Abstract: A ticket (1) is driven by an endless belt (10) which is serrated on one surface. The belt engages only a fraction of the width of the ticket. At a print station which includes a dot-matrix print head (145, 146) the ticket passes over a smooth platen roller (150) which includes a portion (152) of reduced diameter in which the belt is received so that its smooth surface comes level with the rest of the cylindrical surface of the platen roller. The print head moves along a generator line of the platen roller, and the roller itself or the drive belt provide the required backing for printing on the ticket.

Abstract: An automatic peel control mechanism for use in a screen printing press employs a cam-driven mechanical linkage to raise the front end of the screen frame at a controlled rate to a predetermined height above the printing bed in timed relation to the motion of the carriage which transports the squeegee. The linkage includes a pair of elongated reciprocating bars which extend the length of the printing head and are connected to lifters at their forward ends to lift the front end of the printing screen. The cam is rotatably mounted upon the carriage drive shaft. The rotation of the cam is controlled by a roller chain assembly which maintains a timed relationship between the cam and the drive shaft. The initial off contact dimension and peel rate may be readily adjusted by varying the initial position and the rate of travel of the elongated bars.

Abstract: A steel ink metering roller for use in lithographic printing having an engraved surface that has been nitride hardened followed by an oxidizing process that results in a surface with a composition of mainly Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4.

Abstract: A system designed to enable persons incapable of manipulating a writing implement to sign papers and/or documents comprising a holder for the document to be signed, a holder for a transfer sheet for holding the transfer sheet adjacent that portion of the document to be signed and an implement defining the signature to be applied to the document for pressing the transfer sheet into transferring engagement with the document.

Abstract: A method of making-up offset printing cylinders having lock-ups positioned in gaps in the cylinders by use of a two piece system involving adhering a compressible printing element to the cylinder with at least one edge extending into the lock-up gap, trimming the edge extending into the lock-up gap, thereafter pulling a non-compressible printing element carrying the printing ink indicia receptive working surface taut over the compressible printing element and securing the ends of the non-compressible printing element in the lock-up under tension. The two piece system involves separating the relatively thick compressible portion of the offset printing blanket from the relatively thinner ink transfer surface of the offset printing blanket. Also a separate embodiment with pressure sensitive adhesive securing the two piece system together and not limited to offset printing cylinders, product and method.

Abstract: A stripper for a printing machine cleaning device includes a shaped pressure hose, which is disposed parallel to the roller of the printing machine that is to be cleaned. The cross-sectional shape of the hose can be varied by being pressurized. The surface of the pressure hose remote from the roller is secured on a rigid rail, while the surface of the pressure hose remote from the rail can be pressed, as a result of pressurization of the hose, against the roller.

Abstract: Detonating apparatus comprises a plurality of multichannel exploders (MCEs) connected to a control unit which provides an operator/apparatus interface remote from the MCE's detonator circuits. MCEs measure integrity, resonant frequency and impedance at resonance of the detonator circuits connected to each channel, and are thereby programmed to give optimum firing current at the resonant frequency. The control unit provides electrical power, interrogates the MCEs on the status of their detonator circuits, and gives firing signals to be obeyed by MCEs after predetermined delays.

Abstract: A forwardly concave insert for a hollow charge of an armor-piercing missile or projectile has an inner peripheral wall with linear generatrices and an outer peripheral wall with at least partly curved generatrices diverging from the inner wall surface to an annular zone of maximum wall thickness at more than half the distance from the point of the cone to its base, the outer generatrices having centers of curvature lying beyond the cone axis on radii which are perpendicular to the inner wall surface at that annular zone. The arcuately curved sections of these outer generatrices merge tangentially into substantially straight-line sections converging at the cone axis into the aforementioned point.

Abstract: Non-incendive explosive charge for use in flammable atmospheres includes a layer of damp salt as quenching material surrounding a charge enclosed in an inner housing. An outer housing is strong and pliable, being formed of reinforced rubbery material, to resist rough handling yet to be sufficiently pliable to conform to irregular boulder surfaces. The outer housing is pancake-shaped to provide increased contact area and stability. The relatively flat shape further permits insertion of the charge in crevices between boulders.

Abstract: A self-propelling projectile comprising a projectile body at the normally forward end of said projectile, a propellent charge at the normally rearward end of said projectile, and a primer element located between the ends of said projectile for ignition by side firing or percussion; there being means for maintaining said components in integrated relationship and with communication between said primer element and said propellent charge whereby upon explosion of said propellent charge the force of the latter will be directed against the base of the projectile body.

Abstract: A ballast tamping unit has a vibratory and reciprocable tamping tool holder pivotal in the direction of the track about a fulcrum intermediate the tamping tool holder ends. Two side-by-side tamping picks are mounted on the lower tamping tool holder end for immersion in the ballast upon vertical adjustment of the tamping tool carrier, a first one of the tamping picks being closer to the rail than the other tamping pick and the two tamping picks being mounted at least on one side of the rail for independent pivoting in a plane extending perpendicularly to the direction of reciprocation between an operating position wherein the picks extend substantially vertically for immersion in the ballast and an inoperative position wherein the picks extend substantially horizontally above the track, and separate power drives pivot the two tamping picks independently of each other.

Abstract: The vehicle has front and rear sets of wheels (24) carried on sprung arms (20). Each wheel can be locked by a clutch (26). One set of wheels is locked while a ram (32) is operated, causing the other set of wheels to roll forward. The main body (10) of the vehicle can be rotated relative to the wheels (24) by means of a motor (48) operating via a drive belt (50). The interior of the body (10) is pressurized with inert gas, suitably nitrogen exhausted from the propulsion system which is vented by a one-way valve 38.

Abstract: A combination railcar moving vehicle utilizing the weight transfer principle and trailer spotter which has a plurality of steel rail wheels for moving a railcar along rail, and has a plurality of road wheels for spotting a highway trailer in a switching yard, the combination vehicle including four rail wheels, two of which are driven, and four road wheels, two of which are driven, so as to provide 2-wheel rail drive and 2-wheel road drive, and further having oscillating means for permitting the remaining free-wheeling road and rail wheels to oscillate up and down to accommodate uneven rail or ground conditions. When the machine is operating on rail it is working inside the AAR clearance patterns stipulated by the American Association of Railroads.

Abstract: A railroad truck includes a pair of side frames with wheeled axles mounted there between. A roller bearing adaptor is mounted upon a roller bearing at each end of each axle with the side frames being mounted upon a shear pad mounted on the roller bearing adaptors. There is a subframe for interconnecting the wheeled axles by connecting opposite corner adaptors and there is a rigid connection between each adaptor and the subframe. Each rigid connection includes an adaptor portion and a subframe portion, with said portions being relatively vertically disposed. There are vertical fastening means connecting said vertically disposed adaptor and subframe portions. The vertically disposed portions have cooperating means thereon which substantially eliminate horizontal shear forces upon the fastening means.

Abstract: A drum-shaped grate of an incinerator includes a plurality of cylindrical drums, the grate covering of which is formed of a plurality of suspended middle grate bars which are combined in segments and arrested by fixed grate bars. The adjacent grate bars in the circular direction are suspended on bar carriers and the lateral faces of each two adjacent grate bars are spaced from each other by spacers. The surfaces of the spacers positioned between each two adjacent grate bars and abutting against each other are flat and smooth. Due to a possible relative displacement of the middle grate bars in their longitudinal direction owing to the placing of the spacers between the adjacent bars a clogging of the air slots formed between the grate bars would be prevented.

Abstract: An improvement for use in a coal stoker is disclosed. The improvement device is used with a common stoker generally including a hopper operatively connected to and aligned with a base box forming an ash pit. The base box, through its sides sloping downward from the hopper, supports a ramp. The lower part of the ramp is a perforated fire grate while the upper section is a plate that extends through the hopper bottom. A fan effecting a forced draft through the grate is operatively connected to a motor. The improvement comprises a linear reciprocation action carpet that overlies generally the length and width of the plate. The carpet's movement is effected by its connection to the motor. When coal is fed into the hopper and the movable carpet is activated by the motor, the carpet will move in a linear reciprocating direction. The coal falling on the carpet from the hopper will continually advance in an even flow from the carpet's leading edge onto the perforated grate.

Abstract: A series of primary-air orifices (4) extend into the combustion chamber surrounded by a housing (1). A sloping bottom (6) and a grate (12), likewise inclined at an angle (.alpha.), are located underneath. The grate consists of a row of parallel pipes (15a to 15c) which are arranged at a distance from one another and which are provided over their entire length with air outflow orifices (16a, 16b). A covering slide (13) sliding in grooves (17) on the grate makes it possible to cover to a greater or lesser extent both the gaps between the grate pipes (15a to 15c) and, if appropriate, some of the air outflow orifices provided in the grate pipes. The covering slide (13) can be actuated by hand or by means of a motor via a rack (20) connected rigidly to it and via a pinion (19).

Abstract: A stopper device for a lock stitch sewing machine includes a retaining member having a contacting face and which is moved in the downstream direction, with respect to the rotary running direction of the loop taker, when a needle thread loop passes between a contacting face of the bobbin case and such contacting face of the retaining member. This facilitates the passing of the needle thread loop. An arrangement returns the contacting face of the retaining member in the upstream direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the stabilizing of the direction of travel of watercraft. The invention relates specifically to a sword or fin for sailboards. In order to allow the wind-profile like shape of the apparatus to adjust itself in accordance with a prevailing velocity of flow or a prevailing flow thereagainst, the apparatus comprises two deformable side walls which are mounted to a rigid and stiff center wall exclusively at an area located at the leading edge thereof in relation to the direction of flow. These side walls enclose together with the two oppositely arranged surfaces of the center wall two void spaces. Depending on the prevailing pressure situations between the luff side and the leeward side, an optimal hydrodynamic flow profile is automatically generated. According to preferred embodiments, the trailing edge of the apparatus comprises vacuum pumps which communicate with the void spaces, which vacuum pumps are present in form of water jet pumps.

Abstract: A propelled water craft which is generally characterized by a twin pontoon barge having a generally flat deck, a pair of seat pedestals mounted on the deck and carrying rotatable, folding seats, and further characterized by port and starboard variable speed, reversible motors mounted in the rear of the water craft behind each one of the pontoons and operative responsive to on-off pressure switches mounted on a portable support, and forward and reverse thrust switches, and speed control means.

Abstract: Sailing vessel having mast and sail tiltable fore and aft and athwartship. The mast is held at an intermediate place along its length, and its lower end is swingable about the intermediate holding means.

Abstract: A reversible aerofoil comprises a central panel (10) with lateral panels (12A,12B) hinged to opposite edges. The lateral panels can be hinged so that either one overlies the central panel while the other is extended, thereby producing alternative mirror-image aerofoils. The lateral panels can be hinged so that they both overlie the central panel, thereby producing a stowed configuration. The shape of the panels is such that in the stowed configuration the profile of the outside surfaces of the lateral flaps match that of the central panel, thereby allowing a cross-section to be produced which edge-on is substantially symmetrical, preferably elliptical, thereby producing a low-drag aerodynamically stable stowed configuration.

Abstract: The open hatch of barges is covered by a plastic sheet with plastic piping formed about the edges to receive water for weighting the sheet down on the hatch coaming rim and sealing the sheet in place. The plastic pipes comprise hollow folded over plastic pipes terminating at tapered ends on each side of a rectangular shaped sheet to form filling pipe structure and simple drawstring closure valving to be disposed above water level. Drainage pipes in the barge coaming receive plastic drain sleeves forming passageways from the upper sheet surface to remove any collected rainwater. Plastic air socks located on opposite ends and extending through the sheet permit a blower fan to tent up the sheet in transit for draining rainwater over the edge of the coaming.

Abstract: A package of litter for small animals, having two horizontally disposed layers of particulate, liquid absorbent material, the lower layer of which is of relatively light particulate material of organic composition, containing an odor suppressant therein, and the upper layer of which is of relatively heavy particulate material of inorganic composition. The upper layer may have odor suppressant in an amount substantially less than in the lower layer, though normally the upper layer does not contain any substantial amount of odor suppressant material. The litter is normally packaged in a plurality of elongated bag-like containers, joined together at the sides by a frangible web and at the top by a removable header.

Abstract: Microbiologically contaminated shellfish are rendered edible by depurating the tainted shellfish in ultraviolet light irradiated salt water. The inlet water is first irradiated with ultraviolet light from an ultraviolet light source immersed in the water. The ultraviolet treated inlet water is then circulated through a filter which is provided to remove solid impurities from the circulating salt water whose salt and oxygen contents, temperature and flow rates are carefully controlled. Before returning to the depurating tank the water is again passed through an ultraviolet light irradiation zone.

Abstract: Bar codes are shown for measurement of volumes of liquids, e.g., the amount of milk collected in a dairy milking operation, and correlation therewith to identification of the source of the liquid, such as a cow. In the preferred embodiment, infrared or laser scanners are used to scan the two bar codes to provide an input to a computer for correlating the container or the source of liquid with the volume of liquid, whereby complex volume measuring devices and operator measurements can be substantially eliminated. Similar techniques can be used to provide computer input data representing a wide variety of analog inputs; e.g., by providing a bar code scale for juxtaposition to a thermometer, the segments of the code along the scale being selected in accordance with the mercury level at a given temperature, simple analog-to-digital temperature data conversion and input is obtained.

Abstract: A plurality of panels which are rotatably coupled to each other by sleeves are used to form a portable folding corral for enclosing animals such as horses. The panels may be folded and mounted on a trailer. As a result, the portable folding corral may be easily transported to any site. Each panel has both horizontal and vertical members. Supporting legs slidably fit inside the vertical members and extend below the vertical members to furnish support for the panels. The supporting legs are locked in place by pins which pass through apertures in the legs and vertical members. The corral is rotatably coupled to a vertical support pipe which is fastened to the trailer. After the panels are folded they are placed on top of a horizontal support plate fastened to the trailer. Belts may be used to secure the folded panels to the trailer. A winch or other lifting means may be used to remove the corral from the trailer. In addition, wheels may be used instead of supporting legs.

Abstract: The milk claw has a frusto-conical cover fitting on and oriented to the bowl. The four inlets to the cover are downwardly and tangentially arranged on the cover so incoming milk hugs the inside wall of the cover as it swirls around the cover for discharge into the bowl. The bowl has a downwardly spiraled path leading to the outlet arranged on a radius of the bowl. A dam separates the start of the spiral path in the bowl from the outlet and serves to prevent the flow at the outlet from interfering with the flow entering the bowl.

Abstract: A new garment of flexible, light weight, soft and strong material, to be worn in the body by dogs, cats, mammals or the like, provided with pouches for receiving and retaining, when in use, the discharge of their solid and fluid body wastes respectively.

Abstract: An animal or child harness suitable for pets such as dogs, cats or monkeys or for small children, has a panel of flexible material shaped to pass around the underneath of the body of the animal or child from one side to the other and to extend over a substantial part of the length of the body in a front to rear direction. Front releasable securing devices extend from opposite sides of the panel adjacent the front for passing laterally across the top of the body of the animal or child behind the neck. Rear releasable securing devices extend from opposite sides of the panel adjacent the rear for passing laterally across the top of the body of the animal or child near the rear. A strap extends between the forward releasable securing devices and the rear releasable securing devices so as to extend above the back of the animal or child in a front to rear direction.

Abstract: A versatile animal leash includes a cord with handles secured to both ends thereof. The width of each handle is less than the diameter of an animal's ring collar to enable the handle to be passed therethrough. The length of each handle is greater than the diameter of the collar ring. The cord is at least about twice the length of a standard leash length so that upon holding both handles, the leash exhibits normal length and upon releasing one handle, the same engages the ring collar and the full length of the cord is available as the leash length.

Abstract: The heat exchanger is constructed with a vertical gas flue and a hopper at the bottom end of the flue. The gas flue is shaped to have more than four sides. The hopper walls meet the wall-forming tubes of the gas flue around a boundary edge which extends over the entire periphery of the gas flue. All of the wall-forming tubes of the gas flue are bent at the boundary edge while the tubes in the walls of the hopper extend in parallel relationship to one another.

Abstract: Support points (15) are provided in the duct-shaped portions (17-22) of the desuperheater casing, at which points the serpentine tubes (25) of the preheater tube-bundle are fixed in a direction, at right-angles to the longitudinal direction of the tubes, by means of support strips (24) which bear against the tubes in a manner permitting movement in the longitudinal direction. The support strips (24) are composed of sheet steel, and possess spacer tabs (26) which extends at right-angles to the plane of the sheet steel. The ability of the support strips to shift relative to the serpentine tubes (25) is limited by supporting crosspieces (22) on two opposite web sheets (21) belonging to the support point (15).

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle is provided having a thermostatic valve for controlling the coolant flow and having at least one fan associated with the radiator. The fan (or fans) can be operated in several output stages and the thermostatic valve can be adjusted to at least two different opening temperatures. When the thermostatic valve is adjusted to a higher opening temperature, operation of the fan in the output stage associated with a lower coolant temperature is blocked.

Abstract: A coolant reserve tank comprises a disk-shaped splash-guard member horizontally disposed adjacent an inner end of a coolant reserve chamber vent and having in the upper surface thereof a plurality of grooves only through which the vent opens into the coolant reserve chamber, whereby the waves of the coolant in the chamber are mostly dashed against the lower surface of the splash-guard member and prevented from dashing into the vent to leak out therethrough.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an air cleaner for use in an air-cooled engine including a cooling fan within a fan housing. The cleaner is connected to draw air from the housing, and includes a casing having a side wall, an air inlet opening in the fan housing, an air passage formed within the casing and extending from the inlet along the wall, the passage including a curved portion, and a narrow opening formed in the wall adjacent the curved portion. The curved passage causes dust particles to move by reason of inertia to the radially outer side of the passage and the particles are removed through the narrow opening.

Abstract: This invention relates to inserts for pistons of diesel engines of aluminum-silicon alloys obtained by powder metallurgy.These inserts are characterized in that they contain elements such as iron and zirconium.They find their application in the manufacture of pistons intended to work at high temperatures for long periods and exhibit a good friction capacity.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a rotating piston assembly is proposed in which the rotating piston assembly includes a cylinder which rotates about its longitudinal axis, at least one piston element pivotably mounted at one end within the cylinder for pivotal movement in the radial direction of the cylinder, at least one work chamber disposed adjacent to at least one piston element, and at least one valve slide which is displaceable with the piston element for controlling flow into and out of the work chamber.

Abstract: Intake passage in cylinder heads of an opposed six-cylinder engine. The cylinder heads are disposed on opposite sides of a crankcase including cylinder blocks.Three cylinders in each cylinder head are arranged in firing order. Intake valves and exhaust valves in each cylinder are disposed in the same arrangement at every cylinder so that the distance between the intake valves are equal to each other, and an intake passage in each cylinder head is so formed as to communicate intake valves with an opening. The opening is located at a position between two cylinders which are faster in firing order than the other cylinder.

Abstract: A valve actuating apparatus for an internal combustion engine having selectively energizable intake/exhaust valves. Oil is supplied to valve actuators which perform the selective energization of the valve through a spool valve. The spool valve has a bypass for supplying operating oil to the actuators when the spool valve is set to the unenergized position in an amount insufficient for energizing the actuators but sufficient to purge air from the lines connecting the spool valve to the actuators. By so doing, the responsiveness of the actuator system is improved.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a valve actuating mechanism having a stopping function for use in an internal combustion engine of the type, in which at least one pair of intake or exhaust valves having an identical function and disposed adjacent to each other are arranged for one cylinder. First and second rocker arms respectively having arms abutting against the upper ends of the paired intake or exhaust valves are rockingly supported on a common support shaft which is fixed on the engine body while having an axis perpendicular to the operating directions of the valves. The first rocker arm is formed with a cylinder bore which is opened toward the second rocker arm to bear a plunger therein whereas the second rocker arm is formed with a guide bore which is opened toward the first rocker arm to fit the plunger therein.

Abstract: In the valve mechanism of an internal combustion engine of the overhead camshaft type, a camshaft holder mounted on the cylinder head and supporting rocker shafts thereon has two bearing recesses having a generally semicylindrical shape, formed in a side surface remote from the cylinder head for supporting a pair of rocker shafts received therein, and a lubricating oil passage formed therein and communicating a lubricating oil passage formed in the cylinder head with the hollow interior of one of the rocker shafts. The camshaft holder is further formed therein with two communication passages communicating a peripheral groove formed in a bearing surface opening in a side surface facing the cylinder head for supporting the camshaft, respectively, with two annular gaps defined between two bolt-fitting holes and two bolts extending therethrough to fix the rocker shafts and the camshaft holder to the cylinder head.

Abstract: The invention relates to cylinder liners for internal combustion engines comprising a matrix based on aluminum alloys of high mechanical strength, obtained by powder metallurgy, and methods of producing them. The liners comprise a dispersion of grains of an added intermetallic compound, apart from the dispersion of such intermetallic compounds as may exist in the alloy, the added compound having a melting temperature of over 700.degree. C. The liners are obtained by extruding or sintering a mixture of powders. The liners of the invention may be used particularly in the automobile industry and in any kind of industry where liner-piston units of good compatibility must be obtained from aluminum alloys.

Abstract: Disclosed is an Engine Component Position Indicating System (60) operated by hand or foot pedal (26) that is able to provide a signal from a signal generating means (52) to a visual indicating means (58) in response to rotation of a shaft (2) in either direction that is operatively coupled at one to the signal generating means (52). Shaft (2) is connected to pedal (26) by connecting means preferably in the form of rod (16) which has one end connected to input member (8) secured to shaft (2) and which causes shaft (2) to rotate in opposite directions according to whether pedal (26) is pressed or released by the operator's foot.

Abstract: A fuel injection device of a diesel engine which stops fuel injection and throttles intake air during engine braking so that engine vibration, noise, harmful exhaust gas, and fuel consumption are all reduced. The device includes an intake valve interlocked with an accelerator to throttle intake air during accelerator nonoperation, sensors for detecting an engine braking condition, and a computer for controlling fuel injection in response to signals from engine sensors.

Abstract: In a distributor type fuel injection pump in which fuel is sucked and pressurized by a reciprocating and rotating plunger, and the pressurized fuel is fed under pressure to each fuel injection nozzle from a distribution port by means of a distribution path, the improvement constituted by a delivery valve to be provided in the distribution path is omitted or a delivery valve having a large suction return quantity is provided, and an auxiliary port is provided in the plunger, and a groove for taking out the pressure when it is aligned with the auxiliary port is formed in the plunger barrel, and a uniform pressure slit is formed on the plunger which is at an identical position with that of the distribution port and being circumferentially offset by a proper angle, and the uniform pressure slit is communicated with the groove for taking out the pressure by means of a communicating path, and a pressure equalizing valve is provided in the communicating path, whereby non-continuous injection in a low speed zone can

Abstract: A fuel injection device according to the present invention is provided with a controller for controlling a fuel delivering rate from a fuel pumping chamber of the device. The controller has a piston adapted to engage a pump plunger for pressurizing the fuel in a fluid chamber and movable in the axial direction of the pump plunger. During a pressurizing process, the axial position of the piston is adjusted in accordance with the operating state of an engine, thereby controlling the fuel delivery rate or the fuel injection rate.

Abstract: In a fuel supply control apparatus for an internal-combustion engine, liquid fuel is vaporized and is supplied to a fuel gas passage leading to an intake air passage. The flow rate of the vaporized fuel flowing through the fuel gas passage is detected, and the flow rate of the fuel is calculated in accordance with the load of the engine. As a result, feedback control of the fuel to be supplied to the engine is carried out so that the detected flow rate of the vaporized fuel is close to the calculated flow rate of the fuel.

Abstract: A fuel distribution system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes an intake manifold having a tubular inlet stack with an inlet including a mounting for a carburetor on the top thereof and a plurality of runner passages extending generally transverse to the bottom of the stack and to intake ports at each cylinder. The manifold includes a housing downstream of the stack providing a freely rotatable mounting for a shaft having a plurality of axial flow turbine blades thereon and a radial flow impeller is also mounted on the shaft, spaced from the turbine blades. The stack has a cylindrical interior wall section closely fitted to the turbine blades, defining therewith a ducted velocity turbine, and beneath the stack the housing surrounds the impeller and is connected to each of the runner passages, whereby all fuel/air mixture passes through the turbine and impeller.

Abstract: An output supply control apparatus controls the supply of an output from an internal combustion engine magneto generator to its loads so as to effectively utilize the magneto generator. The desired ignition energy is obtained by charging a discharge capacitor of a contactless ignition system with a high induced voltage produced upon the rapid interruption of the short-circuit current in the generating coil, and also any other load such as a battery or lamp is energized by the high induced voltage exceeding a predetermined value. A constant voltage supply for the contactless ignition system ignition signal generating circuit is operated by the generating coil output current preceding the interruption. A regulator is included which monitors a lamp load voltage to commutate or transfer an excess output to the battery load and is operable in response to an overvoltage.