GB2058455A - Ignition distributors - Google Patents

Abstract

A device to ensure constant freedom from atmospheric moisture inside the ignition distributor of petrol- driven internal combustion engines comprises a porous fabric bag or sachet, of approximate semi-circular shape, having sewn, or adhesive plastic welded seams and loosely filled with granulated crystals of silica gel and laid into the vacant space in a distributor on that side remote from the contact breaker mechanism. The moisture absorbed is rapidly dried out by conducted heat during normal engine running, leaving the dessicant ready for the next absorbtion/drying- out cycle. In principle the device may equally well be applied to distributors in capacitive discharge systems in alternative electronic ignition installations or in completely transistorized systems.

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or related to ignition systems of internal combustion engines A device to ensure constant freedom from atmospheric moisture inside the ignition distributor of petrol-driven internal combustion engines. Malfunctioning of the distributor due to electrical "tracking" is thus prevented, particularly following relatively long periods of non-operation when exposed to moist atmospheric conditions.

The device differs from those previously put forward in that undesirable moisture content is completely removed and not merely largely repelled or otherwise prevented as far as possible from condensing onto the external and internal surfaces of the distributor. In addition, the present device has practically no limitation to its fully useful life.

In one example, a porous fabric bag or sachet, of approximate semi-circular shape, having sewn, or adhesive plastic welded seams is loosely filled with granulated crystals of silica gel. It is then laid into the vacant space normally found in a typical distributor on that side remote from the contact breaker mechanism.

The yielding nature of the silica gel dessicant filling in the bag ensures that when pressed gently into position the whole shape takes up easily with the internal configuration of the distributor baseplate and its associated fittings, which thus serve to secure the bag firmly in position.

In an alternative example, the containing bag for the silica gel crystals is manufactured in a suitably perforated synthetic resin material, moulded to conform reasonably accurately to the external configuration of the distributor baseplate as above.

The effectiveness of operation of this device devolves upon its ability to absorb completely the small amount of water vapour which would otherwise tend to collect and condense upon the internal surfaces of the distributor. Such condensation arises from excessively moist or humid atmospheric conditions and, or, the moisture content of the circulating engine oil passing in the form of vapour into the distributor internally via its driving shaft.

The moisture thus absorbed above is rapidly dried out by conducted heat during normal engine running, leaving the dessicant ready for the next absorbtion/drying-out cycle. Experience to date has shown an indefinite life for the dessicant content thus applied.

In principle the device may equally well be applied to capacitive discharge systems as employed in alternative electronic ignition installations or in the later developed completely transistorized systems.

1. A device to ensure constant freedom from atmospheric moisture inside the ignition distributor of petrol-driven internal combustion engines. Malfunctioning of the distributor due to electrical "tracking" is thus prevented, particularly following relatively long periods of non-operation when exposed to moist atmospheric conditions.

The device is characterized by a porous fabric bag or sachet, of approximate semi-circular shape, having sewn, or adhesive plastic welded seams, loosely filled with granulated crystals of silica gel dessicant. The sachet is inserted into the vacant space normally found in a typical distributor on that side remote from the contact breaker mechanism. The yielding nature of the silica gel dessicant filling in the sachet ensures that when pressed gently into position the whole shape takes up easily with the internal configuration of the distributor baseplate and its associated fittings, which thus serve to secure the sachet firmly in position.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the containing bag for the silica gel crystals is manufactured in a suitably perforated synthetic resin material, moulded to conform reasonably accurateiy to the external configuration of the distributor baseplate as above.

3. A device as claimed in Claims 1 and 2, the effectiveness of operation of which devolves upon its ability to absorb completely the small amount of water vapour which would otherwise tend to collect and condense upon the internal surfaces of the distributor, such condensation arising from excessively moist or humid atmospheric conditions and, or, the moisture content of the circulating engine oil passing in the form of vapour into the distributor internally via its driving shaft.

The moisture thus absorbed above is rapidly dried out by conducted heat during normal engine running, leaving the dessicant ready for the next absorbtion/drying-out cycle.

4. Devices substantially as claimed in any preceding claim applied to distributors in capacitive discharge systems in alternative electronic ignition installations or completely transistorized systems.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or related to ignition systems of internal combustion engines A device to ensure constant freedom from atmospheric moisture inside the ignition distributor of petrol-driven internal combustion engines. Malfunctioning of the distributor due to electrical "tracking" is thus prevented, particularly following relatively long periods of non-operation when exposed to moist atmospheric conditions. The device differs from those previously put forward in that undesirable moisture content is completely removed and not merely largely repelled or otherwise prevented as far as possible from condensing onto the external and internal surfaces of the distributor. In addition, the present device has practically no limitation to its fully useful life. In one example, a porous fabric bag or sachet, of approximate semi-circular shape, having sewn, or adhesive plastic welded seams is loosely filled with granulated crystals of silica gel. It is then laid into the vacant space normally found in a typical distributor on that side remote from the contact breaker mechanism. The yielding nature of the silica gel dessicant filling in the bag ensures that when pressed gently into position the whole shape takes up easily with the internal configuration of the distributor baseplate and its associated fittings, which thus serve to secure the bag firmly in position. In an alternative example, the containing bag for the silica gel crystals is manufactured in a suitably perforated synthetic resin material, moulded to conform reasonably accurately to the external configuration of the distributor baseplate as above. The effectiveness of operation of this device devolves upon its ability to absorb completely the small amount of water vapour which would otherwise tend to collect and condense upon the internal surfaces of the distributor. Such condensation arises from excessively moist or humid atmospheric conditions and, or, the moisture content of the circulating engine oil passing in the form of vapour into the distributor internally via its driving shaft. The moisture thus absorbed above is rapidly dried out by conducted heat during normal engine running, leaving the dessicant ready for the next absorbtion/drying-out cycle. Experience to date has shown an indefinite life for the dessicant content thus applied. In principle the device may equally well be applied to capacitive discharge systems as employed in alternative electronic ignition installations or in the later developed completely transistorized systems. CLAIMS

1. A device to ensure constant freedom from atmospheric moisture inside the ignition distributor of petrol-driven internal combustion engines. Malfunctioning of the distributor due to electrical "tracking" is thus prevented, particularly following relatively long periods of non-operation when exposed to moist atmospheric conditions.

The device is characterized by a porous fabric bag or sachet, of approximate semi-circular shape, having sewn, or adhesive plastic welded seams, loosely filled with granulated crystals of silica gel dessicant. The sachet is inserted into the vacant space normally found in a typical distributor on that side remote from the contact breaker mechanism. The yielding nature of the silica gel dessicant filling in the sachet ensures that when pressed gently into position the whole shape takes up easily with the internal configuration of the distributor baseplate and its associated fittings, which thus serve to secure the sachet firmly in position.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the containing bag for the silica gel crystals is manufactured in a suitably perforated synthetic resin material, moulded to conform reasonably accurateiy to the external configuration of the distributor baseplate as above.

3. A device as claimed in Claims 1 and 2, the effectiveness of operation of which devolves upon its ability to absorb completely the small amount of water vapour which would otherwise tend to collect and condense upon the internal surfaces of the distributor, such condensation arising from excessively moist or humid atmospheric conditions and, or, the moisture content of the circulating engine oil passing in the form of vapour into the distributor internally via its driving shaft.

The moisture thus absorbed above is rapidly dried out by conducted heat during normal engine running, leaving the dessicant ready for the next absorbtion/drying-out cycle.

4. Devices substantially as claimed in any preceding claim applied to distributors in capacitive discharge systems in alternative electronic ignition installations or completely transistorized systems.