US1522909A - Converted ignition system - Google Patents

Description

H. E. RICE CONVERTED IGNITION SYSTEM 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 10

INVENT OR I (5% 1,522,909 H. 5. RICE CONVERTED IGNITION SYSTEM Filed Au 10, 1921 2 sheets-sheet 2 MwGM 1 ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 13, 1925.

uN-irno stares Parent ere-ice.

HORACE E. RICE, OI" PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA; KATHLEEN. F. RICE ADMIN- ISTRATR'IX' OF SAID HORACE E. RICE, DECEASED.

CONVER'JJED IGNITION SYSTEM.

Application filed August 10., 1921 Serial No. 491,115.

To all 20/20222. it may concern:

Be it known that I, Honaon E. RICE, a citizen of the United. States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of- Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Converted Ignition Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electricignition systems for internal combustion engines, and particularly-those employed upon automobiles or other motor vehicles.

In accordance with I my invention, an ignition system, such, for example, as now and heretofore employed upon Ford automobiles, comprising a vibrator induction coil for each engine cylinder, with an engine driven timer or commutator for delivering.

current to the primaries of the induction coils in predeterminedsequence, and having direct connections from the terminals of the coils to the spark plugs of the engine cylinders, is readily and cheaply converted into a system wherein one of the vibrator induction. coils is employed, but rendered non-vibrating, for supplying high tensionignition current to all of the engine cylinders, the primary of the induction coil being once closed and opened for each of the explosions in the cylinders of the engine, by the cam'controlled interrupter mechanism, and the high tension secondary current delivered by the single coil is dis tributed in proper sequence to the spark plugs of the respective engine cylinders.

In accordance with'my invention, an induction coil having the windings and core suited for or having the characteristics of a vibrator induction coil, has connected in series in its primary circuit a resistance which changes the characteristics of .the prii iary circuit to adapt it for single spark ignition, as distinguished from vibrator spark ignition, an interrupter of the socalled closed circuit type being included in the primary circuit.

Further in accordance with my invention, the system of the character referred to is utilized in connection with a storage batteryas the source of energy for the primary circuit, the storage. battery being charged by a generator driven by the engine,- and supplying current also to a motor for cranking or starting the engine; in this relation secondary the voltage of the storage battery, or the voltageimpressed upon the primary circuit of the ignition system, varies within wide limits, and such variations are accentuated by variations in temperature, as between winter and summer; and notwithstanding such wide variations in voltage, the induction coil of vibrator induction coil'characteristics,with the appurtenant apparatus, serves to produce the effective ignition under all conditions as to temperature, starting, andv under different engine speeds.

My invention residesinthe features hereinafter described and claimed.

For an illustration of one form of my invention, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a diagrammaticview of the circuit arrangements and apparatus of my system. I

Fig. 2, is a viewillustrative of the construction of a vibrator induction coil..

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of a resistance. unit.

Fig. i is an endelevation of the structure shownin Fig. 8.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an end elevational View of the interrupter and distributer structure and its mounting.

Referring to Fig. 1, A is a box ofsheet metal or other suitable material within which are disposed the four induction coil units 1, 1,, I and 1 one for each cylinder of the engine. The box and the induction COll, units therein will be recognized asthose commonly employed upon. a Ford automw bile, the box and coils, however, being laid.

upon a side, for facility in illustration.

Inside of the box and extending long tudinally of the bottom thereof and suitably With the contacts 6 communicate the terminals 10 supported by and projecting from the outside of the board 3. Communicating with the contact are the terminals 11 carried by and projecting from the outside of the board 3.

As is well known, the terminal 2 has been connected to the source of current, either magneto or battery, upon a Ford car, and the terminals 11 in the primary circuits of the coils have been connected to the several contacts of the timer or primary commutator driven by the cam shatt'ot the engine, while the secondary or high tension'terminal 10 were separately connected, respectively, to

the several spark plugs of the engine, whereby the primary circuits of the diii'erent coil units were energized in succession, and upon the energization of each there was produced at the spark plug of the corresponding cylinder a succession of sparks due to the vibrator action.

Referring to Fig. 2, there is illustrated an induction coil unit of the vibrator type. lVithin the wooden box structure 12, whose side is removed for the sake of clearness, there is disposed the core C comprising a cylinderical bundle of iron wires projecting through the top of the box. Ordinarily the core C is onehalf inch in diameter and about five inches in length. Around it is wound the primary coil or winding P, generally consisting of about 220 turns of No. 19 insulated copper wire disposed in two layers, and having a resistance, at ordinary temperature, of about two-tenth of an ohm. One terminal of the primary P connects to the button 5 and the other terminal connects to the metallic support 13, to which is secured one end of the vibrator spring 14 carrying the vibrator contact 15 normally held by the spring 14, when the primary P is deenergized, against the stationary vibrator contact 16 carried by the conducting member 17 secured at its one end to the post 18, connected to the button 9. The member 1? is ordinarily adjustable toward and away from the contact 15 by the nuts 19 threaded upon a bolt, a. spring 20 holding the member 17 against the nuts 19. Surrounding the primary winding P, and generally divided into two sections, is the high tension secondary winding S, one of whose terminals connects to the post 18 and whose other Or terminal connects to the button 8. dinarily the secondary S consists of about seventeen or eighteen thousand turns of fine insulated copper wire, for example, No. 38. Within the box 12 is disposed a condenser K, whose terminals are connected, respectivel to the posts 13 and 18, the condenser, therefore, as usual shunting the vibrator contacts 15 and 16.

An induction coil of the character above described has characteristics, particularly as ment with the contact 16. This cycle is very rapidly reproduced, thereby producinga vibrating ortrembling action and producing a series of ignition sparks for each closure of the primary circuit'atthe commonly used commutator or timerJ A coil ot the character above described is one having vibrator coil characteristics 7 and is not suited tor employment 1n ignition I systems wherein a single spark is produced for each explosion of combustible mixture in the engine "by an interrupter or timer" structure comprising'fixedand movable contacts in series in the primary circuit and:

whose engagement and separation are c011 trolled by a cam or equivalent driven by the engine. 7

This unsuitability having vibrator coil characteristics tor use in a closed circuit type of ignition system is in part due to the fact that the resistance and inductance of its primary winding are of an induction coil such that the closure of the primarycircuiu' through the closed circuit type of interrupter, even at high engine speeds, is of such.

duration that a relatively stronger current flows through the primary winding than when the induction coil is used for its in tended purposes, namely a vibrator coil.;

This is due to the fact that the inductance of the, primarywinding is not sutliciently great, and permits the current to reach high value within and during the period of clo sure of the closed circuit interrupter. Such greater current is detrimental to the interrupter contacts, and is a useless waste of electrical energy supplied by the battery or other source.

By the introduction of the resistance 9",

as herein described, the electrical characteristics of the primary'circuit of the induction coil are modifiediso that the energizing current is materially reduced in. magnitude,

effecting substantial saving in electrical.

energy and yet producing sufliciently powertul and effective sparks'in the engine cyl-" inder. An induction coil having vibrator coil characteristics, and when operating as a vibrator coil, permits, dueto the resistance and inductance of its primary winding, a relatively large current to pass through that winding, whereas when not utilized as a vibrator coil and having my resistance applied thereto the current is materially reduced and yet producing effective and sutliciently powerful ingition sparks with consumption of materially less electrical: energy. For example a vibrator coil operating assuch may allow passage of a; current 0t such magnitude that its arithmetic-meamand as measured by a direct current DArsonval ammeter, is of the order of 2 amperes when supplied by a so called 6 volt storage battery; but when the same induction, coil has applied thereto my resistance and when operating non-vibrating, in a closed circuit system as herein described, the current is reduced to about of an ampere or, roughly, to about A;, nevertheless ensuing for both high and low engine speeds sufficiently powerful, ignitionsp arks.

It is accordingly a characteristic of my inventionthat the resistance applied in accordance therewith effects a running current .in the primary circuit of theinduction coil which averages less than the cuntent fiowing through the primary when the induction coil is utilized: as a vibrator coil.

A single induction coil having vibratingcoil characteristics and provided with my resistance serves to produce ignition sparks for all the cylinders ot a multi-cylinder engine, while it has been the practice, 011 Ford cars at least, to utilize a separate vibrating coil for each engine cylinder and to bring these coils successively into operation; In:

such arrangement each. coil is tor a, verylarge fraction of the time outof circuit and therefore does not rise in temperature to the extent that it would. it used tor supplying. ignition energy to all of; the engl lficyl-. Yet by employing a single 111d110- tion coil having vibrator coil characteristics indcrs.

in accordance with my invention, the rise in temperature is not excessive, due in part at;

least to the fact that change in the electricalcharacteristics of the primary circuit'a relatively smaller current is utilized,v as above explained, and therefore developing less heat.

In accordance with a feature of my in vention, however, I employ an inchictionv coil of vibrator coil characteristics, for example a coil of the character above described and, not withstanding the self-reduction and resistance of the primary P suited for a vibrating induction coil, will efi'ect a single spark system by eliminating. the primary timer or commutator and, introducing into the primary circuit a resistance which changes the electrical characteristics of the primary circuit to suit them for single.

spark production; and in series with the primary circuit there is introduced; a so-- called closed circuit type of interrupter, or timer comprising fixed and movable contacts controlled by a cam or equivalent driven by the engine.

For the above mentioned purpose the vibrator coil unit, such as indicated inFig. 2, may be employed. This may be accom- 'orother conducting body.

plished. by screwing down the nuts 19" so i-aa as to maintain the contacts 1 and 16 permanently in engagement with; each other and preventing vibration ot the trembler Lt. Referring again to Fig. 1, it will be understood' that one of the tour coil units only is employed. In the example illustrated, th coil unit; I is employed, while the units 1- I1, and: I are out of circuit, and are retamed in the box A as spare.- coils, or may be 7" entirely removed. lVith the vibrator contacts 15 and: 1-6- permanently in, non-vibrating engagement with each other, the circuit arrangement is as. follows:

Thebattery B ,.ras a three cell lead storage 80 battery or a sorcalled, six volt battery, or any other suitable source of current, has its one terminal grounded at G, as by connecting it to the frame of the automobile, engine Its other terminaL-connects. with the switch contact 21, with which co-acts the switch. member 22 rotatable about the pivot 23' by handle 24 and carrying the conducting member or contact 25. With the switch inv theposition shown the con-tact 21 isi-n electrical communication through the contact 25', with. the switch contact 26, which isconnected to the terminal strip, 27 of the resistance unit R, whose other terminal strip 28 is connected it) to the atore-said. terminal 2; upon the box, A, and through it to the bus bar 1', which. in turn; is in; electrical communication with the button; 5 of the coil unit I. Accordingly, onetemninal of the primary P of the induction coil I is in communication with oneterminal of thebattery B, andi the other terminal of the: primary 1? is in electrical communication with the button 9, which is inengagementfwith a. contact 7 on the board i 3, and through it and theterminal 11 is connected with the fixed contact 29 of the interrupter or timer mechanism D, of the closed circuit type, whose movable contact 30: is. in electrical communication with the plate 31, wh1ch is grounded to the framework. of the engine through the structure hereinafter described. The-movable contact 30 is carried by an arm 32,. which is spring pressed, toward or against the cam 83, which is driven, by the engine and. has a face for each cylinder of the engine. Shunted across the interrupter contacts is the condenser 34. This closed circuit interrupter or timer mechanism may be of any suitable form or character and in the example illustrated. is of; the character disclosed in Reissue Letters Patent; of the United States No.v 15,128.

Rotating, with the cam 33 is the distributor block. 35. having at one end a terminal 36 in electricalcommunication with the ter-' minal: 10 upon the side of the box A and communicating with the button 8 of the coilunitl, The spark plugs/E, one for-each cylinder of the engine, are connected, re-

spectively, with the stationary distributor terminals 3'7, past which the aforesaid distributor terminal 36 is rotated, the terminal 36 being in cooperative relation with a terminal 37 each time the movable contact 30* separates from the stationary contact 21 of the closed circuit interrupter D.

The resistance unit R may have any suitable construction, the resistance conductor itself, however, being suitably proportioned with respect to the primary P of the induction coil to effect such characteristic of the primary circuit as to provide a closed circuit single spark ignition system notwithstanding an induction coil of vibrator coil characteristics is employed.

The resistance conductor itself may be of any suitable material, such as nickel or other wire. 7

In the example illustrated, the resistance conductor 1, Figs. 3, l and 5, is coiled around a member 38, of asbestos or the like, and its ends are soldered or otherwise electrically connected to the terminal strips 27 and 28, which are held to the member 58 by the bolts 39. This structure is embedded in a mass it) of insulating material of any suitable character, including such material as VVirts Dieli'te, which is tosome or suitable extent a. conductor of heat, and to some or suitable degree limits the rise in temperature of the resistance conductor The mass iO is preferably surrounded by a sheet metal housing or shell tl.

lVith an induction coil having the core 0 and primary P. of the proportions, number of turns and resistance above given by way of example, the resistance conductor 1' may be of nickel wire, No. 24, about forty-live inches in length and having a resistance cold or at ordinary temperature of approximately six-tenths of an ohm, that is, two or more times the resistance of the primary coil P. lVhen hot the primary P may have a resistance of approximately thirty-five one-hundredths or four-tenths of an ohm, and the conductor 7 hot may have a resistance of approximately seven-tenths or eight-tenths of an ohm, and therefore both hot and cold, in this example, preponderates I over the resistance of the primary P.

lVhile it is preferred to employ my ignition system with the battery B, it will be understood that by rotating the switch 22 in clockwise direction, the contact 26 is connected through the switch contact 25 with the switch contact 4-2, whereby there is brought into the primary circuit the magneto or dynamo-electric generator M, such as employed upon a Ford car, one terminal of which connects with the contact- 22 and the other terminal of which is grounded.

At F is indicated the armature of a direct current generator driven by the engine and having the shunt field windin the gem n, if) 7 p erator serving to charge the battery B, throughthe usual automatic cut-out H, for all engine speeds in excess of a predetermined minimum speed. i

J represents the armature of a direct current electric motor having the series field winding for cranking the engine for starting it, upon closing the switch 71'.

At starting the engine, with the switch is closed, the motor draws so much current from the battery 13 that the voltage impressed upon the. primary circuit of the ignition system is materially reduced. Fur thermore, when the battery B is being charged by the generator F, the voltage impressed upon the primary eircuit is materially higher. And bothof these voltages are further changed by changes of temperature, as those of winter and summer. However, throughout the wide changes of voltage under all the conditions above described,

the primary circuit including the resistance conductor 1" has such characteristics, not-- withstanding the fact that the induction coil I has vibrator C-Oll characteristics, that sutiiciently hot or powerful ignition sparks are produced at the plugs E both in winter and or bracket 46 in which rotates the shaft 4:7

upon which the aforesaid cam 33 is secured and by which is rotated the aforesaid distributor block 35, the latter disposed within the cap 48, of insulating material, secured by spring hooks 45) upon the base plate 31 of the interrupter D. The high tension con-' ductor from the terminal 10 upon the box A connects to a terminal within the boss 50 on the cap 4-8, which terminal, as well understood in the art, effects communication with the distributor terminal 36. The dis tributor terminals 37 are exposed within the cap t8 and are extensions of terminals in the bosses 51 on the cap 4%, suitable couductors extending from these bosses 5i to the spark plugs of the respective cylinders of the engine.

On the lower end of the shaft 47 is secured the bevel gear 52 meshingwith and driven by the bevel gear 53 secured by nut upon the cam shaft of the engine, whose main or v i crank shaft is indicated at 55. The ignition is advanced or retarded by rotating the plate 31 and cap 48 as a unit by lever 56, which may be connected through any suitable means with the spark controlling lever upon the steering wheel of the vehicle.

lVith a vibrating or trembler induction coil there occurs an appreciable lag or lapse li il of time between the actual closure of the primary circuit and the actual proper functioning oi' the vibrator in interrupting the circuit and producing sparks. This lag "is constant and is the same for all engine speeds, and con'setpiently, with increasing engine speed there occurs-a relative retarda- 1 the same effect may be procured 'by permanently connecting the members 13 and 18 many suitable way; or by connecting that terminal of the primary P normally connected to the member 13 to the post 18' I or to the contact 9. Or any other suitable means may employed for cutting out or rendering the vibrator orftrembler inoperative.

As to one of its aspects, my invention is a. vibrator coil ignition system converted into a single spark ignition system, without recourse to a new or 'di'fierent induction coil, but employing the original vibrator or trein'bler coil. My invention is therefore distinguished from other converted vibrator coil systems, as Ford systems, in which a specially designed induction coil is employed in substitution for the old trembler coils; or in which a closed circuit type interrupter controls the original vibrator induction coil in which, however, the vibrator continues to function as such; or from a system in which a iii-aster vibrator or trembler controls primary circuits of all the original induction coils which, as before, have their high tension terminals separately connected to the respective spark plugs.

In accordance with my invention, an i'gnition system involving a plurality of treinbler or vibrator induction coils is cheaply and effectively converted into a su' oerior sin 'le s )ark s stem by retainin one of the original induction coils, connecting in its primary circuit a resistance and also a closed circuit type interrupter, with a high tension distributor.

In the appended claims, the term induction coil having vibrator coil characteristic's shall be understood as one whose primary circuit has such inductance and resistance that even for the extremely brief periods of circuit closure efiected by the treinbler or vibrator the primary current builds up from zero to a magnitude such as to erect bot-h sutlicient energy in the re suit-ant spark and to actuate the vibrator or trembleratits high vibratory speech The time constant, depending upon the ratio of inductance to resistance, of the primary circuit is in general short, and shorter than the time constant of an induction coil suited for the so-called closed circuit systems. In accordance with my invention, the introduction of a resistancein the primary circuit of an induction coil having vibrator coil characteristics for use as a closed circuit system turther shortens the time constant of the primary circuit of the coil having vibrator coil characteristics and to greater degree shortens it as compared to the time constant of an induction coil suited for closed circuit ignition systems; and notwithstanding this shortening of the time constant the average of the magnitude of the current consumed i'or ignition purposes is materially reduced below that consumed with the same coil of vibrator coil characteristics when usedasa trenibleror vibrator coil. Though mine is a closed circuit system, it is neither the closed circuit system commonly em-, ployed, nor is it the vibrator coil system commonly employed, for the time constant of my primary circuit difiers from both the vibrator coil systems and closed circuit systems.

What I claim is:

1. An ignition systemcomprising a nonvibrating induction coil having vibrator coil characteristics, a resistance permanently in the primary circuit of said induction coil for all engine speeds, a source of current insa id primary circuit, an engine driven interrupter of the closed circuit type controlling said primary circuit, and a distributor connecting the high tension terminal of said induction coil successively to the different spark plugs of said engine.

"2. An ignition system comprising an induction coil provided with a vibrator and having vibrator coil characteristics, means rendering said vibrato-r inoperative, a source of current in the primary circuit of said induction coil, a resistance permanently in the primary circuit of said induction coil for all engine speeds, an engine driven interrupter of the closed circuit type controlling said primary circuit, and a distributor connecting the high tensionterminal of said induction coil successively to the diiierent spark .plugs o'i' sai'd engine.

3. An ignition system "comprising a nonvibrating induction coil having vibratory coil characteristics, a resistance permanently in a series for all engine speeds in the primary circuit of said induction coil having a magnitude greater than the resistance of the "primary Winding of said induction coil, a source of current in said primary circuit, an engine driven interrupter of the closed circuit type controlling said -primary circuit, and a distributor connecting the.

high tension terminal of said induction coil successively to the different spark plugs of said engine.

4. An ignition system comprising a nonvibrating induction coil having vibrator coil characteristics, a resistance permanently in series for all engine speeds in the primary circuit of said induction coil having a magnitude more. than twice the resistance of the primary winding of said induction coil, a source of current in said primary circuit, an engine driven interrupter of the closed circuit type controlling said primary circuit, and a distributor connecting the high tension terminal of said induction coil successively to the dillerent spark plugs of said engine.

5. An ignition system comprising an in duction coil provided with a vibrator and having vibrator coil characteristics, means rendering said vibrator inoperative, a source of current in the primary circuit of said induction coil, a resistance permanently in series for all engine speeds in the primary circuits of said induction coil having a magnitude greater than the resistance. of the primary winding of said induction coil, an engine driven interrupter of the closed circuit type controlling said primary circuit, and a distributor connecting the high tension terminal of said induction coil successively to the different spark plugs of said engine.

6. An ignition system comprising an induction coil provided with a vibrator and having vibrator coil characteristics, means rendering said vibrator inoperative, a source of current in the primary circuit of said induction coil, a resistance permanently in series for all engine speeds in the primary circuit of said induction coil having a magnitude more than twice the resistance of the primary winding of said induction coil, an engine driven interrupter of the closed circuit type controlling said primary circuit, and a distributor connecting the high tension terminal of said induction coil successively to the different spark plugs of said engine.

7. A single spark ignition system of the closed circuit type comprising a non-vibrating induction coil having vibrator coil characteristics, a source of current in the primary circuit of said induction coil, a resistance permanently in series with the primary winding of said induction coil for all engine speeds, and an engine driven interrupter of the closed circuit type controlling said primary circuit to etlect ignition sparks at starting and at all speeds of the engine, said resistance having a magnitude such that the mean value of the interrupted current traversing the primary winding of said induction coil is less than the mean interrupted current traversingv said winding of the coil when utilized as a vibrating coil. 7

8. A single spark ignition system of the closed circuit type for a multi-cylinder engine comprising a single non-vibrating in duction coil having vibrator coil characteristics, a source of current in the primary circuit of said induction coil, a resistance permanently in series with the primary winding of said induction coil for all en'- gine speeds, an engine driven interrupter of the closed circuit type controlling said primary circuit to produce ignition sparks at starting and. at all speeds of the engine, and a distributor connecting the hightension terminal of said induction coil successively to the different spark plugs of the engine, said resistance having amagnitude such that the mean value of the interrupted current traversing the primary of said induction coil is less than the mean interrupted current traversing said winding of the coil when utilized as a ibrating coil.

9. An ignition system comprising a nonvibrating induction coil having vibrating coil characteristics, the primary winding of said induction coil having a resistance ap-' proximately one-quarter of an ohm and comprlsmg approximately 200 turns, a three cell lead storage battery in series with said primary winding,a resistance of magnitude greater than the resistance of said primary prising approximately 200 turns, a three cell lead storage battery in series with said primary winding, a resistance of magnitude of more than twice the resistance of said primary winding permanently in series with said primary winding for all engine speeds, an engine driven interrupter of the closed circuit type controlling the primary circuit of said induction coil, and a distributor connecting the high tension terminal of said induction coil successively to the difi'erent spark plugs of said engine.

11. Ignition apparatus comprising a COll box, an induction 0011 having a vibrator (llS- posed in said box, means rendering said vibrator inoperative, primary and secondary contacts in said box, primary and secondary contacts on said induction coil engaging said contacts in said box, primary and sec ondary terminals carried by said box on the exterior thereof and communicating with said first named contacts in said box, a storage battery connected to one of said primary terminals on the exterior of said box, a resistance unit permanently in series at all engine speeds with said battery and the primary of said induction coil, an engine driven interrupter of the closed circuit type controlling the primary circuit of said induction coil and having one terminal connected to another of said primary terminals on the exterior of said box, and a distributor connecting the secondary terminal on the exterior of said box with the difierent spark plugs of said engine.

12. Ignition apparatus comprising a coil box, an induction coil having a vibrator disposed in said box, means rendering said vibrator inoperative, primary and secondary contacts in said box, primary and secondary contacts on said induction coil engaging said contacts in said box, primary and secondary terminals carried by said box on the exterior thereof and communicating With said first named contacts in said box, a storage battery, a resistance unit in circuit at all engine speeds and having terminal strips one of which is secured to one of said primary terminals on the exterior of said box and the other of which is connected to said storage battery, an engine driven interrupter of the closed circuit type controliing the primary circuit of said induction coil and having one terminal connected to another of said primary terminals on the exterior of said box, and a distributor connecting the secondary terminal on the exterior of said box with the different spark plugs of said engine.

13. The combination with a storage battery, of a variable speed generator for charging the same, an engine cranking motor adapted to be energized by said battery, a non-vibrating induction coil having vibrator coil characteristics, a resistance permanently in series with said battery and the primary winding of said induction coil for all engine speeds, an engine driven interrupter of the closed circuit type controlling the primary circuit of said induction coil, and a distributor connecting the high tension terminal of said induction coil successively to the different spark plugs of said engine, said resistance being of such magnitude that for all variations of voltage impressed upon said primary circuit during operation of said motor and during operation of said generator the secondary of said induction coil delivers current of such magnitude and voltage as to produce sparks capable of igniting the combustible mixture of said engine.

14. An ignition system comprising a nonvibrating induction coil of vibrator coil characteristics, a storage battery, a magneto, a resistance permanently in series With the primary winding of said induction coil for all engine speeds, an engine driven interrupter of the closed circuit type controlling the primary circuit of said induction coil, a distributor connecting the high tension terminal of said induction coil successively to the different spark plugs of said engine, and a switch for bringing either said magneto or said battery into circuit with said resistance and the primary of said induction coil.

15. Ignition apparatus comprising a coil box, an induction coil having a vibrator dis posed in said box, means rendering said vibrator inoperative, primary and secondary contacts in said box, primary and secondary contacts on said induction coil engaging said contacts in said box, primary and secondary terminals carried by said box on the exterior thereof and communicating with said first named contacts in said box, a storage battery, a resistance unit in circuit at all engine speeds and having one terminal connected with one of said primary terminals on the exterior of said box, a switch intervening between the other terminal of said resistance and said storage battery, an en gine driven interrupter of the closed circuit type controlling said primary circuit having one terminal connected to another of the primary terminals on the exterior of said box, and a distributor connecting the secondary terminal on the exterior of said box with the different spark plugs of said engine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto atfixed my signature this 9th day of August, 1921.

HORACE E. RICE.

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