Continuous-wave high-frequency AC ignition system

Claim 2

Ignition system for an internal combustion engine, comprising an inverter including a single transformer having a secondary winding for supplying a continuous-wave, high-frequency sparksignal output only during controlled sparking intervals, a primary winding with at least one transistor connected in circuit therewith, and a feedback winding connected to said transistor for providing an oscillator having a predetermined load frequency during said spark intervals, said load frequency being substantially different from a harmonic frequency of the fundamental resonant frequency of said secondary winding circuit, and saturable-core inductor means connected in circuit with said feedback winding for determining the no-load frequency to be substantially equal to said harmonic frequency.

Claim 3

Ignition system according to claim 1, further comprising an oscillator-control winding on said transformer, and means controlled by said engine for connecting a loading circuit to said control winding and for applying a DC bias thereto between said sparking intervals whereby removal of said DC bias and said control winding load causes instantaneous starting of said oscillation.

Claim 4

Ignition system according to claim 2, wherein said primary winding is center-tapped with two transistors connected in circuit therewith, and said feedback winding is also connected to said two transistors.

Claim 5

Ignition system according to claim 3, wherein each of said two transistors has the collectoremitter circuit across half of said primary winding, and said feedback winding is connected to the bases of both said transistors.

Claim 6

Ignition system according to claim 4, wherein said saturable-core inductor means is connected across said bases.

Claim 7

Ignition system according to claim 5, wherein said inverter also includes circuit means for connecting a DC source between said primary winding center tap and said collector-emitter circuits at a point between said transistors.

Claim 8

In combination, a continuous-wave high-frequency ignition system, wherein said system comprises a single transformer having a high voltage AC spark signal output winding, an input winding on said transformer, a feedback winding on said transformer, a control winding on said transformer, a pair of transistors, first circuit means for connecting said transistors to said input and feedback windings to form a squarewave high-frequency oscillator, second circuit means for connecting a DC source of power to said oscillator. a saturable core inductor, third circuit means for connecting said inductor into said oscillator whereby the no-load frequency equals a harmonic of the fundamental resonant frequency of said output winding circuit, said load frequency being substantially different from said harmonic frequency.

Claim 9

In combination, a continuous-wave high-frequency ignition system, wherein said system comprises a single transformer having a high voltage AC spark signal output winding, an input winding on said transformer, a feedback winding on said transformer, a control winding on said transformer, a pair of transistors, first circuit means for connecting said transistors to said input and feedback windings to form a squarewave high-frequency oscillator, second circuit means for connecting a DC source of power to said oscillator. a saturable core inductor, third circuit means for connecting said inductor into said oscillator whereby the no-load frequency equals a harmonic of the fundamental resonant frequency of said output winding circuit, said load frequency being substantially different from said harmonic frequency.