Energy-on-demand ignition coil

In a multicylinder, reciprocating internal combustion engine having a spark ignition generator for each combustion chamber within a respective cylinder, and an ignition coil element electrically coupled With at least one spark ignition generator for repeatedly passing to the ignition generator a voltage sufficient to cause within each said combustion chamber a combustion event of predetermined ignition energy;

• control means repetitively charging and discharging said ignition coil element during the initial stage of any combustion event occurring within 0% mass fraction burn to about 2% mass fraction burn within said respective cylinder;
• said ignition coil element having a single strike discharge energy output sufficient to cause substantially complete combustion at operating conditions exceeding idle speed and light load conditions;
• said ignition coil element having a secondary voltage charge time sufficient to allow said coil to be discharged repeatedly during the initial stage of a single combustion event;
• and
• the maximum and minimum energy levels deliverable by said coil element during the initial stage of any combustion event being at a ratio of at least 1.6:1, with said maximum energy level being established over a period of 2-3 discharges.