Multiple capacitor means ignition system

Abstract

A four cylinder, two-cycle internal combustion engine for an outboard motor includes a pair of energy storage power capacitors. An engine driven alternator produces a generally sine wave output voltage having one-half cycle connected to charge one capacitor and the opposite half-cycle connected to charge the second capacitor by a suitable diode steering network. The output voltage frequency is greater than the firing frequency and a plurality of voltage cycles provide for charging of the capacitors to the desired level. A separate trigger capacitor is provided. The trigger capacitor is coupled to be charged from the main alternator through a low impedance network and additionally from the main capacitor charging circuit through a high impedance network which may also function as a safety circuit means. Each capacitor is recharged by a plurality of half-cycles and during such period of engine revolution the alternate capacitor is being finally charged and discharged. The safety circuit means provide for relatively minute or slow discharging of the capacitor means between cycles and thereby essentially fully discharge the capacitor means when the system is turned off and thus prevent maintaining of dangerously high voltages in the system at turn-off.