USOO769904.

4B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 7.699,044 B2

Lepley (45) Date of Patent: Apr. 20, 2010
(54) SILICON-CONTROLLED RECTFER 3,838,328 A 9/1974 Lundy
SHUT OFF CIRCUIT FOR CAPACTIVE 4,069,801 A 1/1978 Stevens
DISCHARGEIGNITION SYSTEM
4.413,608 A * 1 1/1983 Beeghly ................ 123,406.66
(75) Inventor: Joseph M. Lepley, Girard, OH (US) 4,522, 184 A 6/1985 Lepley

(73) Assignee: Altronic, LLC, Girard, OH (US)

(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this * cited by examiner
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.C. 154(b) by 36 days. Primary Examiner Mahmoud Gimie
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm The Webb Law Firm
(21) Appl. No.: 12/185.851
(57) ABSTRACT
(22) Filed: Aug. 5, 2008
(65) Prior Publication Data A capacitive discharge ignition system for an internal com
US 201O/OO31942 A1 Feb. 11, 2010 bustion engine and for use with a generator powered current
Source comprises a storage capacitor, at least one powerthy
(51) Int. C. ristor for discharging the storage capacitor to transfer energy
F02P3/06 (2006.01) to at least one coil triggered in Synchronism with an internal
FO2P 3/08 (2006.01) combustion engine with which the ignition system may be
(52) U.S. Cl. ...................................................... 123A596 associated. A triggering circuit biases the power thyristor to
(58) Field of Classification Search ................. 123/596, discharge the storage capacitor. A shut-off circuit comprises a
123/594,605, 618, 644, 648, 655, 656; 315/209 R, Solid state device for Switching the output of the generator to
315/209 CD, 209 SC ground interrupting the flow of current to the power thyristor.
See application file for complete search history.
A circuit sensing current flow in the triggering circuit gener
(56) References Cited ates a control and gates the solid state device into conduction
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS in response to the control signal.
3,583,378 A 6, 1971 Pattee
3,800,771 A 4, 1974 Mackie 10 Claims, 1 Drawing Sheet

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U.S. Patent Apr. 20, 2010 US 7.699,044 B2
 US 7,699,044 B2
1. 2
SILICON-CONTROLLED RECTFER triggering current shunted through the optocoupler gates the
SHUT OFF CIRCUIT FOR CAPACTIVE phototransistor into conduction. Almost immediately, the
DISCHARGEIGNITION SYSTEM holding capacitor at the FET gate is charged from the storage
capacitor to the fully conductive level of the FET gate and the
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FET shorts the output of the full wave rectifier to ground. As
the storage capacitor discharges, its charge falls below the
1. Field of the Invention charge on the holding capacitor before the storage capacitoris
This invention relates to capacitive discharge ignition sys fully discharged. However, the holding capacitor keeps the
tems in which a storage capacitor is charged by a generator or voltage at the FET gate above the threshold voltage until after
alternator and is discharged by a silicon-controlled rectifier 10 the storage capacitor has completely discharged and, there
(SCR) or thyristor Switch triggered conducting in Synchro fore, the SCR has turned off.
nism with the engine. Previous techniques required the sensing of the discharge
2. Description of Related Art current directly which wasted considerable power (~100
The Problem of turning SCRs off in capacitive discharge watts, 50 ampx2 volts) since the required sensing circuitry
ignition systems is well known. Once triggered to conduct, 15 added significant impedance to the discharge loop. By Sens
the SCR remains conducting until the current source stops ing only the triggering current to the power device rather than
and the triggering pulse is removed. A number of patents have the primary discharge, the wasted power is reduced to
addressed shutting down the anode-to-cathode current from approximately 0.1 watt (0.1 ampsx1 volt).
the source charging the storage capacitor. These have all In previous techniques, grounding the output of the gen
related to direct current to direct current converter power erator was the only function of the FET. Preferably, in this
supplies which can be electronically shut-down. See, for invention, the FET functions as a linear Voltage regulator
example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,583,378; 3,800,771; 3,838,328; biased through a series of very low power Zener diodes. This
and 4,069,801. The output of an alternator or generator can approach eliminates the need for a costly and failure prone
not be switched off as with direct current converter power high power Zener diode across the storage capacitor. As the
Supplies. The output being an alternating current will periodi 25 storage capacitor charges to the desired maximum Voltage,
cally pass through Zero. At this time, the SCR will shut down. the gate of the FET will be biased to turn conducting causing
However, it is desired to shut down the SCR immediately, that it to conduct current and thereby limiting the voltage of the
is, without waiting for the next polarity reversal of the alter storage capacitor. The double duty out of the shorting FET
nator or generator. The applicant's circuit is directed to the reduces the cost and complexity of the circuitry needed for
shutting off of the power SCR in a capacitive discharge igni 30 proper operation of the system.
tion system Supplied by a generator or alternator.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,184 specifically addresses these short BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
comings, but does so at the cost of added circuit complexity.
The present invention reduces power loss and provides sim Further features and other objects and advantages of this
plified circuitry. 35 invention will become clear from the following detailed
description made with reference to the drawing in which FIG.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 1 is a schematic diagram of the circuit according to one
embodiment of this invention having an optocoupled pho
This invention is an improvement in circuits for capacitive totransistor in the gating circuit configured to sense the trig
discharge ignition systems for internal combustion engines 40 gering current pulse to the power thyristor and turns on the
which ignition systems are charged by a generator or alterna shorting FET.
tor. Capacitive discharge ignition systems comprise a storage
capacitor charged through a diode or full wave rectifier. At DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
least one main silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) or other EMBODIMENTS
Suitable thyristor is provided for discharging the storage 45
capacitor through the primary of an ignition coil. A triggering Referring now to the drawing, there is shown a capacitive
circuit provides a gate pulse to the main SCR gate in Synchro discharge ignition system for one cylinder of an internal
nism with the internal combustion engine. A shut-off circuit combustion spark ignition engine. Each component to the
includes a solid state device for grounding the output of the right of the dashed line is replicated the number of times there
generator or a full wave rectifier connected to the output of the 50 are cylinders to be served. For purposes of illustration of the
generator during the discharge of the storage capacitor. instant invention, the circuit for one cylinder will suffice.
The triggering circuit comprises a second SCR that is trig The storage capacitor 11 is charged by the output of the full
gered by a pick-up pulse generated, for example, by the wave rectifier 10 to store energy between each spark plug
rotation of the engine crank shaft. The second SCR then firing. The alternating current input to the full wave rectifier is
discharges a triggering capacitor to the gate of the main SCR. 55 taken from a generator 9 (or alternator) associated with the
The storage capacitor is discharged in response to the firing of engine. The energy stored on the storage capacitor 11 is
the triggering circuit. discharged to the primary of a step-up coil 12. The secondary
The LED of an optocoupler is placed in series with the of the step-up coil is connected across the spark plug 13 (or
triggering circuit. The phototransistor of the optocoupler is plugs) as shown. Discharge of the storage capacitor 11 to the
placed in series with the shut-off circuit. When the pho 60 coil 12 is gated by SCR 14. The Zener diode network 15a, 15b,
totransistor conducts, the shut-off circuit charges a holding 15c and FET 23 limit the voltage across the storage capacitor
capacitor at the gate of a switch, preferably an FET switch. 11. The low power Zener network and FET biased in the linear
Preferably, a Zener diode limits the voltage on the capacitor to mode for Voltage regulation costs less and is more reliable
less than the breakover voltage of the FET gate. A discharge than the older style power Zener placed directly across the
resistor is placed across the holding capacitor. 65 storage capacitor.
After the SCR is triggered by the triggering circuit, the A triggering circuit for triggering the SCR 14 into conduc
main storage capacitor starts to discharge. At this time, the tion comprises a trigger capacitor 16 charged through resistor
 US 7,699,044 B2
3 4
20 and diode 22 and a trigger SCR 18. The basic character this time, it would do so before the storage capacitor 11 had
istics of an SCR are well known: a positive pulse at the gate fully discharged. Nothing would be gained by the added
will start anode cathode current flowing and that flow will circuitry because the holding circuit for SCR 14 would never
continue until two conditions are simultaneously met; be cut off. The FET must remain conducting until after the
namely, removal of the positive pulse at the gate and drop of 5 capacitor 11 fully discharges. The RC time constant of the
the anode cathode current below the holding current level for capacitor 32 and resistor 33 are selected to delay the time
the SCR. when the voltage on capacitor 32 drops below the threshold
A magnetic pick-up coil 19 or similar pick-up device pro gate voltage of the FET. The FET is held conducting just
vides a synchronized pick-up pulse to the gate of the trigger beyond the time of complete discharge of the storage capaci
SCR 18. The trigger SCR then discharges capacitor 16 to the 10 tor 11 and ring-out of the coil 12. The SCR 14 turns off and the
gate of the main SCR 14 driving it into conduction. The storage capacitor can begin recharging for the next cycle.
trigger capacitor and trigger SCR amplify the pick-up pulse. The positive shut-off of the SCR 14 makes the circuit much
They also provide isolation between the pick-up pulse (which more versatile. For example, a diode 35 can be placed in
may not fall off rapidly) and the main SCR. The discharge of parallel with the primary to lengthen the duration of the spark.
the trigger capacitor is completed before the magnetically 15 The shut-off of the SCR is less sensitive to the output voltage
induced trigger pulse is removed from the gate of SCR 18. of the full wave rectifier. There is no need to attempt to
This is important to the quick turn off of the main SCR 14. synchronize the nodes in the generator output with the dis
Turn off of the power SCR 14 has remained a problem even charge of the storage capacitor. Also, the generator output
with the isolation provided by the resistor through which the may be increased without regard to the holding current rating
trigger capacitoris charged, trigger capacitor and trigger SCR of the SCR 14.
as described above. Even if the gatepulse is removed, SCR 14 In a particular embodiment ignition for which the circuit
will continue to conduct as long as there is a source of anode according to this invention is useful, the time between spark
cathode current. The generator and full wave rectifier 10 can firings is 5 milliseconds. The time between polarity reversals
Supply that current even after the storage capacitor is dis of the alternator or generator is between 1 and 2 milliseconds.
charged. 25 A 1 or 2 millisecond delay before recharging of the storage
What follows is a description of the improvement for capacitor is considered very undesirable. With the SCR shut
ensuring shut-down of SCR 14 by grounding the output of the off circuit according to this invention, discharge of the storage
full wave rectifier, or the generator as the case may be, during capacitor would be expected in about 40 microseconds. The
just the right time period. An LED 28 of optocoupler 27 is gating circuit of the FET switch is designed to hold the FET
arranged in series with the discharge of the trigger capacitor 30 in conduction for about 200 to 300 microseconds to allow for
16. The LED polarity is such that only the trigger capacitor 16 coil ring out. Hence, recharge of the storage capacitor can
discharge current is sensed and not the capacitor charging begin after about 200 to 300 microseconds as opposed to 1 to
current which flows through the diode 22. Current through the 2 milliseconds. The times given in this paragraph are exem
LED comprises a signal for gating field effect transistor plary only. The time between firings depends on the number
(FET) 23. The polarities of the LED and charging diode 35 of cylinders being served by the ignition system and the speed
eliminate the possibility of an undesired turn on of FET 23. of the engine. The time between polarity reversals also
FET 23 is arranged to ground the output of the full wave depends upon the speed of the engine as the alternator is
rectifier but not to discharge the storage capacitor. Diode 21 driven by the engine. Preferably, the capacitor 32 and resistor
prevents discharge of the storage capacitor 11 when the FET 33 at the gate of the FET 23 switch to ground the output of the
23 is conducting. With the embodiment shown in the drawing, 40 alternator for about 100 to 200 microseconds after the storage
the output of the full wave rectifier is grounded. If the output capacitor has discharged.
of the generator is grounded, it will be necessary to provide It is possible to modify the circuit shown in the drawing
back-to-back FETs between the output and ground in order Somewhat. For example, it may be possible to use a bipolar
that both positive and negative output pulses are diverted transistor in place of the FET. However, if this is done, it must
away from the full wave rectifier and, thus, the storage capaci 45 be recognized that the capacitor 32 will discharge both
tor. In this embodiment, the diode 21 is not required as its through the resistor 33 and the base of the transistor. This can
function would be served by the full wave rectifier itself. be considered in the design of the timing circuit with some
The circuit for controlling the on-time of the FET 23 will difficulty since the voltage current relationship through the
now be described. The trigger capacitor 16 is charged through base is not linear. Moreover, if the temperature of the transis
full wave rectifier 10 and is discharged through trigger SCR 50 toris not held constant, the current Voltage relationship for the
18. In parallel with the diode 22 is the current-sensing circuit base will not be held constant. It is also possible to substitute
comprising the LED 28 of an optocoupler 27. During dis an optocoupled device having a photo SCR rather than a
charge of the trigger capacitor 16, current flows through the phototransistor. In this case, attention must be paid to selec
optocoupler LED 28 turning on output phototransistor 29. tion of the components such that the current in the photo-SCR
Almost immediately after the phototransistor 29 begins 55 falls below its holding current enabling shut-off.
conducting, capacitor 32 is charged from a capacitor 40 to the It is a significant advantage of this circuit over the prior art
voltage of a Zener diode 34. The higher positive voltage at the including U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,184 that the series diodes
gate of the FET 23 increases the current flow from the source needed to sense the discharge of the storage capacitor through
to the drain of the FET shorting the full wave rectifier to the power thyristor have been eliminated. These diodes car
ground. Since the FET gate has very high input impedance, 60 ried the full 50 ampere discharge current and caused consid
the capacitor 32 does not discharge through the gate. Also, erable power loss (~100 watts).
charge on the capacitor cannot reach the breakover Voltage of Having thus defined my invention with the detail and par
the FET gate because it will first discharge through the pro ticularity required by the Patent Laws, what is desired pro
tective Zener diode 34. As the storage capacitor 11 discharges, tected by Letters Patent is set forth in the following claims.
the voltage on capacitor 40 drops down below the voltage 65 The invention claimed is:
across capacitor 32 and, therefore, it can no longer Supply 1. A capacitive discharge ignition system for an internal
current to capacitor 32. Were the FET to cease conducting at combustion engine and for use with a generator powered
 US 7,699,044 B2
5 6
current Source comprising a storage capacitor charged 8. A capacitive discharge ignition system according to
through a rectifying means, at least one thyristor for discharg claim 1, wherein at the Solid state device gate there is a
ing the storage capacitor to transfer energy to at least one holding capacitor, resistorand Zener diode in parallel with the
spark plug and a triggering circuit for triggering the at least holding capacitor, such that the capacitor charges when the
one thyristor in synchronism with an internal combustion discharge signal is applied to the gate, the resistor discharges
engine with which the ignition system may be associated, a the capacitor when a discharge signal terminates and the
triggering capacitor discharged through a circuit for trigger Zener diode limits the Voltage across the Small capacitor.
ing the thyristor discharging the storage capacitor, a circuit 9. A generator-powered capacitive discharge ignition sys
for sensing current flow in the thyristor in the triggering tem for an internal combustion engine comprising a generator
circuit and generating a control signal indicative thereof, a 10 for charging a storage capacitor through a diode, at least one
Solid state device for Switching the output of the generator to spark plug transformer and at least one spark plug in series
ground, and means for gating the solid state device into con with the secondary coil of the transformer, at least one SCR
duction in response to said control signal. for discharging the storage capacitor to the primary of one
2. A capacitive discharge ignition system according to spark plug transformer and a triggering circuit for gating the
claim 1, wherein said circuit for sensing flow in the triggering 15 at least one SCR in synchronism with an internal combustion
circuit comprises an LED in parallel with a charging diode, engine, with which the ignition system may be associated, a
both in series with a trigger capacitor and arranged for the triggering capacitor discharged through a thyristor for trig
LED to only conduct when the trigger capacitor is discharg gering the SCR to discharge the storage capacitor, a circuit for
ing. sensing current flow in the thyristor in the triggering circuit
3. A capacitive discharge ignition system according to and generating a control signal indicative thereof, a high gate
claim 1, wherein said gating means comprises an optocoupled impedance FET for shunting the output of the generator to
device connecting one side of a trigger capacitor and the gate ground, means for gating the FET into conduction in response
of the solid state device. to said control signal comprising an optocoupled device con
4. A capacitive discharge ignition system according to necting one side of a capacitor and the gate of the FET, means
claim 1, wherein the gating means comprises a solid state 25 for holding the control signal until just after the storage
device, wherein a current sensed by said LED provides a capacitor has discharged comprising an RC timing circuit at
Voltage sufficient to turn the Solid State device into conduc the gate of the FET, and means for biasing the FET in the
tion. linear mode of operation so that it can limit the maximum
5. A capacitive discharge ignition system according to charged Voltage of the storage capacitor.
claim 1, wherein the solid state device comprises an FET. 30 10. A generator-powered capacitive discharge ignition sys
6. A capacitive discharge ignition system according to tem according to claim 9, wherein the same solid state device
claim 1, wherein the thyristor is an SCR. used to interrupt the current flow from the generator to the
7. A capacitive discharge ignition system according to thyristor is also used as a linear shunt regulator to control the
claim 1, wherein the means for gating the Solid State device maximum Voltage of the storage capacitor.
conducts until just after the storage capacitor is discharged. k k k k k
 UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
PATENT NO. : 7.699,044 B2 Page 1 of 1
APPLICATION NO. : 12/185851
DATED : April 20, 2010
INVENTOR(S) : Lepley
It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6. Line 31, according to claim 9 should read -- according to claim 1 -

Signed and Sealed this

Seventeenth Day of August, 2010

David J. Kappos
Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office