US1360273A - Ignition system - Google Patents

Description

A. 0. DE LORM'E.

IGNITION SYSTEM. APPLICATION man 0012's, 191?.

Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

A. c. m: LORME. IGNITION SYSTEM.

APPL'LCATIQN FILED OCT-29,1917,

Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES ALFRED C. DE

PATENT OFFICE.

LORME, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 SPLITDORF ELECTRICAL COMPANY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 29, 1917. Serial No. 199,136.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED C. DE LoRMn, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Orange, in the county of Essex'and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ignition Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the method of firing the fuel charges in an internal combustion engine, particularly of the multi-cylinder type. The system which will be described herein relates to the method of firing an eight cylinder V engine in which the angle between the cylinders is 45 degrees.

An application filed by Carl T. Mason and William J. Hart, on October 16,1917,

Serial No. 196,804, describes the special arrangements which must be adopted to fire an engine of this character and sets forth means for accomplishing the result. My invention is directed to improvements of certain details of the above mentioned application and hence much of the descriptive matter thereof will be found inthis application in order to make the same clearly. understood, but no claim is made for the broad invention set forth in the above mentioned application.

In an eight cylinder engine of the four cycle type four ignition sparks are required for each revolution of the crank shatter one spark for every 90 degrees of rotation of the said shaft. The ordinary two pole type of magneto delivers two sparks substantially symmetrical for each revolution of the armature or rotor; hence to get four sparks the magneto would have to be driven at twice crank shaft speed. i It is at 'once seen that these sparks occur for every 90 degrees of rotation of the crank shaft and in order to use a' magneto to fire multi-cylinder engines, for example an eight cylinder one, it has been customary, in the past, to

lace the cylinders at an angle of 90 degrees.

here the cylinders are placed at an angle of 45 degrees it becomes evident that the sparks must be delivered at intervals of 45 and 135 degrees of crank shaft rotation and it is at once seen that the'ordinary magneto or ignition system cannot be utilized. In the said Mason-Hart application the problem was solved in a unique manner by using a magneto of the Dixie ty e, as set forth in Patent 1,226,233, issued ay 15, 1917, to

in asymmetrical Charles T. Mason, wherein there is an adjustable field structure carrying the high,

tension coil having the usual primary and secondary windings and a rotor operating in connection with the field structure which ducing tour impulses per revolution it will be seen that the cam will act to suppress two of the current impulses which the rotor is capable of generating and. utilizes the. other two at unequal intervals, that is, 90 and 270 degrees of rotation of the rotor. By driving the rotor at twice the speed of the engine crank shaft the necessary four sparks are produced but asymmetrically spaced 90 and 270 degrees of angularity oi the retor but since this runs twice engine crank shaft speed the angularity referred thereto will be 45 and 135 degrees. Hence substantially symmetrical sparks are produced but eriods of time.

After the spar s are generated, as above described, they must be delivered to the various engine cylinders in the proper order. In the said Mason-Hart application the contact segments in the distrihuter block are arranged in such angular order that two sparks follow each other at intervals of 22?;

Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

to these angles from which it is seen that the distributer block must he made relatively large in order to give sufficient space be tween the two contacts that are 522%} degrees apart so that the distributer brush carried by the distributer finger will not leave a track between the said two contacts sufiicient to cause the spark to jump from one to the other.

My invention is directed more particularly to improvements in the distribution parts of the system rather than to the generating part. In fact, I have used the same enerating device as shown in the said Mason-Hart application. In addition to the distributing means for the service magneto,

I have shown a source of starting ignition current which is required for starting large engines on compression as set forth in the said Mason-Hart application and which will not be described at length herein.

In my application Serial No. 199,134 filed October 29, 1917, I have shown a distributing device consisting of a block carrying contacts that are equally spaced apart and a double ended distributing finger for distributing the sparking current to the contacts in such a manner as to fulfil the firing conditions of the engines. In a companion application, Serial No. 199,135, filed October 29, 1917, I have shown and described another distribut'in device for the purpose at hand. In the said Mason-Hart application and my two co-pending applications above refercd to it is almost necessary that the distributing device consist of the block and rotating finger or its equivalent be placed on the engine otherwise the magneto must be built considerably out of proportion in order to accommodate such a large distributor block.

The invention covered by this application is directed to the designing of a distributing device which may be mounted on the magneto without materially increasing the size of the distributer block over that used in ordinary work involving the use of the same number of engine cylinders.

By having the distributing block and finger part of the magneto itself the work of assembling and testin the ignition circuits is very much simplified although it is to be understood that the block and rotating finger may be placed on the engine separate from the magneto.

In the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates amagneto suitable for the purpose, having a.

portion broken away to show the rotor.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of my ignition system.

Fig. 3 shows an alternative form of distributer block and rotating finger.

Referring now to the details, in which like numbers refer to corresponding parts in the various views, 1 illustrates a ma neto of the Dixie type having a rotor with four lobes 2, 3 and 4 of which are clearly seen. The other lobe being directly behind 1 is not visible. Field structure 5 carries a. high tension coil 6 having primary winding P and secondary winding S. On the end of the rotor and inclosed within the breaker box cover 7 is a circuit breaker shown somewhat diagrammatically in Fig. 2. One end of the primary winding P is connected to an adjustable contact 8 which cooperates with the movable contact 9 on the breaker arm 10 which is grounded at G. The condenser 11 is connected across the breaker points 8 and 9. A cam 12 is attached to the breaker end of the rotor and as shown in Fig. 2 has opened the contacts 8 and 9 at the point 13. After the bumper 14: has passed over the point 13, the breaker arm closes the contacts 8 and 9 and when the point 15 is reached by bumper 14 the contacts 8 and 9 are again opened and held open until the point 16 is reached, which is preferably about 180 degrees from the point 15, which in turn is approximately 90 degrees from the point 13. The angular distance from 16 to 13 is made sufiicient to allow the mag netic flux time to build up through the core of the coil so that the distance from 15 to 16 may be made more or less than 180 degrees but preferably more. While the cam 12 has been acting on the breaker arm 16, in the manner described, the rotor has made one complete revolution and on account of the four lobes would have produced four magnetic impulses through the coil 6 had the primary circuit P not been held open in the manner described. It has been found that the holding open of the primary for this period of time is advantageous in' that it gives the iron in the magnetic circuit an opportunity to rest, or recuperate, as it were, by removing the effects of the coil windings on the iron and even though the rotor is driven at twice engine crank shaft speed the two sparks delivered for one revolution of the rotor will stay in at speeds of the rotor greatly in excess of that required. That is to say, the two sparks delivered as above described will stay in at a much higher speed of the rotor than they would it the rotor were producing four sparks from the coil of which it is capable. Hence an apparent disadvantage, that is, running the magneto at twice crank shaft speed, has been turned into a real advantage.

Inasmuch as the principles of operation of the Dixie magneto have been described in numerous patents to Charles T. Mason. one of which is 1,226,233, issued May 15, 1917, which also shows a method of bringing out the outer end of the high tension winding of the ignition coil to the rotating member of the distributer, further description of the magneto does not appear necessary to make my invention clear to-one skilled in the art.

Referring to Fig. 2, 19 is a part section in perspective of distributer block 18. Mounted on the interior of the block 19, preferably molded therein. are two rows of contacts arranged four in each row. In the section 19 but two of the contacts 20-22 and 21--23 in each row are shown. The distributing member or rotating finger 2 1 carries two more distributer brushes 25 and 26 which are electrically connected together and by means of a suitable connector passing through the stem 17 they are connected with the high tension winding S of the coil 6. The brushes 25 and 26 are set in two different adiacent planes one 22% do ees in advance of the other while the distrlbuter block contacts, such as 20 and 21 are placed in line with each other as shown in Fig. 2. The distributor finger 24; also carries two sparking points 27 and 28 which are electrically connected together and to contact 29 in the end of the distributing member 24. In distributor block 18 a terminal 30 is adapted to receive a wire coming from the secondary s of the starting magneto which has a primary p and breaker arm 31 and cam 32. In Fig. 2 the brush connection between terminal 30 and contact 29 is not shown for the sake of simplicity in drawing. The brushes 27 and 28 are set in retarded position with respect to brushes 25 and 26.

1n the operation of the service magneto as the distributing finger 24 rotates in the direction of the arrowbrush 25 engages contact 20 which connected to the proper spark plug. Since the next spark required must cover 22-} degrees of rotation of the distributing finger it will be seen that this condition is met when brush 26 engages the contact 21 at, which time the brush 25 has moved forward 22-1- degreesahead of contact 20 which is 67- degrees from contact 22, the same being 90 degrees from contact 20. Therefore, the next current impulse from the generator is delivered by brush 25 to contact 22 and thence to the proper spark plug and so on for a complete rotation of the distributing finger 24:, it being understood that this is geared to rotate at one half engine crank shaft speed.

The starting magneto may be of any construction or a battery and coil may be used instead. The connection to the starting con tacts 27 and 28 being as previously described. The contacts 27 and 28 it being understood are placed with reference to brushes 25 and 26 so that they are opposite the proper distributor block contact for starting the engine on compression by operation of the auxiliary or starting mag neto or its equivalent. be starting spark contacts are shown of the jump-type but wipe spark brushes the same as 25 and 26 may be used but where the starting contacts are used only occasionally and for short in tervals of time the jump-spark eliminates brush wear.

Instead of havingthe contacts in the dis tributer block symmetrically arranged degrees apart in two rows and staggering the brushes in the rotating finger the proper amount, I may reverse the procedure and arrange the contacts in one row in a distribu ter block so that they are displaced 22% do" I grees from the contacts in the other row, in.

which case the service brushes on thedistributing finger are arranged side'by' side but in two different planes. This alternative arrangement is shown in Fig. 3where the same numbers refer to corresponding parts. A glance at Fig. 3 will make this arrangement clearwithout further description.

In order to secure the maximum distance between the two rows of contacts in the dis tributer block I make use of a groove 33 arranged between the said rows and a corresponding ridge 3 5: on the distributing finger. It is apparent that the position of the groove and ridge may be reversed. Various other modifications may be made in the numerous details, all of which will understood by those skilled in the art, "hout departing from the spirit of my i or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is 1. In an ignition system, a generator hav ing an exciting field, a generating coil and; a rotor separate from said generating coil and having means to produce a plurality of E. M. F. peaks in said winding i or each rotation of the rotor, a circuit breaker for selecting certain of said peaks at alternately longer and shorter intervals, in combination with a distributing device consisting of a block having two rows of contacts spaced apart in each row and a rotary dis tributing member provided with means for distributing to said contacts long and short intervals the sore currents due to the corresponding E. changes pro duced and selected in the genera" winding for successive rotations of the rotor.

2. In an ignition sys'ten, a generator hav ing an exciting field, a generating winding, and a rotor with a plurality of members each adapted to vary the flux from the through the winding during each rotation of the rotor, whereby a plurality of symmetrically varying lil. M. F. and current waves can be produced for each rotation, a circuit breaker for selecting certain of said peaks at alternately longer intervals, inromhination with a distributing vice consisting of a block having two rows of contacts equally spaced apart in each row and a member geared in synchronism with the rotor and provided with means to distribute said currents asymmetrically first to a contact in one row then to a contact in the other row successively when said current and E. M. E. waves selected are at a maximum and during the successive rotations of the rotor and the distributing member.

3. In an ignition system, a generator having an exciting field, a generating winding, and a rotor with a plurality of members each adapted to vary the flux from the held through the winding through each rotation of the rotor. whereby a plurality of symmetrically varying E. M. F. as current waves can be produced for each rotaaon, in

combination with. a distributing device conslsting of a block having two rows of com tacts equally spaced apart in each row and a member geared in synchronism with the rotor and provided with means to distribute said current asymmetrically, but successively in each row and alternating from. one row to the other to said contacts when said current and E. M. F. waves are at a maximum and during the successive rotations of the rotor and the distributing member, together with a circuit breaker also driven with the rotor and adapted to produce a plurality'of breaks and thereby a plurality of discharges at alternately longer and shorter intervals from the winding through the distributer, at predetermined points on the several M. F. waves, for each rotation of the rotor, and means for varying the time of the breaks relatively to their respective E. M. F. waves.

4:. in an ignition system, a generator adapted to produce tour E. M. F. and current waves for each rotation of its rotor, a distributing device consisting of a block and rotary distributing member and a circuit breaker driven with the rotor, the block carrying two rows of symmetrically arranged, in each row, distributing terminals, said distributing member acting to distribute the current waves or impulses among the terminals in asymmetrical intervals, said circuit breaker adapted to in successive asymmetrical periods break and thereby cause successive asymmetrical discharges due to the said E. M. F. waves through the circuits successively established in alternate rows by the distributing member.

In an ignition system, a generator adapted to produce four E. M. l. and current waves for each rotation of its rotor, a circuit breaker adapted to produce successively in asymmetrical intervals one half of the corresponding plurality of breaks and discharges for each rotation of the rotor,' and a distributing device consisting of a stationary block carrying contacts equally spaced in two rows and a distributing member constructed, connected and driven so as to distribute the corresponding successive and asymmetrically timed discharges to successive contacts in alternate rows in the block.

6. in a system of the class desribed, means for generating and distributing current impulses into a plurality of distribution circuits such as the sparking circuits of a multi-cylinder engine, comprising a field, a generating coil, and a rotor rotating in said field and adapted to produce in said coil four impulses per revolution. and a dis tributing member electrically connected to the coil and mechanically connected to syn- .oncuisly operate with the rotor through ng gears. whereby said rotor will make ty of revolutions "for each single aion or" the distributing member, means carried by said rotor for selecting at sud cessive asymmetrical periods two of the four impulses capable of being generated by said rotor, a block and a number of distribu tion terminals therein equally spaced in two rows and equal to the whole number of cir cuits to be served, with means to connect said coil successively in alternate rows to each one of said terminals during each revolution of the distributing member.

7. In a system of the class described, means for generating and distributing current impulses into a plurality of distribution circuits such as the sparking circuits of a multi-cylinder engine, comprising a field, a generating coil, and a rotor rotatingin said field and adapted to produce in said coil four impulses per revolution, and a distributing member electrically connected to the coil and mechanically connected to synchronously operate with the rotor through reducing gears, whereby said rotor will make a plurality of revolutions for each single revolution of the distributing member, a block having a number of distribution terminals therein symmertically spaced in two rows and equal to the whole number of circuits to be served, with means including the distributing member to connect said coil successively in alternate rows to each one of said terminals during each revolution of the distributing member, together with an interrupter driven with the rotor and adapted to render the discharge circuit from the coil operative at successive unequal intervals at a predetermined point on the E. M. F. and current wave of only two impulses. said other two impulses being suppressed.

8. In an ignition dynamo for multi-circuit distribution, 'a field, a generating coil, a rotor having two elements each with a plurality of arms whereby a corresponding plurality of current reversals may be produced in the coil at each revolution of the rotor, means for selecting in successive asynchronous periods only a part in number of the current reversals which may be produced, a distributing device consisting of a block and rotary member, said block carrying terminal contacts equally spaced apart in twoadjacent rows, said rotary member serving -as means for receiving the asynchronous timed current impulses and delivering them in rotation in alternate rows among the distribution terminal contacts.

9. in an ignition system -for eight cylinder i5 degree four cycle internal combustion engines, a generator adapted to be driven at twice engine crank shaft speed and having a sourceof magnetic flux, a generating coil, a rotating element adapted to direct the flux through said coil in combination with means to produce two current impulses spaced to and 135 degrees apart when referred to said engine crank shaft, a distributing device having as an element a distributer block having terminals equally spaced 90 degrees apart in two rows with means for connection to sparking devices in said engine cylinders, a distributer finger associated with said block with means for driving said finger at one half engine crank shaft sneed, a pair of brushes carried in the end of said finger for contacting with said block terminals as the finger rotates, said brushes being angularly spaced 221} degrees from each other and set in different planes to correspond with said rows of terminals, with means for connecting to said coil as and for the purpose described.

10. In an ignition s stem for eight cylinder degree four cyclb internal combustion engines, a generator adapted to be driven at twice engine crank shaft speed and having a source of magnetic flux, a'generating coil, a rotating element adapted to direct the flux through said coil in combination with means to produce two current impulses spaced 4:") and 135 degrees apart when referred to said engine crank shaft, a distributing block having terminals equally spaced 90 degrees apart in two rows with means for connection to sparking devices in said engine cylinders. a distributor finger carrying a pair of brushes angularly displaced 224; degrees in two planes to correspond with said rows of terminals inside said block geared to be driven at one half engine crank shaft speed. and having means for connecting a terminal of the generating coilthereto, whereby current is delivered to said block terminals at proper firing intervals, an auxiliary ignition generator, a terminal on said block adapted to be connected to said generator, a brush associated with the distributing finger in running contact with the last mentioned terminal, a pair of distributing contacts connecl'ed to the last mentioned brush and adapted to conduct sparking current to said distributer block terminals when said auxiliary generator is operated in the manner described.

11. The combination with an eight cylinder 45 degree four cycle internal combustion engine and a sparking device constructed to deliver tour current impulses when driven at twice the engine crank shaft speed, of a distributing mechanism comprising a rotating finger geared to rotate at one fourth of the speed of the rotating element of the sparking device and a distribute! block havl2. In an ignition system for multi-cylihder 4:) degree t'our cycle internal combustion engines, the combination of a generator adapted to deliver sparking current at intervals of 45 and 135 degrees, of a distributing device consisting of a block having contacts equally spaced apart in two rows and in number corresponding to the number of engine cylinders and a distributing member driven at hal f engine crank shaft speed with current connecting means to receive the current from said generator, said member carrying two brushes arranged one 225 degrees behind the other in an adjacent plane corresponding to one of said rows of contacts whereby spark-- ing current is delivered to said contacts at intervals of 22%; and 674; degrees of rotation of the said member.

13. In an ignition system for multi-cylinder *5 degree four cycle internal combustion engines, the combination of a generator adapted to deliver sparking current at intervals of 45 and 135 degrees, of a distributing device consisting of a block having contacts equally spaced apart in two rows and in number corresponding to the number of engine cylinders and a distributing member driven at half engine crank shaft speed with current connecting means toreceive the current from said generator, said member carry- 110 ing brushes so arranged as to deliver the sparking current to said contacts at intervals of 229; and 67-} degrees of rotation of the said member,.with means for starting said engine consisting of an auxiliary source of current, sparking contacts carried by said distributing member in retarded position from said brushes and means for connecting said starting current to said sparking contacts as described.

In witness whereof, I aflix my si nature. ALFRED 0. DE L'oRME.

Images