Abstract: An ignition coil having primary and secondary coils, the primary coil wound around a central core member and including a permanent magnet made of a magnetic material that is less than fully dense, and is interposed between one end of the central core member and one end of an outer core surrounding the primary and secondary coil assembly and assuring the elimination of any air gap between the iron core and the central core member. The ignition coil further having a common modular design for a slip-in fit into differing modular housing designs depending upon the number of cylinders in the engine.

Abstract: An ignition coil for ignition systems of internal combustion engines of motor vehicles has at least one primary connection part connectable with a voltage source, at least one secondary connection part having at least one connection dome, a pin and a spark plug terminal connected with the pin and attachable to a spark plug mountable in a spark plug recess, and a centering sleeve adapted to the shape of the spark plug recess and allowing for movement clearance, and the centering sleeve is undetachably fastened to the spark plug terminal.

Abstract: A high efficiency, high output, compact ignition coil particularly suited for use in capacitive discharge, multiple pulsing ignition systems, with about ten turns of primary (1) wire (Np) and about five hundred fifty turns of secondary (2) wire (Ns) for an input voltage Vp of approximately 350 volts and a peak output voltage Vs of 30 kV, the core and windings of the coil featuring separate and different primary (31) and secondary (41) core halves structured on the basis of herein developed coil open and closed circuit criteria such that the core half (31) containing the primary winding has a large center post (32) of cross-sectional area Ap with a narrow slot of width W1 around the post (32) for winding the primary wire (1) to provide essentially the total required coil leakage inductance Lpe of about 50 uH for an input capacitance of about 5 uF and spark discharge frequency fcc of about 10 kHz, and the secondary core (41) structured to have a center post (42) of cross-sectional area As about half that of Ap

Abstract: An ignition coil device for an internal combustion engine includes an air gap between the two heat generating sources, the coil assembly and the power transistor unit, such that the coil assembly and the power transistor unit are thermally isolated from each other. Further, the primary winding bobbin has an inner projection inserted into the air gap of the core to maintain the gap. Furthermore, the primary winding bobbin and the secondary winding bobbin each has a first and a second bobbin attachment portion. First the high voltage tower attachment portion of the high voltage tower is engaged with the bobbin attachment portion on the secondary winding bobbin and the connector attachment portion of the connector is engaged with the bobbin attachment portion on the primary winding bobbin, to form respective integral sub-units.

Abstract: An ignition coil device for an internal combustion engine includes an air gap between the two heat generating sources, the coil assembly and the power transistor unit, such that the coil assembly and the power transistor unit are thermally isolated from each other. Further, the primary winding bobbin has an inner projection inserted into the air gap of the core to maintain the gap. Furthermore, the primary winding bobbin and the secondary winding bobbin each has a first and a second bobbin attachment portion. First the high voltage tower attachment portion of the high voltage tower is engaged with the bobbin attachment portion on the secondary winding bobbin and the connector attachment portion of the connector is engaged with the bobbin attachment portion on the primary winding bobbin, to form respective integral sub-units.

Abstract: An ignition coil having annular primary and secondary coils, the primary coil wound around a central core member and including a permanent magnet made of a magnetic material that is less than fully dense, and is interposed between one end of the central core member and one end of a C-shaped iron core surrounding the primary and secondary coil assembly and assuring the elimination of any air gap between the C-shaped iron core and the central core member. Alternatively, the permanent magnet may be replaced with an electrically non-conductive shim of substantially equal dimension such that the energy output is substantially reduced and the charge/discharge interval substantially increased to thereby allow use of the same basic modularly constructed coil assembly for totally different ignition strategies.

Abstract: An ignition coil device for an internal combustion engine includes an air gap between the two heat generating sources, the coil assembly and the power transistor unit, such that the coil assembly and the power transistor unit are thermally isolated from each other. Further, the primary winding bobbin has an inner projection inserted into the air gap of the core to maintain the gap. Furthermore, the primary winding bobbin and the secondary winding bobbin each has a first and a second bobbin attachment portion. First the high voltage tower attachment portion of the high voltage tower is engaged with the bobbin attachment portion on the secondary winding bobbin and the connector attachment portion of the connector is engaged with the bobbin attachment portion on the primary winding bobbin, to form respective integral sub-units.

Abstract: An ignition coil unit which is capable of mounting in a relatively small space between opposed cylinder head covers of an internal combustion engine is disclosed, wherein a pair of separate coil assemblies received in a single insulating-resin case is firmly embedded in the case by a cured casting resin such as a thermosetting resin filled in the case in such a manner that the pair of coil assemblies can be directly connected to each pair of adjacent spark plugs provided one for each cylinder of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An ignition coil assembly for an internal combustion engine including an ignition coil housing having integrally molded mounting members arranged on the outer perimeter of the housing in non-interfering relationship with the internal coil/core assembly components. C-Shaped laminated cores are encased entirely within the ignition assembly housing material or encased in an elastomer such as a rubber modified polypropylene and inserted into the housing assembly. The ignition coil assembly provides for use either in a internal combustion engine with a distributor-based or distributor-less ignition system.

Abstract: A unipolar ignition of the invention provides a current waveform at the ignitor plug which initially rises relatively slowly, followed by a transition to a fast rising current which quickly peaks and thereafter slowly dissipates. Such a current waveform provides an initially hotter and longer lasting spark which does not harm the ignitor plug of the system or shorten its life expectancy. Neither does the spark create stress on the solid state circuitry which delivers the energy to the ignitor plug. To provide the foregoing spark and current characteristics, an inductor having a saturable core is in series with the ignitor plug, and it provides an initially high inductance which limits the rate of current rise at the plug as energy is transferred from an energy storage device to the plug. As the current through the inductor increases, its core begins to saturate and the effective inductance begins to decrease, allowing the current to rise more quickly. As energy is transferred to the ignitor plug.

Abstract: An ignition coil having annular primary and secondary coils, the primary coil wound around a central core member and including a permanent magnet made of a magnetic material that is less than fully dense, and is interposed between one end of the central core member and one end of a C-shaped iron core surrounding the primary and secondary coil assembly and assuring the elimination of any air gap between the C-shaped iron core and the central core member.

Abstract: An ignition apparatus for an internal-combustion engine, comprises an ignition coil for generating a high-voltage electricity, a socket for supplying the high-voltage electricity to an electrode of a spark plug, and an electrically insulating resin support member which adheres to both of the ignition coil and the socket to support them integrally thereon, and at least a part of the socket is made of an electrically conductive resin.

Abstract: An induction discharge system ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes a power switching device for producing a voltage to be applied to the primary winding of an induction coil. The secondary of the induction coil is connected to apply a high-tension voltage to a spark plug. The power switching device and the coil are particularly arranged to produce a voltage of at least 6.0 kV across the electrodes of the spark plug when the spark plug has a leakage of 100 k.OMEGA.. The turns ratio of the coil is, preferably, 70 or less.

Abstract: An ignition coil unit for an internal combustion engine comprising a coil case containing an ignition coil and an ignitor case containing an ignitor for controlling a coil primary current. A heat sink is connected between the coil case and the ignitor case for dissipating heat generated in the ignitor and supporting the ignitor case on the coil case. An additional support member is provided between the ignitor case and the coil case for detachably attaching the ignitor case to the coil case. The additional support means may comprise a bridge member connected between an electrical connector for the ignitor and the ignitor case for connecting them into a unitary structure, and the bridge member may be disposed within the coil case and held within the coil case by a resin filler material.

Abstract: An ignition coil device for an internal combustion engine includes an air gap between the two heat generating sources, the coil assembly and the power transistor unit, such that the coil assembly and the power transistor unit are thermally isolated from each other. Further, the primary winding bobbin has an inner projection inserted into the air gap of the core to maintain the gap. Furthermore, the primary winding bobbin and the secondary winding bobbin each has a first and a second bobbin attachment portion. First the high voltage tower attachment portion of the high voltage tower is engaged with the bobbin attachment portion on the secondary winding bobbin and the connector attachment portion of the connector is engaged with the bobbin attachment portion on the primary winding bobbin, to form respective integral sub-units.

Abstract: A modular twin tower distributorless ignition coil assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of ignition coil subassemblies having a molded housing, a primary winding, a secondary winding, a laminated steel-plated armature, primary winding connectors and two high voltage towers for delivering the high voltage impulse induced by the secondary coil to respective engine spark plugs. Multiple ignition coil subassemblies can be coupled together through the use of integrally molded receptacle and plug connectors contained on the housing which ultimately co-operate with an engine control module to fire two, four, six or eight cylinder engines. Each modular ignition coil subassembly is substantially identical in its overall configuration and only minor modifications to the ignition coil subassembly are required to tailor an individual ignition coil assembly to fit into its position in a series of modules.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ignition coil for an internal combustion engine, which comprises a coil portion including a primary winding and a bobbin around which a secondary winding is wound, a resin case for accommodating the coil portion, a conductive secondary auxiliary terminal fixed to the flange of the bobbin and around which the end portion of the secondary winding is twined, a conductive secondary terminal confronting with the winding portion of the bobbin and assembled to the secondary auxiliary terminal, and a high tension voltage terminal connected to the secondary terminal for supplying a secondary high tension output to the outside.

Abstract: An ignition coil is provided with a primary coil which includes a distributed constant circuit including inductance and capacitance. A thyristor is connected in parallel to the primary coil, and a secondary coil is magnetically coupled to the primary coil. When a predetermined voltage is supplied to the primary coil, the capacitance is charged. If the thyristor is turned-on, the capacitance is discharged sequentially with time deviation since charge of the capacitance is sequentially delayed by the inductance which is connected in parallel to the capacitance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the cold starting performance of a spark ignition, internal combustion engine fueled with an alcohol-based fuel mixture is described. The quantity of fuel mixture delivered to the engine is regulated to establish a combustible fuel vapor-air mixture in each engine cylinder during cranking, while restricting the accumulation of unvaporized fuel in the each cylinder so as not to exceed a predetermined amount. In addition, each cylinder spark plug is provided with an ignition current having a peak magnitude sufficient to achieve voltage break down across each spark plug arc gap, when each gap is resistively loaded due to wetting in accordance with the predetermined amount of accumulated unvaporized fuel. Preferably, the quantity of fuel delivered to the engine during cranking is reduced at a substantially exponential rate as a function of the cumulative number of revolutions the engine is rotated during cranking.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head having a plug insertion hole, an ignition plug inserted in the plug insertion hole and having an input terminal covered with a plug cap. An ignition system includes an ignition coil assembly having a primary coil, a secondary coil, and a core extending through the primary and secondary coils, the ignition coil assembly being disposed in the plug cap. The ignition system also includes magnets mounted on respective ends of the core, the magnets being oriented so as to produce magnetic fluxes in a direction opposite to magnetic fluxes generated by the primary coil. The ignition system also has a shield member of a magnetic material surrounding the ignition coil assembly, and an insulating member of an electrically nonconductive material interposed between the shield member and an inner wall surface of the plug insertion hole.

Abstract: A capacitor discharge ignition system (10) for an internal combustion engine has an ignition coil (22) with a magnetically permeable core (24) having an axially extending core bar (26), a primary winding (30) wound around the core bar, and a pair of secondary windings (32 and 34) axially spaced along the primary winding. A pair of spark plugs (42 and 44) are each energized by a respective one of the secondary windings. The output voltage rise time of each of the secondary windings is fast enough and of sufficient magnitude to cause the respective spark plug to ignite a combustible mixture. The output voltage rise time of each of the secondary windings remains fast enough and of sufficient magnitude to cause its respective spark plug to ignite the combustible mixture even if the spark plug of the other secondary winding becomes fouled and presents a low impedance. Each of the secondary windings dissipates substantially constant energy even if the spark plug of the other secondary winding becomes fouled.

Abstract: An ignition coil unit comprising an open-circuit magnetic iron core (6) having a longitudinal axis C, a primary coil (2) wound around the open-circuit magnetic core (6), a secondary coil (7) wound around the primary coil (2) and an outer magnetic iron core (10) disposed around the secondary coil (7). A power switching element (9a) for switching a primary current flowing through the primary coil (2) is disposed on the longitudinal axis of the open-circuit magnetic iron core (6) at its one end. A magnetic shield (20,21) is disposed between the open-circuit magnetic iron core (6) and the power switching element (9a) for protecting the latter against leakage magnetic fluxes from the open-circuit magnetic iron core (6). The magnetic shield may be a magnetic shunt plate (20) for leading the leakage flux into the outer magnetic iron core (10) or a magnetic shield case (21) surrounding the power switching element (9a).

Abstract: An ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines of which configuration is simplified to reduce production cost and improve reliability of the apparatus. The present invention with the above object can be completed in three main embodiments. The ignition apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention has a distributor cap. The distributor cap comprises an ignition coil; a central electrode connected to the ignition coil; a plurality of side electrodes each connected to an ignition plug of each cylinder of the engine and selectively connected to the central electrode; a plurality of diodes each connected to the plurality of side electrodes each; a terminal connected to the diodes for outputting ion detecting signals; and a resin portion for holding the central electrode, the plurality of side electrodes, the plurality of diodes, and the terminal.

Abstract: The ignition unit includes a support housing containing two ignition coils each for the connection to at least one, and preferably two, associated spark plugs. Each ignition coil comprises a primary winding and a second winding disposed around the end arms of a magnetic core or circuit formed by only two packs of plates juxtaposed so that together they form essentially a figure-of-8 shape. The packs of plates are identical, essentially E-shaped and are placed close together, face-to-face, so that together they form a squared figure-of-8 shape. Each of the packs of plates has a notch which extends from the back of the E into its central arm and almost up to the end of the free end thereof. Conveniently, inserts of non-magnetic material are disposed in the notches in the packs of plates.

Abstract: The ignition system consists of a free-running ignition final stage, a miniature induction coil, a static and/or dynamic determination of the ignition angle, and a power supply. The ignition final stage ensures that the ignition current is an alternating current and that the ignition energy is fed to the spark plugs in a current-controlled manner. The ignition point is determined by reading the ignition angle. The electrical supply to the entire ignition final stage and additional consumers in a motor vehicle is through a power supply that converts the current and voltage.

Abstract: A direct fire ignition system for an internal combustion engine having a coil assembly attachable to each spark plug. Each coil assembly has a high voltage transformer for producing a voltage sufficient to cause the spark plug to generate a spark, an integral capacitor parallel with the spark plug, and a spark plug sensor circuit coupling to the high voltage transformer for generating a spark confirmation signal when a spark is generated. The spark sensor circuit is responsive to a high frequency signal generated in the high voltage transformer within a predetermined frequency range to generate the spark confirmation signal. The direct fire ignition system is compatible with single strike or multi-strike modes of operation. The system can also generate a probe voltage across the spark plug to test for auto or pre-ignition.

Abstract: An ignition coil disposed and used in the neighborhood of a part made of a conductive material is provided with a first core made of a magnetic material, around which a primary coil and a secondary coil are wound; and a second core made of a magnetic material and having a cylindrical portion, in which the primary coil and the secondary coil and the first core are contained, and forms a closed magnetic path in conjunction with the first core.

Abstract: A unipolar ignition of the invention provides a current waveform at the ignitor plug which initially rises relatively slowly, followed by a transition to a fast rising current which quickly peaks and thereafter slowly dissipates. Such a current waveform provides an initially hotter and longer lasting spark which does not harm the ignitor plug of the system or shorten its life expectancy. Neither does the spark create stress on the solid state circuitry which delivers the energy to the ignitor plug. To provide the foregoing spark and current characteristics, an inductor having a saturable core is in series with the ignitor plug, and it provides an initially high inductance which limits the rate of current rise at the plug as energy is transferred from an energy storage device to the plug. As the current through the inductor increases, its core begins to saturate and the effective inductance begins to decrease, allowing the current to rise more quickly.

Abstract: An ignition unit for internal combustion engines with an ignition coil having a ferromagnetic core integrated with a spark plug connector, about the main core of which is arranged a primary winding and a secondary winding surrounded by an insulating body; the ignition coil and the spark plug connector are so arranged to one another that the axial directions of the spark plug connector and of the main core of the ignition coil form at least approximately a right angle.

Abstract: An ignition coil in which an ignition coil is incorporated in a distributor housing is characterized in that the ignition coil has an annular core, and is disposed in the distributor housing so that the annular core surrounds a distributor-shaft support portion of the housing.

Abstract: To facilitate mounting of each ignition coil into each coil mounting hole formed in each cylinder head accurately with respect to both the longitudinal and angular positions of each ignition coil, a cylinder head is formed with a coil mounting hole including a first large-diameter inclined coil mounting hole, a second small-diameter inclined coil mounting hole, and an intermediate partially conical surface for connecting the first and second inclined coil mounting holes in axially eccentric positional relationship with respect to each other; and an ignition coil formed with an outer casing so as to be inserted into the coil mounting hole formed in the cylinder head. Further, a rocker cover sealing member is disposed along each of junction circumferences of two coil mounting holes and between the cylinder head and the rocker cover to prevent lubricant from flowing from a cam chamber to the ignition coil casings and further to the ignition plugs.

Abstract: An ignition coil unit for an internal combustion engine comprising a magnetic iron core, a primary coil wound around the iron core, a secondary coil electromagnetically coupled with the primary coil, a control circuit for controlling a primary electric current, and a case containing the iron core, the primary coil, the secondary coil and the control circuit therein. The ignition coil unit may further comprise a heat sink attached to the iron core, and the mold case may contain and integrally support the iron core and the heat sink, with at least part of the heat sink exposed to exterior of the mold case. The mold case defines a cavity containing therein the primary coil and the secondary coil wound around the iron core, and the space around the primary and second coils within the cavity is filled by a resin material.

Abstract: In an ignition coil in which an air gap portion is provided at a portion of an iron core forming a closed magnetic circuit, which includes an exciting part iron core having a primary coil and a secondary coil wound therearound, and a strong permanent magnet is inserted in the air gap portion, the closed magnetic circuit is constructed to have the iron core and permanent magnet provided with respective suitable shapes, dimensions, properties, etc. so as to make most of the characteristics of the strong permanent magnet, thereby drastically reducing the size and weight of the ignition coil. Further, a concrete improvement of the construction of the closed magnetic circuit of the ignition coil is attained to assure excellent magnetoelectric conversion performance of the ignition coil.

Abstract: An ignition device for an engine is removable without removing the cylinder head cover, for gaining access to the spark plug. A case has a lower portion releasibly fitted around a spark plug mounted to a cylinder head of the engine. First and second bobbins having coils wound thereon are mounted concentrically in the case and a C-shaped core is positioned outside of the case and has distal ends fitted in the bobbins. An ignition head cover removably mounted to the cylinder head cover of the engine supports the core when the lower portion of the case is fitted around a spark plug.

Abstract: An ignition coil in which an ignition coil is incorporated in a distributor housing is characterized in that the ignition coil has an annular core, and is disposed in the distributor housing so that the annular core surrounds a distributor-shaft support portion of the housing.

Abstract: A distributor for an internal combustion engine has a housing, a shaft inserted in the housing, a head mounted on the shaft, a cap attached to the housing so as to cover the rotor head, a signal detector accommodated in the housing, a connector projecting outside the housing, and an ignition coil accommodated in the housing. The housing has a cut-out portion formed in a side wall thereof from an abutment between the cap and the housing and extending toward the bottom of the housing for receiving the connector, and the cap and the connector are tightly engaged with the housing through a gasket. Silicon rubber is charged in the gap between the housing and the ignition coil. A heat release plate may be provided between the housing and the signal detector so that a path formed by the plate and the housing and surrounding a section of the core is electrically cut off, whereby no current flows in the path.

Abstract: A housing structure of an ignition coil assembly for an internal combustion engine is disclosed, in which the coil assembly and the igniter are accommodated in a single casing. The coil assembly is wound around a leg of a rectangular core having a yoke portion running parallel to it. The casing accommodates the coil assembly and the leg of the core carrying it, leaving exposed to the outside the yoke of the core; a space is formed between a side of the coil assembly and a side wall of the casing. A plate-shaped heat sink abutting on the yoke of the core at its lower end extneds witin the casing between the coil assembly and the casing through said space, forming within the space a hollow receptacle between opposing surfaces of the coil assembly and the casing. The igniter is mounted to the heat sink within the hollow receptacle. The housing structure is attached to the body of an automobile, etc., at a surface of the heat sink abutting on the yoke of the core.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an improvement in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine (10) is provided. A spherically shaped rotating element (22) is mounted in the engine head (20) for rotation about a first axis (24). The rotating element has a notch which aligns between the combustion chamber and inlet and exhaust passages as the rotating element rotates. A seal assembly (42) seals against the spherical rotating element. The annular seal (54) in contact with the rotating element rotates about an axis and is self-centering in its sealing action to reduce wear and increase sealing effectiveness. The annular seal is mounted and urged into sealing engagement with the rotating element with nested annular seal retainers (56) which also rotate.

Abstract: Apparatus for developing and applying sparks to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus comprises separate primary and secondary winding units. The secondary unit includes a spark plug having an insulator. The insulator carries a secondary coil winding which is connected to the electrodes of the spark plug. The insulator has a bore which contains a magnetic core for the secondary winding. The primary winding unit includes a primary winding and a tubular flux carrying part formed of magnetic material. The primary winding unit has a bore which is slipped over a portion of the secondary unit that has the secondary winding. A voltage is induced in the secondary winding by magnetic coupling to the primary winding when it is energized.

Abstract: In a transformer including a low-voltage input coil, a high-voltage output coil disposed coaxially of the low-voltage input coil, and a core for magnetically connecting both of the coils together; the improvement comprising a first bobbin around which the low-voltage input coil is wound which first bobbin has an inner-diameter hole, wherein the core comprises a rod portion to be inserted into the inner-diameter hole of the first bobbin and a flange portion provided at one axial end of the rod portion. In another aspect of the invention, the transformer further comprises a second bobbin around which the high-voltage output coil is wound, and a connector adapted to be connected to an ignition plug which connector is mounted on an end surface of the second bobbin on the opposite side of the flange portion of the core in such a manner that a mounting direction of the connector substantially coincides with an axial direction of the second bobbin.

Abstract: This invention relates to a number of improvements in ignition systems of spark ignition engines. A detector is employed to sense the first or "breakdown" phase of spark discharge across the spark plug which causes a short duration high current flow across the plug gap. The detection of the breakdown current enables control over a number of ignition system functions. A pulse transformer is used which enables extremely short duration energization of the spark plug at controllable voltages. The existence of end gas auto-ignition is detected by energizing the spark plug during a period of the operating cycle after top dead center of piston travel. Since the threshold voltage necessary to generate spark discharge at the plug differs in conditions where auto-ignition is occurring versus ordinary combustion, sensing of plug breakdown during such energization provides a means of detecting the occurrence of auto-ignition.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided an ignition system having a direct current source, a primary voltage stabilizing power source for the generation of a stabilized voltage from the direct current source, a high-tension transformer which receives the voltage from the primary voltage stabilizing power source and applies a high voltage developed on its secondary side to a discharge load, and a switching element for controlling the primary current in the transformer. At least two of those components are integrally connected, or means for detecting an abnormal condition of the direct current source is disposed within the case containing the primary voltage stabilizing power source, whereby connection or insulation between components can be done easily and there are attained simplification of the assembling work, reduction of noise and improvement of maintainability.

Abstract: In a distributorless ignition system for an internal combustion engine, a single ignition coil unit, detachably mountable to a cylinder head, is provided for each pair of spark plugs. The ignition coil unit includes a coil portion having a core and primary and secondary windings wound on the core, a pair of plug couplers formed on the coil portion in correspondence to the spark plugs arranged on adjacent two cylinders of the engine, a pair of high tension couplers formed on the coil portion in directions different from those of the plug couplers, a first connecting member for electrically connecting one end of the secondary winding to one of the plug couplers, a second connecting member for electrically connecting the other end of the secondary winding to one of the high tension couplers, and a third connecting member for electrically connecting the other of the plug couplers to the other of the high tension couplers. Therefore, the ignition coil unit can be easily engaged and disengaged with the spark plugs.

Abstract: The system comprisesa low-voltage electrical supply,an inductive voltage-increaser,a plurality of plugs, anddistribution means for allowing the selective supply of high voltage to the plugs through the voltage-increaser.The latter comprisesa low-voltage winding through which current flows each time a spark is prouduced in at least one plug, anda plurality of coils each of which is associated with a respective plug. Each coil includes first and second windings magnetically coupled together, the second winding being connected electrically to the plug. The distribution means are also adapted to connect the first winding of one or more of the coils selectively to the low voltage winding and to allow current to flow through the said windings to create the spark in the plugs connected to the said coils.

Abstract: An Electromagnetic Ignition system suitable for adaptation to standard automobile engines including diesel engines, which has been improved by means of a high efficiency RF capacitive spark plug with a projecting antenna tip used for forming very large spark gaps to the plug shell and piston face as well as for coupling high electric fields to the local initial flame plasma, preferably used in combination with shielded high voltage cable including series inductive choke elements and a Capacitive Discharge ignition system incorporating an input capacitor, a SCR switch, an ignition coil with an optimized high current and high output voltage, and preferably a synchronous DC-DC power converter providing "boost power" during ignition so that substantial capacitive, inductive, and electromagnetic energy is supplied to the air-fuel mixture. Preferably the coil has a turns ratio of 50 with the input capacitor having a capacitance between 5 and 10 microfarads and a 400 volts rating.

Abstract: In a spark plug connector for a high-voltage distributor-less high-voltage capacitor ignition system, comprising an ignition transformer and a storage capacitor connected on the secondary side to the ignition transformer, the spark plug connector is made rod-shaped with diameter dimensions corresponding to those of a spark plug and contains the storage capacitor and ignition transformer arranged one behind the other, the ignition transformer being disposed at the end of the spark plug connector remote from the spark plug connection.

Abstract: A capacitive discharge pulsed plasma ignition system which is suitable for retrofitting to standard automobile engines, and easily adaptable to new engines, including diesel engines, which has been substantially improved by using a novel ultra-high efficiency ignition transformer (coil) (3) with an optimized high current and high voltage output. The ignition is preferably used with a high pulse rate, high efficiency, multiple pulse ignition box providing rapid pulsed plasma ignition sites. The coil (3) has a low winding turns ratio of about 40, low primary (1,11) and secondary (2,12) inductances and resistances, low loss in its core (3a), low secondary capacitance (5), and is used in conjunction with a capacitor (4) of capacitance between 1 and about 20 microfarads. The system uses voltage doubling at the spark gap (9) through coil/capacitor design combination to fire a wide spark gap (9) and provide a very high current.

Abstract: A control circuit operates with a small toroidal transformer, having a ferrite core, to produce high voltage pulses efficiently. The circuit applies a magnetizing force to the transformer core that is in excess of the force required to produce maximum magnetization of the core. The initial magnetizing force is opposed by current flow in the secondary winding. As the secondary current flow approaches zero, it no longer can act to demagnetize the core and the primary can generate a rapid change in magnetic strength resulting in a high voltage in the secondary winding. The rate of change of current in the primary circuit is limited by a small inductor in series with the primary winding of the transformer. The charging circuit is interrupted simultaneously with discharge of a capacitor through the transformer primary. The core is insulated for high voltage and carries a secondary winding of about 300 turns extending over about 300 degrees of the circumference and a primary winding of about three to five turns.

Abstract: For a four cylinder engine, there are provided two ignition coil units, each including a primary coil and a secondary coil. The primary coil is wound around a center core made of grain oriented silicon steel, which forms a closed magnetic path for the magnetic flux produced by the coil unit together with a side core formed of non-grain oriented steel as one body. In the closed magnetic path there is provided an air gap. The current of the primary coils is controlled by transistors operated in response to gate signals furnished from an ignition control unit. The transistors are provided with a diode in the reverse parallel therewith. With these arrangements, the ignition coil assembly for an electronic distribution system can be miniaturized with the unfavorable influence of the magnetic inteference suppressed remarkably.

Abstract: To reliably provide ignition energy only to specific spark plugs (11, 12; 14, 15) of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine (ICE), a double-E core has primary windings (6, 8) located on a main or central branch, and separate secondary windings (10, 13) located in shunt branches, each secondary winding being associated with respective spark plugs. The primary windings are so energized that, at any one time, only one of the primary windings is conductive. In accordance with the invention, permanent-magnet biasing magnets (18, 20) are located in air gaps in the shunt magnetic paths (17, 19), and so polarized that the flux generated upon current flow through the respective branches of the primary windings is counter the bias magnetization of the respective magnet (18, 20) in the respective shunt path (17, 19) on which the secondary winding (10, 13) is wound which is associated with the respectively energized primary winding (e.g.