GB701691A - Electric spark ignition apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

701,691. Ignition systems. LUCAS, Ltd., J. July 13, 1951 [July 20, 1950; Oct. 16, 1950], Nos. 18113/50 and 25135/50. Class 7(4) In ignition apparatus of the kind which includes a capacitance for effecting discharge across a sparking plug i, of the low tension type for example, there is provided a capacitor charging means, such as ignition coil a, b, a resistance g in series with the discharge circuit through the plug i, and a control gap h in parallel with the resistance, the necessary capacity being provided by the capacity of the coil a, b, and/or the associated conductor or by a separate condenser e connected in parallel with the coil a, b. A rectifier may be located between one end of the secondary winding b and the condenser whereupon the gap h is connected in parallel with the resistance and rectifier. The resistance may be directly connected to the plug i, but preferably a gap j is provided therebetween; an inductance may be inserted in the circuit to control the rate of discharge of the condenser e. An impulse from the coil energizes the sparking plug as well as the series gap j and upon the potential difference across the resistance g reaching a given value the gap h breaks down and permits discharge of condenser e afterwhich the residual energy of the coil recharges the condenser. In a modification, a distributer is provided and the series gap j may be comprised by the gaps between the various fixed electrodes and the rotor arm, but where a wipe distributer is used the gap is connected in series with the distributer. The induction coil may be replaced by a magneto, an alternating current source or an electrostatic machine.