US3854466A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ignition system for an internal combustion engine
Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
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Filing: 1972-07-19
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1992-07-19
Abstract
Abstract An ignition system has a switching transistor having an emittercollector path connected in series with the primary winding of an ignition coil. The latter series combination is connected between voltage supply leads. A driver circuit has a control electrode and controls the conductive state of the switching transistor. An ignition breaker switch has alternating open and closed intervals in response to rotation of the engine. The breaker switch may have the undesirable property that it closes mometarily during the open interval shortly after opening of the breaker switch. A signal control circuit is connected to the ignition breaker switch and to the control electrode to make the emitter-collector path of the switching transistor conductive when the breaker switch is closed and to make it nonconductive when the breaker switch is open. An energy storage element, either the primary winding itself or a capacitor, stores energy prior to the closing of the breaker switch during an open interval of said switch, and the stored energy is used to maintain the control electrode at a potential to maintain the transistor path open irrespective of the closing of the breaker switch during an open interval of the same.
Inventors
- 👤 D Steinberg
- 👤 W Ruf
- 👤 U Steinbrenner
- 👤 W Jahnke
- 👤 H Roth
- 👤 H Linstedt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:43
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02P; F02P3/00; F02P3/02; F02P3/04; F02P3/055; F02P3/0552; F02P3/0407; F02P3/0435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine of the type including an ignition transformer comprised of a primary winding and a secondary winding and spark producing means connected across said secondary winding, in combination therewith, a rotary element driven by and rotating in synchronism with the engine; an ignition breaker switch coupled to said rotary element and arranged to be open during first time intervals corresponding to first predetermined ranges of angular positions of said rotary element and to be closed during second time intervals alternating with said first time intervals and corresponding to second predetermined ranges of angular positions of said rotary element; switching means connected in the current path of said primary winding and operative when open for preventing flow of current through said primary winding through such current path and operative when closed for permitting flow of current through said primary windiNg through such current path; first circuit means connected between said ignition breaker switch and said switching means and normally operative for causing said switching means to open when said breaker switch opens and for causing said switching means to close when said breaker switch closes; and second circuit means connected to said first circuit means and operative if due to faulty operation said breaker switch briefly closes during one of said first time intervals for maintaining said switching means open despite such brief closing of said breaker switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine of the type including an ignition transformer comprised of a primary winding and a secondary winding and spark producing means connected across said secondary winding, in combination therewith, a rotary element driven by and rotating in synchronism with the engine; an ignition breaker switch coupled to said rotary element and arranged to be open during first time intervals corresponding to first predetermined ranges of angular positions of said rotary element and to be closed during second time intervals alternating with said first time intervals and corresponding to second predetermined ranges of angular positions of said rotary element; switching means connected in the current path of said primary winding and operative when open for preventing flow of current through said primary winding through such current path and operative when closed for permitting flow of current through said primary windiNg through such current path; first circuit means connected between said ignition breaker switch and said switching means and normally operative for causing said switching means to open when said breaker switch opens and for causing said switching means to close when said breaker switch closes; and second circuit means connected to said first circuit means and operative if due to faulty operation said breaker switch briefly closes during one of said first time intervals for maintaining said switching means open despite such brief closing of said breaker switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said first circuit means comprises driving means connected to said switching means and having a control electrode; and signal control means connected to said breaker switch and to said control electrode for generating signals during said first and second intervals in response to opening and closing of said breaker switch at said control electrode which causes said driving means to correspondingly open and close said switching means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said second circuit means is connected to said control electrode and is arranged to maintain said driving means in a condition wherein the latter prevents said switching means from closing during at least portions of said first intervals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said first circuit means further comprises first and second leads each connectable to a respective pole of a source of electrical energy, connected primary winding and switching means being connected in series between said first and second leads, said ignition breaker switch having two terminals one of which is connected to one of said leads and the other terminal of which is connected to said control electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said one of said leads to which said one terminal is connected constitutes said second lead, and wherein said first circuit means further comprises first resistance means connected between said first lead and said other terminal of said ignition breaker switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said first circuit means further comprises second resistance means connected between said first resistance means and said other terminal of said ignition breaker switch, said first and second resistance means forming a tap point connected to said control electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said series connected primary winding and switching means form a tap point, said tap point being connected to said other terminal of said ignition breaker switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A combination as defined in claim 7, further comprising capacitor means connected between said tap point and one of said first and second leads.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said capacitor means is connected between said tap point and said second lead.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said first circuit means comprises capacitor means for storing electrical energy when said ignition breaker switch is open during said first intervals, said capacitor means being arranged to discharge said electrical energy during said at least portions of said first intervals to thereby apply a maintaining signal to said control electrode for maintaining said switching means open during said portions of said first intervals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said second circuit means includes a discharge conductor lead connecting the tap point between said series connected primary winding and switching means with said control electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said second circuit means further comprises a resistance connected between said discharge conductor lead and said control electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said second circuit means further comprises a voltage reference means connected in series with said resistance and said dischargE conductor lead.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A combination as defined in claim 13, wherein said voltage reference means comprises a Zener diode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said second circuit means further comprises diode means connected in series with said resistance and said discharge conductor lead.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said one lead constitutes said second lead, and wherein said first circuit means comprises first resistance means connected between said first lead and said other terminal of said ignition breaker switch, and said discharge conductor lead being connected to said other terminal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
A combination as defined in claim 6, said second circuit means further comprises a switch connected between said first lead and said tap point, said switch being actuable during said portions of said first intervals to maintain said switching means open irrespective of closing of said ignition breaker switch during said portions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
54 words
A combination as defined in claim 17, wherein said switch comprises a switching transistor having its emitter-collector path connected between said first lead and said tap point, and having its base actuated during said portions of said first intervals to close said path to thereby maintain said switching means open during said interval portions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
A combination as defined in claim 6, further comprising diode means connected between said first and second resistance means arranged to conduct current from the former to the latter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
53 words
A combination as defined in claim 18, wherein said second circuit means further comprises a control transistor having its emitter-collector path connected between the base of said switching transistor and said second lead, and having a base actuable during said portions of said first intervals, to thereby close said switching transistor emitter-collector path.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
A combination as defined in claim 20, wherein said second circuit means includes a discharge conductor lead connecting the tap point between said series connected primary winding and switching means with said control electrode, said discharge conductor being connected to the base of said control transistor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
A combination as defined in claim 5, further comprising diode means connected between said other terminal of said ignition breaker means and the junction of said primary winding and said switching means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
A combination as defined in claim 22, wherein said diode means comprises a diode arranged to conduct current which flows from said first lead through said first resistance means during said portions of said intervals, said diode also being connected to said control electrode.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
A combination as defined in claim 23, wherein said second circuit means further comprises first and second resistors connected in series with one another, said series connected resistors being connected in parallel to said switching means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
A combination as defined in claim 24, wherein said first and second resistors form a tap point, said second circuit means further comprising capacitor means connected between said tap point and said second lead, said tap point also being connected between said diode and said control electrode.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said second circuit means further comprises diode means connected between said other terminal and said control electrode; and capacitor means connected between said control electrode and said second lead.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
A combination as defined in claim 26, wherein said diode means comprises a diode arranged to conduct current in a direction from said first resistance means towards said control electrode.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
A combination as defined in claim 26, further including resistor means connected in parallel with said diode means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination as defined in claim 26, further including second resistance means connected between said other terminal and said diode means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
A combination as definEd in claim 26, wherein said second circuit means further includes a transistor having its base connected to said diode means and its emitter-collector path connected between said second lead and said control electrode.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
A combination as defined in claim 30, further comprising a resistance connected between said diode means and the base of said transistor.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
52 words
A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said driving means comprises a transistor having its emitter-collector path connected between said first and second leads, and having its base connected to said control electrode, said transistor being connected to said switching means for controlling the open and closed states of the latter.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said switching means comprises a transistor having its emitter-collector path connected in series with said primary winding and having its base directly connected to said control electrode.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
84 words
A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said driving means comprises a transistor having its emitter-collector path connected between said first and second leads; said signal control means comprising first and second resistance means connected in series with each other and with said breaker switch between said first and second leads to form a tap, said tap being connected to the base of said transistor, said transistor being connected to said switching means for controlling the open and closed states of the latter.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
A combination as defined in claim 34, further comprising diode means connected between said first and second resistance means, the base of said transistor being connected to a tap point formed by said diode means and one of said resistance means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
49 words
A combination as defined in claim 35, wherein said first resistance means is connected to said first lead, said second resistance is connected to said second lead, and the base of said transistor is connected to a tap point formed by said first resistance means and said diode means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
66 words
A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said driving means comprises a transistor having its emitter-collector path connected between said first and second leads; said signal control means comprising first resistance means connected in series to said breaker switch to form a tap, the latter series combination being connected between said first and second leads, the base of said transistor being connected to said tap.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
A combination as defined in claim 37, further comprising diode means connected between the said base and said tap.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
A combination as defined in claim 38, wherein said diode means comprise a diode arranged to conduct current from said tap to said base.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
A combination as defined in claim 38, further comprising resistance means connected between said diode means and said base.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
296 words
In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine of the type including an ignition transformer comprised of a primary winding and a secondary winding and spark producing means connected across said secondary winding, in combination therewith, a rotary element driven by and rotating in synchronism with the engine; an ignition breaker switch coupled to said rotary element and arranged to be open during first time intervals corresponding to first predetermined ranges of angular positions of said rotary element and to be closed during second time intervals alternating with said first time intervals and corresponding to second predetermined ranges of angular positions of said rotary element; switching means connected in the current path of said primary winding and operative when open for preventing flow of current through said primary winding through such current path and operative when closed for permitting flow of current through said primary winding through such current path; first circuit means connected between said ignition breaker switch and said switching means and normally operative for causing said switching means to open when said breakeR switch opens for causing said switching means to close when said breaker switch closes, and wherein said primary winding constitutes an energy storing element which stores energy during said second intervals; and second circuit means operative for utilizing at least part of the energy stored in said primary winding for maintaining said switching means open during brief closing of said breaker switch in the event that due to faulty operation said breaker switch briefly closes during one of said first time intervals, and wherein said switching means includes an electronic switch element having a current path connected in said current path of said primary winding and having a control electrode connected to and controlled by said first circuit means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
296 words
In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine of the type including an ignition transformer comprised of a primary winding and a secondary winding and spark producing means connected across said secondary winding, in combination therewith, a rotary element driven by and rotating in synchronism with the engine; an ignition breaker switch coupled to said rotary element and arranged to be open during first time intervals corresponding to first predetermined ranges of angular positions of said rotary element and to be closed during second time intervals alternating with said first time intervals and corresponding to second predetermined ranges of angular positions of said rotary element; switching means connected in the current path of said primary winding and operative when open for preventing flow of current through said primary winding through such current path and operative when closed for permitting flow of current through said primary winding through such current path; first circuit means connected between said ignition breaker switch and said switching means and normally operative for causing said switching means to open when said breakeR switch opens for causing said switching means to close when said breaker switch closes, and wherein said primary winding constitutes an energy storing element which stores energy during said second intervals; and second circuit means operative for utilizing at least part of the energy stored in said primary winding for maintaining said switching means open during brief closing of said breaker switch in the event that due to faulty operation said breaker switch briefly closes during one of said first time intervals, and wherein said switching means includes an electronic switch element having a current path connected in said current path of said primary winding and having a control electrode connected to and controlled by said first circuit means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |