Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Ignition system for rotary internal combustion engines

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7367018

An electronic ignition system and ignition coil is provided for each the leading and trailing spark plugs of a rotary internal combustion engine. A series of alternating current signals, produced in timed relationship with the engine, are applied simultaneously to the leading spark plug ignition system and a delay circuit. In response to each cycle of the series of alternating current signals, the leading spark plug ignition system establishes and abruptly interrupts the primary winding of the leading spark plug ignition coil and the delay circuit produces both a synchronizing signal having leading and trailing edges corresponding to the negative to positive and positive to negative zero crossover points, respectively, and a trailing spark plug ignition signal delayed in time from the positive to negative zero crossover point. Logic circuitry responsive to the leading edge of the synchronizing signal and the trailing spark plug ignition signal produces a trailing spark plug ignition system dwell signal of a pulse width equal to the time therebetween which is applied to the input circuit of the trailing spark plug electronic ignition system. (auth)

Assignee:
General Motors Corp.
Patent Number(s):
US 3919994
OSTI ID:
7367018
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English