Patent US4114574A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4114574A
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Electronic spark timing advance controller
Assignee: Old Carco LLC
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Filing: 1976-03-04
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Granted: 1978-09-19
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Expires: 1996-03-04
Abstract
Abstract An electronic spark timing advance controller for variably controlling the degree of advance or retardation of the firing event of an internal combustion engine integrates an engine speed signal to produce a signal, which is proportional to engine angular position and is reset at a predetermined reference point or angular position of the engine prior to the firing of each cylinder of the engine. A signal, which is proportional to a predetermined firing angle of the engine, is compared with the engine angular position signal to produce an output signal, which is supplied to spark generating means to produce a spark when the compared signals have a predetermined relation to each other. Additional signals, which vary in accordance with a predetermined engine speed advance characteristic and a predetermined engine vacuum advance characteristic, affect the comparison to vary the firing angle of the engine in accordance with the corresponding engine operating parameters. Additional control over the engine timing is provided in the subject timing controller in which the spark timing is retarded at temperatures below the operating temperature of the catalytic reactor installed on an emission controlled engine. The operation of the engine at a retarded spark condition increases the temperature of the exhaust gases supplied to the reactor to provide rapid or accelerated warm-up of the reactor to its effective operating temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 George E. Platzer, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:07
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02P; F02P5/00; F02P5/04; F02P5/145; F02P5/155; F02P5/1553; F02P5/1556; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
360 words
An electronic spark timing advance ignition system for an internal combustion engine comprising: means for generating a first electrical signal quantity whose amplitude varies with engine speed and for deriving from said first electrical signal quantity a cyclically repeating second electrical signal quantity whose amplitude varies independently of engine speed as a function of the angular rotational position of the engine crankshaft and reaches the same peak amplitude each cycle of repetition thereof, said means including an electrical signal pulse generator having a predetermined angular positional setting relative to the engine crankshaft and driven thereby for producing a train of pulses having a repetition rate related to engine speed and integrator means having an integrating input terminal coupled to receive said first signal quantity and a reset input terminal coupled to said signal pulse generator to be electrically reset by each and every signal pulse therefrom at said predetermined angular positional setting thereof relative to the engine crankshaft for producing said second electrical signal quantity from said first electrical signal quantity; means for producing a reference electrical signal quantity of a predetermined fixed amplitude value independent of the engine speed related first signal quantity and the engine crankshaft position related second signal quantity, said refernce signal quantity corresponding to the amplitude value of said second electrical signal quantity at a predetermined initial angular position of the crankshaft at which it is desired to fire the engine; comparing means having an input terminal coupled to receive said second electrical signal quantity and another input terminal coupled to receive said reference electrical signal quantity for comparing said signal quantities to produce an ignition trigger signal at said predetermined initial angular position of the engine crankshaft; and means for modifying the occurrence of said ignition trigger signal in accordance with said first electrical signal quantity including means for algebraically combining said first electrical signal quantity with said reference electrical signal quantity and applying the combined electrical signal therefrom to said comparing means for comparison with said second electrical signal quantity. said combining means connected between the integrating input terminal of said integrator means and the said another input terminal of said comparing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
360 words
An electronic spark timing advance ignition system for an internal combustion engine comprising: means for generating a first electrical signal quantity whose amplitude varies with engine speed and for deriving from said first electrical signal quantity a cyclically repeating second electrical signal quantity whose amplitude varies independently of engine speed as a function of the angular rotational position of the engine crankshaft and reaches the same peak amplitude each cycle of repetition thereof, said means including an electrical signal pulse generator having a predetermined angular positional setting relative to the engine crankshaft and driven thereby for producing a train of pulses having a repetition rate related to engine speed and integrator means having an integrating input terminal coupled to receive said first signal quantity and a reset input terminal coupled to said signal pulse generator to be electrically reset by each and every signal pulse therefrom at said predetermined angular positional setting thereof relative to the engine crankshaft for producing said second electrical signal quantity from said first electrical signal quantity; means for producing a reference electrical signal quantity of a predetermined fixed amplitude value independent of the engine speed related first signal quantity and the engine crankshaft position related second signal quantity, said refernce signal quantity corresponding to the amplitude value of said second electrical signal quantity at a predetermined initial angular position of the crankshaft at which it is desired to fire the engine; comparing means having an input terminal coupled to receive said second electrical signal quantity and another input terminal coupled to receive said reference electrical signal quantity for comparing said signal quantities to produce an ignition trigger signal at said predetermined initial angular position of the engine crankshaft; and means for modifying the occurrence of said ignition trigger signal in accordance with said first electrical signal quantity including means for algebraically combining said first electrical signal quantity with said reference electrical signal quantity and applying the combined electrical signal therefrom to said comparing means for comparison with said second electrical signal quantity. said combining means connected between the integrating input terminal of said integrator means and the said another input terminal of said comparing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
An electronic ignition system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first named means includes pulse averaging means connected between said electrical signal pulse generator and the said integrating input terminal of said integrator means and wherein said pulse averaging means is connected to supply an output signal therefrom to said combining means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
An electronic ignition system in accordance with claim 1 including means for generating a third electrical signal quantity which is related to another engine operating parameter and for applying said third electrical signal quantity to said combining means for combination with said first electrical signal quantity and said reference electrical signal quantity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electronic ignition system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said third electrical signal varies in accordance with engine vacuum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
An electronic ignition system in accordance with claim 3 including means for generating a fourth electrical signal quantity and for combining said fourth electrical signal quantity with said third electrical signal quantity, said first electrical signal quantity and said reference electrical signal quantity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electronic ignition system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said fourth electrical signal quantity is of a fixed level and of a polarity to retard the timing of the firing of the engine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
An electronic ignition system in accordance with claim 6 including means for sensing the temperature of an emissions reduction chamber device connected to receive the engine exhaust and operative at a critical operating temperature and for controlling the application of said fourth electrical signal quantity to said combining means to retard the timing of the engine until the sensed temperature attains said critical operating temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said third electrical signal is of a fixed level and of a polarity to retard the timing of the firing event in a cylinder of the engine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 including means for sensing a temperature in the engine and controlling the application of said third electrical signal to said combining means to retard the timing of the engine until the sensed temperature attains a predetermined value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein the sensed temperature is that of an emissions reduction chamber device connected to receive the engine exhaust and operative at a critical operating temperature.
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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) | 1981-09-18 | 1982-03-20 | 1982-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-18 | 1986-03-20 | 1986-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-18 | 1990-03-20 | 1990-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |