A method for actuating a spark plug, in which the spark plug is assigned a first ignition coil and second ignition coil. Triggered by a start signal, the primary winding of the first ignition coil is charged, and the primary winding of the second ignition coil is charged with a delay D, for which 0D, by supplying a direct current, wherein, while each primary winding, is charged, the respective secondary winding is blocked; the primary current supplied to the primary windings is measured; after a period T, the primary winding of the first ignition coil is discharged, and with the delay D the primary winding of the second ignition coil is discharged; the secondary current flowing through the spark plug is measured; thereafter the primary windings of the first and second ignition coil start to be charged alternately when the secondary current falls below a threshold; the primary windings are discharged alternately when the primary current reaches an upper threshold; the above steps are repeated until the duration of discharge between two electrodes of the spark plug 1 reaches a predefined value Z.

In order to transmit high frequency energy to a coupling circuit, if the high frequency energy is transmitted via a harness provided with a high-voltage cable, the loop in which the high frequency energy is conducted is long, and thus, noise occurring from the loop is increased. Thus, shielding is needed to be provided to the entire apparatus. The present invention has a structure in which: a high frequency energy supply circuit and a coupling circuit are connected by a connection member; and a housing having therein the high frequency energy supply circuit is integrated with a housing having therein the coupling circuit. Accordingly, the entire apparatus can be downsized and noise occurring from the loop can be reduced.

In order to transmit high frequency energy to a coupling circuit, if the high frequency energy is transmitted via a harness provided with a high-voltage cable, the loop in which the high frequency energy is conducted is long, and thus, noise occurring from the loop is increased. Thus, shielding is needed to be provided to the entire apparatus. The present invention has a structure in which: a high frequency energy supply circuit and a coupling circuit are connected by a connection member; and a housing having therein the high frequency energy supply circuit is integrated with a housing having therein the coupling circuit. Accordingly, the entire apparatus can be downsized and noise occurring from the loop can be reduced.

A semiconductor device for internal combustion engine ignition includes: a power semiconductor switching device that switches ON and OFF in accordance with a control signal provided by an external control circuit for causing a spark plug to produce sparks via an ignition coil and an external power source; an auxiliary voltage circuit that generates and applies an auxiliary voltage responsive to a collector voltage of the power semiconductor switching device to the gate of the power semiconductor switching device; and a constant current circuit that regulates current from the auxiliary voltage circuit to the gate of the power semiconductor switching device when a high-voltage surge originating from the external power source is applied to the auxiliary voltage circuit via a primary winding of the ignition coil.

A semiconductor device for internal combustion engine ignition includes: a power semiconductor switching device that switches ON and OFF in accordance with a control signal provided by an external control circuit for causing a spark plug to produce sparks via an ignition coil and an external power source; an auxiliary voltage circuit that generates and applies an auxiliary voltage responsive to a collector voltage of the power semiconductor switching device to the gate of the power semiconductor switching device; and a constant current circuit that regulates current from the auxiliary voltage circuit to the gate of the power semiconductor switching device when a high-voltage surge originating from the external power source is applied to the auxiliary voltage circuit via a primary winding of the ignition coil.

A spark gap arrangement includes a triggerable spark gap and a trigger circuit. The spark gap arrangement also includes a first and a second charge storage device, a voltage limiting component, a trigger diode, a triggerable arresting element, and a transformer. The voltage limiting component and the trigger diode are designed to relay an input pulse in a specified voltage range and charge the first charge storage device. Furthermore, the trigger circuit is designed such that the triggerable arresting element is connected via the first charge storage device dependent on the voltage and discharges the second charge storage device via a primary side of the transformer.

A spark gap arrangement includes a triggerable spark gap and a trigger circuit. The spark gap arrangement also includes a first and a second charge storage device, a voltage limiting component, a trigger diode, a triggerable arresting element, and a transformer. The voltage limiting component and the trigger diode are designed to relay an input pulse in a specified voltage range and charge the first charge storage device. Furthermore, the trigger circuit is designed such that the triggerable arresting element is connected via the first charge storage device dependent on the voltage and discharges the second charge storage device via a primary side of the transformer.

In an ignition apparatus, an ignition plug is provided. In the ignition plug, a tubular outer conductor surrounds an inner conductor, and a dielectric member is disposed in the tubular outer conductor to define a plasma formation region between the inner conductor and the dielectric member. The plasma formation region has opposing first and second ends in the axial direction of the tubular outer conductor, and the first end of the plasma formation region communicates with the combustion chamber. A power source is connected between the inner and tubular outer conductors. A controller causes a power source to apply electromagnetic power pulses with intervals therebetween across the inner and tubular outer conductors during an ignition cycle of an engine. Each of the electromagnetic power pulses forms at least a corresponding plasma in the plasma formation region.

In a method for creating a spark across a spark gap, in particular for igniting a flammable liquid to measure its flash point, by means of a spark generator which comprises an ignition transformer, wherein the spark generator, on the primary side of the ignition transformer, comprises at least one DC voltage source and, on the secondary side of the ignition transformer, comprises two electrodes delimiting the spark gap to be formed, wherein voltage pulses from the DC voltage source are applied to the ignition transformer on the primary side thereof, which voltage pulses generate ignition voltage pulses on the secondary side, the ignition transformer is operated in a first phase according to the flyback converter principle and in a subsequent, second phase according to the forward converter principle.

In a method for creating a spark across a spark gap, in particular for igniting a flammable liquid to measure its flash point, by means of a spark generator which comprises an ignition transformer, wherein the spark generator, on the primary side of the ignition transformer, comprises at least one DC voltage source and, on the secondary side of the ignition transformer, comprises two electrodes delimiting the spark gap to be formed, wherein voltage pulses from the DC voltage source are applied to the ignition transformer on the primary side thereof, which voltage pulses generate ignition voltage pulses on the secondary side, the ignition transformer is operated in a first phase according to the flyback converter principle and in a subsequent, second phase according to the forward converter principle.