Matching Ignition System Multi-Spark Calibration to the Burn-Rate of an Engine to Extend Ignitability Limits

“Multi-Spark” refers to the charging and discharging of an ignition coil multiple times during a single combustion event. This paper attempts to use multi-sparking to achieve an effect similar to a long duration spark to enhance combustion during slow burn conditions.

Although multi-sparking is more typical of capacitive discharge (CDI) ignition systems, this paper discusses the multi-sparking of Kettering ignition systems to achieve the benefits of multi-sparking without CDIs' cost, packaging, complexity and reliability issues.

The goal of the multi-spark calibration is to successfully initiate flame kernal development with the first spark discharge and add supplemental energy fast enough through restriking to prevent the flame kernal from quenching.