Abstract: This invention relates to a blocking oscillating converter for transferring energy from a source of power, such as a vehicle battery, to a storage means, such as an energy storage capacitor in a capacitor discharge ignition system. A novel control and feedback circuit incorporated in the blocking oscillator allows the drive level to the switching transistor to be controlled in response to the peak current in said transistor as well as the output voltage of the blocking oscillator. Furthermore the control circuit allows the blocking oscillator to be turned off during the short period of time after each spark discharge that is needed for turnoff of a switching device used to control that discharge.

Abstract: A push-pull generator with a driver stage and a push-pull output stage. A parallel connection of a resistor (R3, R4) with a control transistor (T3, T4) is provided in the base line of each output stage transistor. In the push-pull output stage, resistors (R1, R2) are provided at which a voltage drop is caused by the output stage current. Depending on the magnitude of the voltage drop the control transistors (T3, T4) located parallel to the resistors in the base lines are either activated or blocked.

Abstract: In an ignition device for an internal combustion engine, the ignition device comprises: three closed circuits including first, second and third closed circuits, each circuit having at least a DC power source, a primary coil and a switching transistor; an ignition coil having three primary coils and a secondary coil; an ignition command signal generating means producing first and second ignition command signals, the first ignition command signal being applied to the third closed circuit and the second ignition command signal being applied to the control circuit; and a control circuit for causing the first and second switching elements to push-pull operate based on the input timing of the second ignition command signal.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ignition control circuit of the type which facilitates the storage of energy in an external inductive load during a dwell period and the release of the stored energy from the inductive load through a spark gap at the end of the dwell period. The circuit includes switch means for conducting current through the inductive load during the dwell period, and an integrated circuit for turning the switch means on during the dwell period and off at the end of the dwell period. The integrated circuit includes an output transistor for controlling the switch means, a current source for driving the output transistor, and control means for enabling the current source during the dwell period and disabling the current source at the end of the dwell period.

Abstract: To insure starting of an oscillatory circuit for fluorescent lamp operation scillating, for example, at about 35 kHz, two transistors are serially connected across the output of a rectifier adapted for connection to an a-c network, and the oscillatory circuit is additionally coupled to one of the a-c terminals of the rectifier, to apply to one of the transistors a triggering voltage which recurs with each undulation of the a-c network. The serially connected transistors each have an emitter resistor, which may be a PTC resistor, to balance currents through the transistors and eliminate unbalancing effects of manufacturing tolerances in the transistors. The PTC resistors additionally have current deviation regulating function.

Abstract: A transformer (T) with a primary winding (L1) and a secondary winding (L) coupled to the primary winding. A capacitive element (C) is coupled to the secondary winding for providing an increased output voltage level and an increased output current level from the transformer. The capacitive element may be either of distributed or lumped parameter structure. A reduction in the number of secondary winding turns may be compensated for with the capacitive element to maintain the same voltage output level as was obtained prior to reduction in secondary winding turns and also to obtain an increased current output level by virtue of the presence of the capacitive element and/or the reduction in the number of secondary winding turns. Such reduction in secondary winding turns reduces the physical size of the transformer as well as reducing its copper losses, and also reduces its cost of fabrication.

Abstract: An equipment for recognizing misfiring, which is particularly suitable for permanent installation in a motor vehicle. By means of high-pass filters coupled to the plug leads between the spark distributor and the spark plugs, the change to the voltage at the spark plugs associated with the initiation of the ignition spark is sensed. The high-pass filters are so arranged that they only send on a needle-shaped output pulse signal to an analysis circuit if it appears with the change in voltage associated with the spark front. The analysis circuit generates appropriate output signals with reference pulses generated in time with the ignition pulses. The high-pass filters are preferably arranged as simple RC filters whose capacities are coupled to the plug leads by means of peripheral electrodes, which at least partially surround the insulation coatings of the plug leads.

Abstract: A switching transistor (5) has its collector connected to a common junction (J) with a load (6), typically an ignition coil (8). A first driver transistor (11) connected through the base-emitter path of a second driver transistor (12) to control the conduction state of the switching transistor. A signal source (20, 21) alternatingly, causing the driver transistor to be blocked or conductive.

Abstract: An ignition timing control system for an internal combustion engine comprising a circuit for generating a reference ignition signal in synchronism with the engine, a circuit for generating a retard ignition signal at a point shifted by a selected shaft angle of the engine from the reference ignition signal, and an ignition circuit for controlling the ignition timing of the engine according to the retard ignition signal; said retard ignition signal generator includes a capacitor circuit for charging and discharging, a first constant-current circuit for always supplying a first current to the capacitor circuit, a second constant-current circuit for supplying a second current larger than the first current to said capacitor circuit, a switching circuit which starts flowing the second current in synchronism with the reference ignition signal and cuts off the second current when the terminal voltage across said capacitor circuit reaches a reference level, and an output circuit for generating a retard ignition signa

Abstract: Base current is supplied from a base driving circuit to bases of paired inverter transistors through a transistor, and an inverter circuit oscillates at a rated output. When the operation of an electric discharge lamp becomes abnormal, an IC-ed control circuit is rendered operative responsive to output of an abnormality detecting circuit to turn the transistor ON and a transistor OFF, and the operation of inverter circuit is thus stopped. A capacitor in an auxiliary power source is charged by output of the base driving circuit and the control circuit is driven responsive to output of auxiliary power source when the inverter circuit is left inoperative.

Abstract: The solid state ignition system accurately controls the maximum primary winding current over a large range of operating voltages and selectively reduces its power consumption in response to a preselected ignition condition. The system includes an ignition transformer having a primary winding connected in series with a current regulator and a secondary winding connected with an igniter device for igniting an air-fuel mixture. A Darlington transistor is connected in series with the primary winding for blocking and permitting the flow of electrical current through the primary winding. A current regulating oscillator which controls the Darlington transistor alternately causes the transistor to be biased conductive and nonconductive. A comparator which is connected with the current sensor for sensing the primary winding current compares the sensed primary current with a preselected current.

Abstract: An ignition system for the internal combustion engine comprising a high voltage circuit for generating a spark, having the primary and secondary windings. In response to a first signal, the current in the primary winding is cut off thereby to generate a high voltage at the secondary winding. In response to a subsequent second signal, the primary winding is shorted thereby to cut off the high voltage thus far generated in the secondary winding, thus properly regulating the duration of the spark generated.

Abstract: To suppress negative half-waves derived from a magneto armature and not used for ignition without use of external damping networks, the semiconductor switch controlling current flow, and abrupt turn-off to initiate an ignition event, is formed as a monolithic semiconductor element, and the inherent inverse diode of the monolithic element is utilized to pass the reverse voltage half-waves. To prevent damage to the inherent diodes due to over-voltage or current overloading, a damping resistance element is connected in series with the main current carrying path of the monolithic circuit elements, preferably a Darlington transistor, which, preferably, is a semiconductor resistor having a preferred current passage characteristic in the same direction as the current flow through the Darlington transistor, for example a Zener diode, a resistor, or a series of diodes polarized like the inverse diode, bridged by a diode conducting in the same direction as the Darlington transistor, or the like.

Abstract: Oscillations which would normally occur when the current in the primary winding of an ignition coil is limited to a predetermined value prior to ignition are suppressed by use of a feedback resistor. Specifically, the basic circuit consists of the primary winding of the ignition coil connected in series with a Darlington transistor configuration which, in turn, is connected in series with a measuring resistor, at a common point. The input of the current control system is connected to the common point through an additional resistor, while the output of the control circuit is connected to the input base of the Darlington configuration. Oscillations which might otherwise occur are suppressed by the use of a feedback resistor connected between the input and output lines of the control circuit.

Abstract: A pair of power transistors in a push-pull connection are connected with a pair of primary coils of a transformer acting as an ignition coil. Between the neutral point of the pair of the primary coils and a power source at least one diode is connected. The paired power transistors are turned on and off with a high frequency to generate in the secondary coil of the transformer high voltage trigger pulses and substantially continuous discharge voltages which last over a long period during each ignition period.

Abstract: A contactless ignition system for internal combustion engines of the type including an ignition coil with two primary windings whose primary currents are alternately switched on and off by two power transistors, further includes two Zener diodes each having a breakdown voltage of 300 to 400 volts and connected in series with one of the power transistors and one of the ignition coil primary windings to function as a reverse current blocking diode. By virtue of two series circuits each including the Zener diode, a diode connected in inverse parallel with one of the power transistors and the primary winding, each of the Zener diodes serves both the reverse current blocking function and the overvoltage protection function. The Zener diodes may be replaced with diodes of the avalance type.

Abstract: An audio frequency ionization ignition system for internal combustion engines which simulates turbulent combustion (diesel combustion) in spark ignited internal combustion engines utilizing standard equipment with minor changes in the wiring harness of a vehicle. This system includes an electronic contact debounce circuit, an audio oscillator, a divide by two frequency divider and AND circuits combined with power amplifiers. This supplies high voltage, sinusoidal pulses for ignition.

Abstract: An over voltage detection circuit for utilization in conjunction with a series driver transistor type electronic ignition system which samples the voltage magnitude appearing at the collector of the series driver transistor to render the same nonconductive when a high voltage condition appears at the collector thereof. The over voltage detection circuit includes a voltage translation circuit for translating the level of the voltage appearing at the collector of the series driver transistor to a second level, and a sampling transistor the base of which is coupled to the voltage translation circuit and with the collector-emitter path coupled in series between the collector of the series driver transistor and an output of the detection circuit which is rendered conductive in response to the translated voltage exceeding a predetermined threshold level for supplying an output signal which is utilized to render the series driver transistor nonconductive.

Abstract: The primary winding of an ignition coil is placed in series with the collor of a switching transistor. In order to protect the transistor against overvoltages, the collector is also connected to a level comparator and the base receives a two-state control signal which is synchronous with the rotation of the engine. One input of the comparator is connected through a divider network to the collector of the transistor and the outer input is connected to a fixed direct-current voltage source. Provision is also made for an error amplifier connected to the output of the comparator, and for a summing circuit which is connected to the control input of the transistor and receives the control signal.

Abstract: A compact ignition apparatus for a burner, which rectifies the commercial power source and energizes a high-voltage transformer via a transistor blocking oscillator circuit, and in which the high-voltage transformer is provided with a control circuit for controlling the output of the transformer to a constant value against any fluctuation of the input to the transformer, whereby a secure ignition is provided.

Abstract: Two closed circuits respectively are each comprised of a primary coil of a transformer for plug ignition, a transistor, a diode, a resistor and a common power source. When one of the transistors is conductive during the ignition period, the current in the related closed circuit increases. When the increased current appearing across the associated resistor exceeds a reference value, the associated comparator renders the conducting transistor nonconductive while it renders the other nonconductive transistor conductive, whereby the transistors continues a push-pull operation at given periods. Each diode is inserted either between the associated primary coil and the associated transistor or between the associated primary coil and the common power source.

Abstract: An Ignition Circuit for Explosives with an Inverter circuit including a transistor controlled transformer circuit wherein a specific multivibrator circuit controls the transistor.

Abstract: On-off oscillations immediately following the initiation of the spark in a magneto ignition system are prevented by a timing circuit the capacitor of which is charged continually even during the spark time and whose discharge time constant exceeds 10 .mu.s. The capacitor is discharged through the emitter-base circuit of a control transistor and keeps the control transistor in a saturated state throughout the desired spark duration. While the control transistor is in the saturated state, it shortcircuits the emitter-base circuit of the ignition transistor, thereby blocking the ignition transistor continuously. Since the capacitor of the timing circuit is continually charged, the actual spark duration greatly exceeds the 10 .mu.s time constant of the timing circuit and may be as high as 1.2 ms.

Abstract: A disk mounted on a rotating shaft of an internal combustion engine has a signal generating segment which causes generation of a pickup signal having a leading and a trailing edge. The two different edges control different processes, as for example ignition processes of different ignition coils, fuel injection processes, or ignition processes during normal and starting operation. A basic counting value is counted down between two sequential edge signals in a counter. This is a speed-dependent value from which different countdown values for the next cycle are computed. To allow adjustment of the angle at which one process takes place without simultaneous adjustment of the angle at which the other process takes place, one or both of the edges of the segment from which the control signals are derived have slanted portions, so that movement of the pickup relative to the slanted portions will effectively cause a change in the angle at which a process is initiated.

Abstract: In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, current from a d.c. power supply is applied through an input inductor alternately through an ignition coil and through a circuit path in shunt of the ignition coil. The current through the ignition coil is made of substantially constant predetermined magnitude while flowing through the shunt circuit, preferably by means of a fixed ballast resistor in the shunt circuit. Switching of the current into the ignition coil is enabled during a predetermined fraction of the engine cycle, with no current applied to the ignition coil between predetermined periods. The current is switched back and forth between the two paths a plurality of times during each predetermined period.

Abstract: An improvement on conventional internal combustion ignition systems, which improvement comprises a capacitor connected parallel to the secondary winding of the ignition transformer, and a bypass circuit through which energy stored in the primary circuit is conveyed around the high impedance secondary winding of the circuit transformer to the spark plug after the high voltage at the secondary winding has fired an auxiliary gap to complete the by-pass circuit. The energy originally stored in the primary circuit is discharged at the plug to produce a plasma jet ignition plume.

Abstract: To improve an ignition system as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,645, Jundt et al., in which a threshold switch is provided which controls current flow through the ignition coil, the turn-ON point of the current flow being determined, in part, by an integrator, and to prevent malfunction due to corroded terminals, improper installation and the like, a variable resistance branch, including a transistor 66, is connected across the integrator 31, 44, and so connected that, as the supply voltage drops, the effect of the integrator 31, 44 on the threshold switch 15, 16 is decreased, thus preventing modification of the inherent threshold level of the threshold switch by the action of the integrator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a contactless ignition circuit for internal combustion engines characterized in that a primary short-circuiting current flowing through the primary winding of an ignition coil is made to flow through a power transistor controlled to be conducted and interrupted by a photoswitching means, the formation is small and simple, the contact is not worn and the life is long.

Abstract: An inductive-capacitive cyclic charge-discharge ignition system includes an ignition transformer primary winding in parallel with a capacitor and fed by an alternating current source providing a plural number of repetition cycles during each igniter firing period. Such repetition cycles cause the capacitor and primary winding to charge and discharge during each of the repetition cycles creating a plurality of ringing periods for each igniter firing period. A diode or an additional capacitor, or both, inserted in series with the parallel combination of the first stated capacitor and primary winding, substantially increases the velocity of arc provided by an igniter. Such arc has several components composed of luminous particles extending across the entire base of the igniter.

Abstract: An inductive-capacitive cyclic charge-discharge ignition system includes an ignition transformer primary winding in parallel with a capacitor and fed by an alternating current source providing a plural number of repetition cycles during each igniter firing period. Such repetition cycles cause the capacitor and primary winding to charge and discharge during each of the repetition cycles creating a plurality of ringing periods for each igniter firing period. A diode or an additional capacitor, or both, inserted in series with the parallel combination of the first stated capacitor and primary winding, substantially increases the velocity of arc provided by an igniter. Such arc has several components composed of luminous particles extending across the entire base of the igniter.

Abstract: An inductive-capacitive cyclic charge-discharge ignition system includes an ignition transformer primary winding in parallel with a capacitor and fed by a unipolar alternating current source providing a plural number of repetition cycles during each igniter firing period. Such unipolar cycles cause the capacitor and primary winding to charge and discharge during each of the repetition cycles creating a plurality of ringing periods for each igniter firing period. A diode or an additional capacitor, or both, inserted in series with the parallel combination of the first stated capacitor and primary winding, substantially increases the velocity of arc provided by an igniter. The system is triggered by a magnetic pulse generating timer which generates AC voltages to modulate the output of the unipolar source. Where discharge currents are developed, such generated AC voltages also modulate the discharge currents.

Abstract: An ignition system uses a transformer with a primary winding and a secondary winding wherein the secondary winding is intermittently coupled to at least one igniter load. An electronic switch is connected to the primary winding. Such electronic switch has an input circuit and an output circuit for enabling electrical energy to be stored in the primary winding. The electronic switch may have an additional switching stage feeding its input circuit for establishing the charging period of the primary winding consistent with the logic of a conventional ignition system. A timer is electrically coupled to the additional switching stage for intermittently activating such electronic switch. An alternating current modulator is connected to the primary winding so as to provide a modulating signal during the discharge period of the system thereby modulating the discharge current of the primary winding.

Abstract: An inductive-capacitive cyclic charge-discharge ignition system includes an ignition transformer primary winding in parallel with a capacitor and fed by an alternating current source providing a plural number of repetition cycles during each igniter firing period. Such repetition cycles cause the capacitor and primary winding to charge and discharge during each of the repetition cycles creating a plurality of ringing periods for each igniter firing period. A diode or an additional capacitor, or both, inserted in series with the parallel combination of the first stated capacitor and primary winding, substantially increases the velocity of arc provided by an igniter. Such arc has several components composed of luninous particles extending across the entire base of the igniter.

Abstract: To prevent excessive current flow through the control transistor of a solid-state ignition system in which the control transistor is serially connected with an ignition coil, if the power supply voltage should exceed rated value, the voltage monitoring circuit, including a Zener diode, is connected across the power supply source. The solid-state ignition system includes a control transistor which controls the conduction state of the final or output transistor. The over-voltage circuit additionally controls the conduction state of this control transistor to conductive condition if over-voltage is sensed, thereby causing changeover of the final or output transistor to blocked state. A timing circuit including a capacitor is preferably included in the monitoring circuit so that application of control voltage to the control transistor is gradual, causing changeover of the main or output transistor likewise to be gradual and preventing generation of an undesired ignition event.

Abstract: In order to optimize the on/off ratio of the output switch in an electronic ignition system in which a monostable multivibrator is triggered by rpm-dependent transducer pulses, the time constant of the multivibrator may be changed by altering the discharging characteristics of its timing capacitor. A current-limiting circuit senses the current through the output switch and applies a signal to a circuit point which controls the discharging rate of the timing capacitor. The current-limiting circuit also prevents further increases in the primary coil current when a limiting value is reached.

Abstract: A glow plug driver adapted to be coupled to a power supply and a glow plug comprising first and second conductive leads for coupling the glow plug to the power supply and an electronic switch in the first lead having conductive and nonconductive states so that pulses of electrical energy can be supplied to the glow plug. A resistor and a capacitor are coupled between the leads in parallel with the glow plug so that the capacitor can charge when the electronic switch is in the conductive state and discharge when the electronic switch is in the nonconductive state. A timer is used to place the electronic switch in the conductive state for a predetermined amount of time. The timer is in turn controlled by a transistor having its base coupled to a junction between the resistor and the capacitor.

Abstract: A contactless ignition system for an internal combustion engine including an ignition signal generator having two pickup coils which are connected in series or parallel and oppositely in polarity to each other so as to be responsive to the rotation of a signal rotor in order to generate respective AC signals with one signal occurring at an intermediate position of the other, an input circuit disposed so as to be turned on or off when the AC signal from the ignition signal generator exceeds predetermined values in the positive and negative directions, respectively, an inverter circuit disposed to invert the output of the input circuit, first and second output circuits for generating a first output to turn on or off responsive to the output of the input circuit and a second output to turn off or on responsive to the output of the inverter circuit, and first and second ignition coils respectively responsive to the first and second outputs each so as to switch on and off the primary current therethrough.

Abstract: A monolithic Darlington in which the transistors forming the Darlington pair are formed on a substrate together with a fourth terminal in addition to the normal three terminals provided for a Darlington pair, the fourth terminal being connected to the base electrode of the second transistor and the emitter electrode of the first transistor. The addition of the fourth terminal enables a control circuit for controlling the rate of switch off to be connected between the fourth terminal and the command collector electrode, this removing the effect which the stored charge on the base electrode of the first transistor has on the switching rate of the Darlington pair, thus enabling a faster switching rate to be achieved.

Abstract: An inductive-capacitive charge-discharge ignition system includes an ignition transformer primary winding and a capacitor to be charged by a unipolar alternating current source. An electronic switch connects the primary winding and capacitor in parallel during the discharge mode of the system so that the discharge current from the capacitor aids the discharge current in the primary winding. Rectifiers may be used between the outputs of the source and the primary winding and capacitor. Another version of this system employs DC power to charge the primary winding, and the unipolar source to charge the capacitor, with a rectifier between the source and capacitor. Another capacitor may be used in the secondary winding of the ignition transformer. The system may be controlled by a variety of timers. A high velocity igniter arc having luminous particles surrounding a more concentrated filament of such luminous particles is developed by the system extending across the entire base of an igniter.

Abstract: The duty factor of pulses controlling the time throughout which current flows through an ignition coil is increased or decreased depending upon whether the current through the ignition coil at the last ignition time was less than or greater than the desired amplitude required for ignition. A sample--and--hold circuit samples the output of a comparator comparing the actual current to the desired current at ignition time. If the comparator indicates that the actual current amplitude was less than the desired current amplitude, a first counter is set to count downwards. It counds down by one unit and then its count is transferred to another counter. When the count on the other counter reaches a predetermined count, the current through the ignition coil is initiated. The current is interrupted when either the next ignition timing signal or a signal signifying that the actual current through the ignition coil has reached the desired value is received, whichever is later.

Abstract: When the contact breaker of a distributor is in the off position, pulses with constant frequency which are generated from an oscillating circuit are supplied to a transistor push-pull coupling which is connected to the primary coil of a transformer. In accordance with the transistor's constant frequency switching a discharge through the spark plugs connected to the secondary coil of the transformer is repeated.

Abstract: In a known ignition system, the emitter-collector circuit of the ignition transistor is connected in series with the primary winding of the ignition coil and with a precision resistor. When the voltage across the latter exceeds a predetermined value, an auxiliary transistor is switched to a conductive state. The emitter-collector circuit of the auxiliary transistor is connected to the base of the ignition transistor and, when conductive, prevents further increases of current through the primary winding of the ignition coil. To protect this circuit, a series circuit including two Zener diodes is connected between the base and collector of the ignition transistor. Further, a voltage divider is connected in parallel with the emitter-collector circuit of the ignition transistor and an additional resistor is connected between the base and the emitter thereof.

Abstract: To prevent misfires, the current through an ignition coil is increased in response to an error signal indicating that the actual spark duration was less than a predetermined minimum spark duration. At the start of the spark, a capacitor is discharged at a known rate. The time required for the voltage across the capacitor to reach a predetermined level is the desired spark duration. This regulation of ignition current causes the spark duration to be very close to the minimum spark duration, thereby cutting losses in the apparatus.

Abstract: The current through the primary winding of an ignition coil of an ignition system for a motor vehicle, and being largely independent of engine speed, supply voltage and internal resistance of the ignition coil, is controlled in a circuit in which a capacitor is charged only during the open time of a breaker contact and is discharged during the closed time of the contact, whereby the relationship of the charging current to the discharging current is equal to the relationship of open time to closed time of the contact. The current is switched on through the primary winding of the ignition coil as soon as the capacitor voltage falls below a threshold value and the current through the ignition coil is limited to an optimum value. The flow of current through the ignition coil is interrupted when the breaker contact is open and the aforementioned threshold voltage has not been reached at the same time.

Abstract: A bistable magnetic wire has an electrically conductive wire coiled thereabout as to form, generally, a magnetic wire assembly which is situated in spaced proximity to a magnet; the opposite ends of the conductive wire are electrically connected to related output or receiving apparatus; a shield or shutter arrangement operated generally between the magnetic wire assembly and the magnet serves to cause the magnetic wire to be at times placed under the influence of the magnetic field of the magnet thereby resulting in the magnetic wire changing from one stable state to another state and in so doing inducing a voltage into the conductive wire to produce a pulse across the said opposite ends thereof.

Abstract: Changes in the magnetic field around a Wiegand wire created by a magnetic rotor coupled to a shaft of the engine induce a signal in a sensing coil. The signal is applied to an input switch which forms part of a control circuit. The output of the control circuit is connected to an interrupter switch connected in series with an ignition coil such that a spark is created at the secondary of the ignition coil when the interrupter switch opens. The control circuit maintains the interrupter switch in the nonconductive state for a predetermined percentage of the ignition cycle at low engine speeds and for a lesser percentage at high engine speeds so that enough energy can build in the ignition coil prior to the next interruption at the higher speeds.

Abstract: An AC powered ignition system employs a rectangular wave power source and a timer for controlling igniter firings. Such timer intermittently interrupts the flow of DC bias current in active stages of the AC power source so as to create a large transient current and high induced voltage in an output transformer. The large transient current is intermodulated with a Kettering type transient to provide high energy firing levels to igniters in a fuel burning engine. The output transformer is coupled to an ignition transformer and to a reactance compensating capacitor to energize a distributor and igniters connected to the distributor.

Abstract: An ignition system includes an alternating current power source which feeds a transformer having a primary winding, the primary winding being coupled to an electronic switch. The electronic switch intermittently interrupts current flowing in the primary winding and in the output circuit of the power source. Such electronic switch is made operable by virtue of the peak excursions of the alternating current thus supplying the necessary collector potential to such switch during each firing cycle of the system. A capacitor in series with the output circuit of the power source and with the primary winding enables current to be transferred out of the power source to such primary winding. Such electronic switch also provides discrete separation between successive output waveforms of successive ignition firing cycles.

Abstract: To eliminate the effects of disturbances, noise and interference in the signal derived from a speed-dependent signal generator coupled to the engine on the threshold response level of a threshold switch which, upon sensing a leading flank of the signal, causes a controlled transistor switch to turn ON to pass current through an ignition coil and, upon sensing the trailing flank of the signal, turns the switch OFF to induce an ignition pulse, a supervisory circuit is connected to the threshold switch which provides a bias voltage thereto so that the threshold switch will accurately and reliably respond to the trailing flank of the signal from the signal generator even in the presence of noise and interference voltages at a predetermined angular position of the crankshaft of the engine--absent a shift in the relative angular position of the signal from the signal generator and the crankshaft of the engine--to prevent failure of generation of an ignition pulse, or untimely, uncontrolled generation thereof.

Abstract: An opto-electronic ignition system for an internal combustion engine in which radiation falls on to and is cut off from a photo-transistor in timed sequence with the engine, and in which between the photo-transistor and the primary winding of the ignition coil there is a plurality of switching Darlington pairs, each Darlington switching in inverse relation to its neighbor, and the first Darlington switching in inverse relation with the photo-transistor. The circuit is designed so that it will reliably operate in engine compartment temperatures above 125.degree. C.