US5002034A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High-voltage switch
Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
•
Filing: 1988-09-16
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Granted: 1991-03-26
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Expires: 2008-09-16
Abstract
Abstract A high-voltage switch is suggested which is usable particularly as an ignition voltage distributor for applying the ignition voltage to spark plugs of an internal combustion engine. The high-voltage switch comprises a cascade circuit of optoelectric semiconductor elements which are actuated or connected through by means of incident light radiation. Very high voltages can accordingly be switched in an exact manner, wherein a galvanic separation is provided between control circuit and high-voltage circuit. The control circuit can be operated with low voltage, so that use in connection with electronic ignition systems is particularly simple.
Inventors
- 👤 Werner Herden
- 👤 Walter Benedikt
- 👤 Immanuel Krauter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:40
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/10; H03K17/105; F; F02; F02P; F02P7/00; F02P7/02; F02P7/03; F02P7/035; H03K17/102; H03K17/51; H03K17/78; H03K17/795; H03K17/7955
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
High-voltage switch, particularly as ignition voltage distributor for applying the ignition voltage to spark plugs of an internal combustion engine, characterized in that a high voltage is applied to a connection terminal of a cascade circuit (1 to 4) comprising a plurality of optoelectronic semiconductor elements; in that at least one light-emitting element (6) is assigned to each cascade circuit (1 to 4); and in that the respective cascade circuit (1 to 4) connects through the high voltage at its other connection terminal when the light-sensitive regions of the semiconductor elements are irradiated with light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
High-voltage switch, particularly as ignition voltage distributor for applying the ignition voltage to spark plugs of an internal combustion engine, characterized in that a high voltage is applied to a connection terminal of a cascade circuit (1 to 4) comprising a plurality of optoelectronic semiconductor elements; in that at least one light-emitting element (6) is assigned to each cascade circuit (1 to 4); and in that the respective cascade circuit (1 to 4) connects through the high voltage at its other connection terminal when the light-sensitive regions of the semiconductor elements are irradiated with light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
High-voltage switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the semiconductor elements are constructed as high-voltage phototransistors (5) and/or photothyristors (TH).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
High-voltage circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that the cascade circuits (1 to 4) are formed by a plurality of transistor Darlington stages.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
High-voltage switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the light for actuating the cascade circuits (1 to 4) is guided to the light-sensitive semiconductor regions via light guide fibers (16).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
High-voltage switch according to claim 1, characterized in that a light-emitting element (18) which can be actuated with low voltage is assigned to eery semiconductor element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
High-voltage switch according to claim 5, characterized in that the cascade circuits of the optoelectric semiconductor elements (17) and the assigned light-emitting elements (18) are constructed as a hybrid circuit in which a light-permeable insulator (19) is arranged between the optoelectric semiconductor elements (17) and the adjacent light-emitting elements (18).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
High-voltage switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the light-emitting elements (6, 18) work with low voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
High-voltage switch according to claim 1, characterized in that a cascade circuit (1 to 4) with respective light-emitting elements (6, 18) is assigned to every spark plug (ZK1 to ZK4) of an internal combustion engine.
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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) | 1994-03-25 | 1994-09-24 | 1995-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-03-25 | 1998-09-24 | 1999-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-03-25 | 2002-09-24 | 2003-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |