The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 12, 1991
Filed:
Jun. 05, 1990
Kalyan P Gokhale, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
An ignition system for a spark ignited internal combustion engine. The system can apply alternating current to the electrodes of a spark plug to maintain an arc at the electrodes for the desired length of time. The amplitude of the arc current can be varied. The alternating current is developed by a DC to AC inverter that is comprised of a transformer that has a center tapped primary and a secondary that is connected to the spark plug. An arc is initiated at the spark plug by discharging a capacitor through one of the winding portions of the center-tapped primary. Alternatively, the energy stored in an inductor can be supplied to a primary winding portion to initiate an arc. The ignition system is powered by a controlled current source that receives input power from a source of direct voltage such as a battery on a motor vehicle.