US3886535A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for detecting flammable vapors and controlling starting coil of ignition system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-07-19
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1993-07-19
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for detecting the presence of flammable vapors and for controlling the starter coil of the ignition system of an internal combustion engine in accordance with the result thereof. A multiple position switch is adapted to couple a source of current to visual and/or audible indicating means to indicate the operational status of the system. Time delay means is adapted to be coupled to the switch to provide a first segment of a series current path for the starter coil after a predetermined period of time and means are provided for furnishing the remaining segment of said series current path. Sensor means sense the presence of flammable vapors and are adapted to open the said remaining segment of the series current path upon the detection of such vapors and to maintain the said remaining segment of the current path completed in the absence of any such vapors, said series current path to the starter coil thus remaining open during the sensor warm-up period and when the indicating means indicate the non-operational status of the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Cirincione
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 03:40
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02P; F02P11/00; F02P11/04; A; A62; A62C; A62C3/00; A62C3/07; F02N; F02N15/00; F02N15/10; F02P11/02; F02P11/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
Apparatus for detecting the presence of flammable vapors and for controlling the starting coil of the ignition system of an internal combustion engine in accordance with the result thereof, said apparatus comprising: a. indicating means for indicating the operational status of said ignition system; b. a source of current for activation of said starter coil; c. manually operable switch means adapted to couple said source of current to said indicating means in accordance with the selected position of said switch; d. time delay means directly connected to one terminal of said source of current and being connected solely by said switch means to another terminal of said source of current and providing a first segment of a series current path for said starter coil after a predetermined period of time; e. means for providing the remaining segment of said series current path for said starter coil; and f. sensor means exposed to flammable vapors and having a conductive state which is inversely related to the quantum of flammable vapors present for detection, said sensor means being adapted to open said remaining segment of said series current path upon the detection of flammable vapors and to maintain said remaining segment of said series current path completed in the absence of flammable vapors, whereby said indicating means provides at least a visual signal signifying the status of the system as being in a condition selected from (1) warm-up period, (2) ignition-ready, and (3) non-operational, said time delay means providing said segment of the series current path for said starter irrespective of the conductive state of said sensor means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
266 words
Apparatus for detecting the presence of flammable vapors and for controlling the starting coil of the ignition system of an internal combustion engine in accordance with the result thereof, said apparatus comprising: a. indicating means for indicating the operational status of said ignition system; b. a source of current for activation of said starter coil; c. manually operable switch means adapted to couple said source of current to said indicating means in accordance with the selected position of said switch; d. time delay means directly connected to one terminal of said source of current and being connected solely by said switch means to another terminal of said source of current and providing a first segment of a series current path for said starter coil after a predetermined period of time; e. means for providing the remaining segment of said series current path for said starter coil; and f. sensor means exposed to flammable vapors and having a conductive state which is inversely related to the quantum of flammable vapors present for detection, said sensor means being adapted to open said remaining segment of said series current path upon the detection of flammable vapors and to maintain said remaining segment of said series current path completed in the absence of flammable vapors, whereby said indicating means provides at least a visual signal signifying the status of the system as being in a condition selected from (1) warm-up period, (2) ignition-ready, and (3) non-operational, said time delay means providing said segment of the series current path for said starter irrespective of the conductive state of said sensor means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said indicating means comprises a plurality of colored lamps, each of said lamps being representative of one of said status conditions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said switch means comprises a multiple position ignition switch having at least two operative positions in one of which said source of current is connected (a) to said time delay means, (b) to said sensor means and (c) to said means for providing the remaining segment of said series current path, the other operative position of said switch maintaining said connections (a), (b) and (c) and also connecting said source of current to said starter coil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said time delay means is a thermal time delay relay, said relay during a predetermined time delay having open contacts in said series current path which automatically close after said predetermined period of time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a power switch is provided adapted to isolate said source of current from said sensor means and said means for providing the remaining segment of said series current path notwithstanding said ignition switch being in said two operative positions thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for providing the remaining segment of said series current path includes a control relay having an operating coil and multiple relay contacts, one oF said relay contacts being normally closed by a movable arm controlled by said control relay in said series current path, said relay coil being provided with energizing current via said sensor means only when said sensor means detects the presence of flammable vapors at which time said movable arm engages another of the relay contacts to break said series current path independently of the operation of the time delay means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensor means comprises a reductive-type semi-conductor device formed of a metal oxide and adapted to have its conductivity increased in the presence of flammable deoxidizing vapors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a resistor is connected in series with said sensor means and said source of current and providing a predetermined voltage drop to ensure heating of the sensor means to a predetermined operating temperature, said time delay means providing a delay sufficient to ensure said sensor means reaching said predetermined temperature.
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) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |