US1523448A

US1523448A - Kathleen f

Info

Publication number: US1523448A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1925-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 1942-01-20

Description

H. E. RICE IGNITI ON APPARATUS s Shets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov; 12, 1920 Z'ZYATMRNEK Jan. 20. 1925v 1,523,448

- H. E. RICE IGNITIOIi APPARATUS Filed Nov. 12, 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 N V EN TOR.

2 4% ATTORNEY.

J 20. 1925. 1,523,448 H. E. RICE IGNITION APPARATUS Filed Nov. 12, 1920 I s Shets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

25:1 ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 20, I925.

ITED

HORACE E. RICE, OF PHILADELIHIA, PENNSYLVANIA; KATHLEEN F. RICE ADMIN- ISTRATRIX OF SAID HORACE E. RICE, DECEASED.

IGNITION APPARATUS.

Application filed November 12, 1920.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Honaon E. Rron, a citizen of the United States, residing .in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Ignition Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines, especially when comprising a large number of cylinders.

It is the object of: my invention, though it may be otherwise availed of, to provide ignition for an engine comprising a great number of cylinders, as eight, twelve, or

more, especially when the cylinders are disposed in groups at an angle to each other, as in twin fours, twin sixes, etc, with the angle between the groups dilfering from the usual angle between groups and necessitating ignition sparks at non-uniform in tcrvals.

For example, my system is utilizable with a twin six engine in which one group of six cylinders is disposed at an angle of degrees with the second group of six cylinders, as for example, in the Liberty motor employed upon aeroplanes in the late war.

My invention resides in ignition apparatus tor the purposes above described, or for any other purpose where suitable or available, comprising a plurality of timer or interrupter structures whose cam driven or cam controlled members are actuated or controlled by a cam whose active faces or points are uniformly spaced around the circumterence of the cam, while the interrupter or timer structures are unsymmetrically positioned with respect to the cam to effect ignition sparks recurring at non-uniform intervals.

My invention resides in further features of structure and combination hereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of my invention and for an illustration of one of the various forms it may take, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 'l is a diagrammatic view of the interrupter or timer structure and associated circuits.

Serial No. 423,633.

Fig. 2. is a diagrammatic View illustrating motor cylinders or groups of cylinders disposed at an angle with respect to each other.

Fig. 3 paratus.

Fig. at is a vertical sectional view, some parts in elevation, taken on the line it-4 of Fig. 3, and through structure additional to that shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of part of the structure shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. l, alternate spark plugs p are those of the six cylinders or one group, and are connected to the stationary distributor terminals 6; while the plugs p connected to the stationary distributor terminals t are those of another group of six cylinders, the two groups forming a twin SIX engine.

Ordinarily the two groups are so arranged that between their cylinder axes there is an angle of degrees. In some cases, however, as indicated in Fig. 2, the two cylinler groups C and C are so disposed that the angle between the cylinder axes is 4:5 degrees. Such the case in the Liberty twin six mo'ter hereinbefore referred to.

In consequence, when cylinder firing takes place alternately in the ditlerent groups, the angular distance between a distributor terminal 2? and the succeeding terminal 6 is 22 degrees, while the angle between each distributor terminal t and the succeeding terminal 2? is 37 degrees, as indicated in Fig. 1, when the rotary distributor arm I) rotates at half engine speed.

The distributor arm D is connected to one terminal of the high tension secondary winding S of an induction coil I whose primary P is connected in the primary circuit extending from the ground or frame Ur tl'irough battery B, switch 8, binding post a, the aforesaid primary coil I, binding post Z) to the interrupters or timers A and B, both shunted by the condenser K, to ground or frame G.

The interrupter mechanisms A and B are shown to be similar in structure, though such similarity is not essential. In the example illustrated they are o1 the open circuit type, an example of which is described is a plan View of part of my apin Kents Patent No. 1,246,818, though it will be understood that my invention comprehends also the employmentof closed circuitinterrupter-s such as illustrated, for example, in Kents Patent No. 1,289,036. As illustrated, each interrupter comprises the stationary interrupter contact 1 which is momentarily engaged by the Cooperating moving contact 2 carried by the yieldingly mounted member 3, with which is associated the hooked member i actuated by the intermediate or hammer member 5, pivoted at (3 and in "turn actuated by the member or lifter T-controlled by spring 8 and actuated hycam 9, rotated by and at half speed with respect to the main crank shaft of the motor.

The cam 9 has its control teeth, points or faces, uniformly spaced circui'nferentially, whereby for each sixth of a revolution of the earn 9, the interrupter contacts 1 and 2 of one of the interrupters engage and separate and produce a spark. Similarly, 111 the other interrupter the contacts 1 and 2 engage and separate for each sixth revolution ofthe cam 9, similarly producing a spark, but the sparks produced by one interrupter, as A, alternate with those produced by the other interrupter, as B. In other words, the interrupter A may produce sparks for all thecylinders of one group, while B produces the sparks for all the cylinders of the other group. lVhile the sparks in the two groups'alternam, they do not occur atuniform intervals, as above stated- To ensure that they occur at the proper intervals or instants the interrupters A and B are unsymmetrically placed as regards angular position about the cam 9, whereby the interrupter A is operated, and upon further rotation of 22 degrees by cam 9 the interrupter B is actuated; there after the cam 9 rotates degrees further before again actuating the interrupter A. T he interrupters A and B are not opposite each other 01' displaced by 180 degrees, but by 180 degrees less 22 degrees.

Accordingly, notwithstanding the fact that the cam points are uniformly spaced, ignition sparks are produced at unequal intervals; and further, notwithstanding the fact that the cam has a certain number of interrupter the cam will be'rotated 30 degrees and then operate the other, and so on in succession. V r V As an example of a structure embodying my invention, reference is nowhad to Figs. 3 to inclusive, wherein 10 is a base or support upon which'is the flange Ilharing slots 12 through whichmay extend bolts or other means for fastening the base 10 upon the framework of the engine or other suitable support, the slots 11 allowing circumferential adjustment of the base 10 before finally securing it. At its one end the base 10 has the inwardly turned flange 12 in which are the circumferentially extending slots 13, Fig. 5, through which extend screws or bolts 14:, each carrying on its lower end the nut 15 between which and the under side ofythe flange 12 is disposed a spring lb surrounding the bolt 14, whereby the casing 17, having tiangel8 bearing upon flange 12, is resiliently held to the base member 10, the slots 13 allowing rotation of the casing 17 through suitable angle for purposes of advancing or retarding ignition. Upon the bottom of the casing 17 is the bearing sleeve 19 within which is the bearing bushing 20 in which rotates the shaft 21 carrying a collar 22 and beneath the collar the transversely extending bar or laminated key 23, which. detachably connects with a shaft driven by the engine or motor at half the speed of the main crank shaft of the motor, assuming the latter to be of the type employing four strokes per cycle.

Vithin the casing 17 there is secured to the shaft 21 the governorpla-te 2st, to which are secured springs 25 connected to governor arms 26 pivoted to'thc plate 24: at 27 and actuating under the influence of centrifugal force the'cam carrying plate 28 to move the same angularly with respect to the shaft21. Secured to the plate 28 is the cam member 9 through which freely extends the distributor shaft 29 concentric with and secured to or integral with the shaft 21.

Covering the casing 17 is the metal plate 80, upon which are mounted the interrupters A and B, a lug or lever arm 30 serving to rotate the plate 30 and'the interrupters with respect tothe can'r9 for advance or retardation of ignition. Through the plate 30 extends the aforesaid cam member '9 and through it the distributor shaft 29, whose upper end terminates in the semi-circular portion 31 which with .partof the circumferentially complete shaft 29 extends into the detachable or removable distributor block 32 of insulating material, having the central boss extending through an aperture in the metallic distributor member D having the rearwardly extending balancing portion (Z. The distributor l) is secured to block 82 by screw 3%, threaded into an insert 35 molded in the block 32. Secured under the head of the screw 34 in contact with the distributor D is the bowed spring contact 36 whose free end engages the part (l of the distributor.

The member 37 of insulating material, preferably molded, forms a housing for the distributor and for the interrupter mech anisms A and B, whose parts are mounted within the casing 37 on the upper face of the plate 30, in cooperative relation with the cam 9, as hereinbefore described.

In the bottoms of depressions 38 in the upper edge of the casing member 37 and extending to the inner wall or face thereof are secured the inwardly projecting distributor terminals t and t hereinbelore referred to, the outer end of the distributor D passing closely adjacent the inner ends of these distributor terminals, whereby the high tension energy from the secondary S leaps the small gaps between the distributor D and the terminals t and t in passage to the spark plugs. The connections from the spark plugs to the distributor terminals extend into the apertures 39 terminating in smaller apertures through which the conductors themselves extend into contact with the distributor terminals, towhich they may be soldered or otherwise secured. Upon the upper edge of the casing member 37 is disposed the rubber or other gasket 40, and upon it rests the lower flange 41 of the housing or casing 42, preferably of insulating material, within which is housed the induction coil I which, it suitable or desirable, may be molded directly in insulating material forming the casing 42. Forming the bottom of the casing 42 is the plate 43, preferably of insulating material, carrying the axial contact 44, with which engages the aforementioned distributor contact 36 and connected to yielding contact 45 adapted to engage and contact with the terminal 46 constituting one terminal, as 47 Fig. 1, of the high tension secondary S of the induction coil 1, the other terminal of the secondary S being connected to the primary P whose terminals connect, as previously stated, to the binding posts a and 7), comprised in part of the

bolts

48 and 49 serving to clamp the casing 42 to the casing 37. Connection to switch 8, Fig. l, is made by conductor held under binding post a, Fig. 4. The bolt 49 serves also to form electrical connection between one terminal of the primary P of the induction coil and the conductor 50, which is clamped by screw 51 in contact with the condenser housing plate 52 secured upon the top face of the plate 30 by screws 53, the plate 52 being, however, insulated from plate 30, which latter is grounded or connected to the frame by metallic communication through

casings

17 and 10 and flange 11, whereby the movable contact 2 of interrupter A and stationai contact 1 of interrupter B, secured to and connecting with the plate 30, are grounded.

Between the plate 52 and plate 30 is held the aforementioned condenser K, whose one terminal connects with the plate 30 and whose other terminal electrically connects with the insulated cover plate 52. The stationary contact 1 ot theinterrupter A is supported by the lug upon the condenser cover plate 52; similarly, the movable contact 2 of the interrupter B connects through its resilient support 3 with the condenser cover 52, upon which said member 3 is secured and with which it electrically connects. Accordingly the condenser cover 52 and one terminal of the condenser, together with the stationary contact of one interrupter and the movable contact of the other interrupter, are connected through conductor and binding post- Z) with one terminal of a primary P of the induction coil 1.

lVhile, as hereinbefore stated, other types of interrupters than the open circuit type disclosed may be employed, there is a preference for the open circuit type, particularly when of the structure herein disclosed, in that back firing or premature ignition ot the motor cannot occur, and in that auxilary apparatus for preventing back firing need not be provided. In the example illustrated. rotation of the cam 9 in direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow, for a part of a revolution or more, will not, because of the structure and relation of the members 5 and 7, cause engagement and separation of the interrupter contacts essential to production of igniting sparks.

Certain of the subject matter hereindisclosed is claimed in application Serial No. 658,247, filed August 20, 1923.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a 1nulticylinder internal combustion motor producing torque impulses succeeding each other at unequal intervals, of ignition apparatus therefor comprising cam structure actuated by said motor, a plurality of interrupter mechanisms controlled by said cam structure having elements so positioned with respect to said cam structure that they are dissimultaneously controlled thereby at unequal intervals, and a single distributor mechanism comprising a single distributor terminal rotatable in unison with said cam structure and co-acting stationary terminals circum terentially spaced at unequal intervals.

2. Ignition apparatus comprising a sup port, a plurality of dissimultaneously operated interrupter mechanisms each comprising stationary and movable contacts, a contact of each interrupter mechanism carried on said support,a condenser common to said interrupter mechanisms, and a plate confining said condenser upon said support, the other contacts of said interrupter mechanisms being supported on said plate.

3. Ignition apparatus comprising a support of conducting material, a plurality of dissimultaneously operated interrupter mechanisms-each comprising stationary and movable contacts, a contact of each interrupter mechanism carried on said support, a condenser common to said interrupter mechanisms, and a plate confining said icondenser upon said support and insulated from said support, the other contacts oi said interrupter mechanisms being supported on said plate.

4. Ignition apparatus comprising a support, a plurality of interrupter mechanisms each comprising stationary and movable contacts, the stationary contact of one oi said interrupter mechanisms and'the movable contact oi another carried upon said support, a condenser common to said interrupter mechanisms, and a plate confining said condenser upon said support, the other contacts of said interrupter mechanisms being supported on said plate.

Ignition apparatus for producingignition for a-multi-cylindcr internal combustion motor at unequal intervalscomprising cam structure actuated by the motor, a plurality of'interrupter mechanisms controlled by said cam structure having elements so positioned with respect to said cam structure that they are dissimultaneoiisly .controlled thereby at unequal intervals, a single induction coil controlled dissimultaneously at unequal intervals by said interrupter mechanisms, and means .for delivering ignition energy from the secondary of said induction coil to the motor cylinders in succession.

6. Ignition apparatus for producing ignition for a multi-cylinder internal combustion motor at unequal intervals comprising camstructure actuated by the motor, a plurality of interrupter mechanisms controlled by said cam structure having elements so positioned With respect to said cam structure that they are dissimultaneously controlled thereby at unequal intervals, a single induction coil controlled dissimult-aneously at unequal intervals by said interrupter mechanisms, and a single distributor mechanism comprising a rotatable distributor and (to-acting stationary terminals, at least one for each motor cylinder, said stationary terminals being circumterentially spaced at unequal intervals corresponding with the intervals of control of said interrupter mechanisms by said cam structure.

7. Ignition apparatus for producing ignition for a multi-cylinder internalpombustion motor at unequal intervals comprising cam structure actuated by said motor, a plurality of interrupter mechanisms controlled by said cam structure having elements so positioned with respect to saidcam structure that they are dissin'iultaneously controlled :thereby at unequal intervals, an induction coil, said interrupter mechanisms connected indifferent branches of the primary circuitiot said induction coilto break said primary circuit dissimultaneously at unequal .intervals,. and means foi idelivering ignition energy from the secondary of said induction coil toithe motorcylinders in succession. V

8. Ignition apparatus vfor producing ignition for a multi-cylinder internalcombustion motor at unequal intervals comprising cam structure actuatediby thermotor, a plurality of interrupter mechanisms controlled by said cam structure; having elements so positioned. with respectto said cam structure that :they are .dissimult-aneously controlled thereby at unequal intervals, on induction coil, saidinterrupter mechanisms connected in different brancheso'i' the .pri mary circuit of said induction-coilto break said primary circuit dissimultaneously at unequal intervals, and a single distributor mechanism comprising a rotatable distributor and co-actingstationary terminals,,at least one for each motor cylinder, said stationary terminals being circumferentially spaced at unequal intervals corresponding with the intervals of control of said interrupter mechanisms by said camstructure.

9. Ignition apparatus forproducing ignition for 1a multi-cylinder internal combustion motor at unequal intervals comp-rising cam structure having uniformly spaced control faces in number one-half the number of cylinders of said motor, a plurality of interrupter mechanisms, controlled by said can't structure having elements so positioned that they are dissinuiltaneously controlled by said cam structure. at unequal intervals, a single induction coil controlled .dissimultaneously at unequal intervals by said interrupter mechanisms, and mean for delivering ignition energy from the secondary of said induct-ion coil to the motor cylinders in succession.

10. Ignition apparatus for producing ignition for a multi-cylinder internal com bustion motor at unequal intervals comprising cam structure having uniformly spaced control faces in number one-half the number of cylinders of said motor, a plurality of interrupter mechanisms controlled by said cam structure having elements so.

positioned that they are dissimultaneously controlled-by said cam structure at unequal intervals, a single induction COll controlled dissimultaneously at unequal intervals by said interrupter mechanisms, and a single distributor mechanism comprising a rota-t able distributor and co-acting stationary terminals, at least one for each motor cylinder, said stationary terminals being circumterentially spaced at unequal intervals corresponding With the intervals of control of said interrupter mechanisms by said cam structure.

11. Ignition apparatus for producing ignition for a multi-cylinder internal combust-ion motor comprising cam structure actuated by the motor, a plurality of interrupter mechanisms controlled dissimultaneously by said cam structure and each comprising a stationary and a movable contact, a condenser common to said interrupter mechanisms and shunting them an insulated conducting member covering said condenser and connected to one terminal of said condenser, and one of the contacts of each of said interrupter mechanisms carried by and electrically connected to said conducting member.

12. Ignition apparatus for a multi-cylinder internal combustion motor comprising a cam driven by said motor, a plurality of open circuit interrupter mechanisms controlled dissimultaneously by said cam, a single stationary induction coil Whose primary circuit is controlled dissimultaneously by said interrupter mechanisms, a. battery in said circuit, and a single distributor distributing high tension current from the secondary of said induction coil to the cylinders of said motor.

13. Ignition apparatus for a multi-cylinder internal combustion motor for producing ignition at unequal intervals comprising a cam driven by said motor, a plurality of open circuit interrupter mechanisms controlled dissimultaneosuly and at unequal. intervals by said cam, a single induction coil, a battery in the primary circuit of said induction coil, said interrupter mechanisms controllng said primary circuit dissimul taneously at unequal intervals, and a single distributor delivering high tension ignition energy from the secondary of said induction coil at unequal intervals to the cylinders o'l aid motor.

14. The combination with a multi-cylinder internal combustion motor producing torque impulses succeeding each other at unequal intervals, of ignition apparatus therefor comprising cam structure actuated by said motor, a single induction coil, a plurality of interrupter mechanisms controlled by said cam structure at unequal intervals and separately controlling said induction coil, and a single distributor mechanism comprising a distributor terminal rotatable in unison With said cam structure and coacting stationary terminals circumferentially spaced at unequal intervals.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature this 11th day of November, 1920.

HORACE E. RICE.