Internal-combustion engines – Accessories – Covers – trays – vibrators – corrosion inhibitors – air filters
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-09
2001-11-06
Solis, Erick (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Accessories
Covers, trays, vibrators, corrosion inhibitors, air filters
C123S630000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311664
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a system including a switch operable to provide for a steady state connection of an electrical power source to a power consuming system or device associated with a spark ignited internal combustion engine as a consequence of an input signal from a coil or similar high voltage generator of the engine ignition system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Spark ignited single and multi-cylinder internal combustion engines are ubiquitous. Until recent years, a large majority of automotive spark-ignited internal combustion engines, in particular, operated with ignition systems which provided timed distribution of high energy “sparks” to the sparkplugs of the respective engine cylinders utilizing a circuit wherein a mechanical switching device known as a distributor conveys electrical current to the respective sparkplugs of the engine according to the cylinder firing order. The distributor receives a high voltage source of energy from a high voltage generator device or so-called “coil” having primary and secondary windings. The primary winding is connected to a contact breaker switch which opens and closes in timed relationship to the engine cylinder firing order so as to induce the high voltage signal in the coil secondary winding which is distributed by way of the distributor to the respective cylinders at the appropriate times for ignition of the fuel-air charge in the cylinders. Such ignition systems are essentially uncomplicated and can easily be replaced by superior performing aftermarket ignition systems or can provide for adaptation of certain devices such as vehicle anti-theft or security systems, tachometers, speed limiting governors and other devices adapted to operate off of the ignition system.
More recently, ignition systems have been developed which, in some cases, replace the mechanical contact breaker type spark distributor with transistor or so-called reluctor-type devices to effect operation of the high voltage spark generator or coil. For example, spark-ignited automotive internal combustion engines have been developed wherein the ignition “coil”, or high voltage generator device or devices comprising part of the ignition system, not only generates energy for fuel-igniting sparkplugs, but energy reflected back from the coil primary winding output signal is used to control fuel injection systems, exhaust emission devices and certain other engine and/or vehicle functions. This has increased the difficulty of connecting aftermarket devices that are designed to receive power from the vehicle electrical system, including the battery, only while the engine is operating. Insuring that the proper connections are made for an ancillary system or an aftermarket product of the types mentioned above can be particularly difficult for persons not having access to the engine or vehicle electrical system schematic diagrams, or persons who may be generally unfamiliar with the details of engine electrical systems.
Still further, since many ancillary or aftermarket devices or systems must be generalized for use with a wide variety of engines and vehicles, the complexity and resulting confusion experienced in attaching such devices is aggravated. Of course, if a proper connection of the aftermarket system is not accomplished, engine failure may result or the aftermarket system, the engine or other systems comprising part of the engine electrical system, or associated vehicle electrical system, may be damaged. Accordingly, there has developed an acute need for a device which may be used to provide for connection of (1) an ancillary or aftermarket device, such as an ignition system, to the engine or (2) connection of other ancillary devices to the primary electrical power source (such as a twelve volt battery) only when the engine is starting or running while avoiding the problems of trying to locate the proper conductors of the electrical system. The present invention has been developed to overcome the above-mentioned problems and to provide other advantages and conveniences which will be recognized by those skilled in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a switch which is operable to receive a high voltage, repetitive, pulse-type output signal from a high voltage generator or so-called “coil” comprising part of an ignition system of a spark-ignited internal combustion engine and which is operable to connect an ancillary device to or disconnect such device from a primary power source, such as the electrical system battery, continuously as long as the high voltage pulse-type signal is received from the “coil”. The present invention also provides a synchronizing device that is controlled by an output signal from a spark-ignited engine ignition system which provides a power signal to or, alternatively, may disconnect a power signal from an aftermarket system or ancillary device when the engine ignition system is operating.
In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, a synchronizing or power switch is provided which can be connected to an existing engine ignition system without replacing any parts thereof. The switch of the present invention provides for ease of attachment or connection to an existing engine electrical system without interference in the operation of same. The invention permits use of virtually any ancillary or aftermarket electrically powered device with any vehicle electrical system without the need to provide any significant wiring or rewiring of the original existing system electrical connections. Moreover, the present invention may be used in connection with existing spark ignition systems for internal combustion engines, particularly for automotive applications, without modifying any of the electrical connections or subsystems that rely on signals from the original ignition system.
One preferred embodiment of the invention is operable to receive a negative polarity high voltage pulse-type signal from a high voltage generator or “coil” device and provide a continuous or steady state voltage of positive polarity from a primary electrical power source, such as the engine starting and running battery, to an ancillary power consuming device or system. One alternate embodiment of the invention is operable to receive an input signal comprising a high voltage, low current pulse signal of positive polarity from a high voltage generator or coil to provide a continuous low voltage output to a power consuming device or system from the engine primary power source.
The present invention still further provides switch embodiments wherein power to an ancillary or aftermarket device or system is interrupted when a pulse-type high voltage signal is received from a high voltage generator or coil of an ignition system. The last mentioned embodiments of the invention are provided wherein the power is interrupted when a substantially negative polarity signal is received or when a substantially positive polarity signal is received, respectively.
Those skilled in the art will further appreciate the advantages and features of the present invention together with other superior aspects thereof upon reading the detailed description which follows in conjunction with the drawing.
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Jacobs Christopher A.
Puscas Gregory V.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld & LLP
Solis Erick
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