Capacitor discharge ignition testing apparatus

• US 3,891,917 A
• Filed: 03/29/1973
• Issued: 06/24/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mark Harris
• Original Assignee: Mark Harris
• Inventors: Harris, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Alfred E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hille, Rolf
• Application Number:
  US05/346,158
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 324/15,16,17
• US Class Current: 324/382
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 17/00 Testing of ignition installations, e.g. in combination with adjusting testing fuel injection apparatus F02M65/00; testing ignition installations in general F23Q23/00; Testing of ignition timing in compression-ignition engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 2017/006 using a capacitive sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 13/42 Instruments using length of spark discharge, e.g. by measuring maximum separation of electrodes to produce spark
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/14 Indicating direction of current; Indicating polarity of voltage

Abstract

Capacitor discharge ignition analyzer includes a pulse source operable to generate electrical signals related to the inputoutput signals of various capacitor discharge ignition systems including battery driven and alternator driven systems. The pulse source may include a relaxation oscillator and switching transistors to generate appropriate initial charging pulses and delayed triggering pulses. Individual load matching circuit are provided to match the load normally applied to the trigger circuit of breakerless ignition systems. An on-off indicator is connected to be driven from the matching circuits. The analyzer also includes an electronic circuit generating an output signal approximating that of the permanent magnet alternators for charging of alternator driven systems. The circuit also includes means to generate a trigger pulse a predetermined time after the charging pulse. The analyzer also includes a self-testing circuit, and may be powered from a conventional battery. A polarity sensitive circuit indicates proper and improper battery connections. The analyzer includes a converter for generating alternating polarity signals, with the circuit connected to provide individual signals matched to selected types of ignition systems. A selection switch means provides for selected connection between an input-output tap means on the analyzer and the ignition circuits. The output of the capacitor is analyzed by a spark gap with an outer enclosure having a small opening. This permits direct testing of the ignition system on the engine without any practical danger of generating explosions as a result of surrounding gas fumes. A separate meter is provided to permit static testing of the output of the voltage and resistance characteristics of the several circuits, with a special energy adaptor being provided to permit selected connection of the ignition capacitor outputs into the meter.

Claims

1. An ignition analyzing apparatus for analyzing the functioning of capacitor discharge ignition systems comprising an electronic pulse source means adapted to establish a plurality of time spaced pulses, a selection means having a releasable connecting means for selectively connecting the output of said electronic pulse source means to an ignition system to provide timed trigger of said ignition system, and a portable spark gap means constructed to create a load corresponding to the load driven from the ignition system and adapted to be connected to said capacitor discharge ignition system and driven from the output of said capacitor discharge ignition system to produce a visual display of the operation, said pulse source means includes a first electronic oscillating circuit establishing a plurality of output pulses, and a switching means is connected to said oscillating circuit and controlled thereby to establish a time delayed signal for a predetermined portion of each cycle.

2. The ignition analyzing apparatus of claim 1 for driving of a permanent magnet alternator driven ignition system having a separate triggering alternator and wherein the apparatus includes an electronic signal generator establishing an output simulating the output of a permanent magnet alternator and particularly the initial charging portion of each output cycle of the alternator, said electronic signal generator being a triggered device having a triggered input connected to the electronic oscillating circuit to provide timed triggering thereof, and said switching means establishing a triggering pulse to discharge the capacitor discharge ignition system.

3. The ignition analyzer of claim 2 wherein said selection means includes a position connecting the output of the pulse source means to the trigger input of the signal generator, a common function tap means, said selection means simultaneously connecting a second output of said pulse source means to said common function tap means and including means to generate the pulse signal a predetermined period of time after transmission of a pulse to said signal generator whereby the output of the signal generator provides a charging signal and the function tap means creates an appropriately timed trigger signal, the timing of said trigger signal being delayed within thirty to fifty percent of the duration of the total period of the alternator signal generator.

4. An ignition analyzing apparatus for analyzing the functioning of capacitor discharge ignition systems comprising an electronic pulse source means adapted to establish a plurality of time spaced pulses, a selection means having a releasable connecting means for selectively connecting the output of said electronic pulse source means to an ignition system to provide timed triggering of said ignition system, and a portable spark gap means constructed to create a load correspondiNg to the load driven from the ignition system and adapted to be connected to said capacitor discharge ignition system and driven from the output of said capacitor discharge ignition system to produce a visual display of the operation, a static test apparatus having means to read a voltage and input converter means for converting the output energy stored in a capacitor to a related energy level suitable for ignition purposes, said input converter means having releasable connection means for connection to the capacitor.

5. An ignition analyzing apparatus for analyzing the functioning of capacitor discharge ignition systems comprising an electronic pulse source means adapted to establish a plurality of time spaced pulses, a selection means having a releasable connecting means for selectively connecting the output of said electronic pulse source means to an ignition system to provide timed triggering of said ignition system, a portable spark gap means constructed to create a load corresponding to the load driven from the ignition system and adapted to be connected to said capacitor discharge ignition system and driven from the output of said capacitor discharge ignition system to produce a visual display of the operation, a battery input means connected to operate the pulse source, and a switch means in said battery input means to open the connection to the battery during connection and disconnection to the ignition system.

6. An ignition analyzing apparatus for analyzing the functioning of capacitor discharge ignition systems comprising an electronic pulse source means adapted to establish a plurality of time spaced pulses, a selection means having a releasable connection means for selectively connecting the output of said electronic pulse source means to an ignition system to provide timed triggering of said ignition system, and a portable spark gap means constructed to create a load corresponding to the load driven from the ignition system and adapted to be connected to said capacitor discharge ignition system and driven from the output of said capacitor discharge ignition system to produce a visual display of the operation, said spark gap means includes a pair of spaced electrodes for connection to the output of said capacitor discharge ignition system, a housing enclosing said spaced electrodes to confine an arc formed between said electrodes, said housing having a small passageway to permit restricted gaseous movement while positively restricting the propagation of the arc from the housing.

7. An ignition analyzing apparatus for analyzing the functioning of capacitor discharge ignition systems comprising an electronic pulse source means adapted to establish a plurality of time spaced pulses, a selection means having a releasable connecting means for selectively connecting the output of said electronic pulse source means to an ignition system to provide timed triggering of said ignition system, and a portable spark gap means constructed to create a load corresponding to the load driven from the ignition system and adapted to be connected to said capacitor discharge ignition system and driven from the output of said capacitor discharge ignition system to produce a visual display of the operation, said spark gap means includes an enclosure with means permitting exit of arc generated gaseous material and preventing the propagation of the arc from within the enclosure.

8. An ignition analyzing apparatus for analyzing the functioning of capacitor discharge ignition systems comprising an electronic pulse source means adapted to establish a plurality of time spaced pulses, a selection means having a releasable connection means for selectively connecting the output of said electronic pulse source means to an ignition system to provide timed triggering of said ignition system, and a portable spark gap means constructed to create a load corresponding to the load driven from the ignition system and adapted to be connected to said caPacitor discharge ignition system and driven from the output of said capacitor discharge ignition system to produce a visual display of the operation, wherein said pulse source means includes a relaxation oscillator for establishing a first output and a transistor switching means connected to said relaxation oscillator and including a pair of output transistors for establishing a second and third output, said oscillator including a first electronic oscillating circuit establishing a plurality of output pulses, a switching means connected to said oscillator and controlled thereby to establish a time delayed signal for a predetermined portion of each cycle, said selection means including a rotary switch means for selectively connecting the three outputs of said source means to provide timed triggering of said ignition system.

9. An ignition analyzing apparatus for analyzing the functioning of capacitor discharge ignition systems comprising an electronic pulse source means adapted to establish a plurality of time spaced pulses, a selection means having a releasable connection means for selectively connecting the output of said electronic pulse source means to an ignition system to provide timed triggering of said ignition system, and a portable spark gap means constructed to create a load corresponding to the load driven from the ignition system and adapted to be connected to said capacitor discharge ignition system and driven from the output of said capacitor discharge ignition system to produce a visual display of the operation, and including an electronic signal generator establishing an output simulating the output of an alternator suitable for charging of a capacitor discharge ignition system, said electronic generator being a triggered device having a triggered input connected by said selection means to the output of the source means to provide timed triggering thereof.

10. The ignition analyzing apparatus of claim 9 wherein said electronic signal generator establishing an output simulating the output of a permanent magnet alternator and particularly the initial charging portion of each output cycle of the alternator.

11. The ignition analyzing apparatus of claim 10 wherein said electronic signal generator includes a blocking oscillator having a triggered input to initiate a cycle of operation and cutoff means to terminate a cycle of operation, said oscillator including output energy storage inductor means and a rectifying means connected to a pair of output connectors for selective connection of the output to charge a capacitor discharge ignition system.

12. The ignition analyzing apparatus of claim 11 having a capacitor connected in parallel with said rectifying means to allow a portion of the reverse energy to pass between said terminals to generate a small negative pulse signal operable as a triggering source for firing of a gated switch for discharging of a capacitor of a capacitor discharge ignition system.

13. The ignition analyzing apparatus of claim 11 wherein said selection means includes means connecting said pulse source to establish a delayed pulse in timed relation to the turn on pulse of the electronic signal generator to provide an independent trigger pulse.

14. The ignition analyzing apparatus of claim 11 having means connected to the inductor means to derive a delayed pulse signal operable as a triggering source for firing of a gated switch.

15. The ignition analyzing apparatus of claim 11 wherein said electronic signal generator includes a blocking oscillator having a triggered input to initiate a cycle of operation and a saturable reactor cutoff means to terminate a cycle of operation, an output energy storage inductor including rectifying means connected to a pair of output connectors for selective connection of the output to charge a capacitor discharge ignition system, a capacitor connected in parallel with said rectifying means to allow a portion of the reverse energy to pass between said terminals and the load to genErate a small negative pulse signal operable as a triggering source for firing of a switch for discharging of a capacitor of a capacitor discharge ignition system, said pulse source establishing a delayed pulse in timed relation to the turn on pulse to the electronic generator to provide an independent trigger pulse.

16. An ignition analyzing apparatus for analyzing the functioning of capacitor discharge ignition systems comprising an electronic pulse source means adapted to establish a plurality of time spaced pulses, a selection means having a releasable connecting means for selectively connecting the output of said electronic pulse source means to an ignition system to provide timed triggering of said ignition system, and a portable spark gap means constructed to create a load corresponding to the load driven from the ignition system and adapted to be connected to said capacitor discharge ignition system and driven from the output of said capacitor discharge ignition system to produce a visual display of the operation, and including an impedance matching circuit having input terminal means for connection to a pluse source and establishing a selected load essentially corresponding to a load created by a preselected capacitor discharge ignition system, an indicating means connected to the output of the impedance matching circuit and driven in accordance with the timed output thereof.

17. The ignition analyzing apparatus of claim 16 wherein said indicating means including a counting means to count the pulses of a preselected minimum amplitude transmitted by the matching circuit and establishing a corresponding reduced number of pulses, an indicator means connected to be driven from said counting device and providing an intermittent operation in accordance with the pulsed operation from the distributor circuit to thereby indicate the functioning of the distributor circuit.

18. The analyzer of claim 17 wherein said matching circuit includes an impedance transformer having a primary winding essentially corresponding to pulse transformer impedance of the capacitor discharge ignition system, rectifying means connected to the output of the coupling transformer and including a resistance load related to the load of the capacitor discharge ignition system, means connecting the output signal appearing across said output resistance load to the input of the counting device.

19. The analyzer of claim 18 wherein said matching circuit includes a coupling resistance connected to said input terminals and corresponding to the resistance load impressed by the capacitor discharge ignition system upon the distributor, voltage dividing network adapted to divide the voltage appearing across said resistance element, an electronic switch connected and driven from said voltage dividing network and having an output connected to said counting means of said indicating circuit to provide corresponding energization thereof.

20. An ignition analyzing apparatus for analyzing the functioning of capacitor discharge ignition systems comprising an electronic pulse source means adapted to establish a plurality of time spaced pulses, a selection means having a releasable connecting means for selectively connecting the output of said electronic pulse source means to an ignition system to provide timed triggering of said ignition system, and a portable spark gap means constructed to create a load corresponding to the load driven from the ignition system and adapted to be connected to said capacitor discharge ignition system and driven from the output of said capacitor discharge ignition system to produce a visual display of the operation, a tachometer circuit checking system signal source including a regulated voltage connected to a voltage supply and having a resistance coupling output, said selection means having a function tap for connection to a tachometer and selectively connecting said coupling output to said function tap whereby a regulated voltage is impressed upon said tachometer for calibratIng of the reading of the tachometer.

21. An ignition analyzing apparatus for analyzing the functioning of capacitor discharge ignition systems comprising an electronic pulse source means adapted to establish a plurality of time spaced pulses, a selection means having a releasable connecting means for selectively connecting the output of said electronic power source means to an ignition system to provide timed triggering of said ignition system, and a portable spark gap means constructed to create a load corresponding to the load driven from the ignition system and adapted to be connected to said capacitor discharge ignition system and driven from the output of said capacitor discharge ignition system to produce a visual display of the operation and wherein said pulse source includes an oscillator establishing a plurality of time spaced pulses at a first pulse output line and a pair of timed switch transistors connected to the oscillator and establishing an output pulse at second and third pulse output lines, a D.C. input means including a power switch and a series diode to establish a polarity sensitive input, a test switch connecting the D.C. input means to the pulse source to drive said oscillator and said transistors, said selection means being a rotary switch having contacts connected to said output lines and having a common function output terminal selectively connected to said second and third output lines, a blocking oscillator signal generator having a gated input connected to said first output line and establishing an output in an output transformer having an initial portion corresponding to the output of a permanent magnet alternator, a diode connected in series with the transformer to produce a pair of output terminals, a reverse pulse capacitor connected in parallel with said diode, a first impedance matching circuit having an input means connected to a contact of said switch for selective connection to said common function terminal and including a transformer and rectifier for establishing a load essentially corresponding to the load created by a preselected transformer input capacitor charging circuit, a second impedance matching circuit having input means connected to a contact of said switch for selective connection to said common function terminal and including a switching transistor with a resistance input establishing a load corresponding to a preselected resistance input capacitor charging circuit, a counting means to count input pulses and connected to contacts of said switch for selective connection to the first and second impedance matching circuits and driven in response to a selected minimum input signal, an indicating means connected to said counting means and intermittently operated in accordance with the pulsed operation.

22. The ignition analyzing apparatus of claim 21 including a static test switch having a meter input means, an adapter having a plurality of individual inputs and an output for releasable connection to the meter input means, said adapter having a plurality of capacitive conversion circuit means for series connection to the power capacitor and establishing an energy related output at said adapter output means related to the energy required for ignition systems to thereby provide common readout for said several conversion circuit means.

23. An ignition analyzing apparatus for analyzing the functioning of capacitor discharge ignition systems comprising an electronic pulse source means adapted to establish a plurality of time spaced pulses, a selection means having a releasable connecting means for selectively connecting the output of said electronic pulse source means to an ignition system to provide timed triggering of said ignition system, and a portable spark gap means constructed to create a load corresponding to the load driven from the ignition system and adapted to be connected to said capacitor discharge ignition system and driven from the output of said capacitor diScharge ignition system to produce a visual display of the operation, and said pulse source means is an oscillator, and a test switch connecting said oscillator to power, said oscillator generating an audible hum to indicate functioning thereof.

24. An ignition analyzing apparatus for analyzing the functioning of capacitor discharge ignition systems comprising an electronic pulse source means adapted to establish a plurality of time spaced pulses, a selection means having a releasable connecting means for selectively connecting the output of said electronic pulse source means to an ignition system to provide timed triggering of said ignition system, and a portable spark gap means constructed to create a load corresponding to the load driven from the ignition system and adapted to be connected to said capacitor discharge ignition system and driven from the output of said capacitor discharge ignition system to produce a visual display of the operation, and said pulse source means is an oscillator, and a test switch connecting said oscillator to power, said oscillator generating an audible hum to indicate functioning thereof, and self-test switch means connected to said selection means for directly connecting the pulse source to said impedance matching means to check the functioning of the indicating means circuit.

25. An ignition analyzing apparatus for analyzing the functioning of capacitor discharge ignition systems comprising an electronic pulse source means adapted to establish a plurality of time spaced pulses, a selection means having a releasable connecting means for selectively connecting the output of said electronic pulse source means and an ignition system to provide timed triggering of said ignition system, and a portable spark gap means constructed to create a load corresponding to the load driven from the ignition system and adapted to be connected to said capacitor discharge ignition system and driven from the output of said capacitor discharge ignition system to produce a visual display of the operation, and circuit connecting means for connecting of said spark gap means in series with the primary winding of the pulse transformer and the main firing capacitor.

26. An ignition system analyzer for checking or analyzing the operation of a plurality of different types of capacitor discharge ignition systems each of which includes a capacitor which is selectively discharged to transfer energy to the spark plugs of an engine, said systems including systems driven from a permanent magnet alternator and systems driven from a battery in combination with a D.C. to D.C. converter for charging of the capacitor to a selected level and all of said systems including gated means for discharging of the capacitors with the gate signal being derived from the alternator or from a separate distributor driven pulse generating circuit, certain of said pulse generating circuits including transformer coupled control means and others including resistive coupled control means comprising a pulse source adapted to establish time spaced pulses and having a plurality of output means for interconnecting of said pulse signals to said ignition systems, a selection switch means having a plurality of movable contacts and having a plurality of fixed contacts interconnected between said pulse generating oscillator and the output taps for selectively enabling the output taps in accordance with the various systems and including a common function tap for connection to an ignition system, a power connection means including a positive polarity connector connected in series with a fuse to a main power switch, said power section including an output diode coupling said switch to establish a D.C. power supply of a selective polarity, a plurality of common return connectors, a battery connection logic circuit connected directly between the output side of said fuse and the common return connector to provide an output signal in response to improper polarity battery connection, a power on indicator connected between the output side of the diode and the common return connectors to provide an indication of the completion of the input power connection, a manually operated test switch selectively connecting the positive power side of the supply to the pulse source, said test switch being continuously biased to an open position and requiring positive holding of the test switch in the closed position, said pulse source causing a detectable and audible signal upon closure of said test switch to thereby provide an audible indication of the satisfactory operating of the source circuit, an alternator pulse simulating generator connected to the power supply and having a triggered input, said selection switch unit selectively connecting said triggered input to said pulse source, said alternator pulse simulating generator having output terminals for selectively connecting of the output to charge a capacitor, an indicating means including a counting means for providing intermittent operation of a lamp, a first distributor coupling circuit having a transformer means for matching the impedance of a transformer pulse generator, said selection means connecting said transformer means to said common function input and the output of said coupling circuit to drive said counting means, a second distributor coupling circuit including a resistance input, said selection switch unit connecting said resistance unit to said common function tap and the output of said coupling circuit to drive the counting means, and a second self-test switch connected to said selection switch unit and interconnecting the output of the oscillator to said contacts connected to the switch for selective connection to the input of said coupling circuits whereby simultaneous operation of said test switch and said system test switch with the selection switch unit providing connection to a coupling circuit will establish intermittent energization of said lamp if the circuit if functioning properly.

27. The ignition system analyzer of claim 26 having an auxiliary meter for detecting the energy output or the energy input to the meter, a meter adapter having output means connected to said meter and the input means for selective connection to the output of the ignition analyzer circuits and including a capacitor means adapted to be connected in series with the primary winding of an ignition pulse transformer and an ignition capacitor of the capacitor discharge ignition system and, said adapter capacitor being selected to store energy and provide a scaled energy output voltage signal to said meter in accordance with the charge on the ignition capacitor to thereby provide a direct output signal reading in accordance with the energy level output of the capacitor discharge ignition capacitor, said adapter having a common input for various ignition systems and having individual inputs for each capacitor discharge ignition system having a different operating voltage level whereby the output energy is correspondingly scaled for each ignition system.

28. The ignition analyzing apparatus of claim 26 wherein said pulse simulating generator includes a blocking oscillator having a triggered input to initiate a cycle of operation and a separate cutoff means to terminate a cycle of operation, said selection switch means having means to connect the triggered input to the pulse source, an output energy storage inductor including rectifying means connected to a pair of output connectors for selective connection of the output to charge a capacitor discharge ignition system, a capacitor connected in parallel with said rectifying means to allow a portion of the reverse energy to pass between said terminals and the load to generate a small negative pulse signal operable as a triggering source for firing of a negated switch for discharging of a capacitor of a capacitor discharge ignition system, and said pulse source including means establishing a delayed pulse in timed relation to the turn on pulse to the pulse simulatIng generator to provide an independent trigger pulse.

29. The analyzer of claim 26 wherein the impedance transformer of said first coupling circuit includes a primary winding essentially corresponding to the pulse transformer impedance of the capacitor discharge ignition system, rectifying means connected to the output of the first coupling transformer and driving a resistance load related to the load of the capacitor discharge ignition system, means connecting the output signal appearing across said coupling resistance to the input of the counting means to provide a corresponding pulsed operation thereof.

30. The analyzer of claim 26 wherein said second coupling circuit includes a coupling resistance corresponding to the resistance load impressed by the capacitor discharge ignition system upon the distributor, voltage dividing network adapted to divide the voltage appearing across said resistance element, an electronic switch connected and driven from said voltage dividing network and having an output connected to said counting means of said indicating circuit to provide corresponding energization thereof.

31. The ignition analyzer of claim 26 including a tachometer circuit checking system signal source including a regulated voltage connected to said voltage supply and having a resistance coupling output, said selection switch means selectively connecting said output to said function tap whereby a regulated voltage is impressed upon said tachometer for calibrating of the reading of the tachometer.

32. In an ignition analyzer for analyzing of the functioning of a capacitor discharge ignition system employing a capacitor periodically charged from an energy source and discharged through a breakerless distributor driven circuit and having a breakerless pulse generator establishing a series of time spaced discharge control pulses to said driven circuit for discharging of said capacitor, the improvement comprising an impedance matching circuit having input terminal means for connection to the output of the distributor driven circuit and establishing a load essentially corresponding to the load created by a preselected capacitor discharge ignition system, and indicating means connected to the output of the matching circuit and driven in accordance with the timed output thereof.

33. The ignition analyzer of claim 32 wherein said indicating means including a counting means to count the pulses generated through the matching circuit and establishing a corresponding reduced number of pulses, an indicator driven from said counting device to provide an intermittent operation in accordance with the pulsed operation from the distributor circuit to thereby indicate the functioning of the distributor circuit.

34. The analyzer of claim 33 wherein said impedance matching circuit includes an impedance transformer having a primary winding essentially corresponding to the pulse transformer impedance of the capacitor discharge ignition system, rectifying means connected to the output of the coupling transformer and driving a resistance load related to the load of the capacitor discharge ignition system, means connecting the output signal appearing across said resistance load to the input of the counting device to provide a corresponding pulsed operation thereof.

35. The analyzer of claim 33 wherein said impedance matching circuit includes a coupling resistance connected to said input terminals and corresponding to the resistance load impressed by the capacitor discharge ignition system upon the distributor, voltage dividing network adapted to divide the voltage appearing across said resistance element, an electronic switch connected and driven from said voltage dividing network and having an output connected to said counting means of said indicating circuit to provide corresponding energization thereof.

36. An ignition system analyzer for checking or analyzing the operation of a plurality of different types of capacitor discharge ignition systems each of which includes a cApacitor which is selectively discharged to transfer energy to the spark plugs of an engine, said systems including pulse generating means including pulse coupling transformers and including resistive couplings, comprising a pulse source means including a relaxation oscillator and a switch means connected to said oscillator and having a plurality of output means for interconnecting of said pulse signals to said ignition systems, a counting means coupled to drive an indicating means at a selected periodic repetition rate, a manually operated test switch selectively connecting the positive power side of the supply to the oscillator, said pulse oscillator causig a detectable and ausible signal upon closure of said switch to thereby provide an audible indication of the satisfactory operating of the oscillator circuit, a first impedance matching circuit having a transformer means for matching the impedance of a transformer pulse generator, a second impedance matching coupling circuit including a resistance input, a selection switch means selectively connecting said impedance matching circuits to drive said counting means, and a second self-test switch connected to said selection switch means and selectively interconnecting the output of the pulse source means to the input of said impedance matching circuits and the output to the counting means whereby simultaneous operation of said test switch and said system test switch establishes intermittent energization of said indicating means if the corresponding matching circuit is functioning properly.