Abstract: A solid-state exciter circuit for establishing arc discharges in igniter devices. The exciter circuit includes first and second transformers, first and second main discharge capacitors, and first and second exciter sub-circuits for controlling the charging and discharging of the latter capacitors. The exciter sub-circuits independently generate component ignition or drive pulses each of which has a magnitude and duration that is optimized for a respective part of an ignition event. The exciter circuit then combines these pulses to produce a composite ignition pulse having voltage and current waveforms that so match the discharge characteristics of an igniter that the latter generates an arc of the desired magnitude and duration substantially without being overexcited or underexcited.

Abstract: A current control circuit for high voltage applications includes series-connected high and low voltage sources through which the current to be regulated flows. The low voltage source is a capacitor which is periodically recharged through a flyback transformer by a series of constant energy pulses having a very low duty cycle. The peak value of the flyback pulses are detected to provide a "condition signal" which is representative of the state-of-charge on the capacitor and can be used to protectively inhibit operation of the control circuit and can, in a variant of the circuit be used as an error control signal to maintain the current at a constant level. In the preferred embodiment a sensing capacitor is placed in parallel to the pulsed capacitor to detect the fluctuations in potential and form a sense current which is representative of the regulated current and which is used in a feedback loop to form a control signal for maintaining the regulated current constant.