Push rod-actuated engine ignition apparatus

An ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft-operated cam shaft lobe for actuating a push rod, but not having a distributor shaft rotatable for actuating breaker points or the like, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a base for mounting to the engine;
• (b) a rocker arm movably mounted to the base for periodic actuation by the cam lobe and having a first transducer element fixably located thereon for movement in an arm path;
• (c) a second transducer element mounted in predetermined relation to the base proximate the arm path;
• (d) circuit means for producing an electrical trigger signal in response to the movement of the first transducer element to a predetermined spatial relation with the second transducer element;
• and
• (e) means for initiating the combustion in response to the trigger signal.

An ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a cam shaft lobe for actuating a push rod, but not having a distributor shaft rotatable for actuating breaker points or the like, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a base for mounting to the engine;
• (b) a rocker arm movably mounted to the base for periodic actuation by the cam lobe and having a first transducer element fixably located thereon for movement in an arm path;
• (c) a second transducer element movably mounted on a transducer element to the base proximate the arm path for adjustment of ignition timing;
• (d) circuit means for producing an electrical trigger signal in response to the movement of the first transducer element to a predetermined spatial relation with the second transducer element;
• (e) means for initiating the combustion in response to the trigger signal;
• and
• (f) an adjustment screw for threadingly engaging one of the base and the transducer platform, and an adjustment spring for biasing the transducer platform in opposition to the adjustment screw,
• whereby tightening and loosening of the adjustment screw produces bidirectional movement of the transducer platform relative to the base.

An ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft-operated cam shaft lobe for actuating a push rod, but not having a distributor shaft rotatable for actuating breaker points or the like, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a base for mounting to the engine;
• (b) a rocker arm movably mounted to the base for periodic actuation by the cam lobe and having a first transducer element fixably located thereon for movement in an arm path;
• (c) a second transducer element mounted in predetermined relation to the base proximate the arm path, the second transducer element comprising a radiation detector;
• (d) means for producing radiation from the first transducer element, the second transducer element being responsive to the radiation from the first transducer element;
• (e) circuit means for producing an electrical trigger signal in response to the movement of the first transducer element to a predetermined spatial relation with the second transducer element;
• and
• (f) means for initiating the combustion in response to the trigger signal.

An ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a cam shaft lobe for actuating a push rod, but not having a distributor shaft rotatable for actuating breaker points or the like, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a base for mounting to the engine;
• (b) a rocker arm movably mounted to the base for periodic actuation by the cam lobe and having a first transducer element fixably located thereon for movement in an arm path;
• (c) a second transducer element mounted in predetermined relation to the base proximate the arm path;
• (d) circuit means for producing an electrical trigger signal in response to the movement of the first transducer element to a predetermined spatial relation with the second transducer element, the trigger signal being activated during a first direction of movement of the first transducer element relative to the second transducer element, the trigger signal being reset during an opposite second direction of movement of the first transducer element relative to the second transducer element;
• and
• (e) means for initiating the combustion in response to the trigger signal.

An ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft-operated cam shaft lobe for actuating a push rod, but not having a distributor shaft rotatable for actuating breaker points or the like, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a base for mounting to the engine;
• (b) a rocker arm movably mounted to the base for periodic actuation by the cam lobe and having a first transducer element fixably located thereon for movement in an arm path;
• (c) a second transducer element mounted in predetermined relation to the base proximate the arm path, the second transducer element being fixedly mounted relative to a transducer platform;
• (d) circuit means for producing an electrical trigger signal in response to the movement of the first transducer element to a predetermined spatial relation with the second transducer element, the circuit means comprising a solid-state switching device for activating an ignition coil in response to the second transducer element, the switching device being mounted to the transducer platform for dissipation of heat from the device to the platform;
• and
• (e) means for initiating the combustion in response to the trigger signal.