US 5,654,868 AGranted

Solid-state exciter circuit with two drive pulses having indendently adjustable durations

AssigneeSL Aburn, Inc.

InventorRichard W. Buer

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Abstract

A solid-state exciter circuit for establishing arc discharges in igniter devices. The exciter circuit includes first and second transformers, first and second main discharge capacitors, and first and second exciter sub-circuits for controlling the charging and discharging of the latter capacitors. The exciter sub-circuits independently generate component ignition or drive pulses each of which has a magnitude and duration that is optimized for a respective part of an ignition event. The exciter circuit then combines these pulses to produce a composite ignition pulse having voltage and current waveforms that so match the discharge characteristics of an igniter that the latter generates an arc of the desired magnitude and duration substantially without being overexcited or underexcited.

Claims32

Dependent claims

An exciter circuit for producing an arc discharge between the electrodes of an igniter comprising, in combination:

first and second transformers each having a primary winding and a secondary winding;
means for connecting said secondary windings in exciting relationship to the electrodes of said igniter;
first and second capacitors;
first variable conducting means for controllably connecting said first capacitor across said first primary winding;
second variable conducting means for controllably connecting said second capacitor across said second primary winding;
control means for generating a first drive control pulse for establishing conduction through said first variable conducting means and thereby causing said first capacitor to apply a first, relatively high voltage drive pulse to said igniter, and for generating a second drive control pulse for establishing conduction through said second variable conducting means and thereby causing said second capacitor to apply a second, relatively low voltage drive pulse to said igniter;
said first and second drive pulses having durations which are independently adjustable, whereby the waveforms of the voltage across and current through said exciter may be optimized for the application in which the igniter is used.

4 more elements

An exciter circuit for producing an arc discharge between the electrodes of an igniter comprising, in combination:

first and second magnetic cores each having at least a primary winding and a secondary winding;
means for connecting said secondary windings in exciting relationship to said igniter;
first and second capacitors;
a first controllable drive device for connecting said first capacitor in discharging relationship to said first primary winding;
a second controllable drive device for connecting said second capacitor in discharging relationship to said second primary winding;
timing control circuitry for applying to the first controllable drive device a first drive control signal for causing said first controllable drive device to conduct for a first predetermined time interval, and for applying to the second controllable drive device a second drive control signal for causing said second controllable drive device to conduct for a second predetermined time interval, said second predetermined time interval being longer than said first predetermined time interval;
the turns ratio of the secondary windings to the primary windings being such that the discharge of said first capacitor applies to said igniter a first voltage high enough to initiate an arc discharge therethrough and the discharge of said second capacitor applies to said igniter a second voltage high enough to maintain an arc discharge therethrough once that arc discharge has been initiated;
said second drive control signal beginning before but ending after the end of said first drive control signal and having a duration which is independent of the duration of said first drive control signal.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.