Internal combustion engine speed ignition spark advance system

Claim 2

In an internal combustion engine electronic ignition system combination including an electrical generator assembly having a rotor member rotated in timed relationship with the engine and an output coil in which is induced a series of alternating current timing signals of an amplitude directly proportional to engine speed, an ignition coil having at least a primary winding connected in an electrical energizing circuit and an electrical signal responsive electronic control unit for effecting first the completion of and later the interruption of the ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit in timed relationship with the engine in response to each cycle of the timing signals, the improvement of an electronic engine speed ignition spark advance system for providing an increasing ignition spark advance with increasing engine speed greater than a selected value by producing, while the engine is operating at a speed equal to and greater than the selected value, an output ignition spark signal that is effective to override the timing signals to effect the interruption of the ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit at an engine crankshaft angle earlier than that at which it would be interrupted by the electronic control unit operating normally in response to the timing signals comprising: means responsive to said timing signals for producing a first signal when the potential level of said alternating current timing signals across said electrical generator assembly output coil reaches a predetermined magnitude; and means responsive to said first signal for producing a second signal and for applying said second signal to said electronic control unit of said electronic ignition system combination in such a manner that said electronic control unit is responsive thereto to effect the interruption of said ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit whereby, while said engine is operating at a speed equal to and greater than said selected value, an increasing engine speed ignition spark advance is provided with increasing engine speed.

Claim 3

In an internal combustion engine electronic ignition system combination including an electrical generator assembly having a rotor member rotated in timed relationship with the engine and an output coil in which is induced a series of alternating current timing signals of an amplitude directly proportional to engine speed, an ignition coil having at least a primary winding connected in an electrical energizing circuit and an electrical signal responsive electronic control unit for effecting first the completion of and later the interruption of the ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit in timed relationship with the engine in response to each cycle of the timing signals, the improvement of an electronic engine speed ignition spark advance system for providing an increasing ignition spark advance with increasing engine speed greater than a selected value by producing, while the engine is operating at a speed equal to and greater than the selected value, an output ignition spark signal that is effective to override the timing signals to effect the interruption of the ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit at an engine crankshaft angle earlier than that at which it would be interrupted by the electronic control unit operating normally in response to the timing signals comprising: means including input circuit means responsive to a selected input signal potential level for producing a first signal; means including output circuit means responsive to said timing signals for producing a reference potential upon said output circuit means that is of a selected minimum level while the potential level of said alternating current timing signals across said electrical generator assembly output coil is less than a selected value and that follows the potential level with respect to a point of reference potential upon a selected terminal end of said electrical generator assembly output coil while the potential level of said alternating current timing signals is equal to and greater than said selected value; means for connecting the other terminal end of said electrical generator assembly output coil and said output circuit means of said reference potential producing means across said input circuit means of said means for producing said first signal; and means responsive to said first signal for producing a second signal and for applying said second signal to said electronic control unit of said electronic ignition system combination in such a manner that said electronic control unit is responsive thereto to effect the interruption of said ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit whereby, while said engine is operating at a speed equal to and greater than said selected value, an increasing engine speed ignition spark advance is provided with increasing engine speed.

Claim 4

In an internal combustion engine electronic ignition system combination including an electrical generator assembly having a rotor member rotated in timed relationship with the engine and an output coil in which is induced a series of alternating current timing signals of an amplitude directly proportional to engine speed, an ignition coil having at least a primary winding connected in an electrical energizing circuit and an electrical signal responsive electronic control unit for effecting first the completion of and later the interruption of the ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit in timed relationship with the engine in response to each cycle of the timing signals, the improvement of an electronic engine speed ignition spark advance system for providing an increasing ignition spark advance with increasing engine speed greater than a selected value by producing, while the engine is operating at a speed equal to and greater than the selected value, an output ignition spark signal that is effective to override the timing signals to effect the interruption of the ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit at an engine crankshaft angle earlier than that at which it would be interrupted by the electronic control unit operating normally in response to the timing signals comprising: means including input circuit means responsive to a selected input signal potential level for producing a first signal; means including output circuit means responsive to said timing signals for producing a reference potential upon said output circuit means that is of a selected minimum level while the potential level of said alternating current timing signals across said electrical generator assembly output coil is less than a selected value and that follows the potential level with respect to a point of reference potential upon a selected terminal end of said electrical generator assembly output coil while the potential level of said alternating current timing signals is equal to and greater than said selected value; means for connecting the other terminal end of said electrical generator assembly output coil and said output circuit means of said reference potential producing means across said input circuit means of said means for producing said first signal; and means responsive to said first signal for producing a second signal and for applying said second signal to said electronic control unit of said electronic ignition system combination in such a manner that said electronic control unit is responsive thereto to effect the interruption of said ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit whereby, while said engine is operating at a speed equal to and greater than said selected value, an increasing engine speed ignition spark advance is provided with increasing engine speed.

Claim 5

In an internal combustion engine electronic ignition system combination including an electrical generator assembly having a rotor member rotated in timed relationship with the engine and an output coil in which is induced a series of alternating current timing signals of an amplitude directly proportional to engine speed, an ignition coil having at least a primary winding connected in an electrical energizing circuit and an electrical signal responsive electronic control unit for effecting first the completion of and later the interruption of the ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit in timed relationship with the engine in response to each cycle of the timing signals, the improvement of an electronic engine speed ignition spark advance system for providing an increasing ignition spark advance with increasing engine speed greater than a selected value by producing, while the engine is operating at a speed equal to and greater than the selected value, and output ignition spark signal that is effective to override the timing signals to effect the interruption of the ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit at an engine crankshaft angle earlier than that at which it would be interrupted by the electronic control unit operating normally in response to the timing signals comprising: means responsive to said timing signals for producing a first signal when the potential level of said alternating current timing signals across said electrical generator assembly output coil reaches a predetermined magnitude; and means including a trigger circuit that is operable to two different conditions of operation and is responsive to said first signal for producing a second signal upon the operation thereof to a selected one of said operating conditions in response to said first signal and for applying said second signal to said electronic control unit of said electronic ignition system combination in such a manner that said electronic control unit is responsive thereto to effect the interruption of said ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit whereby, while said engine is operating at a speed equal to and greater than said selected value, an increasing engine speed ignition spark advance is provided with increasing engine speed.

Claim 6

In an internal combustion engine electronic ignition system combination including an electrical generator assembly having a rotor member rotated in timed relationship with the engine and an output coil in which is induced a series of alternating current timing signals of an amplitude directly proportional to engine speed, an ignition coil having at least a primary winding connected in an electrical energizing circuit and an electrical signal responsive electronic control unit for effecting first the completion of and later the interruption of the ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit in timed relationship with the engine in response to each cycle of the timing signals, the improvement of an electronic engine speed ignition spark advance system for providing an increasing ignition spark advance with increasing engine speed greater than a selected value by producing, while the engine is operating at a speed equal to and greater than the selected value, and output ignition spark signal that is effective to override the timing signals to effect the interruption of the ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit at an engine crankshaft angle earlier than that at which it would be interrupted by the electronic control unit operating normally in response to the timing signals comprising: means responsive to said timing signals for producing a first signal when the potential level of said alternating current timing signals across said electrical generator assembly output coil reaches a predetermined magnitude; and means including a trigger circuit that is operable to two different conditions of operation and is responsive to said first signal for producing a second signal upon the operation thereof to a selected one of said operating conditions in response to said first signal and for applying said second signal to said electronic control unit of said electronic ignition system combination in such a manner that said electronic control unit is responsive thereto to effect the interruption of said ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit whereby, while said engine is operating at a speed equal to and greater than said selected value, an increasing engine speed ignition spark advance is provided with increasing engine speed.

Claim 7

In an internal combustion engine electronic ignition system combination including an electrical generator assembly having a rotor member rotated in timed relationship with the engine and an output coil in which is induced a series of alternating current timing signals of an amplitude directly proportional to engine speed, an ignition coil having at least a primary winding connected in an electrical energizing circuit and an electrical signal responsive electronic control unit for effecting first the completion of and later the interruption of the ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit in timed relationship with the engine in response to each cycle of the timing signals, the improvement of an electronic engine speed ignition spark advance system for providing an increasing ignition spark advance with increasing engine speed greater than a selected value by producing, while the engine is operating at a speed equal to and greater than the selected value, an output ignition spark signal that is effective to override the timing signals to effect the interruption of the ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit at an engine crankshaft angle earlier than that at which it would be interrupted by the electronic control unit operating normally in response to the timing signals comprising: means including input circuit means responsive to a selected input signal potential level for producing a first signal; means including input circuit means responsive to a selected input signal potential level for producing a first signal; means including output circuit means responsive to said timing signals for producing a reference potential upon said output circuit means that is of a selected minimum level while the potential level of said alternating current timing signals across said electrical generator assembly output coil is less than a selected value and that follows the potential level with respect to a point of reference potential upon a selected terminal end of said electrical generator assembly output coil while the potential level of said alternating current timing signals is equal to and greater than said selected value; means for connecting the other terminal end of said electrical generator assembly output coil and said output circuit means of said reference potential producing means across said input circuit means of said means for producing said first signal; means including a trigger circuit that is operable to two different conditions of operation and is responsive to said first signal for producing a second signal upon the operation thereof to a selected one of said operating conditions in response to said first signal and for applying said second signal to said electronic control unit of said electronic ignition system combination in such a manner that said electronic control unit is responsive thereto to effect the interruption of said ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit whereby, while said engine is operating at a speed equal to and greater than said selected value, an increasing engine speed ignition spark advance is provided with increasing engine speed; means for latching said trigger circuit in the said selected one operating condition to which it is operated in response to said first signal whereby said second signal is maintained upon said electronic control unit of said electronic ignition system combination to prevent the reenergization of said ignition coil primary winding while said second signal is maintained; and means responsive to the normal operation of said electronic control unit of said electronic ignition system combination to effect the interruption of said ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit in response to the same cycle of said timing signals for unlatching said trigger circuit to effect a reversal of the condition of operation of said trigger circuit.

Claim 8

In an internal combustion engine electronic ignition system combination including an electrical generator assembly having a rotor member rotated in timed relationship with the engine and an output coil in which is induced a series of alternating current timing signals of an amplitude directly proportional to engine speed, an ignition coil having at least a primary winding connected in an electrical energizing circuit and an electrical signal responsive electronic control unit for effecting first the completion of and later the interruption of the ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit in timed relationship with the engine in response to each cycle of the timing signals, the improvement of an electronic engine speed ignition spark advance system for providing an increasing ignition spark advance with increasing engine speed greater than a selected value by producing, while the engine is operating at a speed equal to and greater than the selected value, an output ignition spark signal that is effective to override the timing signals to effect the interruption of the ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit at an engine crankshaft angle earlier than that at which it would be interrupted by the electronic control unit operating normally in response to the timing signals comprising: means including input circuit means responsive to a selected input signal potential level for producing a first signal; means including input circuit means responsive to a selected input signal potential level for producing a first signal; means including output circuit means responsive to said timing signals for producing a reference potential upon said output circuit means that is of a selected minimum level while the potential level of said alternating current timing signals across said electrical generator assembly output coil is less than a selected value and that follows the potential level with respect to a point of reference potential upon a selected terminal end of said electrical generator assembly output coil while the potential level of said alternating current timing signals is equal to and greater than said selected value; means for connecting the other terminal end of said electrical generator assembly output coil and said output circuit means of said reference potential producing means across said input circuit means of said means for producing said first signal; means including a trigger circuit that is operable to two different conditions of operation and is responsive to said first signal for producing a second signal upon the operation thereof to a selected one of said operating conditions in response to said first signal and for applying said second signal to said electronic control unit of said electronic ignition system combination in such a manner that said electronic control unit is responsive thereto to effect the interruption of said ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit whereby, while said engine is operating at a speed equal to and greater than said selected value, an increasing engine speed ignition spark advance is provided with increasing engine speed; means for latching said trigger circuit in the said selected one operating condition to which it is operated in response to said first signal whereby said second signal is maintained upon said electronic control unit of said electronic ignition system combination to prevent the reenergization of said ignition coil primary winding while said second signal is maintained; and means responsive to the normal operation of said electronic control unit of said electronic ignition system combination to effect the interruption of said ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit in response to the same cycle of said timing signals for unlatching said trigger circuit to effect a reversal of the condition of operation of said trigger circuit.

Claim 9

In an internal combustion engine electronic ignition system combination including an electrical generator assembly having a rotor member rotated in timed relationship with the engine and an output coil in which is induced a series of alternating current timing signals of an amplitude directly proportional to engine speed, an ignition coil having at least a primary winding connected in an electrical energizing circuit and an electrical signal responsive electronic control unit for effecting first the completion of and later the interruption of the ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit in timed relationship with the engine in response to each cycle of the timing signals, the improvement of an electronic engine speed ignition spark advance system for providing an increasing ignition spark advance with increasing engine speed greater than a selected value by producing, while the engine is operating at a speed equal to and greater than the selected value, an output ignition spark signal that is effective to override the timing signals to effect the interruption of the ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit at an engine crankshaft angle earlier than that at which it would be interrupted by the electronic control unit operating normally in response to the timing signals comprising: means including input circuit means responsive to a selected input signal potential level for producing a first signal, means including output circuit means responsive to said timing signals for producing a reference potential upon said output circuit means that is of a selected minimum level while the potential level of said alternating current timing signals across said electrical generator assembly output coil is less than a selected value and that follows the potential level with respect to a point of reference potential upon a selected terminal end of said electrical generator assembly output coil while the potential level of said alternating current timing signals is equal to and greater than said selected value, said means including an NPN transistor having a control electrode and collector-emitter electrodes arranged for connection across an operating potential source in an emitter follower configuration; means for connecting said selected terminal end of said electrical generator assembly output coil to said control electrode of said NPN transistor; means for connecting the other terminal end of said output coil of said electrical generator assembly and said output circuit of said means for producing said reference potential across said input circuit means of said means for producing said first signal; and means responsive to said first signal for producing a second signal and for applying said second signal to said electronic control unit of said electronic ignition system combination in such a manner that said electronic control unit is responsive thereto to effect the interruption of said ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit whereby, while said engine is operating at a speed equal to and greater than said selected value, an increasing engine speed ignition spark advance is provided with increasing engine speed.

Claim 10

In an internal combustion engine electronic ignition system combination including an electrical generator assembly having a rotor member rotated in timed relationship with the engine and an output coil in which is induced a series of alternating current timing signals of an amplitude directly proportional to engine speed, an ignition coil having at least a primary winding connected in an electrical energizing circuit and an electrical signal responsive electronic control unit for effecting first the completion of and later the interruption of the ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit in timed relationship with the engine in response to each cycle of the timing signals, the improvement of an electronic engine speed ignition spark advance system for providing an increasing ignition spark advance with increasing engine speed greater than a selected value by producing, while the engine is operating at a speed equal to and greater than the selected value, an output ignition spark signal that is effective to override the timing signals to effect the interruption of the ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit at an engine crankshaft angle earlier than that at which it would be interrupted by the electronic control unit operating normally in response to the timing signals comprising: means including input circuit means responsive to a selected input signal potential level for producing a first signal, means including output circuit means responsive to said timing signals for producing a reference potential upon said output circuit means that is of a selected minimum level while the potential level of said alternating current timing signals across said electrical generator assembly output coil is less than a selected value and that follows the potential level with respect to a point of reference potential upon a selected terminal end of said electrical generator assembly output coil while the potential level of said alternating current timing signals is equal to and greater than said selected value, said means including an NPN transistor having a control electrode and collector-emitter electrodes arranged for connection across an operating potential source in an emitter follower configuration; means for connecting said selected terminal end of said electrical generator assembly output coil to said control electrode of said NPN transistor; means for connecting the other terminal end of said output coil of said electrical generator assembly and said output circuit of said means for producing said reference potential across said input circuit means of said means for producing said first signal; and means responsive to said first signal for producing a second signal and for applying said second signal to said electronic control unit of said electronic ignition system combination in such a manner that said electronic control unit is responsive thereto to effect the interruption of said ignition coil primary winding energizing circuit whereby, while said engine is operating at a speed equal to and greater than said selected value, an increasing engine speed ignition spark advance is provided with increasing engine speed.