US3725732A - Voltage regulated transistorized ignition system for an automobile turbine engine - Google Patents

Voltage regulated transistorized ignition system for an automobile turbine engine Download PDF

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Publication number
US3725732A
US3725732A US00229364A US3725732DA US3725732A US 3725732 A US3725732 A US 3725732A US 00229364 A US00229364 A US 00229364A US 3725732D A US3725732D A US 3725732DA US 3725732 A US3725732 A US 3725732A
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United States
Prior art keywords
transistor
transformer
current
base
primary winding
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00229364A
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English (en)
Inventor
K Thakore
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Bendix Corp
Unison Industries LLC
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Bendix Corp
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Assigned to HOUSEHOLD COMMERCIAL FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. reassignment HOUSEHOLD COMMERCIAL FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: UNISON INDUSTRIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Assigned to IGNITION PRODUCTS CORPORATION reassignment IGNITION PRODUCTS CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: ALLIED-SIGNAL INC.
Assigned to UNISON INDUSTRIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, 530 BLACKHAWK PARK AVE., ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS 61108, A DE. LIMITED PARTNERSHIP reassignment UNISON INDUSTRIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, 530 BLACKHAWK PARK AVE., ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS 61108, A DE. LIMITED PARTNERSHIP ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: IGNITION PRODUCTS CORPORATION
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K3/00—Circuits for generating electric pulses; Monostable, bistable or multistable circuits
    • H03K3/02—Generators characterised by the type of circuit or by the means used for producing pulses
    • H03K3/26—Generators characterised by the type of circuit or by the means used for producing pulses by the use, as active elements, of bipolar transistors with internal or external positive feedback
    • H03K3/28—Generators characterised by the type of circuit or by the means used for producing pulses by the use, as active elements, of bipolar transistors with internal or external positive feedback using means other than a transformer for feedback
    • H03K3/281—Generators characterised by the type of circuit or by the means used for producing pulses by the use, as active elements, of bipolar transistors with internal or external positive feedback using means other than a transformer for feedback using at least two transistors so coupled that the input of one is derived from the output of another, e.g. multivibrator
    • H03K3/282—Generators characterised by the type of circuit or by the means used for producing pulses by the use, as active elements, of bipolar transistors with internal or external positive feedback using means other than a transformer for feedback using at least two transistors so coupled that the input of one is derived from the output of another, e.g. multivibrator astable
    • H03K3/2826—Generators characterised by the type of circuit or by the means used for producing pulses by the use, as active elements, of bipolar transistors with internal or external positive feedback using means other than a transformer for feedback using at least two transistors so coupled that the input of one is derived from the output of another, e.g. multivibrator astable using two active transistors of the complementary type
    • H03K3/2828—Generators characterised by the type of circuit or by the means used for producing pulses by the use, as active elements, of bipolar transistors with internal or external positive feedback using means other than a transformer for feedback using at least two transistors so coupled that the input of one is derived from the output of another, e.g. multivibrator astable using two active transistors of the complementary type in an asymmetrical circuit configuration
    • 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
    • F02P15/00—Electric spark ignition having characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F02P1/00 - F02P13/00 and combined with layout of ignition circuits
    • F02P15/001—Ignition installations adapted to specific engine types
    • F02P15/003—Layout of ignition circuits for gas turbine plants
    • 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
    • F02P15/00—Electric spark ignition having characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F02P1/00 - F02P13/00 and combined with layout of ignition circuits
    • F02P15/10—Electric spark ignition having characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F02P1/00 - F02P13/00 and combined with layout of ignition circuits having continuous electric sparks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K3/00—Circuits for generating electric pulses; Monostable, bistable or multistable circuits
    • H03K3/02—Generators characterised by the type of circuit or by the means used for producing pulses
    • H03K3/26—Generators characterised by the type of circuit or by the means used for producing pulses by the use, as active elements, of bipolar transistors with internal or external positive feedback
    • H03K3/28—Generators characterised by the type of circuit or by the means used for producing pulses by the use, as active elements, of bipolar transistors with internal or external positive feedback using means other than a transformer for feedback
    • H03K3/281—Generators characterised by the type of circuit or by the means used for producing pulses by the use, as active elements, of bipolar transistors with internal or external positive feedback using means other than a transformer for feedback using at least two transistors so coupled that the input of one is derived from the output of another, e.g. multivibrator
    • H03K3/282—Generators characterised by the type of circuit or by the means used for producing pulses by the use, as active elements, of bipolar transistors with internal or external positive feedback using means other than a transformer for feedback using at least two transistors so coupled that the input of one is derived from the output of another, e.g. multivibrator astable

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT An ignition system for a gas turbine engine that includes a current regulated transistorized oscillator in combination with a transformer and a spark plug in 'the secondary of the transformer to produce sparks to ignite fuel in the turbine.
  • This invention provides a current regulated transistorized ignition system for an automobile gas turbine engine that utilizes less power than similar unregulated systems.
  • the ignition system is characterized by a current regulated oscillator circuit that produces a constant open circuit output voltage (22 volts) from an automobile battery over a wide range of input voltages (4-15 volts). The corresponding increase in power level normally associated with an increase in input voltage is also minimized.
  • the ignition system for an automobile gas turbine engine comprises: a battery for supplying a d-c voltage; a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, with the secondary winding connected across a spark plug for igniting fuel in the engine; and a transistorized current regulated oscillator circuit that is connected to the battery and the primary winding of the transformer to periodically interrupt current from the battery to the primary winding whereby the oscillating current causes periodic electrical discharges across the spark plug to ignite the fuel in the turbine engine.
  • the circuit described provides high energy output pulses at the spark discharge device over a wide range of input voltages available from an automobile battery.
  • the circuit is further capable of operating under short or open circuit conditions at the secondary winding of the step-up transformer.
  • a still further object of this invention is to provide a novel simplified ignition or spark producing system which is useful for igniting automobile gas turbine engines.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide an electrical apparatus for creating electrical sparks or arcs that are adapted for igniting combustible materials.
  • Yet another object of this invention is to provide a transistorized ignition system for a gas turbine engine that is capable of operating under open circuit and short circuit conditions in the secondary circuit of the step-up transformer without damage to the remaining components of the ignition circuit.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an ignition system for an automobile turbine engine.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a battery-powered transistorized ignition circuit that accomplishes the objects of this invention.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a block diagram of an ignition system for an automobile turbine engine which includes an ignition circuit 1 and a turbine engine 2 that includes a spark gap device 40 therein for igniting the fuel fed to the engine.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the ignition circuit 1 shown in FIG. 1.
  • the source of electrical energy for the circuit is a battery 3 which is an ordinary automobile battery or a d-c power supply having a voltage between 4 and 15 volts.
  • the switch 5 is operable to connect and disconnect the battery to the circuit and is preferably a part of or associated with the ignition switch of an automobile.
  • the spark gap discharge device 40 is a spark plug or the like which receives energy generated by the transistorized circuit and transformer 30. This causes a plurality of electrical discharges across spark gap 40 which occur at the same frequency rate as the current oscillations in the primary portion of the transformer 30.
  • the first portion of the oscillator circuit includes a resistor 11 in series with the emitter of transistor 10 which has its collector in series with resistor 12 and its base in series with resistors 15, 16 and diode 25.
  • a diode 25 is connected to the junction of resistors 15, 16 andthe collector of transistor 20.
  • transistor 20 When transistor 20 is non-conductive (OFF), diode 25 is reverse biased OFF and capacitor 9 charges through diode 23 and resistor 21.
  • Zener diode 7, connected across the base-emitter junction of transistor 10, has a breakdown potential so that zener diode 7 will conduct in the reverse direction when the battery voltage exceeds a predetermined potential thereby causing transistor to conduct a substantially constant emitter-collector current in the steady state.
  • the collector of transistor 10 is connected to the base of transistor 20 through lead 21 to provide a base current (drive) to transistor 20 when transistor 10 is conducting.
  • the second portion of the oscillator circuit includes blocking diode 13 connected in series with the collector of transistor 14 which has its emitter connected in series to series connected resistors 15, 16.
  • the base of transistor 14 is connected to the components that direct the current from the primary 31 to capacitor 9 and the base of transistor 14. These components include resistors 21 and 22 in series with the base of transistor 14 and blocking diode 23 in parallel with resistor 22.
  • This network allows capacitor 9 to charge when the voltage across the primary winding 31 of transformer 30 reverses as a result of transistor 20 turning OFF. When capacitor 9 is charged, a base current is supplied to transistor 14 turning transistor 14 ON. When transistor 14 is ON, the forward bias applied to transistor 10 is removed and transistor 10 is turned OFF.
  • the resistor 11 and zener diode 7 which are connected in the configuration shown form a constant current regulator.
  • This provides a constant current output at the collector of transistor 10 regardless of increasing input voltages, thereby providing a constant base current drive through lead 21 to transistor 20.
  • the base drive of transistor 20 is fairly constant over the entire input voltage range. Since the collector current of transistor 10 is relatively constant, the ON time of the transistor 20 will decrease as the input voltage increases. Since the ON time of transistor 20 decreases as the input voltage increases, the input average current will also decrease if the OFF time of the transistor 20 is constant. In this system the OFF time of transistor 20 is a function of the ratio of the inductance of the secondary winding 32 of the transformer 30 to the resistance of the secondary winding 32 and voltage drop across the spark discharge device 40.
  • the OFF time (T) may then be expressed by the following equation:
  • transistor 20 As the voltage across the transistor 20 increases, it charges up the'capacitor 9 through resistor 21. Once capacitor 9 is charged, transistor 14 is turned ON, removing the forward bias from transistor 10 and turning transistor 10 OFF. This removes the current flowing in lead 21 to the base of transistor 20, turning transistor 20 OFF. Transistor 10 stays OFF as long as the voltage across the transistor 20 is high. During the OFF time the voltage across the transistor 20 is approximately equal to the voltage across the spark gap divided by the turns ratio of the transformer 30 plus the voltage of the battery 3. Turning transistor 20 OFF results in a sudden decrease of the current flowing through the primary winding 31 and collector of transistor 20.
  • the rate of change of current becomes sharply negative
  • the high voltage induced in the secondary winding 32 of the transformer 30 also reverses, and the secondary winding 32 becomes a current source.
  • the high voltage produced by the secondary winding causes an electrical discharge across the spark gap device 40 and the energy stored in the transformer 30 is dissipated in the electrical discharge in the spark gap discharge device 40.
  • a first transistor having collector and emitter tersystem described in FIG. 2 had the values or were of minals connected in series with the primary the types indicated below: winding of said transformer, said first transistor Battery 341 5 volts d-c having alternate conductive and nonconductive Capacitor 9-0.033 microfarads, 25 volts 5 intervals to periodically interrupt the current Diodes 13, 23, 251N645 flowing from the primary winding of said trans- Resistor 11-15 ohms, 1 watt former; Resistor 12l00 ohms, 0.5 watt a second transistor having alternate conductive Resistor IS 1800 ohms, 0.5 watt and nonconductive intervals to control the con- Resistor 16-10K ohms, 0.5 watt 0 duction of said first transistor, said transistor in Resistor 214.7K ohms, 0.5 watt electrical circuit relationship with the base of Resistor 22-lOK ohms, 0.5 watt said first
  • a first diode connected across one of said first and the ignition circuit comprises: second resistors to permit the passage of current to a source of d-c energy; said base of said third transistor;
  • a transformer having a primary and a secondary a third and fourth series connected resistor conwinding, said secondary winding connected across nected between the emitter of said third transistor said spark gap device; and the emitter of said first transistor;
  • switching means connected between said d-c energy a second diode connected between the junction of source and the primary winding of said transsaid third and fourth resistors and the collector of former for connecting and disconnecting said d-c said first transistor. energy source to and from said transformer; and 4.
  • the ignition system recited in claim 1 including a transistorized oscillator means connected between fifth resistor connected to the emitter electrode of said said direct current source and the primary winding second transistor and a sixth resistor connected to the of said transformer for periodically interrupting collector electrode of said second transistor, said current flow from said source through said primary second transistor and said fifth and sixth resistors conwinding, said transistorized switching oscillator innected across said primary winding of said transformer cluding: and said first transistor.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Ignition Installations For Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
US00229364A 1972-02-25 1972-02-25 Voltage regulated transistorized ignition system for an automobile turbine engine Expired - Lifetime US3725732A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US22936472A 1972-02-25 1972-02-25
US22933372A 1972-02-25 1972-02-25

Publications (1)

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US3725732A true US3725732A (en) 1973-04-03

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ID=26923202

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00229364A Expired - Lifetime US3725732A (en) 1972-02-25 1972-02-25 Voltage regulated transistorized ignition system for an automobile turbine engine
US00229333A Expired - Lifetime US3731143A (en) 1972-02-25 1972-02-25 Transistorized ignition system for gas turbine engines

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00229333A Expired - Lifetime US3731143A (en) 1972-02-25 1972-02-25 Transistorized ignition system for gas turbine engines

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (2) US3725732A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
JP (1) JPS4919232A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
CA (2) CA948698A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
DE (1) DE2309053A1 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
FR (1) FR2173073B1 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
GB (1) GB1414920A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
SE (1) SE392506B (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3945362A (en) * 1973-09-17 1976-03-23 General Motors Corporation Internal combustion engine ignition system
US4064415A (en) * 1976-02-18 1977-12-20 The Bendix Corporation Inductive spark ignition for combustion engine

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4833369A (en) * 1987-10-14 1989-05-23 Sundstrand Corp. Constant spark rate ignition exciter
US5245252A (en) 1988-11-15 1993-09-14 Frus John R Apparatus and method for providing ignition to a turbine engine
US5049786A (en) * 1990-08-09 1991-09-17 Coen Company, Inc. High energy ignitor power circuit
US6670777B1 (en) 2002-06-28 2003-12-30 Woodward Governor Company Ignition system and method
US7355300B2 (en) 2004-06-15 2008-04-08 Woodward Governor Company Solid state turbine engine ignition exciter having elevated temperature operational capability

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3431901A (en) * 1966-09-28 1969-03-11 William Paul Rogers Electronic ignition circuit
US3535652A (en) * 1965-10-04 1970-10-20 Brunswick Corp Gated transistor blocking oscillator without feedback winding

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1160991A (en) * 1966-02-16 1969-08-13 Lucas Industries Ltd Spark Ignition Apparatus for Internal Combustion Engines
US3368540A (en) * 1966-03-04 1968-02-13 Clifford M. Ault Electronic ignition compensation
US3390668A (en) * 1966-04-13 1968-07-02 Motorola Inc Electronic ignition system
US3407795A (en) * 1966-06-02 1968-10-29 Texaco Inc Ignition system for internal combustion engines
US3392716A (en) * 1966-07-20 1968-07-16 Ford Motor Co Means for transient damping of an ignition coil
US3424142A (en) * 1966-11-09 1969-01-28 Ford Motor Co Oscillator controlled electronic ignition system
US3531737A (en) * 1968-04-24 1970-09-29 Bendix Corp Regulated power inverter circuit for ignition system or the like

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3535652A (en) * 1965-10-04 1970-10-20 Brunswick Corp Gated transistor blocking oscillator without feedback winding
US3431901A (en) * 1966-09-28 1969-03-11 William Paul Rogers Electronic ignition circuit

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3945362A (en) * 1973-09-17 1976-03-23 General Motors Corporation Internal combustion engine ignition system
US4064415A (en) * 1976-02-18 1977-12-20 The Bendix Corporation Inductive spark ignition for combustion engine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2173073B1 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) 1974-02-01
CA948699A (en) 1974-06-04
SE392506B (sv) 1977-03-28
CA948698A (en) 1974-06-04
US3731143A (en) 1973-05-01
JPS4919232A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) 1974-02-20
FR2173073A1 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) 1973-10-05
GB1414920A (en) 1975-11-19
DE2309053A1 (de) 1973-08-30

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: IGNITION PRODUCTS CORPORATION

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:ALLIED-SIGNAL INC.;REEL/FRAME:005012/0079

Effective date: 19881231

Owner name: HOUSEHOLD COMMERCIAL FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:UNISON INDUSTRIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP;REEL/FRAME:005012/0090

Effective date: 19890106

AS Assignment

Owner name: UNISON INDUSTRIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, 530 BLACKHA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:IGNITION PRODUCTS CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:005164/0245

Effective date: 19890106