Antoine
04-10-2006, 01:38 AM
Frickin' laser spark plugs!
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http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/dr.evil.laser.jpg (http://www.pjbstudios.com/temp/dr.evil.laser.jpg)
Looks like Dr. Evil was ahead of his time. We may not have sharks with "frickin' laser beams" yet, but a team of Colorado State University researchers have applied for a patent for laser spark plugs.
In a bid to create a longer-lasting spark plug, the research team hopes to replace electrical ignition with lasers and fiber optics. An infrared neodymium-YAG laser creates the energy, which is carried to the cylinders via optical fibers. A lens focuses the energy, triggering the breakdown of gas inside the cylinder and generating a plasma spark to ignite the fuel. (The patent application explains it in detail, here (http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220060055925%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20060055925&RS=DN/20060055925). Related CSU research is described here (http://comment.colostate.edu/index.asp?page=display_article&article_id=1020987483).)
Aside from the undeniable coolness factor, what's the point of a laser ignition system? Aside from a longer-lasting ignition trigger, the laser system could allow engineers to optimize spark location, deliver a hotter spark and increase the efficiency of the engine, leading to lower emissions.
-AutoBlog
http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/dr.evil.laser.jpg (http://www.pjbstudios.com/temp/dr.evil.laser.jpg)
Looks like Dr. Evil was ahead of his time. We may not have sharks with "frickin' laser beams" yet, but a team of Colorado State University researchers have applied for a patent for laser spark plugs.
In a bid to create a longer-lasting spark plug, the research team hopes to replace electrical ignition with lasers and fiber optics. An infrared neodymium-YAG laser creates the energy, which is carried to the cylinders via optical fibers. A lens focuses the energy, triggering the breakdown of gas inside the cylinder and generating a plasma spark to ignite the fuel. (The patent application explains it in detail, here (http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220060055925%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20060055925&RS=DN/20060055925). Related CSU research is described here (http://comment.colostate.edu/index.asp?page=display_article&article_id=1020987483).)
Aside from the undeniable coolness factor, what's the point of a laser ignition system? Aside from a longer-lasting ignition trigger, the laser system could allow engineers to optimize spark location, deliver a hotter spark and increase the efficiency of the engine, leading to lower emissions.