Patent attributes
An ignition assembly includes a power converter receiving an alternating current input, including a first capacitor and a second capacitor. The first capacitor and the second capacitor are charged in parallel to a first DC voltage and at a first polarity to discharge in series to an output at a second DC voltage that is greater than the first DC voltage. The second DC voltage is coupled to an ignition gap, and causes the ignition gap to ionize and form a spark. A switch is coupled to the first capacitor and is operable to control the discharge of the first capacitor and the second capacitor. An AC input switch is coupled to the AC input and is operable to control a flow of current from the AC input through the first capacitor and the second capacitor to the output. The flow of AC to the output sustains the ionization of the ignition gap.