Abstract: A circuit for neutralizing very fast current fluctuations in a power consumer circuit, such as an integrated circuit having a pair of input or output conductors includes a bipolar transistor 17 whose collector is connected via a parallel connection of a semiconductor diode and a resistor to one of the conductors. The emitter of the transistor is grounded and the base is connected to the other conductor. Another parallel connection of a diode and a resistor is connected between the two conductors to bias the transistor to a preset current when a standard current of a constant magnitude flows through the consumer circuit. If current surges or breaks occur in the standard current, the preset current flowing through the collector resistor undergoes corresponding changes and a compensating current is very fast loaded to the conductors through the capacitance of the barrier layer of the p-n junction of the collector diode to neutralize the changes of the standard current.

Abstract: The voltage developed by a primary winding of an ignition coil is supplied to a voltage divider for furnishing an analog signal of reduced amplitude for evaluation on an analog basis, which reduced amplitude analog signal is averaged by a capacitor connected between the voltage divider tap and ground. The capacitor eliminates the undesired effect of voltage spikes, but is not large enough to interfere with the measurement of voltages exceeding the ignition-initiating primary winding voltage value. The same reduced primary winding voltage is supplied through an input resistor to one input of a differential amplifier connected to operate as a switch having hysteresis and having a reference voltage applied to it such that the output will be the provision of a steady voltage having a duration corresponding to the spark discharge duration, for subsequent digital evaluation.

Abstract: An integrated anode power stage using one or more Darlington transistors combinations is constituted for currents exceeding 5 amperes and voltages exceeding 200 volts. On a common semiconductor substrate there are provided, in addition to the Darlington circuit or circuits a large number of peripheral components, both active and passive, such as are required for protection, regulation and turning on or off of the final stage for operating an ignition coil in a motor vehicle. By providing these components in basins of the same conductivity type as the base of the power transistor a unit is provided that is economical to make as well as compact and reliable.

Abstract: An operational amplifier is used as a threshold switch and an inductive generator that provides a wave used for timing operation of the threshold switch also feeds a circuit that produces a reference current corresponding to the average absolute magnitude of the generator voltage, which, in turn, is fed to at least one current mirror, the output of which is used to shift the operating threshold of the operational amplifier. A second current mirror is used in alternation with the first for half-waves of the generator voltage which are of opposite polarity and a positive feedback connection around the operational amplifier provides a switching characteristic having an appropriate amount of hysteresis so that the inherent timing shift is compensated on switching in response to both positive-going and negative-going portions of the generator output wave.

Abstract: A capacitor which is charged by recurring square waves of a normally functioning microprocessor discharges at a steady rate, so that if the square waves do not continue, an operational amplifier will switch over and produce a reset pulse for the microprocessor. Repeated transitions of one polarity of the square wave recharge the capacitor during a short interval terminated by a second operational amplifier when the capacitor reaches a fixed level of charge. This second amplifier, which has feedback coupling, also initiates the timing discharge of the capacitor. A diode network at its output prevents charging the capacitor in the static state. This arrangement makes it unnecessary to provide another capacitor for quickly recharging the capacitor to prevent its discharge from switching over the first-mentioned operational amplifier.

Abstract: A timing wave generator 26 provides the same input to two threshold switches that switch on at approximately the same time but have different switching hysteresis. The switch with the smaller hysteresis can affect ignition timing only through a delay circuit while the other can do so directly. If the engine stalls the delay circuit will assure that the primary current is shut off in a short time. In normal operation the large hysteresis of one of the threshold switches is in control and provides insensitivity to disturbance, but during startup the characteristics of the delay circuit can provide the appropriate ignition timing.

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 switching transistor (7, 9) is serially connected with the primary (5) of an ignition coil; current flow therethrough is controlled from an a-c signal generator (16) with respect to an ON threshold level (Ue) to store electromagnetic energy, and an OFF threshold level (Ua) to generate a spark; a variable conductivity circuit (26) controlled from a sensing resistor (8) modifies the response level of the threshold switch (13) with respect to the null or cross-over level of the applied signal. To prevent excessive current flow under idle-speed conditions, in accordance with the invention, the ON threshold level, at least, of the switch is shifted by introducing an auxiliary bias voltage derived from an auxiliary capacitor (36) and connected (37, 38) by the signal source through a diode (38) which prevents application of an auxiliary bias voltage to the threshold switch (13) under extremely low, e.g.

Abstract: The AC signal generator furnishing the basic control signal for ignition timing is a Hall generator the flux through which is gradually increased while the crankshaft of the engine rotates through a predetermined angle of rotation. The Hall generator is part of a magnetic circuit which also includes an air gap. The change in flux is accomplished by rotating a tapered magnetically conductive member through the air gap. The output of the Hall generator is applied through a linear amplifier to a threshold circuit whose output controls an electronic interrupter switch connected in series with the ignition coil.

Abstract: In order to increase the closure angle of an interrupter switch connected in series with the primary winding of an ignition coil with increasing engine speeds, a capacitor is connected to the input of a trigger circuit whose output controls this closure angle. The capacitor is charged through a diode while the trigger circuit is switched out. The voltage across the capacitor shifts the threshold of the trigger circuit in a direction increasing the time that the interrupter switch is conductive. The charge on the capacitor is controlled by a signal generator which furnishes an output signal having an amplitude increasing with increasing engine speeds. The closure angle of the interrupter switch therefore also varies as a function of engine speed.

Abstract: In order to prevent ignition power losses at low engine speeds and further to provide for the use of ignition control signals of both unipolar and bipolar nature, the invention provides that a Schmitt trigger which generates the principal ignition control signal is actuated by the transducer. The switching thresholds of this Schmitt trigger are changeable by a secondary threshold recognition circuit which can shift at least the negative threshold of the principal threshold circuit to more positive values. The invention also includes a delay circuit which prevents the return of the shifted threshold to more negative values. Still further included is a third threshold circuit which is engaged only at some higher engine speed.

Abstract: The voltage across a capacitor is changed in a first direction while the current in the primary winding of the ignition coil increases to a predetermined value less than the value required for ignition and is thereafter changed in a second direction until ignition takes place. The voltage across the capacitor is applied to the inverting input of a difference amplifier constituting a threshold stage controlling the initiation and termination of current flow through the ignition coil. The two changes are symmetrical when the engine speed remains constant. The residual voltage across the capacitor at the end of the second change is maintained until the start of the next subsequent first change, so that the time at which the threshold stage switches in, that is the time at which primary current starts to flow in the ignition coil changes as a function of the residual voltage in the capacitor.

Abstract: When the current through the primary winding of an ignition coil of an ignition system in an internal combustion engine has increased to a predetermined value, base current for a power transistor connected in series with the coil is shunted away, causing a rise in voltage across the primary winding. When the voltage rise across the primary winding has reached a maximum allowable value less than the value required to cause the generation of a spark, the transistor is switched back to the fully conductive state. This cycle is repeated during the time the transistor would normally be conductive and terminates at the ignition time, that is at the time the transistor is blocked by the ignition timing circuit of the internal combustion engine to create the spark.

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: A transistor switch connected in series with the primary winding of the ignition coil permits and blocks current flow through the coil when in a conductive and non-conductive state respectively. Normally, the switch is "on" and "off" respectively in the presence and absence of an ignition current pulse furnished in synchronism with the rotation of the crankshaft of the engine. For increasing speeds, the time the switch is "on" prior to the ignition time is increased by switching it to the conductive state when the charge on a control capacitor reaches a predetermined charge. The charge on the control capacitor is changed in a first direction following receipt of each ignition signal. The rate of change of charge depends upon the resistance of the emitter-collector circuit of a first control transistor. The latter is, in turn, determined by the charge on an integrator capacitor which varies with changes in engine speed.

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: A switch connected in series with the ignition coil is "on" and "off," respectively, in the presence and absence of a pulse furnished by a pulse generator operating in synchronism with the crankshaft of the engine. If the pulse width of the pulses is too small for the current in the ignition coil to reach the minimum value required for ignition, the closing time of the series switch is advanced, while if the pulse width is too long, causing excess heat dissipation in the coil, the closing time of the switch is retarded. To accomplish this, a first digital counter counts downwards for a predetermined time and upwards for a time period in which the current in the ignition coil exceeds a predetermined current. Upon interruption of the current in the coil, the then-present value in the first digital counter is transferred to a second digital counter. The second counter then counts down at a predetermined rate until a predetermined count is reached.

Abstract: To provide for gradual turn-off of an ignition coil current control transistor, a control capacitor which provides turn-off current has its charge state changed gradually by means of an auxiliary transistor so connected to the capacitor that the conduction of the emitter-collector path of the auxiliary transistor is gradually changed, the main switching transistor being connected to and controlled by the auxiliary transistor and likewise changing gradually from conductive to blocking state in dependence on the gradual change in conduction of the emitter-collector path of the auxiliary transistor to prevent rapid turn-off of the main switching transistor and hence an undesired pulse at the secondary of the ignition coil which may induce continued operation of the internal combustion engine even though the ignition has been turned off.

Abstract: The primary of the ignition coil is tapped to provide two partial primary portions which are serially connected; during an initial current flow, only one partial portion has current flowing therethrough, the other partial portion being short-circuited. When the current through the coil has risen to a predetermined level, as sensed by current flow through a sensing resistor, the short circuit across the second partial portion is removed so that current can continue to flow through the entire primary, causing a substantial drop in current level but maintaining the stored inductive energy. Current can thus rise rapidly initially, so that the coil will store sufficient energy to initiate sparking at high speeds of the connected internal combustion engine while, at low speeds thereof, the overall current flow through the coil is decreased.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is comprised of at least one engine cylinder, devices for introducing a combustion mixture into the cylinder, and an electrical igniting element operative for igniting the combustion mixture in the cylinder once per ignition cycle. An ignition transformer has a secondary winding connected across the igniting element, and also has a primary winding. A flow of current is established through the primary winding. An electronic switch is connected in the current path of the primary winding to control the flow of current through the primary winding. A triggering unit generates a train of crankshaft-synchronized triggering signals.