Auto anti-theft system

• US 5,453,730 A
• Filed: 10/13/1993
• Issued: 09/26/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald W. Watt, Reinhard H. De-Grinis
• Original Assignee: Donald W. Watt, Reinhard H. De-Grinis
• Inventors: De-Grinis, Reinhard H., Watt, Donald W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Application Number:
  US08/135,593
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/430, 307/10.3, 307/10.4, 307/10.6
• US Class Current: 340/426.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2025/041 Preventing use of engine operating on the fluid supply
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/104 characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed herein for installation on an automotive vehicle which includes a receiver operably responsive to a remotely transmitted signal for incapacitating the vehicle power plant and for actuating warning lights indicative of vehicle unauthorized usage. The system includes a control unit response to operation of the receiver to interrupt fuel provided to the fuel pump via a centrifugal switch. Brake and hazard lights are energized to indicate a warning and hazard condition while the required triggering of an SCR or a power mosfet semiconductors coupled to the starter isolates the starter from the auto ignition system. A reset circuit is included for returning to normal auto operational systems and a delay circuit coupled to the control unit delays energizing the system for a predetermined period of time.

Claims

1. An auto anti-theft system comprising:

an ignition circuit for an engine;

a battery connected in series with said ignition circuit for providing starting power and running power;

an engine starter;

a starter solenoid operably coupled in series between said engine starter and said ignition circuit;

said starter solenoid having a coil operating opening and closure of starter solenoid contacts thereby said coil is energized by said ignition circuit;

a first isolation gate connected in series between said starter solenoid contacts and said engine starter for selectively conducting said starting power to said engine starter form said battery;

a pulse generation circuit operably coupled between said ignition circuit and said engine starter via said first isolation gate responsive to energizing of said ignition circuit to generate a trigger signal; and

said first isolation gate connected to said pulse generation circuit and responsive to said trigger signal to conduct said starting power from said battery to said starter.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 including:

a fuel pump;

a second isolation gate operably connected between said ignition circuit and said fuel pump; and

said second isolation gate operably connected to said pulse generation circuit and responsive to said trigger signal to conduct said starting power and said running power to said fuel pump.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein:

said isolation gates are silicon controlled rectifiers responsive to said trigger signal of a predetermined voltage level.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein:

said first isolation gate is a high amperage SCR of at least 40 amps having a cathode connected to said engine starter and an anode connected to said starter solenoid for carrying total said starting power to said engine starter.

5. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein:

said first and said second isolation gate is either an SCR or a power mosfet and each isolation gate has two states, one state of conduction and one state of non-conduction;

said first and said second isolation gates responsive to said trigger signal to simultaneously perform in said conduction state to apply power to both said engine starter and said fuel pump.

6. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein:

said second isolation gate is a low amperage SCR of at least 2 amps having a cathode connected to said fuel pump and an anode connected to said ignition circuit for carrying said starting power and said running power at full fuel pump current and voltage from said battery.

7. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein:

said first and said second isolation gates in said non-conduction states constitute an engine disabling means while in said conduction state constitute an engine enabling means whereby said first isolation gate automatically goes to said non-conductive state in response to de-energizing of said starter solenoid.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein:

each of said isolation gates having a trigger in addition to said cathode and said anode;

said pulse generator circuit is connected to a limit resistor connected to each said SCR trigger making said trigger responsive to said trigger signal allowing only a voltage within a range of 30 to 600 volts to said SCR triggers to cause the said first and second isolation gates to conduct and to power the said engine starter and said fuel pump.

9. The invention as defined in claim 2 including:

a receiver producing a control signal and coupled to said pulse generator circuit for generating said trigger signal in response to said control signal and to trigger the first and second isolation gates into conduction of starting power to said engine starter and said starting power and said running power to said fuel pump whereby a second actuation of the said control signal terminates the conduction of said running power to said fuel pump; and

a remote transmitter manually operably to generate an activation signal to said receiver.

10. An auto anti-carjack and anti-theft system comprising:

an ignition circuit for an engine;

a pulse generation circuit producing a control signal operably coupled to said ignition circuit;

a battery connected with said ignition circuit for providing starting power and running power;

an engine starter operably coupled to said engine;

a starter solenoid having a relay coil and starter contacts;

said starter solenoid relay coil connected in series with said battery and said ignition circuit;

said battery connected in series with said starter solenoid starter contacts and said engine starter to provide said starting power;

a first isolation gate connected in series with said starter solenoid starter contacts and said engine starter for selectively conducting said starting power to said engine starter from said battery;

a first isolation gate trigger resistor;

a first isolation gate trigger connected in series with said first isolation gate trigger resistor;

said pulse generation circuit connected in series with said first isolation gate trigger resistor;

said ignition circuit for initiating said starter power to said starter solenoid relay coil simultaneously with said pulse generation circuit sending a voltage pulse to said first isolation gate trigger resistor for triggering said first isolation gate into a state of conduction permitting passage of said starting power from said battery through closed starter solenoid starter contacts via said first isolation gate to said engine starter; and

said ignition circuit adapted to terminate said starting power to said starter solenoid relay coil as said starting power is cut off to said first isolation gate by said starter solenoid starter contacts opening and said first isolation gate reverts automatically to a non-conductive state;

said first isolation gate being retriggered into a state of conduction before said starting power energizes said engine starter.

11. The invention as defined in claim 10 including:

a fuel pump;

a second isolation gate connected in series with said ignition circuit and said fuel pump;

a second isolation gate trigger resistor;

a second isolation gate trigger connected in series with said second isolation gate trigger resistor;

said pulse generation circuit connected in series with said second isolation gate trigger resistor; and

said ignition circuit adapted to initiate said starting power and running power to said second isolation gate wherein said pulse generation circuit sends a voltage pulse to said second isolation gate trigger resistor triggering said second isolation gate into a state of conduction permitting passage of said starting power and said running power from said battery through said ignition circuit to said second isolation gate to said fuel pump.