Patent ID: 6603216
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: F02C,F02P,Y02T

Abstract:
An exciter circuit for firing at least one igniter plug, comprising:an energy storage device; a charging circuit having an input, an output, and a ferro-resonant transformer network that includes a saturating transformer with a primary winding connected to said input and a secondary winding connected to said output, said transformer network further including an inductive coil in series with said primary winding and a capacitor connected to said primary winding; and a discharge circuit having a high voltage output connected to said energy storage device; wherein operating power received by said charging circuit via said input is stored in said energy storage device; and wherein said ferro-resonant transformer network has a resonant frequency that is determined at least in part by the inductance of said coil and the capacitance of said capacitor and wherein, during operation of said exciter circuit, current flow through said coil and said primary causes saturation of said transformer.