Pulsed high voltage igniter circuit

A circuit for voltage generation, comprising:

• a relay that includes an inductor, wherein the inductor is coupled between a first node and a second node, the relay provides a connection between a third node and a fourth node if the relay is not tripped, and wherein the relay provides a connection between the third node and a fifth node if the relay is tripped;
• a switch that is coupled between the second node and a reference voltage node;
• a rectifier that is coupled between the second node and a sixth node;
• a first capacitor that is coupled between the sixth node and the third node;
• and
• a transformer, including:
• a primary winding that is coupled between the sixth node and the fifth node, wherein
• the relay is arranged such that the relay isolates the transformer from switching noise associated with the switch.

A circuit for voltage generation, comprising:

• a relay that includes an inductor, wherein the inductor is coupled between a first node and a second node, the relay provides a connection between a third node and a fourth node if the relay is not tripped, and wherein the relay provides a connection between the third node and a fifth node if the relay is tripped;
• a switch that is coupled between the second node and a reference voltage node;
• a rectifier that is coupled between the second node and a sixth node;
• a first capacitor that is coupled between the sixth node and the third node;
• and
• a transformer, including:
• a primary winding that is coupled between the sixth node and the fifth node, wherein
• the switch is operable to turn on and off at a periodic rate that does not trip the relay until the voltage across the capacitor reaches a target voltage, and to turn on for a sufficient length of time to trip the relay when the voltage across the capacitor reaches the target voltage.

A circuit for voltage generation, comprising:

• a relay having at least a first contact, a second contact, a third contact, and an inductor, wherein the relay is arranged to couple the first contact to the second contact if the relay is not tripped, and to couple the first contact to the third contact if the relay is tripped;
• a capacitor that is coupled to the first contact of the relay;
• a switch that is coupled between the inductor and a reference voltage, wherein the switch is arranged to open and close at a periodic rate wherein the periodic rate is such that the relay is not tripped as long as a voltage across the capacitor is below a target voltage, and wherein the switch is further arranged to trip the relay when the voltage across the capacitor reaches the target voltage;
• a rectifier that is coupled between the switch and the capacitor;
• and
• a transformer having a primary winding that is coupled between the capacitor and the third contact of the relay.

A method for voltage generation, comprising:

• opening and closing a switch at a periodic rate, wherein the switch is coupled between a first node and a reference voltage node, the first node is coupled to an inductor of a relay, and wherein the periodic rate is such that the relay is not tripped;
• coupling the first node to a second node, wherein a capacitor is coupled between the second node and a third node, and wherein the relay is coupled to the third node;
• when a voltage across the capacitor reaches a target voltage, ceasing the opening and closing of the switch at the periodic rate, and closing the switch for a sufficient duration of time that the relay is tripped;
• and
• employing the voltage across the capacitor to ignite a spark.