Patent ID: 8640665
Filing Date: 2014-02-04
Classification: F02P

Abstract:
1. A method for igniting a fuel/air mixture in a combustion chamber of a cyclically operating internal combustion engine using an ignition electrode which constitutes a capacitance in cooperation with a wall of the combustion chamber that is at ground potential, the method comprising: exiting an electric oscillating circuit, which is connected to a secondary side of an electric DC/AC converter and the ignition electrode, by way of a primary voltage applied to a primary side of the electric DC/AC converter; controlling the excitation of the oscillating circuit in order that a corona discharge igniting the fuel/air mixture is created in the combustion chamber at the ignition electrode; and controlling the primary voltage to a specified setpoint value which is changed during the duration of the corona discharge and is dependent upon a crankshaft angle and on at least one characteristic value of the fuel/air mixture, wherein the characteristic value is calculated on the basis of at least one of the following: air mass or fuel mass.