Additional Capacitor Other Than Breaker Point Capacitor Is In Series With Coil Primary Or Secondary Patents (Class 123/653)
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Patent number: 7080639Abstract: A circuit for controlling an ignition coil is provided. The circuit includes a first transistor, second transistor, and a capacitor. The first transistor is connected in electrical series between the ignition coil and a voltage reference. The capacitor is connected between the ignition coil and a control input of the first transistor. The second transistor is configured to selectively connect the capacitor to the voltage reference.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2005Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Tom I. Pattantyus
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Patent number: 7066161Abstract: A capacitive discharge ignition (CDI) system for generating ignition sparks in an internal combustion engine comprises a single CDI module including a plurality of charge storage capacitor devices, a corresponding plurality of sets of ignition outputs, at least one charging circuit for charging at least one of the plurality of charge storage capacitor devices, and an ignition controller for selectively and individually controlling each of the plurality of charge storage capacitor devices and the at least one power supply circuit. Each of the plurality of charge storage capacitor devices is operatively coupled to the ignition outputs of one of the plurality of sets of ignition outputs. This allows for the single CDI module to power multiple, independent spark plugs either simultaneous of, immediately prior to or after each other while still delivering full energy to each ignition device.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2004Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Advanced Engine Management, Inc.Inventors: John Edward Romero, Scott A. Furlong
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Patent number: 6112730Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine having a transformer with a primary winding adapted to be connected to a power supply and a secondary winding adapted to be connected to a spark plug of the internal combustion engine, and a controller interconnected to the transformer so as to activate and deactivate the output of the transformer. The transformer serves to produce an output from the secondary winding having a frequency of between 1 KHz and 100 KHz and a voltage of at least 20 kilovolts. In particular, the transformer produces an output of an alternating current having a high voltage sine wave reaching at least 20 kilovolts. A voltage regulator is connected to the power supply and to the transformer so as to provide a constant DC voltage input to the transformer. The transformer produces power of constant wattage from the output of the secondary winding during the activation by the controller.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1999Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Marrs, Thomas C.Inventors: Thomas C. Marrs, Barry Green
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Patent number: 6070568Abstract: The invention describes a novel circuit to be used in spark-ignition combustion engines. An ignition circuit according to the invention extends the voltage decay time following the initial generation of a spark across the spark plug gap. In addition, it reduces the oscillation of the voltage following any secondary negative spike. Use of the circuit increases combustion efficiency and reduces wear and tear on the spark plugs. This purpose is achieved by including a diode and a capacitor in the spark circuit; alternately, the diode may act as a capacitor when reverse biased.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1997Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Inventors: Jonathan Redecen Dibble, Andrew Desmond Nutt
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Patent number: 6006156Abstract: An apparatus for diagnosing and controlling an ignition system of an internal combustion engine includes an ignition coil controllable by an ignition control circuit, a spark voltage sensor electrically connected to the high tension side of the ignition coil secondary and an ion voltage sensor electrically connected to the low tension side of the ignition coil secondary. A computer processes the spark voltage signal by comparing the signal to a number of predefined spark voltage waveforms in memory. If the spark voltage signal matches any of the spark voltage waveforms in memory that correspond to a predefined ignition system failure mode, a corresponding error code is stored in memory. The computer is further operable to process a voltage peak of the spark voltage, wherein the voltage peak corresponds to the breakdown voltage in the spark gap of a spark plug connected to the secondary coil.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1997Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.Inventor: Luigi P. Tozzi
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Patent number: 5564403Abstract: A spark ignition system and spark plug for utilization in an internal combustion engine combusting an ultra lean fuel/air mixture has capacitors and rectifiers built within the spark plug and the system is constructed to be compact and capable of delivering a controlled spark that has the physical properties of providing a very fast, high power pulse or train of pulses greater than conventional spark plugs.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1995Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: George Codina, James M. Schultz, J. Thomas Vachon
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Patent number: 5421312Abstract: An electrical circuit for connection to a high tension lead which is connected to a spark plug of a spark ignition internal cumbustion engine. The circuit comprises a capacitor (11) the capacitance of which is such that, if a high voltage pulse is applied to the high tension lead, the voltage developed across the capacitor and the charge stored by the capacitor are sufficient to initiate and sustain and ignition spark. The capacitor may be voltage dependent to achieve an optimised spark current characteristic. A resistor (12), such as a voltage dependent resistor, and a voltage controlled discharge device (13) may be connected in parallel with the capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1993Date of Patent: June 6, 1995Assignee: Dawson Royalties LimitedInventor: Joseph G. Dawson
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Patent number: 5370100Abstract: A connection part for an ignition device, arranged between an ignition coil and a spark plug for incorporating in a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, has an isolation housing, a high voltage switching element located in the isolation housing and during application of a trigger voltage is transferred reversibly in an electrically jump-like fashion to an electrically conductive condition, a first junction element located at one end of the high voltage switching element and connected with one pole of the latter and also connectable with a high voltage terminal of the ignition coil which leads to an output voltage of the ignition coil, a second junction element provided at another end of the high voltage switching element and connected with another pole of the latter and provided for receiving a terminal pin of the spark plug, and an element associated with the isolation housing for increasing a capacity region between the high voltage switching element and the first junction element.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1993Date of Patent: December 6, 1994Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Walter Benedikt, Werner Herden, Manfred Vogel
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Patent number: 4487177Abstract: A diesel engine is started by plural ignition plugs, each installed in a swirl chamber of a corresponding cylinder. Each ignition plug includes (a) an elongated center electrode, (b) a fuel-absorbent electrical insulator that encapsulates the center electrode so as to allow only one end of the center electrode to protrude, and (c) a plurality of elongated grounding electrodes arranged symmetrically around said insulating member to define a discharge path in conjunction with the protruding end of the center electrode. The discharge path includes part of the surface of the insulating member and an air gap between free ends of the grounding electrodes and opposing surfaces of the insulating member.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1983Date of Patent: December 11, 1984Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, LimitedInventor: Yasuki Ishikawa
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Patent number: 4463744Abstract: A distributorless ignition system in which a primary current alternately changing in its flowing direction is supplied to the primary winding of an ignition coil to induce a high secondary voltage alternately changing in polarity across the secondary winding of the ignition coil, and the induced voltage is sequentially distributed through a plurality of rectifiers such as diodes to a plurality of associated spark plugs thereby sequentially causing jumping of a spark across the spark gap of the spark plugs. An apparatus for mounting such a distributorless ignition system is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1981Date of Patent: August 7, 1984Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Minoru Tanaka, Takeshi Ishizuka, Kenzo Shima
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Patent number: 4418660Abstract: A plasma ignition system for an internal combustion engine, which comprises: (a) a low DC voltage power supply; (b) a DC-DC converter which converts a low DC voltage from the low DC voltage supply to the corresponding AC voltage and inverts the AC voltage to a high DC voltage; (c) a plurality of plasma ignition plugs each located within one of the cylinders; (d) a plurality of first capacitors each for changing the high DC voltage received from the DC-DC converter; (e) a plurality of photosensitive switching elements each connected between each corresponding first capacitor and ground and which turns on to apply the plasma ignition energy charged within the corresponding first capacitor to the corresponding plasma ignition plug at a predetermined timing; (f) a plurality of voltage-boosting transformers each having a common terminal of primary and secondary windings connected to one terminal of each corresponding plasma ignition energy capacitor and another terminal of the primary winding connected to the corrType: GrantFiled: April 7, 1982Date of Patent: December 6, 1983Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, LimitedInventors: Hiroshi Endo, Masazumi Sone, Iwao Imai, Yasuki Ishikawa
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Patent number: 4369758Abstract: A plasma ignition system for an internal combustion engine which can prevent irregular ignition when the insulation between the electrodes of the spark plug deteriorates due to carbon on the electrodes, and further can prevent electrical noise from being emitted. The system according to the present invention comprises a plasma ignition energy storing condenser, a plurality of switching units, and boosting transformers one each for each of the engine cylinders. In this system, a high tension is generated at the secondary coil of the boosting transformer to generate a spark between the electrodes of the plug and subsequently a large current is passed through the electrodes by the remaining energy stored in the condenser.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1981Date of Patent: January 25, 1983Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, LimitedInventor: Hiroshi Endo
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Patent number: 4366801Abstract: A plasma ignition system for an internal combustion engine which can prevent irregular ignition when the insulation between the electrodes of the spark plug deteriorates due to carbon on the electrodes, and further can prevent electrical noise from being emitted. The system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of independent plasma ignition energy storing condensers, switching units, and boosting transformers one each for each of the engine cylinder. In this system, a high tension is generated at the secondary coil of the boosting transformer to generate a spark between the electrodes of the plug and subsequently a large current is passed through the electrodes by the remaining energy stored in the condenser.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1981Date of Patent: January 4, 1983Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, LimitedInventors: Hiroshi Endo, Yasuki Ishikawa, Iwao Imai
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Patent number: 4292569Abstract: An ignition system uses a transformer with a primary winding and a secondary winding wherein the secondary winding is intermittently coupled to at least one igniter load. An electronic switch is connected to the primary winding. Such electronic switch has an input circuit and an output circuit for enabling electrical energy to be stored in the primary winding. The electronic switch may have an additional switching stage feeding its input circuit for establishing the charging period of the primary winding consistent with the logic of a conventional ignition system. A timer is electrically coupled to the additional switching stage for intermittently activating such electronic switch. An alternating current modulator is connected to the primary winding so as to provide a modulating signal during the discharge period of the system thereby modulating the discharge current of the primary winding.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1979Date of Patent: September 29, 1981Inventor: Martin E. Gerry
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Patent number: 4291661Abstract: An inductive-capacitive cyclic charge-discharge ignition system includes an ignition transformer primary winding in parallel with a capacitor and fed by a unipolar alternating current source providing a plural number of repetition cycles during each igniter firing period. Such unipolar cycles cause the capacitor and primary winding to charge and discharge during each of the repetition cycles creating a plurality of ringing periods for each igniter firing period. A diode or an additional capacitor, or both, inserted in series with the parallel combination of the first stated capacitor and primary winding, substantially increases the velocity of arc provided by an igniter. The system is triggered by a magnetic pulse generating timer which generates AC voltages to modulate the output of the unipolar source. Where discharge currents are developed, such generated AC voltages also modulate the discharge currents.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1979Date of Patent: September 29, 1981Inventor: Martin E. Gerry
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Patent number: 4274034Abstract: A glow plug driver adapted to be coupled to a power supply and a glow plug comprising first and second conductive leads for coupling the glow plug to the power supply and an electronic switch in the first lead having conductive and nonconductive states so that pulses of electrical energy can be supplied to the glow plug. A resistor and a capacitor are coupled between the leads in parallel with the glow plug so that the capacitor can charge when the electronic switch is in the conductive state and discharge when the electronic switch is in the nonconductive state. A timer is used to place the electronic switch in the conductive state for a predetermined amount of time. The timer is in turn controlled by a transistor having its base coupled to a junction between the resistor and the capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1979Date of Patent: June 16, 1981Assignee: C&D EnterprisesInventor: Charles W. Conklin
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Patent number: 4273093Abstract: A non-contactor ignition system for generating an ignition voltage under controlling a primary current of an ignition coil by a semiconductor switching element, comprises a capacitor which is charged by a first power source and repeats a charging and a discharging in each constant period; a semiconductor switching element for ignition timing which is connected to the capacitor and the input terminal of said semiconductor switching element; and a second power source which generates an output voltage which is connected in said input circuit of said semiconductor switching element for ignition timing and whose value is varied depending upon the variation of revolution velocity of an engine and which has a long period including at least the charging period of said capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 1979Date of Patent: June 16, 1981Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masayuki Ozawa
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Patent number: 4245609Abstract: An ignition system includes an alternating current power source which feeds a transformer having a primary winding, the primary winding being coupled to an electronic switch. The electronic switch intermittently interrupts current flowing in the primary winding and in the output circuit of the power source. Such electronic switch is made operable by virtue of the peak excursions of the alternating current thus supplying the necessary collector or emitter potential, depending upon the manner in which the electronic switch is connected, for the entire igniter firing cycle. A capacitor in series with the output circuit of the power source and with the primary winding enables current to be transferred out of the power source to such primary winding. Such electronic switch also provides discrete separation between successive output waveforms of successive ignition firing cycles. The system employs a temporary change accumulator inductor in the output circuit in series with the primary winding.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1978Date of Patent: January 20, 1981Inventor: Martin E. Gerry
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Patent number: 4217873Abstract: An ignition circuit for self-purifying creeping discharge spark plugs is disclosed. The ignition circuit comprises a creeping discharge spark plug including a center electrode and a concentric ground electrode between which is formed a spark gap having a creeping surface along which sparks are slidably moved, a capacitor located near said spark gap and connected in parallel therewith, and an impedance element connected in series with said capacitor and not impeding the movement of the electric charge discharged from said capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1978Date of Patent: August 19, 1980Assignees: NGK Spark Plug Co. Ltd., Yamahara Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kanemitsu Nishio, Takashi Suzuki, Toshihiko Uenaga, Fumio Zega