Abstract: In an internal combustion engine in which the fuel supply is interrupted during no-load operation to save gas the ignition timing is retarded following resumption of the fuel supply to cause the resumed torque to be applied slowly. A sequence of ignition timing signals following the activation of the gas pedal is delayed by sequentially smaller and smaller amounts until the normal ignition timing is resumed.

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: 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 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 closure angle of an interrupter switch connected in series with the primary winding of an ignition coil is varied as a predetermined function of engine speed by charging and discharging of an integrator circuit which in turn changes the cut-in threshold of a threshold circuit controlling the operation of the interrupter switch. When the spark repetition rate becomes sufficiently high for residual energy to be stored in the coil when the interrupter switch closes, this type of control results in an undesired decrease of closure angle. Therefore, in the present system, the operation of the charging circuit for the integrator circuit is always delayed until the current through the primary winding reaches a predetermined minimum value exceeding the maximum possible residual current in the primary winding when the interrupter switch first closes. The charging circuit thus always operates from the same initial condition, preventing undesired changes in the closure angle at high speeds.

Abstract: To permit use of shaft position transducers which provide needle pulses at predetermined angular positions of the crankshaft of an engine, such as Wiegand-type, and still enable generation of a counted dwell time even under transient conditions, or under low-speed conditions, the output from the Wiegand transducer is connected to a logic circuit which, under normal operating conditions, by use of a counter counts a predetermined time interval after opening of a switch in series with the ignition coil to determine the dwell period or initiation of current flow for a subsequent ignition event by resetting the counter with a reverse polarity subsequent pulse, thereby passing, upon reset, a predetermined count state which, similar to the normal counting of the count state, initiates closing of the switch.

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: 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 monitoring resistor in series with the spark coil primary winding and the electronic interruptor switch provides a signal to an integrator for shifting the control thresholds of a threshold switch that controls the interruptor away from their quiescent values that are nearer the zero crossover of the timing voltage wave provided by an engine driven timing signal generator. The integrator output voltage remains constant during the time the interruptor switch is open. While current flows through the interruptor circuit, the integrator increases the control voltage until the primary winding current reaches a predetermined level and then decreases the control voltage until the timing wave recloses the interruptor.

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 prevent uncontrolled switching of a Schmitt trigger during supply voltage shutoff, the trigger input transistor is maintained in the conductive state independent of supply voltage by a voltage divider and an additional DC base voltage. A second voltage divider furnishes a voltage blocking the output transistor of the Schmitt trigger after the supply voltage sinks too low to maintain conduction of the first transistor. A first and second so constructed Schmitt trigger is connected, respectively, to the first and second output of a difference amplifier. The inputs of the difference amplifier are connected to a pulse generator. Since the DC operating point of the difference amplifier changes with supply voltage, a controllable current source is connected to the difference amplifier for opposing the changes in the operating point.

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: Current flow to the ignition coil during low-speed operation of the engine, is controlled by an auxiliary control switch which is connected in shunt with the primary of the ignition coil. Serially connected with the primary is a main control switch which is controlled to close until current through the primary has reached a certain value, at which time the main switch opens and the shunt auxiliary switch is closed to permit continued inductive current flow through the coil and thus store ignition energy, the cycle repeating to maintain current flow through the primary at a level to store sufficient energy for the ignition spark which, at the ignition instant, effects opening of the shunt circuit by opening the auxiliary switch while also opening the circuit to the primary, thus providing a high-voltage pulse which provides for sparking of the spark plug.

Abstract: To prevent generation of a spurious spark at the spark plug if the distributor braker control assembly should have commanded an ignition control transistor to be conductive and when the ignition switch is disconnected under those conditions, thus cutting off power to the ignition control transistor rendering it non-conductive and causing spurious voltage pulses which results in a spark at the ignition, a control path is provided connected to a control transistor for the actual ignition transistor and connected in circuit with the current flow due to the energy stored in the ignition coil to control the emitter-collector path of the ignition switching transistor to continue to remain conductive for a short period of time to drain off the stored energy in the coil, although the main ignition switch has been opened.

Abstract: To prevent a spurious inductive spark when the master ignition switch of the vehicle is opened with the breaker terminals closed, so that current stored in the ignition coil might cause a spurious inductive voltage pulse, a protective circuit branch is connected in parallel across the primary of the ignition coil and includes an auxiliary semiconductor short-circuiting switch, preferably a thyristor, the conduction of which is controlled to close by an auxiliary control circuit which senses opening of the master ignition switch and permits application of a portion of the inductive current flow to the gate of the thyristor to render it conductive, thus short-circuiting the primary of the ignition coil and preventing an inductive voltage kick which might cause a spurious spark.

Abstract: An auxiliary voltage, which may be in the order of ten times the value of the battery voltage in an automotive vehicle, is provided by a voltage transformer generating circuit connected to the battery, and providing an additional voltage to the primary of the ignition coil to accelerate the rate of rise of current flow therethrough and provide for reliable energy storage in the primary of the ignition coil even at high engine speeds and rapidly succeeding ignition events. The auxiliary voltage is preferably generated by an auxiliary inductance coil connected to an auxiliary switching transistor which is gated OFF when the current flow through the inductance coil has reached a predetermined value, the resulting voltage peak being transferred over a storage capacitor to the primary of the ignition coil.