A system and method for differentiating between different modes of pulsed electrical discharges via of an amplitude to time (ATC) conversion circuit is described. A bipolar ATC circuit is used to add together the positive and negative portions of an attenuated and filtered signal derived either from the voltage or current of a pulse. Alternatively, a unipolar ATC circuit may be employed. The resulting processed signal is compared against a reference voltage to generate an output signal that is active for the amount of time that the processed signal exceeds the reference voltage. Discharge mode is determined based on three factors: did a pulse occur, if a pulse occurred when did the pulse start relative to the original pulse event, and what is the duty cycle of the pulse. Subsequent pulse generated may be controlled accordingly.

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.

A switch control circuit controls a switch element connected to a primary coil of an ignition coil in accordance with an ignition signal. The switch element includes a transistor and a protection element connected between a collector and gate of the transistor. The switch control circuit uses a voltage at a gate terminal controlling the transistor or a voltage corresponding to a collector current of the transistor as a detection voltage and generates a status detection signal corresponding to a change in the detection voltage.

A switch control circuit controls a switch element connected to a primary coil of an ignition coil in accordance with an ignition signal. The switch element includes a transistor and a protection element connected between a collector and gate of the transistor. The switch control circuit uses a voltage at a gate terminal controlling the transistor or a voltage corresponding to a collector current of the transistor as a detection voltage and generates a status detection signal corresponding to a change in the detection voltage.

An ignition coil has a ferromagnetic core with a primary coil surrounding a first portion of the ferromagnetic core and a secondary coil surrounding the second portion of the ferromagnetic core. The secondary coil is wrapped around a bobbin. The bobbin has an interior receiving the second portion of the ferromagnetic core. A form is interposed between the secondary coil and the second portion of the ferromagnetic core. The form extends longitudinally along the second portion of the ferromagnetic core. The form is of a non-ferrous metal material.

An ignition coil control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first ignition coil, a second ignition coil, a spark plug generating spark discharge by a discharge current generated in the first ignition coil and the second ignition coil, and an ignition controller that controls spark discharge of the spark plug by adjusting an amount and duration of the discharge current of the first ignition coil and the second ignition coil, and changing a sequence of charging and discharging of the first ignition coil and the second ignition coil based on a pulse signal transmitted from an engine control unit (ECU).

An ignition coil control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first ignition coil, a second ignition coil, a spark plug generating spark discharge by a discharge current generated in the first ignition coil and the second ignition coil, and an ignition controller that controls spark discharge of the spark plug by adjusting an amount and duration of the discharge current of the first ignition coil and the second ignition coil, and changing a sequence of charging and discharging of the first ignition coil and the second ignition coil based on a pulse signal transmitted from an engine control unit (ECU).

A system and method for differentiating between different modes of pulsed electrical discharges via of an amplitude to time (ATC) conversion circuit is described. A bipolar ATC circuit is used to add together the positive and negative portions of an attenuated and filtered signal derived either from the voltage or current of a pulse. Alternatively, a unipolar ATC circuit may be employed. The resulting processed signal is compared against a reference voltage to generate an output signal that is active for the amount of time that the processed signal exceeds the reference voltage. Discharge mode is determined based on three factors: did a pulse occur, if a pulse occurred when did the pulse start relative to the original pulse event, and what is the duty cycle of the pulse. Subsequent pulse generated may be controlled accordingly

A system and method for differentiating between different modes of pulsed electrical discharges via of an amplitude to time (ATC) conversion circuit is described. A bipolar ATC circuit is used to add together the positive and negative portions of an attenuated and filtered signal derived either from the voltage or current of a pulse. Alternatively, a unipolar ATC circuit may be employed. The resulting processed signal is compared against a reference voltage to generate an output signal that is active for the amount of time that the processed signal exceeds the reference voltage. Discharge mode is determined based on three factors: did a pulse occur, if a pulse occurred when did the pulse start relative to the original pulse event, and what is the duty cycle of the pulse. Subsequent pulse generated may be controlled accordingly

An ignition apparatus for a spark gap arrangement containing at least a first and a second ignition capacitor for voltage division of a voltage between a first and a second electrode of the spark gap arrangement. A first trigger spark gap is arranged in a first parallel branch with respect to the first ignition capacitor, and a second trigger spark gap is arranged in a second parallel branch with respect to the second ignition capacitor. A first ignition resistor is disposed in the first parallel branch, wherein a first potential point between the first ignition resistor and the first trigger spark gap is connected to an ignition electrode of the second trigger spark gap. Furthermore, a spark gap arrangement containing the ignition apparatus, an arrangement containing a high-voltage device and the spark gap arrangement for protecting the high-voltage device, and a method for igniting the spark gap arrangement are disclosed.