Improvements in and relating to Igniting Devices for Internal Combustion Engines.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Igniting Devices for Internal
Combustion Engines.
I, WILLIAM HENRY KITTO, of "Morvah," Hartingdon Road, Chiswick, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved make and break contact device for
controlling the electric ignition of internal combustion engines.
My improved device consists essentially of a pair of flexible arms or tongues
each preferably made of a piece of sheet or ribbon steel. These arms or tongues
are mounted opposite to each other and are connected with the induction coil by
wires in the well-known manner, the arrangement being such that the arms or
tongues are capable of a limited amount of movement to and from one another.
The ends of these arms or tongues carry suitably shaped contact pieces of any
suitable metal. On the half-motion shaft operating the valve gear is mounted
a disc carrying an insulated metallic finger adapted during its rotation to come
in contact with and pass between the two contact pieces carried by the arms or
tongues and thus complete the electric circuit through the induction coil.
ог
Suitable stops are provided to prevent the contact pieces of the arms
tongues moving so near to one another as to short circuit the current, and if
desired their action may be reinforced by suitable springs
It will be understood that the shapes of the contact pieces carried by the
arms or tongues and also of the revolving finger piece carried by the disc on
the half-motion shaft are such that their contact is a gradual and rubbing one.
By the use of this device a reliable spark can always be obtained as owing to
the rubbing contact set up between the parts the surfaces are always in a bright
and clean condition
Improvements in and relating to Igniting Devices for Internal
Combustion Engines.
I, WILLIAM HENRY KITTO, of "Morvah," Hartingdon Road, Chiswick, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
LDS17

page_text: and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement: —
This invention relates to an improved "make and break" contact device for
controlling the electric ignition of internal combustion engines, and it consists
essentially of a pair of elastic or flexible arms mounted opposite to or over one
another and each connected with the battery and induction coil or other source of
electricity by suitable leads, and of a rotating cam or its equivalent passing
between the said arms and adapted to put or bring them into contact with one
another the arrangement being such that the parts acted upon by the cam or its
equivalent are also the contact pieces, the object being to obtain a rubbing action
on the contact pieces which tends to keep them bright and clean, and therefore
more efficient.
-
In the accompanying drawing which illustrates this invention:
Figures 1, 2 and 3 are views in front elevation, sectional side elevation and
sectional plan respectively of one form my invention may assume.
Figures 4 and 5 are views in front and sectional side elevation respectively
showing an alternative construction.
Figures 6 and 7 are views in front and sectional side elevation of another
form my invention may assume, and
Figure 8 is a sectional view in plan showing another modification.
<
Throughout the views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference
My improved contact maker and breaker consists essentially of a pair of
elastic or flexible arms or tongues A, A¹, preferably made of sheet steel or other
suitable metal These armis or tongues are mounted opposite to or over one
another as shown, and are connected with terminals B, B', carried by the founda-
tion plate C which is made of any suitable non-conductive material, the said
terminals being adapted to be put in the circuit of the battery and induction
coil or other source of electricity. The arms or tongues A. A', are sufficiently
flexible to permit of their having a limited amount of movement towards each
other, and their free ends are provided with suitably shaped contact pieces a, a',
of any suitable metal.
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On the axle D of the motor or in the case of an engine working with the
"
Otto cycle, the half motion axle--is mounted the operating cam which is
adapted to bring the arms or tongues into electrical contact at a predetermined
time and during a predetermined portion of each revolution of the said axle.
This cam may be made in various ways. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 it
consists of a flanged collar E fixed to the axle D and carrying a projecting finger
forming a connection F having suitably shaped contact pieces f on each side.
This finger is preferably mounted on a disc E' of any suitable non-conductive
material fixed to the flanged collar E but this is not obligatory as it may be
formed on or fixed direct to the said flanged collar.
As shown by Figures 4 and 5 the operating cam consists of a flanged collar E
fixed to the axle D. of a disc ring E¹ of any Buitable non-conductive material
and of a metallic connection F passing through the disc ring E¹, the said
connection conveniently taking the form of a pin the heads f of which form
the contact pieces. In this construction the contact pieces a and are in
rubbing contact with the non-conductive disc E at all times when they are not
in contact with the heads f of the pin forming the connection F.
It will be understood that the contact pieces f of the connection F come
into contact with and pass between the contact pieces a, a¹, of the arms or
tongues A, A, once during each revolution of the axle D and thus complete the
electric circuit, which is again broken when the contact pieces f, pass from
between and out of contact with the contact pieces a, a².
To cause the arms or tongues to vibrate the width of the disc E¹ at the part
carrying the connection F may be reduced so as to give the said arms or tongues a
drop on to the said connection in which case the contact pieces f of the said

page_text: connection are elongated as shown by Figure 8. I may also corrugate, serrate.
roughen or otherwise form the faces of the disc E¹ as shown in dotted lines in
Figure 8 to assist in setting up the vibratory motion in the arms or tongues A, A¹.
In the construction shown by Figures 6 and 7 the contact pieces a and a¹
on the arms or tongues A, A¹. are adapted to come into direct contact with one
another to make the electric circuit and are forced and kept apart to break the
circuit and keep it open respectively. The cam in this case consists of a flanged
collar E fixed on the axle 1), and of an interrupted ring disc E³ made of any
suitable non-conductive material, the interruption consisting of a cut away
portion e. The contact pieces a and a' of the arms or tongues A, A¹, are normally
kept apart by the interrupted ring disc E with which they are in rubbing
contact. but owing to the cut away portion e of the said ring disc they are allowed
to come into contact for a short period during each revolution to complete the
electric circuit. As herein before suggested the faces of the ring disc may be
corrugated to assist in setting up a vibratory motion in the arms or tongues A, A¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim 1s.—
(1) A "make and break" contact device for the electric ignition of internal
combustion engines characterised by two elastic or flexible arms or tongues
carrying contact pieces which are brought into contact at a predetermined time
and during a piedetermined period to establish the circuit by a revolving cam
or its equivalent engaging the said contact pieces with a rubbing action, as and
for the purpose set forth.
(2) A form of construction of the device specified in the pieceding claim
characterised by the cam taking the form of a disc of any suitable non-conductive
material having a transverse metallic pin standing proud of the disc on each side
thereof, the arrangement being such that the contact pieces of the flexible or
elastic arms or tongues are always in rubbing contact with the non-conductive
disc when they are out of contact with the transverse pin, as and for the purpose
set forth
"
(3) In a contact maker and breaker" consisting of a pair of flexible or
elastic arms or tongues carrying contact pieces adapted at a predetermined time
and during a predetermined period to engage one another through the medium
of a metallic connection carried by a revolving disc, so shaping the said disc
that the contact faces of the connection carried by the disc lie below the faces
of the disc on which the contact pieces of the flexible or elastic arms or tongues
engage and rub that they have a decided drop on to the contact faces of the
connection piece. as and for the purpose set forth.
(4) In a contact "maker and breaker" consisting of a pair of flexible or
elastic arms or tongues carrying contact pieces adapted at a predetermined time
and during a predetermined period to engage one another through the medium
of a metallic connection carried by a revolving disc, so shaping the said disc
that the contact faces of the connection carried by the disc lie below the faces
of the disc on which the contact pieces of the flexible or elastic arms or tongues
engage and rub that they have a decided drop on to the contact faces of the
connection piece, and that a vibratory action is set up in the said arms or
tongues before they engage the contact faces of the connection, as set forth.
(5) A form of construction of the contact "maker and breaker" specified in
the first claim, characterised by the contact pieces of the flexible or elastic arms
or tongues being arranged to engage each other directly to complete the electric
circuit and to be forced apart to break the circuit by means of a revolving disc,
the arrangement being such that when the contact pieces of the flexible or elastic
arms or tongues are out of engagement with each other they are in rubbing
engagement with the revolving disc as and for the purpose set forth.
"
(6) In contact makers and breakers," setting up a vibratory action in the

page_text: flexible, or elastic arms or tongues by causing them to engage the corrugated
serrated or roughened surfaces of a revolving disc or its equivalent, as set forth.
43
Dated this 8th day of December 1899.
Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., M.I. Mech E.,
Chartered Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.