diode, said second resistor and said capacitor in series across said pickup coil in that order whereby said capacitor is charged by said alternating current ignition signals produced in said pickup coil; means for connecting said base electrode of said first transistor to the junction between said second resistor and said capacitor; a second transistor having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said second transistor across the junction between said diode and said capacitor and said negative polarity output terminal of said direct current potential source; and means for applying the signal upon said output circuit of said differential amplifier circuit across said base-emitter electrodes of said second transistor.

Claim 9

An internal combustion engine ignition system comprising in combination with a magnetic distributor of the type which produces alternating current ignition signals in a pickup coil in timed relationship with the engine, a direct current potential source having positive and negative polarity output terminals and an ignition coil having at least a primary winding; at least one ignition coil primary winding switching transistor having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode; a control impedance element; means for connecting said ignition coil primary winding, said collector-emitter electrodes of said switching transistor and said control impedance element in series across said direct current potential source; a control transistor of the type having a base electrode, a collector electRode, an emitter electrode and a quasi-collector electrode; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said control transistor across said direct current potential source; means for connecting said quasi-collector electrode of said control transistor to said base electrode of said switching transistor; first, second, third and fourth transistors each having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said first, second and third transistors across said direct current potential source; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said fourth transistor and said base-emitter electrodes of said control transistor in series across said direct current potential source; means for connecting said base electrodes of said second transistor to said collector electrode of said first transistor, said base electrode of said third transistor to said collector electrode of said second transistor and said base electrode of said fourth transistor to said collector electrode of said third transistor; a differential amplifier circuit having an input circuit and an output circuit for producing a control signal upon said output circuit; means for connecting said input circuit of said differential amplifier circuit to the junction between said current carrying electrodes of said switching transistor and said control impedance element, means for applying the signal appearing upon said output circuit of said differential amplifier circuit across said base-emitter electrodes of said control transistor; a fifth transistor having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode; a resistor; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said fifth transistor and said resistor in series across said direct current potential source; means for connecting one terminal end of said pickup coil to said base electrode of said first transistor; means for connecting the other terminal end of said pick-up coil to the junction between said collector-emitter electrodes of said fifth transistor and said resistor; a capacitor; a diode; a charging circuit including said diode through which said capacitor is charged by said alternating current ignition signals produced in said pickup coil; means for applying the charge upon said capacitor across said base-emitter electrode of said fifth transistor; a sixth transistor having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode, means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said sixth transistor across the junction between said diode and said capacitor and said negative polarity output terminal of said direct current potential source; and means for applying the signal upon said output circuit of said differential amplifier circuit across said base-emitter electrodes of said sixth transistor.

Claim 10

An internal combustion engine ignition system comprising in combination with a magnetic distributor of the type which produces alternating current ignition signals in a pickup coil in timed relationship with the engine, a direct current potential source having positive and negative polarity output terminals and an ignition coil having at least a primary winding; at least one ignition coil primary winding switching transistor having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode; a control impedance element; means for connecting said ignition coil primary winding, said collector-emitter electrodes of said switching transistor and said control impedance element in series across said direct current potential source; a control transistor of the type having a base electrode, a collector electRode, an emitter electrode and a quasi-collector electrode; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said control transistor across said direct current potential source; means for connecting said quasi-collector electrode of said control transistor to said base electrode of said switching transistor; first, second, third and fourth transistors each having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said first, second and third transistors across said direct current potential source; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said fourth transistor and said base-emitter electrodes of said control transistor in series across said direct current potential source; means for connecting said base electrodes of said second transistor to said collector electrode of said first transistor, said base electrode of said third transistor to said collector electrode of said second transistor and said base electrode of said fourth transistor to said collector electrode of said third transistor; a differential amplifier circuit having an input circuit and an output circuit for producing a control signal upon said output circuit; means for connecting said input circuit of said differential amplifier circuit to the junction between said current carrying electrodes of said switching transistor and said control impedance element, means for applying the signal appearing upon said output circuit of said differential amplifier circuit across said base-emitter electrodes of said control transistor; a fifth transistor having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode; a resistor; means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said fifth transistor and said resistor in series across said direct current potential source; means for connecting one terminal end of said pickup coil to said base electrode of said first transistor; means for connecting the other terminal end of said pick-up coil to the junction between said collector-emitter electrodes of said fifth transistor and said resistor; a capacitor; a diode; a charging circuit including said diode through which said capacitor is charged by said alternating current ignition signals produced in said pickup coil; means for applying the charge upon said capacitor across said base-emitter electrode of said fifth transistor; a sixth transistor having collector-emitter electrodes and a base electrode, means for connecting said collector-emitter electrodes of said sixth transistor across the junction between said diode and said capacitor and said negative polarity output terminal of said direct current potential source; and means for applying the signal upon said output circuit of said differential amplifier circuit across said base-emitter electrodes of said sixth transistor.