Abstract: An engine spark ignition system capacitive coupler for capacitively coupling the non-firing spark plug wires to the firing spark plug wire. The device includes a first plate having a first side and a second side, the first side having at least two spaced, electrically conductive surface portions, each surface portion forming a first plate of a capacitor. A second plate of each capacitor is formed by an electrically conductive surface portion disposed in spaced and insulated relationship to the at least two surface portions upon the second side of the first plate. A second plate alignable and abuttable to the first plate and having first and second sides is abuttable to the first plate first side. At least two spaced electrically conductive members are disposed through the second plate. Each conductive member includes a first end for electrical contact with a spark plug wire and a second end for electrical contact with one of the at least two first plate, first side electrically conductive surface portions.

Abstract: A controlled energy ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes an ignition coil having a primary coil and a secondary coil coupled to first and second electrodes of an ignition plug defining a spark gap therebetween, wherein the primary coil is responsive to activation of a control signal to produce a spark voltage across the secondary coil and across the spark gap. The secondary coil is responsive to the spark voltage to produce a discharge current across the spark gap of the ignition plug. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, means are provided to draw discharge current away from the ignition plug to thereby limit the discharge current to below a threshold current value within some predefined time period after activation of the control signal.

Abstract: A method of operating a two-stroke, spark-ignited, internal combustion engine in which the ignition is time-based controlled at low or idle speeds and is crank-angle-based controlled at higher speeds.

Abstract: An improved high energy high efficiency hybrid capacitive/inductive ignition system with one or coils Ti for internal combustion engines employing one or more energy storage capacitor means (4) shunted by diode means (9), with high leakage inductor means (3a) of coils Ti with which have their primary (1a) and secondary (1b) windings wound side-by-side on a single segmented bobbin 72, unidirectional switches Si for each coil Ti which are preferably IGBTs, and high efficiency shunt diode/switch means SDi for each coil Ti shunting the primary winding of each coil Ti, so that, following production of an initial quarter cycle capacitive spark with peak current in the 0.2 to 3 amp arc discharge range, there is a decaying inductive unidirectional flow-resistant spark flowing through shunt switch means SDi.

Abstract: A spark ignition system of an internal combustion engine has a first electrode and a second electrode spaced from each other operating at high voltages to produce a spark in a combustion zone of the engine. The construction of the system permits the formation of long length sparks with a train of electrical pulses having a shortened total burst duration having higher power while using lower energy.

Abstract: A capacitative discharge device is provided as part of a magneto-based ignition system for enhancing the starting performance of the ignition system for an internal combustion engine. The ignition system incorporating the invention is applicable to conventional mechanically timed magnetos, including those intended to incorporate impulse coupling or inductive vibrators as starting aids. Although the ignition system incorporating the invention is primarily intended for aerospace applications, its relative small size the light weight make it also ideal for any type of portable application.

Abstract: A charging circuit charges a first capacitor to a first voltage and a second capacitor, via a potential divider to a second voltage smaller than the first voltage. A trigger circuit repeatedly triggers a thyristor which discharges the second capacitor into the primary winding of a pulse transformer whose secondary winding is connected across a diode in series with the first capacitor between output terminals.

Abstract: The invention is to a system in which a high voltage source is connected to and continuously supplies a RF voltage to each spark plug wire in an automotive ignition. The high voltage is capacitively connected by placing a metal clip on each spark plug wire and connecting the high voltage source to the metal clips. The metal clip and conductor in the spark plug wire forms the two plates for the capacitor and the insulating material on the spark plug wire is the dielectric of the capacitor. The application of the high voltage to the spark plug wire produces a continuous corona discharge at the tip of the spark plug internal to the engine. A corona discharge surface may also be on one surface of the engine head in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An ignition system for igniting fuel within an engine, comprising at least one ignition plug disposed in the engine, wherein the ignition plug has a pair of electrodes. A high voltage generator is connected to the ignition plug for applying a gated high voltage high frequency AC signal across the pair of electrodes so as to initiate ionization of the air/fuel mixture and create an infant plasma channel between the pair of electrodes. A plasma arc current generator is connected to the ignition plug for generating a predetermined magnitude of alternating current for a predetermined period of time so as to sustain the plasma channel and ignite the fuel, and a controller is provided for selectively enabling and disabling the high voltage generator and the plasma arc current generator at predetermined times.

Abstract: A corona arc circuit has a spark plug connected in series with a rectifier. A capacitor is connected in series with a spark gap and the spark plug. An electrical power source has a transformer with a primary winding providing an AC voltage and a secondary winding connected to the capacitor via the rectifier for charging the capacitor. The secondary winding is connected to the spark plug via a high voltage diode thereby providing a current path for the spark gap at a predetermined voltage and simultaneously discharging the capacitor through the spark plug via the spark gap without short-circuiting the spark gap.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for connection to a high tension lead which is connected to a spark plug of a spark ignition internal cumbustion engine. The circuit comprises a capacitor (11) the capacitance of which is such that, if a high voltage pulse is applied to the high tension lead, the voltage developed across the capacitor and the charge stored by the capacitor are sufficient to initiate and sustain and ignition spark. The capacitor may be voltage dependent to achieve an optimised spark current characteristic. A resistor (12), such as a voltage dependent resistor, and a voltage controlled discharge device (13) may be connected in parallel with the capacitor.

Abstract: A high efficiency, high output, compact ignition coil particularly suited for use in capacitive discharge, multiple pulsing ignition systems, with about ten turns of primary (1) wire (Np) and about five hundred fifty turns of secondary (2) wire (Ns) for an input voltage Vp of approximately 350 volts and a peak output voltage Vs of 30 kV, the core and windings of the coil featuring separate and different primary (31) and secondary (41) core halves structured on the basis of herein developed coil open and closed circuit criteria such that the core half (31) containing the primary winding has a large center post (32) of cross-sectional area Ap with a narrow slot of width W1 around the post (32) for winding the primary wire (1) to provide essentially the total required coil leakage inductance Lpe of about 50 uH for an input capacitance of about 5 uF and spark discharge frequency fcc of about 10 kHz, and the secondary core (41) structured to have a center post (42) of cross-sectional area As about half that of Ap

Abstract: An ignition apparatus for providing energy to a spark plug (601) is described including electromagnetic means (121, 103, 133, 119) having a north pole (137) and an opposing south pole (139). A piezoelectric crystal (129) is located between the north pole (137) and the opposing south pole (139). The electromagnetic means (121, 103, 133, 119) compresses the piezoelectric crystal (129), thereby causing an ignition energy to be provided from the piezoelectric crystal (129) for igniting the spark plug (601).

Abstract: The ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes an ignition coil having a primary coil and a secondary coil; a plurality of semiconductor switching elements connected with the secondary coil which change abruptly from a blocking state to a conducting state at a predetermined breakdown voltage corresponding to an ignition voltage, each of the semiconductor switching elements including at least one breakdown diode; an ignition line connected electrically to a higher voltage end of the secondary coil and another ignition line connected electrically to a lower voltage end of the secondary coil, each of the ignition lines being connected via one of the semiconductor switching elements to a spark plug and being of different length, wherein the semiconductor switching element in the one line has a different breakdown voltage than the semiconductor switching element in the other line.

Abstract: An inductive discharge ignition system for an internal combustion engine uses two ignition transformers with their associated circuitry. One transformer is employed in a Kettering type high voltage system. The other transformer is used in a low voltage high current output system. The Kettering system initiates spark plug arcing. When the arc is established the lower voltage high current circuit increases the arcing since only lower voltage is needed to sustain or increase the arcing once arcing is established.

Abstract: A capacitor discharge ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes a booster coil 21 and a transistor 22 for generating a boosted voltage; a circuit 15A for generating a switching signal for the transistor in response to an ignition signal; first and second condensers 7, 8 for charging with the boosted voltage; an ignition coil 10 to whose secondary a spark plug is connected; a thyristor 13 forming a first closed discharge circuit with the first condenser and the ignition coil primary, which is turned on in synchronism with the ignition signal; and an inductor 9 forming a second closed circuit with the second condenser, the ignition coil primary and the thyristor. The discharge energy of the second condenser stored in the inductor is supplied to the ignition coil primary to extend the discharge time at the spark plug. A delay circuit 16 prevents the transistor from turning on during the extended discharge time, thus establishing a third closed inductor discharge path through the booster coil.

Abstract: An LCDI-type ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes first and second capacitors connected to an ignition coil and a voltage source for generating a charging voltage for the capacitors. The first capacitor is for producing an initial discharge of a spark plug, and the second capacitor is for lengthening the discharge of the spark plug after discharge has been initiated by the first capacitor. In one form of the invention, the second capacitor is charged only after the first capacitor has been charged by the voltage source to a prescribed voltage sufficient to produce a suitable discharge of the spark plug. As a result, even when the engine is operating at a high rotational speed and the time between consecutive firings of the engine is small, an adequate ignition voltage can be obtained. In another form of the invention, the charging voltage(s) of one or both of the capacitors is or are varied in accordance with the one or more engine operating conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a distributorless ignition system of inductive discharge type for internal combustion engines. This system comprises basic ignition coil means (14) for centralized supplying of inductive energy for spark plugs and trigger ignition coil means (22a, 22b, 22c and 22d) preferably disposed on spark plug heads for inducing electrical break-down across the electrodes of a spark plug. Both the basic and trigger ignition coil means are energized from a battery (10) through switching means (36a and 36b). The basic ignition coil means generates current pulses for spark plugs with respectively low voltage. The rated power of the trigger ignition coil means is provided to be much less than the same of the basic ignition coil means.

Abstract: A high power high energy capacitive discharge (CD) ignition system for internal combustion engines using a separate resonating inductor (7) in the discharge circuit which is constructed and arranged to provide suitable operation of the discharge circuit and to allow coupling of energy from a voltage source (13a) for storage in the inductor (7) for delivery to the CD system discharge capacitor (4) during the operation of the ignition to help maintain energy during the preferred mode of multiple spark pulse firings of an ignition spark in a preferred large toroidal gap spark plug and to recharge the capacitor (4) between firings.

Abstract: An ignition system for hydrocarbon based fuels employing two energy sources, one to create a spark, and the other to sustain an arc. The ignition circuit is based in part on the principle of a strobe light circuit. The circuit increases ignition efficiency by increasing the power dissipated at the spark gap, particularly when used in conjunction with a surface gap spark plug. Maximum power transfer is achieved via impedance matching of the ignition system to a surface gap spark plug. The circuit is particularly appropriate for igniting extremely lean mixtures, highly diluted mixtures, and alternative fuels.

Abstract: An ignition system for two ignition current circuits including a condenser to supply the ignition current to the plug. The ignition current circuits provide the ignition current to the plug alternately in response to an ignition timing signal so that the first and second current circuit to supply the ignition current constantly.

Abstract: To control the ignition of an internal combustion engine the ignition of a spark plug is determined by means of one ignition coil assigned to each spark plug, of a first counter which, on the occurrence of an angle-fixed reference mark, is counted upwards or downwards starting from a predeterminable value by means of an angle-dependent timing signal for triggering the ignition of a spark plug in the internal combustion engine, the spark plug to be fired in each case being determined via a cylinder recognition system. The start of charging of all the ignition coils of the internal combustion engine is initiated by means of a further counting device, the count of which changes the conditioned-by-the-angle-dependent timing signal, and which in each case is assigned a starting value which corresponds to the gap up to the start of charging of the next coil. Thus while the first counting device triggers the ignition process, the second counting device determines when the charging process of an ignition coil begins.

Abstract: An electronic ignition system provides precisely timed spark plug ignition in the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine and provides an optimal supply of ignition energy for the required operating mode by including a programmable transistor ignition system ("PTI") controllable according to engine operating parameters which can execute a joint program for all spark plugs. The PTI is connected in series with high-voltage capacitor ignition devices associated with the individual spark plugs and supplies ignition energy to them repeatedly during each ignition process.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine including: a DC power source; a convertor for raising the voltage of the DC power source to a predetermined voltage; a charge storing device arranged to be charged with the output from the convertor; an ignition coil; an ignition signal generator for generating an ignition signal in synchronization with the rotation of the internal combustion engine; a switch which is switched on in response to the ignition signal generated by the ignition signal generator to discharge a charge stored in the charge storing device through the ignition coil; and a controller for stopping the operation of the convertor during a period in which the ignition signal is being transmitted from the ignition signal generator.

Abstract: The device comprises an a.c. voltage source (5, 6, 7), a resonant circuit (Lf, Cs) coupled to a transformer (9) and a plug (10) which is supplied under high tension by the resonant circuit. An oscillator (11) controls the frequency of the voltage source. Means (14) are provided for detecting the resonant frequency of the circuit (Lf, Cs) and for tuning the oscillator to this frequency during priming. The device further comprises means (13) for adjusting the frequency of the oscillator, after the priming, to a value ensuring the sustaining of the arc and means (15) for cutting this arc after the elapse of a predetermined period.

Abstract: An improved method of operating a two cycle direct injected internal combustion engine so as to provide good ignition and combustion even when operating in a stratified condition. This is achieved either by extending the duration of firing of the spark plug either by extending a single firing or providing multiple firings per cycle or by changing the energy level across the gap of the spark plug during its firing.

Abstract: A motor vehicle high voltage ignition energy and duration augmentation comprising a primary recharging circuit, a diode capacitor circuit, a rear recharging circuit and a noise suppression circuit, wherein high voltage from an ignition coil is transmitted through said primary recharging circuit, said diode capacitor circuit, said rear recharging circuit and said noise suppression circuit to discharge through a spark plug for primary ignition, and at the same time, part of said high voltage is transmitted to charge the capacitor of said primary recharging circuit, the capacitor of said diode capacitor circuit and the capacior of said rear recharging circuit, causing the discharging resistor of said primary recharging circuit and the discharging resistor of said rear recharging circuit to instantaneously discharge high voltage for secondary ignition and, reverse voltage from said spark plug is sent to charge the capacitor of said rear recharging circuit and to drive the diodes of said diode capacitor to compens

Abstract: An ignition system for an automobile including a spark circuit, a power supply circuit for supplying power, a switching circuit for supplying power from the power supply circuit to the spark circuit, a distributing circuit for controlling the switching circuit in accordance with a ignition timing signal, and a control circuit for receiving the ignition timing signal and for disabling the distributing circuit for a predetermined period of time in response to a value of the received ignition timing signal.

Abstract: An ignition controlling device includes a spark plug, a first ignition coil for supplying an ignition current to the spark plug, a second ignition coil for supplying an ignition current to the spark plug and a controller for controlling the supplies of the currents to the spark plug from the first and second ignition coils.

Abstract: The device comprises a primary winding in which the spark energy is stored to be transferred rhythmically to a secondary winding with respective voltage step-up transformers acting between the secondary winding and the spark plugs. An amperometric resistor is arranged in series with the diode through which the current flows when the energy is transferred to the plugs. For each spark, there is a corresponding voltage peak across the terminals of the resistor, whereby a failure to detect the presence of the peak (which is usually converted into a square-wave signal) identifies the absence of a spark.

Abstract: The device essentially comprises an auxiliary coil for storing the ignition energy, and a transformer for each spark plug. It is thus possible to prepolarize each transformer in the proper sequence with a current opposite that applied during discharge, whereby a transformer of smaller dimensions can be associated with each spark plug while the performance remains unchanged from that of conventional systems.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a highly conductive channel for the flow of plasma current between the electrodes of an ignitor gap device are disclosed. A high voltage transformer having a high turns ratio is used to produce a high voltage spark across an ignitor gap. Subsequently, a high voltage low turns ratio transformer is used to supply a pre-plasma current signal to the ignitor gap at a predetermined time following the high voltage spark thereby ensuring that the ionized channel is developed to a more conductive state prior to introduction of the pre-plasma signal into the ignitor gap. Once the sustaining voltage for sustaining plasma flow through the channel has stabilized to a sufficiently low voltage, a high current main plasma signal is supplied to the ignitor gap thereby expanding plasma flow in the area surrounding the ignitor gap and providing a high quality ignition source for use in internal combustion engines.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine comprising an electromagnetic energy accumulator, a power source for supplying electromagnetic energy to the electromagnetic energy accumulator increasing an electromgnetic supplying line, a switching device responsive to rotation of the engine for controlling the supply of energy from the power source to the accumulator, a transformer having a primary winding connected to the accumulator, and a secondary winding for inducing a flow of electromagnetic energy in the secondary winding in response to the flow of electromagnetic energy in the primary winding, a rectifier for controlling the direction of flow of the electromagnetic energy in the primary winding and a spark generator connected to the secondary winding of the transformer for generating an electric spark in response to the energy flowing in the secondary winding.

Abstract: A multi spark ignition system using an ignition capacitor and an ignition transformer uses a device for providing charging energy to the ignition capacitor. A field effect discharge switching means is used for discharging the energy that is stored in the ignition capacitor through the primary winding of an ignition transformer. An oscillator is used for causing the discharging switching circuit to operate intermittently with a proper cycle. An additional controlling circuit controls the consumption of additional magnetic energy which is stored in the ignition transformer when it is in its non-operative state. Two returning means are used to consume the magnetic energy or for returning the energy and the ignition transformer under the non-operative and operative states of the discharge switching circuit.

Abstract: An ignition system having a first primary coil magnetically coupled only to a first second coil and a second primary coil magnetically coupled only to a second secondary coil. The secondary coils are electrically coupled to the output terminals through a diode steering circuit for connecting both secondary coils in voltage-aiding series such that the sum of the voltages on both secondary coils is coupled across the output terminals when both primary coils are simultaneously actuated; only the first secondary coil is coupled across the output terminals when only the first primary coil is actuated; and only the second secondary coil is coupled across the output terminals when only the second primary coil is actuated.

Abstract: Ignition apparatus for providing plasma ignition for an engine, which ignition apparatus comprises a switching circuit, a wave form generator for generating an a.c. wave form output, a power amplifier circuit for amplifying the output from the wave form generator, a d.c. to d.c. inverter, and a transformer having primary and secondary windings, the primary winding being connected to the power amplifier circuit for receiving the output from the power amplifier circuit, and the secondary winding being connected to the d.c. to d.c. inverter, and the wave form generator and the d.c. to d.c. inverter being connected in parallel so that during operation of the ignition apparatus high voltage a.c. from the wave form generator carries and sustains d.c. which is from the d.c. to d.c. inverter and which is required for the plasma.

Abstract: In a capacitive ignition system for an internal combustion engine, the discharging and charging of an ignition capacitor is controlled by a control unit which actuates a first circuit-breaking element in a discharging circuit and a second circuit-breaking element in a charging circuit. For the purpose of prolonging the ignition sparks so as to reliably ignite, especially in a lean fuel/air mixture, the control unit, at a time following the ordinary ignition time, actuates the second circuit-breaking element in such a way that it is kept conductive simultaneously with the first circuit-breaking element. Current is then supplied from an electrical energy source and via a primary winding. Thereafter, the control unit actuates either the first or second circuit-breaking elements in such a way that the current supply via the primary winding is interrupted, by which means a renewed ignition voltage is obtained which prolongs the ordinary ignition spark.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and device for igniting engines of automobiles and the like, and more particularly for igniting the engines by applying the same secondary high voltage polarity to all of the spark plugs under each of both compression and exhaust strokes in the case of the so-called simultaneous ignition system.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided an ignition system having a direct current source, a primary voltage stabilizing power source for the generation of a stabilized voltage from the direct current source, a high-tension transformer which receives the voltage from the primary voltage stabilizing power source and applies a high voltage developed on its secondary side to a discharge load, and a switching element for controlling the primary current in the transformer. At least two of those components are integrally connected, or means for detecting an abnormal condition of the direct current source is disposed within the case containing the primary voltage stabilizing power source, whereby connection or insulation between components can be done easily and there are attained simplification of the assembling work, reduction of noise and improvement of maintainability.

Abstract: An ignition system for hydrocarbon fuels based in part on the principle of "flame discharge ignition" of coupling ignition energy to the initial flame front plasma either as a "pulsing flame discharge ignition" or an "enhanced conventional discharge ignition". Electrical, geometrical, spark, and hydrocarbon flame front plasma discharge properties are taken into account and adjusted or tailored to create a flame discharge ignition process capable of igniting very lean mixtures. The system is further improved by modifying the fuel's flame front plasma properties by increasing the ratio of the carbon to hydrogen (C/H) content of the fuel and/or by using additives to further increase the flame front plasma density without reducing the plasma recombination coefficient.

Abstract: In a magnet-flywheel, capacitive-discharge ignition unit, for internal combustion engines, besides a high-impedance winding intended for feeding the capacitor connected to the primary winding of the ignition coil, also a low-impedence winding is provided, which is connected to the primary winding, and has the task of prolonging the ignition discharge.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for generating high voltage pulses from DC voltage. The circuit includes a transformer comprising at least two primary windings and secondary windings, in which the primary windings are serial connected with at least one diode, a switching circuit and a voltage source. A first capacitor is connected in parallel with the first primary winding and diode, and in series with the secondary primary winding. The switching circuit is formed from the emitter-collector-section of a switching transistor. The output of a transistor amplifier is connected to the base of the switching transistor. The input of the transistor amplifier is coupled with the output of a control circuit. Two serial connected resistors are inserted between the input of the transistor amplifier and the output of the control circuit. The emitter-collector-section of a first transistor is connected to the common terminal of both the resistors. A voltage divider is connected to the base of the first transistor.

Abstract: An Electromagnetic Ignition system suitable for adaptation to standard automobile engines including diesel engines, which has been improved by means of a high efficiency RF capacitive spark plug with a projecting antenna tip used for forming very large spark gaps to the plug shell and piston face as well as for coupling high electric fields to the local initial flame plasma, preferably used in combination with shielded high voltage cable including series inductive choke elements and a Capacitive Discharge ignition system incorporating an input capacitor, a SCR switch, an ignition coil with an optimized high current and high output voltage, and preferably a synchronous DC-DC power converter providing "boost power" during ignition so that substantial capacitive, inductive, and electromagnetic energy is supplied to the air-fuel mixture. Preferably the coil has a turns ratio of 50 with the input capacitor having a capacitance between 5 and 10 microfarads and a 400 volts rating.

Abstract: A pulse generating circuit for a plasma ignition system includes a thyristor connected between a supply terminal and earth. A primary winding (Wp) of a transformer (TR) and a first capacitor (C.sub.1) are connected across the thyristor. The supply terminal is also connected through a secondary winding (W.sub.s) and a diode (D) to an output terminal. A saturable core inductor (L) and a second capacitor (C.sub.2) are connected in series across the output terminal and earth. A plasma plug is also connected across the output terminal and earth. In operation, the first and second capacitors are charged and the thyristor is fired. A high voltage pulse is applied by the secondary winding (W.sub.s) to the plasma plug causing electric breakdown. The second capacitor (C.sub.2) then discharges through the inductor (L) and the plasma plug. Four alternative circuits are also described.

Abstract: An ignition system having a low voltage source serving as a starting point for producing of an ignition voltage at least one ignition spark gap via at least one ignition branch, said branch including a said ignition spark gap, a high voltage capacitor, a high voltage transformer for producing a voltage at the high voltage capacitor of at least the same order of magnitude as said ignition voltage, an auxiliary spark gap having a breakdown threshold, and timing control means for controlling voltage delivery timing to said branch; wherein said auxiliary spark gap is disposed at an output side of said high voltage transformer and said high voltage capacitor is coupled to said auxiliary spark gap in a manner causing the high voltage capacitor to discharge to said ignition spark gap when the breakdown threshold of the auxiliary spark gap is exceeded; wherein the high voltage transformer has minimum inductances and minimum impedances; wherein a medium voltage transformer for producing a voltage between the low volta

Abstract: The invention teaches an ignition device for internal combustion engines, comprising at least one spark gap with two ignition electrodes for generating ignition sparks between them, whereby neither of the two ignition electrodes is connected to the ground potential of the internal combustion engines; an ignition current source which is coupled to the ignition electrodes, insulated from ground, to generate the sparks, and forming an ignition circuit therewith; a voltage source, which has one pole at ground, while its other pole is connected to the ignition circuit, so that the ignition circuit is at the same potential as the voltage source and a separate plasma circuit is formed which comprises the voltage source, at least one of the two electrodes, a plasma composed of hot combustion gases between the ignition electrodes and ground, in a series circuit; and means in the plasma circuit which deliver an output pulse corresponding to the strength and time pattern of the current in the plasma circuit.

Abstract: A current-interrupting type ignition device having an ignition coil having a primary winding, a secondary winding and an auxiliary winding disposed in the primary circuit, the number of turns of the auxiliary winding being less than that of the primary one. The auxiliary winding is energized in such a manner that electromagnetic flux passes in a direction opposite to that of the primary winding when energized. In this arrangement current flows through the auxiliary winding via a transistor and a diode when the primary current flowing through the primary winding is interrupted, thereby adding a voltage induced across the secondary winding by the transferring effect upon the energization of the auxiliary winding to the corresponding high voltage induced across the secondary winding upon the interruption of the current flow through the primary winding.

Abstract: A spark plug for an ignition system has a ring gap between two electrodes. A first electrode has a ring shape defining a central opening. A second electrode is positioned within the central opening of the first electrode. An insulating material is positioned between the first and second electrodes so as to provide a surface for a spark path between the first and second electrodes. The insulating material is spaced from the electrode so as to provide therebetween an air gap for increased sparking.

Abstract: An high-energy ignition device having an igniter coil adapted to produce a high voltage for allowing an electric discharge between electrodes of a sparking plug in accordance with the output from an ignition circuit, and a DC-DC converter adapted to produce a voltage high enough to maintain the electric discharge in the sparking plug. The DC-DC converter is connected such that the output thereof is superposed to the discharge current produced by the igniter coil. The igniter coil and the transformer of the DC-DC converter are integrated with a forming resin. Consequently, the electrical insulation between the parts is improved and the mounting of the ignition device on vehicles is facilitated.