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A capacitive discharge ignition system in which a controllable switch is positioned between a storage capacitor and the primary winding of an ignition transformer. The switch is controlled to create a train of pulses to the primary winding timed to reinforce the ringing action of the ignition transf

A capacitive discharge ignition system in which a controllable switch is positioned between a storage capacitor and the primary winding of an ignition transformer. The switch is controlled to create a train of pulses to the primary winding timed to reinforce the ringing action of the ignition transformer.

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The invention claimed is: 1. In a capacitive discharge ignition system for an internal combustion engine comprising: a storage capacitor; a power supply connected in series with the storage capacitor; an ignition transformer having primary and secondary windings; and a controllable switch; the prim

The invention claimed is: 1. In a capacitive discharge ignition system for an internal combustion engine comprising: a storage capacitor; a power supply connected in series with the storage capacitor; an ignition transformer having primary and secondary windings; and a controllable switch; the primary winding of the ignition transformer and the storage capacitor being connected in series through the controllable switch; a spark plug connected in series with the secondary winding of the ignition transformer; the improvement comprising an electronic control circuit for driving the controllable switch which is operating in synchronism with the engine such that the switch is initially closed for a period of time to transfer energy to the ignition coil primary, that after this time, the switch is then opened for a second period of time and then the switch is again closed creating a pulse train, such that the switch is controlled by a successive string of control pulses to the switch, each of the individual pulse times having a duration and spacing as determined by the control circuit, these pulses being arranged in time to occur when it is possible to reinforce the ringing action of the ignition transformer secondary voltage resulting from the previous primary pulses, such that the open circuit breakdown voltage capability of the ignition transformer is increased. 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit for the controllable switch causes the switch to be opened and closed a variable number of times during each firing event until a spark breakdown is sensed. 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit for the controllable switch causes the switch to be opened and closed a variable number of times up to a maximum number during each firing event to limit the highest available breakdown voltage of the coil. 4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit for the controllable switch causes the switch to be opened and closed a variable number of times during each firing event until a spark breakdown is sensed and the secondary breakdown voltage required by the engine is estimated by counting the number of reinforcing primary pulses sent before the breakdown event is sensed. 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit for the controllable switch drives the switch at an adjustable rate during the reinforcing time periods available so as to improve the resolution of the voltage sensing function. 6. A device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the control circuit for the controllable switch operates in a closed loop manner by measuring the behavior of the circuit parameters to determine the exact wave shape of the pulse train sent to the controllable switch. 7. A device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the control circuit for the controllable switch (S1) operates in an open loop manner by using a stored memory map to determine the exact wave shape of the pulse train sent to the controllable switch. 8. In a capacitive discharge ignition system for an internal combustion engine comprising: a storage capacitor; a power supply connected in series with the storage capacitor; an ignition transformer having primary and secondary windings; and a controllable switch; the primary winding of the ignition transformer and the storage capacitor being connected in series through the controllable switch; a spark plug connected in series with the secondary winding of the ignition transformer; the improvement comprising an electronic control circuit for driving the controllable switch which is operating in synchronism with the engine such that the switch is initially closed for a period of time to transfer energy to the ignition coil primary, that after this time, the switch is then opened for a second period of time and then the switch is again closed creating a pulse train, such that the switch is controlled by a successive string of control pulses to the switch, each of the individual pulse times having a duration and spacing as determined by the control circuit, these pulses being arranged in time to occur when it is possible to reinforce the ringing action of the ignition transformer secondary voltage resulting from the previous primary pulses, such that the secondary circuit current capability of the ignition transformer is increased. 9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the control circuit drives the switch to establish the time period for which the switch remains closed such that the amplitude of the extended arc current of the spark is controlled. 10. A device according to claim 8, wherein the control circuit for the controllable switch causes the pulse train to continue to send additional pulses to drive the secondary current higher until a desired secondary current level is reached. 11. A device according to claim 8, wherein the control circuit for the controllable switch causes the pulse train for the control of the switch to continue to send additional pulses to drive the secondary current higher until a desired maximum secondary current level is reached and then suspend sending pulses until the current falls to a value below a desired minimum secondary current level when pulses are then sent again. 12. A device according to claim 8, wherein the control circuit for the controllable switch causes the pulse train for the control of the switch to continue to send additional pulses to drive the secondary current higher until a desired maximum secondary current level is reached and then suspend sending pulses until the current falls to a value below a desired minimum secondary current level when pulses are then sent again, for a desired total time of the spark duration. 13. A device according to claims 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12, wherein the control circuit for the controllable switch operates in a closed loop manner by measuring the behavior of the circuit parameters to determine the exact wave shape of the pulse train sent to the controllable switch. 14. A device according to claims 8, 9, 10 or 11, wherein the control circuit (EC1) for the controllable switch operates in an open loop manner by using a stored memory map to determine the exact wave shape of the pulse train sent to controllable switch. 15. A device according to claims 8, 9, 10 or 11, wherein the control circuit for the controllable switches enables the duration and amplitude of the extended arc current of the spark to be controlled independently of the initial breakdown voltage required to initiate the spark. 16. A device according to claim 12, wherein the control circuit for the controllable switch enables the secondary power versus time wave shape to be controlled to produce a spark having a desired energy envelope.