Questions on car ionizer circuit (a.k.a discharge circuit)

hi all, i'm coming from a mechanical background and was tasked to carry on an electronic project.

Attached is the schematic of the circuit, i tried looking up the net on the respective components and understand how each component works.

I also understand the part after the transformer which is a voltage multiplier circuit, which steps up the 240v from the transformer to several folds.

However, i do not understand how the circuit before the transformer actually works. Greatly appreciate any help! Thanks !

 

Hi ! this circuit is powered from a dc supply. I'm currently modifying the ionizer to become a high voltage spark plug under a lab environment, not for use in cars, thus safety precautions are taken when executing this project. Met with some problems now, and trying to understand how this circuit component works .

 

Top portion - Power supply and indicator.
Middle portion - Amplifier
Bottom portion left - Oscillator

The LCR circuit has a resonant frequency, the lower of the two coils is fed by the push-pull amplifier, which in turn gets feedback from the top winding of the transformer (inductor): (Like a Blocking Oscillator). With the correct component values, especially inductance in the transformer, the circuit will oscillate providing a higher voltage with low current on the secondary side of the transformer, which goes through the diode/capacitor voltage doubling cascade.

 

Thank you so much ! really appreciate it =D