Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes an ignition coil, a first switch, a secondary current adjuster, and controller The ignition coil includes a primary coil, a core, and a secondary coil. The first switch switches an energized state of the primary coil between an ON state and an OFF state. The secondary current adjuster adjusts a current value of a secondary current flowing through the secondary coil. The controller controls the secondary current adjuster so that a current value of the secondary current in at least a part of a charging period of the ignition plug, which is a period from when the energized state of the primary coil is switched from the ON state to the OFF state by the first switch to when dielectric breakdown occurs in the ignition plug, becomes smaller than a peak value of the secondary current after the dielectric breakdown occurs.

Abstract: An apparatus for high-power combining includes multiple power-combining building blocks, a passive input network to couple one or more input signals to one or more input ports of the multiple power-combining building blocks, and a passive output network to couple to output ports of the multiple power-combining building blocks and to generate one or more amplified output signals. Each power-combining building block includes M high-power amplifiers (HPAs) coupled in parallel to a respective passive input network and a respective passive output network. A count of the multiple power-combining building blocks is determined based on a desired total number N of the HPAs and a number M of the HPAs in each power-combining building block.

Abstract: A power supply may include a power block to receive an input power and generate an output power; and a control system coupled to the power block, wherein the power block and control system are arranged to provide unidirectional current flow and bipolar voltage during operation of the power supply.

Abstract: Provided is a discharge stopping device for stopping a spark discharge during discharge, including an ignition plug, an ignition coil, a power source device, a first switch, and a controller which causes a spark discharge to be generated by controlling the switching of the first switch, the discharge stopping device further including a second switch which is disposed in a current circulation path connecting both ends of a primary coil of the ignition coil and switches the current circulation path between connected and disconnected states, wherein the controller includes a re-energization control process unit which switches the first switch to a connected state and re-energizes the primary coil with current during occurrence of the spark discharge, and a circulation control process unit which switches a second switch to a connected state and sets a current circulation path to a connected state during occurrence of the spark discharge.

Abstract: A corona ignition system including a corona igniter, switches, and a programmable controller capable of rapidly adjusting to changes in resonant frequency is provided. Energy at a drive frequency and an output current is provided to the corona igniter. Switches provide energy to the corona igniter at the drive frequency and are activated at different times. The controller obtains the output current provided to the corona igniter, typically once every half cycle, and activates the first switch a predetermined amount of time after a first zero crossing of the output current, wherein the first zero crossing is a zero crossing of the most recent full cycle of the output current. The second switch is activated a predetermined amount of time after a second zero crossing occurring after the first zero crossing. The delay of the system is accounted for by the controller, rather than other components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a corona ignition device that has a high-frequency generator and a resonant circuit that contains an ignition electrode, wherein a primary voltage is fed into the high-frequency generator, the resonant circuit is excited by a secondary voltage generated by the high-frequency generator, and a corona discharge is thus produced at the ignition electrode, a series of values of an electric variable are measured during the excitation of the resonant circuit, it is checked, by evaluating the measured values, whether the corona discharge has transitioned into an arc discharge, and a determination of an arc discharge is responded to by reducing the secondary voltage and thus extinguishing the arc discharge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the combustion chamber of a cyclically operating combustion engine in which an air-fuel-mixture is ignited by means of a corona discharge generated by an electrical oscillating circuit in which an ignition electrode, which is electrically isolated from the combustion chamber walls, and the combustion chamber walls form a capacitor, wherein by evaluating an electrical parameter of the oscillating circuit information about the combustion chamber is gained. The voltage exciting the oscillating circuit is reduced after the beginning of the combustion and the oscillating circuit is then excited with a reduced voltage.

Abstract: A corona ignition system for igniting fuel in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, comprising a oscillating circuit, which contains an ignition electrode, a high-frequency generator, which is connected to the oscillating circuit, in order to produce an AC voltage to excite the oscillating circuit, a converter in order to produce an input voltage for the high-frequency generator from an on-board supply voltage, a voltage controller to stabilize the input voltage produced by the converter for the high-frequency generator, and a control unit for controlling the high-frequency generator, wherein the control unit communicates an imminent load change of the converter to the voltage regulator, before the load change occurs as a result of activation or deactivation of the high-frequency generator. A method for controlling a corona ignition system is also described.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating an ignition device for an internal combustion engine, which ignition device includes an ignition coil configured as a transformer, a spark plug connected to the secondary winding of the ignition coil, an actuable switching element connected in series to the primary winding of the ignition coil, and a control unit connected to the control input of the switching element, wherein the control unit provides an adjustable supply voltage for the ignition coil and an actuating signal for the switching element as a function of the currents through the primary and the secondary windings of the ignition coil and the voltage between the connecting point of the primary winding of the ignition coil to the switching element and the negative terminal of the supply voltage, as a result of which firstly operation of the spark plug by way of alternating current is possible and secondly regulation of said current is possible, which leads to more reliable ignition with a lower wear of the spark

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to an ignition semiconductor device that includes an output IGBT for ON-OFF control of a primary current in an ignition coil and a current control circuit for controlling a magnitude of the primary current in the ignition coil, the current control circuit being operated by the voltage between the gate terminal and the emitter terminal. The current control circuit can include a sense IGBT, a sense resistance, a gate resistance, a reference voltage, level shift circuits, a self shut down signal generator, a self shut down circuit, an operational amplifier, a MOSFET, a gate voltage control circuit , a pulse generation circuit, and a switching circuit. The self shut down signal generator, on detecting an abnormal state, can deliver a self shut down signal and the pulse generation circuit can generate a pulse signal to short-circuit the switching circuit.

Abstract: A method for controlling the power supply of a radiofrequency spark plug in an internal combustion engine up to an electric voltage sufficient for generating a highly branched spark. To this end, the electric voltage for powering the spark plug is increased step by step up to an adequate voltage adapted for ignition.

Abstract: The disclosure relates methods and related systems for controlling corona discharge in a combustion chamber without causing an arc strike. The methods can include measuring a baseline impedance of a circuit in electrical communication with an electrode, measuring an actual impedance of the circuit, determining an impedance setpoint based at least in part on the baseline impedance, comparing the actual impedance to the impedance setpoint, and adjusting the actual impedance based at least in part on the comparison between the actual impedance and the impedance setpoint. The electrode is arranged to deliver a corona discharge to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A corona ignition system 20 includes a corona drive circuit 26 and an auxiliary energy circuit 28. The energy circuit 28 stores energy during a standard corona ignition cycle. When arc discharge occurs or corona discharge switches to an arc discharge, the energy circuit 28 discharges the stored energy to the electrode 30 to intentionally maintain a robust arc discharge 29 and thus provide reliable ignition. The stored energy is transmitted to the electrode 30 over a predetermined period of time. The arc discharge is detected and an arc control signal 60 is transmitted to the energy circuit 28, triggering discharge of the stored energy to the electrode 30. The stored energy can be transmitted to the electrode 30 along a variety of different paths. The voltage of the stored energy is typically increased by an energy transformer 70 before being transmitted to the electrode 30.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for adjusting the operation of a gasoline-fueled engine based on monitored conditions within a combustion chamber of the engine. In some cases, the system monitors regions within the combustion chamber, identifies or determines a satisfactory condition, and applies an ionization voltage to a fuel injector to initiate a combustion event during the satisfactory condition. In some cases, the system monitors the conditions within the combustion chamber, determines a monitored condition is associated with an adjustment, and adjusts a parameters of a combustion event in order to adjust ionization levels within a combustion chamber.

Abstract: An ignition device includes a spark plug and an ignition coil. The spark plug is attached to a cylinder head such that a center electrode and a ground electrode project into a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, airflow is generated in a predetermined direction to the spark plug during a compression step. The ignition coil has a primary coil and a secondary coil. An output voltage of the secondary coil after interruption of energization of the primary coil is restricted to a predetermined voltage or less. The ground electrode has a leg portion extending from a housing of the spark plug and an opposing portion that extends in a direction intersecting with the leg portion and forms a gap by opposing the center electrode. The leg portion is attached to a position further upstream than the gap in a flow direction of the airflow during the compression step.

Abstract: An ignition device has a high voltage transformer having a primary side and a secondary side, of which the primary side is connected to a high voltage source and the secondary side is connected to a spark path to provide the ignition spark. The time variation in the primary current flowing on the primary side is measured and subdivided at least into a spark burning phase and a subsequent free-running phase of the high voltage transformer. The transition from the spark burning phase into the free-running phase is equated to the moment of extinction of the ignition spark. The time variation of the primary current in the spark burning phase is mapped by a first function and in the free-running phase by a second function, and the intersection point of the two functions is equated to the moment of extinction of the ignition spark.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a glow plug to a target value of the surface temperature while the engine is running. An effective voltage is generated by pulse width modulation of a vehicle electrical system voltage. This effective voltage is applied to the glow plug. The electric resistance of the glow plug is measured and compared to a resistance value expected for the target value of the surface temperature. The effective voltage is varied as a function of the deviation of the measured value of the electric resistance from the expected value of the electric resistance. A pressure sensor of the glow plug is used to measure the combustion chamber pressure. The resistance value expected for the target value of the surface temperature is determined as a function of the combustion chamber pressure.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes an ignition coil which is feedable on its primary side by a voltage supply unit, a secondary current measuring device for measuring the course of the secondary side current, a control device for at least temporary controlling of the primary side voltage or the primary side current in dependence on the measured course of the secondary side current. Subsequent to an interruption of the primary side voltage or current supply of the ignition coil during an ignition process or subsequent to the drop of the primary side voltage or the primary side current in the ignition coil below a predeterminable threshold during the ignition process, the control device energizes or regulates the primary side voltage or current supply of the ignition coil above the predeterminable threshold only when the secondary side current induced thereby acts in the direction of the predetermined course of the secondary side current.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the combustion chamber of a cyclically operating combustion engine in which an air-fuel-mixture is ignited by means of a corona discharge generated by an electrical oscillating circuit in which an ignition electrode, which is electrically isolated from the combustion chamber walls, and the combustion chamber walls form a capacitor, wherein by evaluating an electrical parameter of the oscillating circuit information about the combustion chamber is gained. The voltage exciting the oscillating circuit is reduced after the beginning of the combustion and the oscillating circuit is then excited with a reduced voltage.

Abstract: The ignition device for the internal combustion engine includes: an ignition plug including a first electrode and a second electrode opposed to each other via a predetermined gap, for generating in the predetermined gap a spark discharge for igniting a combustible mixture in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine; an ignition coil including a primary coil and a secondary coil, for generating a high voltage in the secondary coil by supplying or stopping a primary current flowing through the primary coil, and then applying the generated high voltage to the first electrode; and a control unit for driving the ignition coil for a plurality of times within a single ignition process, and changing a primary voltage for driving the ignition coil within the single ignition process.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes an ignition coil designed as a transformer, the secondary winding thereof being designed to connect to a spark plug, an actuatable switch element connected in series with the primary winding of the ignition coil, and a controller connected to the primary winding of the ignition coil and the control input of the switching element. The controller has a voltage converter which provides a supply voltage for the ignition coil at the output thereof and which can be connected to a motor vehicle electrical system voltage, a controllable changeover switch for applying the supply voltage at either positive or negative polarity to the series circuit of the primary winding of the ignition coil and the switching element, depending on a control signal, and a control circuit which generates the control signal based on a phase of the ignition process.

Abstract: A fixing member of solar battery modules for fixing edges of module glass to a roofboard by solar battery modules supporting a first frame body, including: a to-be connected portion to restrict the first frame body from moving upward; a pedestal to restrict the first frame body from moving downward; a portion connecting the pedestal and to-be connected portion to restrict solar battery modules from moving in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the first frame body and outwardly along a surface of solar battery modules; and a plate-like portion extending outward farther than one side of the pedestal, the fixing member being fixed to the roofboard through the plate-like portion, supported on both sides of the portion connecting the pedestal and to-be connected portion such that upper surfaces of adjacent solar battery modules are substantially flush with each other, and slidable along the first frame body.

Abstract: An engine ignition control device includes: a pulser; and a control unit, which includes a micro control unit (MCU) and a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB is electrically connected to the micro control unit, wherein the PCB includes a back porch signal generating circuit. The back porch signal generating circuit is electrically connected to the micro control unit, and includes a bipolar junction transistor (BJT). Emitter (E) of the bipolar junction transistor is electrically connected to the pulser, collector (C) of the bipolar junction transistor is electrically connected to the micro control unit, and base (B) of the bipolar junction transistor is increased to a predetermined voltage level that is larger than 0V.

Abstract: A plasma ignition device comprising: an ignition plug; an ignition circuit applying a high voltage to the plug to start discharge; a power supply circuit including a battery section for supplying an electric energy to a discharge space of the plug having impedance reduced by discharge start, and a charging section charging the battery section with a boosted voltage by a booster circuit, wherein the power supply circuit including: a first means 610 for stopping a boosting operation of the booster circuit when the charging section voltage is equal or higher than a first reference for high-voltage abnormality; a second means 630 for detecting the charging section abnormal voltage by comparison with a second reference for low-voltage abnormality for detecting ground to conduct a given control on the power supply circuit; a third means 600 for invalidating the control of the second means until the charging section is sufficiently charged.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating an ignition device for an internal combustion engine, which ignition device includes an ignition coil configured as a transformer, a spark plug connected to the secondary winding of the ignition coil, an actuable switching element connected in series to the primary winding of the ignition coil, and a control unit connected to the control input of the switching element, wherein the control unit provides an adjustable supply voltage for the ignition coil and an actuating signal for the switching element as a function of the currents through the primary and the secondary windings of the ignition coil and the voltage between the connecting point of the primary winding of the ignition coil to the switching element and the negative terminal of the supply voltage, as a result of which firstly operation of the spark plug by way of alternating current is possible and secondly regulation of said current is possible, which leads to more reliable ignition with a lower wear of the spark

Abstract: A method includes determining the moment of extinction of an ignition spark of an ignition device for an internal combustion engine, wherein the ignition device has a high voltage transformer having a primary side and a secondary side, of which the primary side is connected to a high voltage source and the secondary side is connected to a spark path to provide the ignition spark. The time variation in the primary current flowing on the primary side is measured and subdivided at least into a spark burning phase and a subsequent free-running phase of the high voltage transformer, and the transition from the spark burning phase into the free-running phase is equated to the moment of extinction of the ignition spark. The time variation of the primary current in the spark burning phase is mapped by a first function and in the free-running phase by a second function, and the intersection point of the two functions is equated to the moment of extinction of the ignition spark.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spark plug arc intensifier system that influences the arc of the spark plug at any given performance of the gasoline engine. The intensifier system consists of a microcomputer that applies an additional signal to the lead-in wire coming from the transformer coil of the engine to influence the intensity of arc of the spark plug. This system results in a complete burning of the air/fuel mixture that is prevalent at the time of combustion. This system then results in a cleaner environment, less fuel consumption and a more powerful performance of the engine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a glow plug to a target value of the surface temperature while the engine is running, wherein an effective voltage is generated by pulse width modulation of a vehicle electrical system voltage and this effective voltage is applied to the glow plug, the electric resistance of the glow plug is measured and compared to a resistance value expected for the target value of the surface temperature, and the effective voltage is varied as a function of the deviation of the measured value of the electric resistance from the expected value of the electric resistance. According to the invention, a pressure sensor of the glow plug is used to measure the combustion chamber pressure and the resistance value expected for the target value of the surface temperature is determined as a function of the combustion chamber pressure.

Abstract: The internal-combustion-engine ignition diagnosis apparatus is configured in such a way that the first duration setting unit sets the first detection duration in a predetermined duration including a time instant when the spark discharge is generated, the second duration setting unit sets the second detection duration after the first detection duration, the diagnosis unit determines normality of the spark discharge, based on a signal state in the second detection duration, and regardless of the signal state in the second detection duration, determines abnormality of the spark discharge, based on a signal state in the first detection duration.

Abstract: A coil failure detection circuit detects a rise of a collector current of an IGBT and a timer circuit measures the length of a rise period. If the rise is not a normal one, an electronic control unit judges that a coil failure has occurred. The electronic control unit turns off the IGBT to prevent misfires and stops a flow of fuel gas to a combustion chamber to prevent melting or deterioration of a catalyst.

Abstract: A corona ignition system and method for igniting combustible gaseous mixtures includes the detection and control of arcing such that when arcing occurs, it is detected and the voltage to the ignitor increased to ensure sustained arcing for a period of time and of such quality that combustion of the mixture occurs through spark ignition for a period of time, after which the voltage is decreased to restore ignition by corona discharge only.

Abstract: A method for controlling the power supply of a radiofrequency spark plug in an internal combustion engine up to an electric voltage sufficient for generating a highly branched spark. To this end, the electric voltage for powering the spark plug is increased step by step up to an adequate voltage adapted for ignition.

Abstract: A glow plug control unit is provided that includes a first switch for connecting power supply lines to a glow plug. The glow plug control unit further includes a voltage measurement unit for measuring the voltage at the power supply lines. A current measurement unit is built for measuring the current through the first switch and a control circuit is built for controlling the first switch and, in a current control mode, for regulating the current through the first switch.

Abstract: The disclosure relates methods and related systems for controlling corona discharge in a combustion chamber without causing an arc strike. The methods can include measuring a baseline impedance of a circuit in electrical communication with an electrode, measuring an actual impedance of the circuit, determining an impedance setpoint based at least in part on the baseline impedance, comparing the actual impedance to the impedance setpoint, and adjusting the actual impedance based at least in part on the comparison between the actual impedance and the impedance setpoint. The electrode is arranged to deliver a corona discharge to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a glow plug with the engine running, wherein an effective voltage is generated from a vehicle electrical system voltage by pulse width modulation, the effective voltage is applied to the glow plug and changed as a function of engine parameters, a target value of the effective voltage that is dependent on the engine parameters and to which the effective voltage is changed is specified, a maximum increment for a change of the actual value of the effective voltage in at least one direction is specified, and a change of the actual value in at least one direction to a target value that deviates from the actual value by more than the maximum increment is carried out in several steps. The invention further relates to a controller which carries out such a method during operation.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling one or more glowplugs in a compression-ignition engine. The controlling of the glowplug involves the prediction of a glow plug temperature to control a power supply to the glowplug. A supplied power to a glowplug and a combustion chamber temperature is determined. A temperature of the glowplug is predicted and the predicted glowplug temperature is used to control a power supply to the glowplug. The predicted glowplug temperature is derived from a numerical solution of a differential equation for the glowplug temperature. The differential equation is nonlinear in the glowplug temperature.

Abstract: A method for using a glow plug in a diesel engine includes, but is not limited to a first step of providing an electrical energy source for supplying an electrical current through the glow plug, a second step of measuring the electrical current, a third step of calculating a voltage across the glow plug using a measured value of the electrical current, and a fourth step of controlling the electrical current through the glow plug using the calculated voltage.

Abstract: An Ignition device for an internal combustion engine including a control device and an ignition coil which is feedable on its primary side by a voltage supply unit. The control device is provided to interrupt or reduce the voltage impressed on the primary side of the ignition coil when a magnitude of a magnetic induction B on the primary side of the ignition coil is greater than a predeterminable maximum value.

Abstract: In a circuit for and a method of detecting combustion-relevant variables in an internal combustion engine an ionization signal is determined in dependence on the flame. To improve the accuracy of detection the ionisation measurement circuit is connected to the ignition electrode and decoupled from the ignition coil by way of a decoupling means. In the method a voltage potential is built up in a measurement voltage storage unit in the ignition phase with an ignition current. During at least one measurement phase the voltage potential is applied by way of a measurement resistor to an ignition electrode, wherein the ignition voltage is decoupled from the measurement voltage storage unit or from the measurement resistor when the voltage falls below a threshold voltage.

Abstract: A glow plug control unit is provided that comprises a first switch for connecting power supply lines to a glow plug. The glow plug control unit further comprises a voltage measurement unit for measuring the voltage at the power supply lines. A current measurement unit is built for measuring the current through the first switch and a control circuit is built for controlling the first switch and, in a current control mode, for regulating the current through the first switch.

Abstract: The internal-combustion-engine ignition diagnosis apparatus is configured in such a way that the first duration setting unit sets the first detection duration in a predetermined duration including a time instant when the spark discharge is generated, the second duration setting unit sets the second detection duration after the first detection duration, the diagnosis unit determines normality of the spark discharge, based on a signal state in the second detection duration, and regardless of the signal state in the second detection duration, determines abnormality of the spark discharge, based on a signal state in the first detection duration.

Abstract: Ignition device for an internal combustion engine comprising an ignition coil which is feedable on its primary side by a voltage supply unit and a secondary current measuring device for measuring the course of the secondary side current and a control device for at least temporary controlling of the primary side voltage or the primary side current in dependence on the measured course of the secondary side current, wherein, subsequent to an interruption of the primary side voltage or current supply of the ignition coil during an ignition process or subsequent to the drop of the primary side voltage or the primary side current in the ignition coil below a predeterminable threshold during the ignition process, said control device energises or regulates the primary side voltage or current supply of the ignition coil above the predeterminable threshold only when the secondary side current induced thereby acts in the direction of the predetermined course of the secondary side current.

Abstract: An Ignition device for an internal combustion engine comprising a control device and an ignition coil which is feedable on its primary side by a voltage supply unit, wherein said control device is provided to interrupt or reduce the voltage impressed on the primary side of the ignition coil when a magnitude of a magnetic induction B on the primary side of the ignition coil is greater than a predeterminable maximum value.

Abstract: An inductive ignition circuit (10) especially adapted for use with micro-turbine and other small-sized turbine engines such as are used in electric generators. The inductive ignition circuit (10) includes a flyback transformer (14), a drive circuit (16) for energizing the primary (22) of the transformer (14), and a control circuit (18) that temporarily disables the drive circuit (16) once the transformer primary (22) has been sufficiently energized. The drive circuit includes a switching transistor (20) which is biased on to draw current through the primary (22). The control circuit (18) includes two feedback circuits (42,44), one of which initiates disabling of the transistor (20) to cause the transformer flyback and the second of which sets the spark rate. The first feedback circuit (42) monitors the primary current and disables the transistor (20) once the current exceeds a pre-selected level.

Abstract: A multichannel ignition circuit for controlling a supply of current to a plurality of ignition coils for use with an internal combustion engine. Each of the ignition coils includes a primary coil and a secondary coil. A controller generates the plurality of ignition timing pulses. A driving/switching circuit having a plurality of drivers are operable to be turned on upon receipt of one of the ignition timing pulses from the controller. Each of the ignition coils is operable to generate a firing voltage upon one of the drivers being turned on. A current limiting circuit is operable to regulate an amount of current through each of the ignition coils when the internal combustion engine is operating below a threshold.

Abstract: A system for controlling ignition energy of 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 operable to induce 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 for controllably shunting the primary coil to thereby control the duration of discharge current across the spark gap of the ignition plug. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, means are further provided for drawing discharge current away from the ignition plug to thereby limit the magnitude of the discharge current within some time period after the transfer of energy from the primary coil to the secondary coil begins.

Abstract: The present invention is an electrical system for an engine of the type used to power a watercraft. A primary power supply of the system is connected to a main circuit by a feed circuit. A main switch controls the flow of power from the primary power supply to the main circuit through the feed circuit. An auxiliary power supply is connected to the main circuit in a manner which allows power to flow from the auxiliary power supply to the main circuit even if the main switch is preventing power to flow from the primary power supply to the main circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a plasma discharge for ignition in an internal combustion engine. A digital electronic system controls ignition performance and can provide an ignition discharge throughout an entire power stroke of a piston in a cylinder. The discharge can be controlled by a signal from a conventional distributor, crank trigger or other source. Controllable discharge of a capacitor occurs through the primary winding of an ignition coil. In addition, the capacitor may be both discharged and recharged in an oscillatory manner through the primary of the ignition coil. Such oscillatory discharging and recharging of the capacitor results in energy being delivered to the spark plug during both discharge and recharge cycles, thereby resulting in the delivery of discharge energy to the spark plug on a substantially continuous basis.

Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine capable of starting the engine even when a battery voltage is insufficient for ignition. A secondary voltage feedback circuit connected to a secondary winding of a transformer constituting a part of a DC--DC converter rectifies a secondary voltage of polarity opposite to that of the voltage applied to an ignition capacitor. The rectified voltage is fed back to the output side of the battery to compensate for lowering of voltage supplied to an ignition control circuit (10) from the battery (3).

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.