In an embodiment a device includes a first arrester unit with at least one first gas-filled surge arrester and a second arrester unit with at least one second gas-filled surge arrester, wherein the first and second arrester units are connected in series with one another between a first potential node and a reference potential node, wherein the first arrester unit and the second arrester unit are different from each other, wherein the first arrester unit includes a larger response voltage than the second arrester unit, and wherein the first arrester unit includes a smaller arc voltage than the second arrester unit.

An ignition control system performs discharge generation control, in which a discharge spark is generated, once or a plurality of times during a single combustion cycle. The ignition control system successively calculates an approximate energy density based on a secondary current and a discharge path length. During a predetermined period after blocking of a primary current is performed during a single combustion cycle, the ignition control system calculates an integrated value by integrating the discharge path length at this time, based on the approximate energy density being greater than a predetermined value. The ignition control system performs the discharge generation control again based on the calculated integrated value being less than a first threshold.

The present invention relates to a power amplification device capable of being powered by a single input voltage and comprising a switching module comprising a first discharge electrode and a second discharge electrode. The power amplification device comprises a triggering module configured to convert the input voltage into a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage, detect an activation event, generate an activation signal from the first supply voltage when an activation event has been detected, generate a pulse command from the second supply voltage when an activation signal has been generated, and transmit the generated pulse control to the triggering means of the switching module so that it triggers the formation of an electric arc between the first discharge electrode and the second discharge electrode.

The present invention relates to a power amplification device capable of being powered by a single input voltage and comprising a switching module comprising a first discharge electrode and a second discharge electrode. The power amplification device comprises a triggering module configured to convert the input voltage into a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage, detect an activation event, generate an activation signal from the first supply voltage when an activation event has been detected, generate a pulse command from the second supply voltage when an activation signal has been generated, and transmit the generated pulse control to the triggering means of the switching module so that it triggers the formation of an electric arc between the first discharge electrode and the second discharge electrode.

A generator including a source of electric energy connected to means for generating sparks between the electrodes of an ignition spark plug, is characterized in that it comprises a first power portion including first means forming a capacitor for storing energy in series with first means forming a diode, wherein the first means forming a capacitor are also connected to the ignition spark plug through a gas spark gap and at least one second triggering portion including second means forming an energy storage capacitor in series with second means forming a diode, wherein the second means forming a capacitor are connected through at least one controlled semiconductor switching unit, to a primary winding of a voltage step-up transformer for which one secondary winding is connected in series with the gas spark gap between the first means forming a capacitor and the ignition spark plug.

A generator including a source of electric energy connected to means for generating sparks between the electrodes of an ignition spark plug, is characterized in that it comprises a first power portion including first means forming a capacitor for storing energy in series with first means forming a diode, wherein the first means forming a capacitor are also connected to the ignition spark plug through a gas spark gap and at least one second triggering portion including second means forming an energy storage capacitor in series with second means forming a diode, wherein the second means forming a capacitor are connected through at least one controlled semiconductor switching unit, to a primary winding of a voltage step-up transformer for which one secondary winding is connected in series with the gas spark gap between the first means forming a capacitor and the ignition spark plug.

Described is a supply circuit for a corona ignition device, with an input for connection to a direct voltage source, a first converter, a second converter, and an output for connecting a load. The two converters each generate an output voltage, which is provided on its secondary side and exceeds the input voltage. The two converters each contain a transformer that galvanically separates the primary side of the converter from its secondary side. At least one transistor switch is arranged between the input and primary side of the two converters for pulse width-modulation of the input voltage. The primary side of the second converter is connected in parallel with the primary side of the first converter, the secondary side of the second converter is connected in series with the secondary side of the first converter, the secondary sides of the two converters are each bridged in this series connection by at least one diode, so that an output voltage can be provided at the output of the supply circuit even given a failure of one of the two converters.

An ignition device capable of more reliably protecting a primary winding of an ignition coil from high temperature is provided. The ignition device includes an ignition coil, a switching element, a temperature sensor, and a thermal cutout circuit. A primary winding of the ignition coil is connected to a DC power supply and the switching element. The temperature sensor is provided to measure the temperature of the switching element. The thermal cutout circuit forcibly turns off the switching element when the temperature of the switching element becomes higher than a predetermined forcible turn-off temperature Toff. The thermal cutout circuit is configured to lower the forcible turn-off temperature Toff when the power supply voltage Vb of the DC power supply decreases.

An ignition device capable of more reliably protecting a primary winding of an ignition coil from high temperature is provided. The ignition device includes an ignition coil, a switching element, a temperature sensor, and a thermal cutout circuit. A primary winding of the ignition coil is connected to a DC power supply and the switching element. The temperature sensor is provided to measure the temperature of the switching element. The thermal cutout circuit forcibly turns off the switching element when the temperature of the switching element becomes higher than a predetermined forcible turn-off temperature Toff. The thermal cutout circuit is configured to lower the forcible turn-off temperature Toff when the power supply voltage Vb of the DC power supply decreases.

In an implementation, a circuit can include a switch circuit configured to be electrically connected to an ignition circuit, a high-side path control circuit electrically connected between the switch circuit and a battery terminal, and a low-side path control circuit electrically connected between the switch circuit and a ground terminal. The circuit can include a control circuit configured to detect an abnormal condition associated with the ignition circuit where the control circuit can be configured to activate the high-side path control circuit in response to the detected abnormal condition.