US3709206A - Regulated ignition system - Google Patents

Regulated ignition system Download PDF

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Publication number
US3709206A
US3709206A US00160808A US3709206DA US3709206A US 3709206 A US3709206 A US 3709206A US 00160808 A US00160808 A US 00160808A US 3709206D A US3709206D A US 3709206DA US 3709206 A US3709206 A US 3709206A
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United States
Prior art keywords
transistor
primary winding
spark control
control transistor
spark
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00160808A
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English (en)
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R Myers
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RCA Corp
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RCA Corp
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Publication of US3709206A publication Critical patent/US3709206A/en
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02P—IGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; TESTING OF IGNITION TIMING IN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES
    • F02P3/00—Other installations
    • F02P3/02—Other installations having inductive energy storage, e.g. arrangements of induction coils
    • F02P3/04—Layout of circuits
    • F02P3/05—Layout of circuits for control of the magnitude of the current in the ignition coil
    • F02P3/051—Opening or closing the primary coil circuit with semiconductor devices

Definitions

  • This invention relates to transistorized systems, and, more particularly, to a regulated ignition system for an internal combustion engine.
  • the collector-to-emitter path of a switching transistor is placed in series with a ballast resistor and the primary winding of a coil across a direct current source such as a battery.
  • a set of ignition points which open and close in timed relationship with the engine operation, is used to provide base current to the switching transistor.
  • the points When the points are closed the transistor is switched into conduction and the primary winding is charged with energy as a function of the current flowing in the series circuit; such current being a function of the impedance of the circuit and the battery voltage.
  • the points open the transistor is switched off and the 1 energy stored in the primary winding induces a high voltage in the secondary winding of the coil which provides the necessary spark to the spark plugs via the distributor.
  • the ballast resistor is generally shorted out during startup to maximize current through the primary winding.
  • the ballast resistor is required in the circuit to limit the current through the series circuit.
  • the ballast resistor dissipates a significant amount of power during normal operation and, as a result, its power rating causes it to be expensive; it does not provide more than a two position adjustment of the circuit resistance and cannot compensate for the entire range of battery voltages experienced; it provides good starting characteristics at the expense of high speed engine performance; and it subjects the switching transistor to higher than necessary currents if the starter sticks or if higher voltage than normal booster batteries are used for cold engine starting.
  • a regulated ignition for an internal combustion engine comprises an ignition coil having a primary winding and a secondary winding; a regulating transistor and a spark control transistor each having emitter, collector-and base electrodes; a pair of terminals adapted for connection to a direct current source; means connecting said primary winding and the emitter-to-c'ollector paths of said transistors in series circuit between said terminals; means responsive to the energy stored in said primary winding for switching said regulating transistor into conduction when said energy falls below a predetermined level; means for switching said spark control transistor into conduction in timed relationship with the operation of said engine; and means for preventing the energy stored in said primary winding from inducing a voltage in said secondary winding of sufficient magnitude to provide an ignition spark when said spark control transistor is conducting and said regulating transistor is off.
  • FIG. la is a circuit diagram of a transistorized ignition system without a ballast resistor in accordance with the prior art
  • FIG. 1b is a graphical representation of the current and voltage conditions within the circuit represented'in FIG. la;
  • FIG. 2a is a circuit diagram of a transistorized ignition system without a ballast resistor in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIGS. 2b and 2c are graphicalrepresentations of the current and voltage conditions within the circuitv represented in FIG. 2b.
  • the positive terminal 10 of a direct current source (not shown) is connected through the primary winding 19 of an ignition coil 20, the collector-to-emitter path of an NPN transistor 25, and a small emitter resistor 30, to the negative terminal 12 of the dc source.
  • One terminal of the secondary winding 21 of the coil 20 is connected to terminal 10 and the remaining terminal of the secondary winding 21 is connected to the distributor.
  • Terminal 10 is further connected through a set of ignition points 35 and a resistor 40 to the base of transistor 25.
  • a pair of diodes 45 are connected in series between the base of transistor 25 and terminal 12; the diodes 45 being poled to conduct current in the same direction, with respect to terminal 12, as the collector-to-emitter path of transistor 25.
  • transistor 25 comes out of saturation and operates in the active region causing the voltage drop across its collector-to-emitter path to increase significantly (i.e. in the order of 8 volts).
  • a typical circuit as shown in FIG. 1a when designed for use in an automobile, would draw a primary winding current of approximately 6 amps at a normal battery operating voltage of 14 volts. Since the resistance of the emitter resistor 30 is negligible relative to the internalresistance of the primary winding 19, transistor 25 will carry approximately 6 amps with a collector-to-emitter voltage of approximately 8 volts. Assuming an average dwell rate of 66 percent (i.e.
  • dwell rate equals the percentage of theinterval between sparks when the points are closed
  • transistor 25 would have to dissipate an average of 32 watts.
  • dissipation could be in the order of 50 watts if the engine were to stall with the points closed.
  • the positive terminal 110 of a direct current source such as an automobile battery .111
  • a direct current source such as an automobile battery .111
  • the positive terminal 110 of a direct current source is connected through the emitter-to-collector path of a PNP transistor 115, the primary winding 119 of an ignition coil 120, the collector-to-emitter path of an NPN transistor 125, and a small emitter resistor 130, to the negative terminal 112 of the dc source 111.
  • One ter minal of the secondary winding 121 of coill is connected to the collector of transistor 115 and the remaining'terminal of the secondary winding 121 is connected to the distributor.
  • a set of ignition points 135, which open and close in timed relationship with the operation of the engine, are connected in series with a resistor 140 between the base of transistor 125 and tenninal 110 of dc source 111. It will be seen that the negative terminal 112 of do source 111 has been referenced to ground potential as is usually the case in practice.
  • a first diode 150 is connected in series with primary winding 119, the collector-to-emitter path of transistor 125 and resistor 130; diode 150 is poled so that a current loop is formed by the series circuit comprising diode 150, winding 119, transistor 125 and resistor 130.
  • a second diode 152 is connected between the emitter and collector electrodes of transistor 115; diode 152 being poled to conduct current in a direction opposite to the conduction path of said transistor. It
  • diodes 150 and 152 provide conduction paths of opposite polarity relative to theprimary winding 119 of coil 120.
  • a tuning condenser 155 is shown connected between the collector of transistor 125 and terminal 112. Condenser 155 together with winding 119 form a tuned circuit which limits the voltage across transistor 125 when ignition points 135 are opened. It will be understood that the tuning condenser 155 may be located in a number of places other than as shown. For example, it could be placed directly across ground the detection circuit 160 provides no base current to transistor 115.
  • base current is provided to transistor 125. Since no current is flowing initially in the circuit, the potential across resistor 130 is zero and base current is also provided to transistor via detection circuit 160. Accordingly, both transistors are switched into saturation and current begins to flow through the series circuit comprising dc source 111, transistor 115, winding 119, transistor and resistor as a function of the time constant of the circuit. It should be kept in mind that the time constant of the series circuit is determined primarily by the impedance of primary winding 119, since the combined resistance of transistor 115, transistor 125, and resistor 130 are negligible relative to the internal resistance of winding l19.
  • the detection circuit 160 responds by cutting off the supply of base current to transistor 115 causing it to turn off. With transistor 115 off and transistor 125 on (i.e. the ignition points still closed) the energy stored in the primary winding 119 sustains current flow through the series circuit including winding 119, transistor 125, resistor 130 and diode 150. As the energy stored in the coil is dissipated due to the lossy nature of the circuit, the current decreases resulting in a decrease in the potential across resistor 130.
  • transistor 115 serves to regulate the energy stored in the primary winding 119-of the ignition coil 120, within desired limits, when the ignition points 135 are closed.
  • diode 150 which completes the current loop including winding 119, transistor 125 and resistor 130, provides a relatively low impedance path for the current to circulate thereby preventing the energy stored inv winding 119 from inducing a voltage in winding 121 sufficient to provide an ignition spark. It should also be noted that when transistorllS is not conducting, the coil 120 is effectively disconnected from the dc source 1 10.
  • the current through transistor 125 is the same as the current through the primary winding of the ignition coil it will be seen that the current through the coil (and consequently the energy stored in the coil) is regulated (after an initial charging period) between 5 and 6 amperes. Moreover, it will be seen that the maximum power dissipated by spark control transistor H25 is also approximately 3.6 watts.
  • said means for switching said regulating transistor comprises a threshold detection circuit coupled between the base of said regulating transistor and a point in said series circuit, the potential at said point with respect to a point of reference potential being indicative of the energy stored in said primary winding, said detection circuit providing base current to switch said regulating transistor into conduction when the potential at said point drops below a predetermined value.
  • said means for preventing said primary winding from inducing a voltage in said secondary winding of sufficient magnitude to provide an ignition spark when said spark control transistor is conducting and said regulating transistor is off comprises a diode connected in series with said primary winding and the emitter-to-collector path of said spark control transistor, said diode poled to conduct current in the same direction as said emitterto-collector path of said spark control transistor within the series circuit comprising said spark control transistor, said diode and said primary winding.
  • the invention as defined in claim 1 further comprising a tuning condenser connected in circuit with said primary winding to limit the voltage across said spark control transistor when said spark control transistor is in a non-conducting state.
  • a regulated ignition system for an internal combustion engine comprising:
  • an ignition coil having a primary winding and a secondary winding
  • a regulating transistor of a first conductivity type having emitter, collector and base electrodes
  • a spark control transistor of opposite conductivity type having emitter, collector and base electrodes
  • said prevention means comprises a diode connected in series with said primary winding and the emitter-to-collector path of said spark control transistor, said diode poled to conduct current in the same direction as said emitter-to-collector path of said transistor within the series circuit comprising said spark control transistor, said diode and said primary winding.
  • said means for switching said spark control transistor into conduction comprises a set of ignition points which provide base current to said spark control transistor in timed relationship with the operation of said engine.
  • the invention as defined in claim 10 further com.- prising a tuning condenser-connected in circuit with said primary winding to limit the voltage across said spark control transistor when said ignition points are open.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
US00160808A 1971-07-08 1971-07-08 Regulated ignition system Expired - Lifetime US3709206A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US16080871A 1971-07-08 1971-07-08

Publications (1)

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US3709206A true US3709206A (en) 1973-01-09

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00160808A Expired - Lifetime US3709206A (en) 1971-07-08 1971-07-08 Regulated ignition system

Country Status (9)

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US (1) US3709206A (it)
CA (1) CA965475A (it)
DE (1) DE2232220A1 (it)
ES (1) ES404439A1 (it)
FR (1) FR2145281A5 (it)
GB (1) GB1395621A (it)
IT (1) IT960175B (it)
NL (1) NL7208664A (it)
SE (1) SE389377B (it)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3877453A (en) * 1972-01-28 1975-04-15 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Ignition system for internal combustion engines
FR2328857A1 (fr) * 1975-10-23 1977-05-20 Solo Industries Pty Ltd Circuit d'allumage pour moteur a combustion interne et ses constituants
US4132958A (en) * 1977-10-31 1979-01-02 Tektronix, Inc. Feedbeside correction circuit for an amplifier
US4196711A (en) * 1977-01-21 1980-04-08 Robert Bosch Gmbh Ignition system with ignition coil primary current control
US4326493A (en) * 1979-07-26 1982-04-27 Autotronic Controls, Corp. Multiple spark discharge ignition system
US4455219A (en) * 1982-03-01 1984-06-19 Conoco Inc. Method of reducing coke yield
US4522173A (en) * 1982-10-22 1985-06-11 Chenesseau Internal combustion engine usable with a high vaporization heat fuel
FR2607278A1 (fr) * 1986-11-26 1988-05-27 Bendix Electronics Sa Circuit integrable de regulation de courant dans une charge inductive et son application a la commande de bobine d'allumage d'un moteur a combustion interne
US20140361747A1 (en) * 2013-06-06 2014-12-11 Stmicroelectronics (Tours) Sas Battery Life Time Management

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2825830C3 (de) * 1978-06-13 1993-12-02 Bosch Gmbh Robert Zündeinrichtung für Brennkraftmaschinen
DE3009822C2 (de) * 1980-03-14 1986-09-25 Robert Bosch Gmbh, 7000 Stuttgart Zündanlage für Brennkraftmaschinen

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3264521A (en) * 1962-12-06 1966-08-02 Gen Motors Corp Voltage suppression network for ignition systems
US3288125A (en) * 1964-06-16 1966-11-29 William V Guyton Transistorized ignition system
US3377998A (en) * 1964-12-02 1968-04-16 Lucas Industries Ltd Spark ignition systems
US3599618A (en) * 1970-05-28 1971-08-17 Motorola Inc Transistor ignition system with ballast compensation
US3605713A (en) * 1970-05-18 1971-09-20 Gen Motors Corp Internal combustion engine ignition system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3264521A (en) * 1962-12-06 1966-08-02 Gen Motors Corp Voltage suppression network for ignition systems
US3288125A (en) * 1964-06-16 1966-11-29 William V Guyton Transistorized ignition system
US3377998A (en) * 1964-12-02 1968-04-16 Lucas Industries Ltd Spark ignition systems
US3605713A (en) * 1970-05-18 1971-09-20 Gen Motors Corp Internal combustion engine ignition system
US3599618A (en) * 1970-05-28 1971-08-17 Motorola Inc Transistor ignition system with ballast compensation

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3877453A (en) * 1972-01-28 1975-04-15 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Ignition system for internal combustion engines
FR2328857A1 (fr) * 1975-10-23 1977-05-20 Solo Industries Pty Ltd Circuit d'allumage pour moteur a combustion interne et ses constituants
US4196711A (en) * 1977-01-21 1980-04-08 Robert Bosch Gmbh Ignition system with ignition coil primary current control
US4132958A (en) * 1977-10-31 1979-01-02 Tektronix, Inc. Feedbeside correction circuit for an amplifier
US4326493A (en) * 1979-07-26 1982-04-27 Autotronic Controls, Corp. Multiple spark discharge ignition system
US4455219A (en) * 1982-03-01 1984-06-19 Conoco Inc. Method of reducing coke yield
US4522173A (en) * 1982-10-22 1985-06-11 Chenesseau Internal combustion engine usable with a high vaporization heat fuel
FR2607278A1 (fr) * 1986-11-26 1988-05-27 Bendix Electronics Sa Circuit integrable de regulation de courant dans une charge inductive et son application a la commande de bobine d'allumage d'un moteur a combustion interne
EP0272946A1 (fr) * 1986-11-26 1988-06-29 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Circuit de régulation de courant dans une charge inductive et son application à la commande de bobine d'allumage d'un moteur à combustion interne
US4944281A (en) * 1986-11-26 1990-07-31 Bendix Electronics S.A. Circuit for regulating current in an inductive load
US20140361747A1 (en) * 2013-06-06 2014-12-11 Stmicroelectronics (Tours) Sas Battery Life Time Management
US9472970B2 (en) * 2013-06-06 2016-10-18 Stmicroelectronics (Tours) Sas Battery life time management
US9912185B2 (en) 2013-06-06 2018-03-06 Stmicroelectronics (Tours) Sas Battery life time management

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE389377B (sv) 1976-11-01
FR2145281A5 (it) 1973-02-16
GB1395621A (en) 1975-05-29
IT960175B (it) 1973-11-20
CA965475A (en) 1975-04-01
ES404439A1 (es) 1975-06-01
NL7208664A (it) 1973-01-10
DE2232220A1 (de) 1973-01-18

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