Solid-state multispark ignition

Claim 1

A solid-state automotive ignition system adapted to provide a series of relatively short duration short voltage rise time sparks for ignition purposes during each successive ignition period comprising: a voltage source having a power terminal and a ground terminal; an ignition coil having primary and secondary windings with one end of each grounded; an ignition switch, voltage multiplier and capacitor connected respectively in series between the power terminal of said voltage source and the nongrounded end of said primary winding of said ignition coil; a spark plug having spark electrodes connected in series between the secondary of said ignition coil and ground, said secondary winding being coupled to said primary winding for producing a spark upon the discharge of said capacitor across said primary winding; engine timer means including a pair of cam operated breakerpoints, the separation of which defines the beginning of said ignition period, said breaker points having one grounded contact and one nongrounded contact connected to the juncture between said ignition switch and said voltage multiplier; first and second SCRs with the anode of said first SCR connected to the junction between said voltage multiplier and said capacitor, the anode of said second SCR connected to the cathode of said first SCR and the cathode of said second SCR grounded; diode means having a cathode connected to the junction between said capacitor and said voltage multiplier and an anode connected to the gate of said first SCR so arranged as to conduct when the charge on said capacitor builds up to a predetermined voltage level; and the gate of said second SCR connected to the nongrounded breaker-points of said engine timer means providing said second SCR with conducting signals from said voltage source upon the separation of the contacts of said breaker.