Ignition apparatus and system

Claim 2

In distributor apparatus for an engine, an ignition timing and pulse generating assembly comprising sensor and circuit module means, said module means including a Hall cell sensor and a circuit connected with said sensor and responsive thereto for generating switching signals for an ignition coil of an engine, plate means for said module means for enabling said module means to be mounted within a distributor of said engine and for providing a heat sink for said module means, said plate means providing a common electrical conductor connected with the circuit of said module means and for providing an electrical connection with a power source for said engine, cable means for connection with said module means, said cable means having conductors for supplying power to said module means from the power source of said engine and for connecting an output of said module means with said ignition coil of said engine, and rotor means for connection with a rotary member of said distributor for rotating said rotor means in synchronism with engine rotation of said engine, said rotor means comprising a wall with a plurality of spaced permanent magnets having outer surfaces for movement closely contiguous with the sensor of said module means.

Claim 3

An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said rotor means is substantially identical in configuration and construction with the rotor for a conventional vehicle, and said magnets are imbedded in a cylindrical wall of said rotor means.

Claim 4

An ignition assembly for use in a distributor of an engine comprising sensor and circuit module means, said module means including a Hall cell sensor and circuit for generating switching signals for an ignition coil of an engine, said module means including first and second power conductors and an output terminal connected with said circuit, plate means for said module means for enabling said module means to be mounted within a distributor of said engine and for providing a heat sink for said module means, one of said power conductors of said module means being electrically connected to said plate means, said plate means comprising a plate having at least an aperture therein for allowing said plate to be attached to a member of a distributor to which a conventional breaker point assembly normally is attached, electrical conductor means coupled with said second power conductor and said output terminal of said module means for enabling respective connection with a power source of said engine and said ignition coil of said engine, and rotor means for connection with a rotary member oF said distributor for rotating said rotor means in synchronism with engine rotation of said engine, said rotor means comprising a wall having disposed therein a plurality of spaced permanent magnets having outer surfaces for movement closely contiguous with the sensor of said module means.

Claim 5

An ignition assembly for use in a distributor of an engine comprising sensor and circuit module means, said module means including a Hall cell sensor and circuit for generating switching signals for an ignition coil of an engine, said module means including first and second power conductors and an output terminal connected with said circuit, plate means for said module means for enabling said module means to be mounted within a distributor of said engine and for providing a heat sink for said module means, one of said power conductors of said module means being electrically connected to said plate means, said plate means comprising a plate having at least an aperture therein for allowing said plate to be attached to a member of a distributor to which a conventional breaker point assembly normally is attached, electrical conductor means coupled with said second power conductor and said output terminal of said module means for enabling respective connection with a power source of said engine and said ignition coil of said engine, and rotor means for connection with a rotary member oF said distributor for rotating said rotor means in synchronism with engine rotation of said engine, said rotor means comprising a wall having disposed therein a plurality of spaced permanent magnets having outer surfaces for movement closely contiguous with the sensor of said module means.

Claim 6

An assembly as in claim 33 wherein said rotor means is substantially identical in configuration and construction with the rotor for a conventional vehicle, and said magnets are imbedded in a cylindrical wall of said rotor means.

Claim 7

A rotor for use in a distributor of an engine for generating timing signals applied through an electrical circuit for generating switching signals for an ignition coil of an engine, comprising body means having a configuration substantially the same as a conventional distributor rotor for cooperatively mating with a rotary member of a distributor, said body means being of nonmagnetic material and comprising a wall forming an inner aperture for engagement with said rotary member and having an outer wall, and a plurality of individual magnets coupled with said outer wall and equally spaced about the periphery thereof, said magnets having outer surfaces for rotation in close proximity with an electrical sensor and for cooperating with said sensor for generating timing signals in synchronism with the speed of an engine.

Claim 8

A rotor for use in a distributor of an engine for generating timing signals applied through an electrical circuit for generating switching signals for an ignition coil of an engine, comprising body means having a configuration substantially the same as a conventional distributor rotor for cooperatively mating with a rotary member of a distributor, said body means being of nonmagnetic material and comprising a wall forming an inner aperture for engagement with said rotary member and having an outer wall, and a plurality of individual magnets coupled with said outer wall and equally spaced about the periphery thereof, said magnets having outer surfaces for rotation in close proximity with an electrical sensor and for cooperating with said sensor for generating timing signals in synchronism with the speed of an engine.

Claim 9

A module assembly for mounting within a conventional distributor for providing timing and switching signals for an ignition coil of an engine, comprising sensor and circuit module means, said module means including a Hall cell sensor and circuit for generating switching signals for an ignition coil of an engine, said module means including first and second power conductors and an output terminal connected with said circuit, and plate means attached to said module means for enabling said module means to be mounted within a distributor of said engine and for providing a heat sink for said module means, one of said power conductors of said module means being electrically connected to said plate means, said plate means comprising a plate having at least an aperture therein for allowing said plate to be attached to a member of a distributor to which a conventional breaker point assembly normally is attached.

Claim 10

A module assembly for mounting within a conventional distributor for providing timing and switching signals for an ignition coil of an engine, comprising sensor and circuit module means, said module means including a Hall cell sensor and circuit for generating switching signals for an ignition coil of an engine, said module means including first and second power conductors and an output terminal connected with said circuit, and plate means attached to said module means for enabling said module means to be mounted within a distributor of said engine and for providing a heat sink for said module means, one of said power conductors of said module means being electrically connected to said plate means, said plate means comprising a plate having at least an aperture therein for allowing said plate to be attached to a member of a distributor to which a conventional breaker point assembly normally is attached.

Claim 13

An ignition apparatus for an engine, wherein said ignition apparatus includes a distributor having a rotary member rotated in synchronism with engine rotation of the engine and having a breaker plate disposed therein, said ignition apparatus including an ignition coil for the spark plugs of the engine, the improvement comprising sensor and circuit module means mounteD within said distributor, said module means including a Hall cell sensor and circuit for generating switching signals for the ignition coil of the engine, said module means including first and second power conductors and an output terminal connected with said circuit, bracket means attached to said module means and providing a heat sink therefor, one of said power conductors of said module means being electrically connected to said bracket means, said bracket means comprising a plate secured to said breaker plate of said distributor and said plate of said bracket means having at least an aperture therein for allowing said plate of said bracket means to be adjusted with respect to the rotary member of said distributor, electrical conductor means coupled with said second power conductor and said output terminal of said module means, said electrical conductor means including cables respectively connected to a power source of the engine and to the ignition coil, and rotor means coupled with said rotary member of said distributor, said rotor means comprising a wall having disposed therein a plurality of spaced permanent magnets having outer surfaces for movement closely contiguous with the sensor of said module means.

Claim 14

An ignition apparatus for an engine, wherein said ignition apparatus includes a distributor having a rotary member rotated in synchronism with engine rotation of the engine and having a breaker plate disposed therein, said ignition apparatus including an ignition coil for the spark plugs of the engine, the improvement comprising sensor and circuit module means mounteD within said distributor, said module means including a Hall cell sensor and circuit for generating switching signals for the ignition coil of the engine, said module means including first and second power conductors and an output terminal connected with said circuit, bracket means attached to said module means and providing a heat sink therefor, one of said power conductors of said module means being electrically connected to said bracket means, said bracket means comprising a plate secured to said breaker plate of said distributor and said plate of said bracket means having at least an aperture therein for allowing said plate of said bracket means to be adjusted with respect to the rotary member of said distributor, electrical conductor means coupled with said second power conductor and said output terminal of said module means, said electrical conductor means including cables respectively connected to a power source of the engine and to the ignition coil, and rotor means coupled with said rotary member of said distributor, said rotor means comprising a wall having disposed therein a plurality of spaced permanent magnets having outer surfaces for movement closely contiguous with the sensor of said module means.

Claim 15

In distributor apparatus for an engine, an ignition timing and pulse generating assembly comprising sensor and circuit module means, said module means including a Hall cell sensor and a circuit connected with said sensor and responsive thereto for generating switching signals for an ignition coil of engine, plate means for said module means for enabling said module means to be mounted within a distributor of the engine, said plate means providing a common electrical conductor connected with the circuit of said module means and for providing an electrical connection with a power source for said engine, cable means for connection with said module means, said cable means having conductors for supplying power to said module means from the power source of said engine and for connecting an output of said module means with the ignition coil of said engine, and rotor means for connection with a rotary member of said distributor for rotating said rotor means in synchronism with engine rotation of said engine, said rotor means comprising a plurality of cooperatively mating sections, said sections being positionable on said rotary member of said distributor and having an inner surface configuration for mating and keying with said rotary member, and said mating sections of said rotor means forming a wall with a plurality of spaced permanent magnets having outer surfaces for movement closely contiguous with the sensor of said module means.

Claim 16

In distributor apparatus for an engine, an ignition timing and pulse generating assembly comprising sensor and circuit module means, said module means including a Hall cell sensor and a circuit connected with said sensor and responsive thereto for generating switching signals for an ignition coil of engine, plate means for said module means for enabling said module means to be mounted within a distributor of the engine, said plate means providing a common electrical conductor connected with the circuit of said module means and for providing an electrical connection with a power source for said engine, cable means for connection with said module means, said cable means having conductors for supplying power to said module means from the power source of said engine and for connecting an output of said module means with the ignition coil of said engine, and rotor means for connection with a rotary member of said distributor for rotating said rotor means in synchronism with engine rotation of said engine, said rotor means comprising a plurality of cooperatively mating sections, said sections being positionable on said rotary member of said distributor and having an inner surface configuration for mating and keying with said rotary member, and said mating sections of said rotor means forming a wall with a plurality of spaced permanent magnets having outer surfaces for movement closely contiguous with the sensor of said module means.

Claim 17

An ignition assembly for use in a distributor of an engine comprising sensor and circuit module means, said module means including a Hall cell sensor and circuit for generating switching signals for an ignition coil of an engine, said module means including first and second power conductors and an output terminal connected with said circuit, plate means for said module means for enabling said module means to be mounted within a distributor of the engine, one of said power conductors of said module means being electrically connected to said plate means, said plate means comprising a plate having at least an aperture therein for allowing said plate to be attached to a member of a distributor to which a conventional breaker point assembly normally is attached, electrical conductor means coupled with said second power conductor and said output terminal of said module means for enabling respective connection with a power source of said engine and said ignition coil of said engine, and rotor means for connection with a rotary member of said distributor for rotating said rotor means in synchronism with engine rotation of said engine, said rotor means comprising a plurality of cooperatively mating sections, said sections being positionable on said rotary meMber of said distributor and having an inner surface configuration for mating and keying with said rotary member, and said mating sections of said rotor means forming a wall having disposed therein a plurality of spaced permanent magnets having outer surfaces for movement closely contiguous with the sensor of said module means.

Claim 18

An ignition assembly for use in a distributor of an engine comprising sensor and circuit module means, said module means including a Hall cell sensor and circuit for generating switching signals for an ignition coil of an engine, said module means including first and second power conductors and an output terminal connected with said circuit, plate means for said module means for enabling said module means to be mounted within a distributor of the engine, one of said power conductors of said module means being electrically connected to said plate means, said plate means comprising a plate having at least an aperture therein for allowing said plate to be attached to a member of a distributor to which a conventional breaker point assembly normally is attached, electrical conductor means coupled with said second power conductor and said output terminal of said module means for enabling respective connection with a power source of said engine and said ignition coil of said engine, and rotor means for connection with a rotary member of said distributor for rotating said rotor means in synchronism with engine rotation of said engine, said rotor means comprising a plurality of cooperatively mating sections, said sections being positionable on said rotary meMber of said distributor and having an inner surface configuration for mating and keying with said rotary member, and said mating sections of said rotor means forming a wall having disposed therein a plurality of spaced permanent magnets having outer surfaces for movement closely contiguous with the sensor of said module means.

Claim 19

A rotor for use in a distributor of an engine for generating timing signals applied through an electrical circuit for generating switching signals for an ignition coil of the engine, comprising body means for cooperatively mating with a rotary member of a distributor, said body means comprising a wall forming an inner aperture for engagement with said rotary member and having an outer wall, said body means including a plurality of cooperatively mating sections forming said wall, said sections being positionable on said rotary member of said distributor and having an inner surface configuration for mating and keying with said rotary member, and a plurality of magnets coupled with said outer wall and equally spaced about the periphery thereof, said magnets having outer surfaces for rotation in close proximity with an electrical sensor and for cooperating with said sensor for generating timing signals in synchronism with the speed of an engine.

Claim 20

A rotor for use in a distributor of an engine for generating timing signals applied through an electrical circuit for generating switching signals for an ignition coil of the engine, comprising body means for cooperatively mating with a rotary member of a distributor, said body means comprising a wall forming an inner aperture for engagement with said rotary member and having an outer wall, said body means including a plurality of cooperatively mating sections forming said wall, said sections being positionable on said rotary member of said distributor and having an inner surface configuration for mating and keying with said rotary member, and a plurality of magnets coupled with said outer wall and equally spaced about the periphery thereof, said magnets having outer surfaces for rotation in close proximity with an electrical sensor and for cooperating with said sensor for generating timing signals in synchronism with the speed of an engine.

Claim 21

A module assembly for mounting within a conventional distributor for providing timing and switching signals for an ignition coil of an engine, comprising sensor and circuit module means, said module means including a sensor and a switching circuit for generating swtiching signals for an ignition coil of an engine, said module means including first and second power conductors and an output terminal connected with said circuit, and bracket means attached to said module means for enabling said module means to be mounted within a distributor of said engine and for providing a heat sink for said module means, said bracket means including metal tab and plate means with the tab means being physically connected with said module means, said plate means of said bracket means having at least an aperture therein for allowing said plate means to be attached to said distributor.

Claim 22

A module assembly for mounting within a conventional distributor for providing timing and switching signals for an ignition coil of an engine, comprising sensor and circuit module means, said module means including a sensor and a switching circuit for generating swtiching signals for an ignition coil of an engine, said module means including first and second power conductors and an output terminal connected with said circuit, and bracket means attached to said module means for enabling said module means to be mounted within a distributor of said engine and for providing a heat sink for said module means, said bracket means including metal tab and plate means with the tab means being physically connected with said module means, said plate means of said bracket means having at least an aperture therein for allowing said plate means to be attached to said distributor.

Claim 23

A module assembly as in claim 12 wherein said tab and plate means comprise a tab and a plate which are physically, electrically and thermally connected together, and said plate is configured to be attached to a member of a distributor to which a conventional breaker point assembly normally is attached.

Claim 24

A module assembly as in claim 12 wherein said tab and plate means comprise a tab and a plate which are physically, electrically and thermally connected together, and said plate comprises a distributor breaker plate.

Claim 25

An ignition timing and pulse generating assembly for use in a distributor of an engine comprising sensor and circuit module means for providing switching signals to an ignition coil of an engine, said module means including a Hall cell sensor and a switching circuit for generating switching signals for the ignition coil of the engine, said module means including power conductor means and output terminal means connected with said switching circuit, plate means physically coupled with said module means, said module means and plate means being configurated to allow said plate means and module means to be mounted within a distributor of the engine, conductor means for coupling said output terminal means of said module means with the ignition coil of the vehicle, and rotor means having a configuration substantially the same as a conventional distributor rotor for connection with a rotary member of the distributor for rotating said rotor means in synchronism with engine rotation, said rotor means comprising a wall with a plurality of substantially equally spaced permanent magnets having outer surfaces for movement closely contiguous with the sensor of said module means.

Claim 26

An ignition timing and pulse generating assembly for use in a distributor of an engine comprising sensor and circuit module means for providing switching signals to an ignition coil of an engine, said module means including a Hall cell sensor and a switching circuit for generating switching signals for the ignition coil of the engine, said module means including power conductor means and output terminal means connected with said switching circuit, plate means physically coupled with said module means, said module means and plate means being configurated to allow said plate means and module means to be mounted within a distributor of the engine, conductor means for coupling said output terminal means of said module means with the ignition coil of the vehicle, and rotor means having a configuration substantially the same as a conventional distributor rotor for connection with a rotary member of the distributor for rotating said rotor means in synchronism with engine rotation, said rotor means comprising a wall with a plurality of substantially equally spaced permanent magnets having outer surfaces for movement closely contiguous with the sensor of said module means.

Claim 27

An ignition timing and pulse generating assembly for moUnting within a conventional distributor of an ignition system of an engine, wherein said distributor has a rotary member rotated in synchronism with engine rotation and wherein the ignition system includes an ignition coil for the spark plugs of the engine, the ignition assembly comprising sensor and circuit module means, said module means including a Hall cell sensor and a circuit connected with said sensor and responsive thereto for generating switching signals for the ignition coil of the engine, and said module means including first and second power conductors and an output terminal connected with said circuit, the first and second power conductors being adapted to be coupled with a power source of the engine and the output terminal being adapted to be connected with the ignition coil of the engine, plate means for said module means for enabling said module means to be mounted entirely within a distributor of the vehicle, said plate means providing a heat sink for said module means, and rotor means for connection with the rotary member of said distributor for rotating said rotor means in synchronism with engine rotation, said rotor means comprising a substantially circular outer wall with a plurality of spaced individual permanent magnets having outer surfaces for movement closely contiguous with the sensor of said module means.

Claim 28

An ignition timing and pulse generating assembly for moUnting within a conventional distributor of an ignition system of an engine, wherein said distributor has a rotary member rotated in synchronism with engine rotation and wherein the ignition system includes an ignition coil for the spark plugs of the engine, the ignition assembly comprising sensor and circuit module means, said module means including a Hall cell sensor and a circuit connected with said sensor and responsive thereto for generating switching signals for the ignition coil of the engine, and said module means including first and second power conductors and an output terminal connected with said circuit, the first and second power conductors being adapted to be coupled with a power source of the engine and the output terminal being adapted to be connected with the ignition coil of the engine, plate means for said module means for enabling said module means to be mounted entirely within a distributor of the vehicle, said plate means providing a heat sink for said module means, and rotor means for connection with the rotary member of said distributor for rotating said rotor means in synchronism with engine rotation, said rotor means comprising a substantially circular outer wall with a plurality of spaced individual permanent magnets having outer surfaces for movement closely contiguous with the sensor of said module means.