METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLABLY GENERATING SPARKS IN AN IGNITION SYSTEM OR THE LIKE

摘要

A method is provided for controlling both a total energy and a time distribution of the total energy that generates a single spark event at a spark plug, where the total energy is delivered to the spark plug from a plurality of energy channels. The method includes the steps of selecting one or more of the energy channels in order to control the amount of the total energy; generating a partial energy pulse at each of the selected energy channels; combining the partial energy pulses to generate the total energy; and controlling a timing of the generation of the partial energy pulses in order to control the time-distribution of the total energy that generates the single spark event. Alternatively, less than all of the energy channels may be selected in order to control the amount of total energy.