A
system and method of providing multicharge ignition are provided. The method and
system preferably are adapted to trigger at least some of the multicharge events of the
system and method in a current-
dependent manner. Preferably, existing power
train control units (PTCUs) can be used with the system and method, without the need for signals other than the timing
signal (e.g., EST pulse) from the PTCU. The method comprises the steps of charging an inductive
energy storage device by flowing
electrical current through a primary side of the inductive
energy storage device until a predetermined amount of energy is stored therein, discharging a portion of the predetermined amount of energy through a
secondary side of the inductive
energy storage device by opening a path of the
electrical current through the primary side upon achieving the predetermined amount of energy in the inductive energy storage device, and repetitively closing and reopening the path to recharge and partially
discharge, respectively, the inductive energy storage device, wherein reopening of the path is triggered based on the amount of energy stored in the inductive energy storage device. The multicharge
ignition system comprises an inductive energy storage device and electronic ignition circuitry. The inductive energy storage device has primary and secondary sides inductively coupled to one another. The electronic ignition circuitry is connected to the primary side and is adapted to implement the aforementioned method.