Multiple spark ignition system

An inductive ignition system for an internal combustion engine comprising:

• an ignition coil having a core of magnetic material capable of relatively high flux densities and a relatively low retention factor,
• a primary winding of relatively few turns mounted on said core,
• a secondary winding having relatively many turns wound on said core,
• means for initiating current flow in said primary winding a predetermined and essentially constant time intervale, at all rotation speeds of an associated reluctor, in advance of subsequent interruption of said current flow,
• said time interval being of sufficient duration to result in magnetically saturating said core, and
• means for preselecting the instant of initiating said current flow in relationship to the position of a piston of the engine in its cylinder at a linearly earlier position as operating speeds of the engine increase.

A multiple spark ignition system comprising, in combination:

• a crankshaft-driven reluctor having a plurality of spaced arms extending radially outwardly from an axis,
• a first magnetic pickup coil having a core and a pair of terminals all mounted in magnetic association with said reluctor,
• a unidirectional voltage divider the resistance of which decreases with increasing applied voltage connected across the terminals of said first coil with its divider point connected to ground potential,
• a capacitor connected across one of said terminals of said first coil and ground,
• an amplifier having an input terminal connected to the other of said terminals of said first coil,
• said amplifier producing an output signal at essentially a predetermined position of each arm of said reluctor in relationship to the core of said first coil at all operating speeds of an associated internal combustion engine,
• an error sensor,
• said sensor comprising a pressure transducer responsive to cylinder pressure of the associated engine,
• a position sensor for the piston of the associated engine, and
• means to measure the peak explosion pressure relative to piston position,
• said means correcting any error in the location of a position of a corresponding arm of said reluctor with relationship to the first pickup coil to affect ignition of the gas mixture in the cylinder of the associated engine so that subsequent peak explosion pressure occurs at a constant position of a piston in its cylinder of the associated engine at all engine operating conditions.