Patent ID: 9422912
Filing Date: 2016-08-23
CPC Classification: F02P,H01T

Claim Text:
1. A method for controlling a corona ignition device having a high-frequency generator and a resonant circuit that contains an ignition electrode, the method comprising: feeding a primary voltage into the high-frequency generator, exciting the resonant circuit by a secondary voltage generated by the high-frequency generator, and thereby creating a corona discharge at the ignition electrode; measuring a series of values of an electric variable during the excitation of the resonant circuit; analyzing the measured values to determine whether the corona discharge has transitioned into an arc discharge; and reducing the secondary voltage if an arc discharge is detected and thereby extinguishing the arc discharge; wherein the method is carried out with a running engine, and, after the arc discharge has been extinguished, the secondary voltage is increased during the same engine cycle in which the arc discharge has been extinguished, and a corona discharge is thus recreated.