IGNITION SYSTEM, METHOD, AND CIRCUIT

摘要

An ignition system (10) for an engine, the ignition system comprising a first circuit (12) comprising an energy storage device (24), a second circuit (14) for delivering energy to an electrostatic discharger (16), the second circuit (14) operably coupled to the first circuit (12) to receive energy therefrom, and a controller (30) operable to transition the system (10) between a first state and a second state by switching one or more components of a third circuit (34) out of or in to the first circuit (12), wherein on an ignition action when the system (10) is in the first state, an amount of energy is transferred from the first circuit (12) to the second circuit (14) and delivered to the electrostatic discharger (16) so as to produce an electrostatic discharge therefrom sufficient to ignite a combustible mixture in a corresponding combustion chamber, and on an ignition action when the system (10) is in the second state, energy of the first circuit (12) is decreased so that no energy is transferred from the first circuit (12) to the second circuit (14) or any energy that is transferred from the first circuit (12) to the second circuit (14) and delivered to the electrostatic discharger (16) is such that any electrostatic discharge produced therefrom is insufficient to ignite the combustible mixture in the combustion chamber.