The end of spark plugs?

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I don't see it coming any time soon but though this was interesting.
http://www.osa.org/About_Osa/Newsroom/News_Releases/Releases/04.2011/LaserSparksRevolution.aspx

 

[The Beekeeper]

Very interesting indeed!...............I wonder how much power could be gained from an average internal combusted engine by igniting 100% of the mixture?

 

[Bill Seward]

Oh crap!!! We just got COPS figured out....:bang head:

 

[320thDeath_Dealers]

These would be awesome! ;P

 

[satariel666]

Very interesting indeed!...............I wonder how much power could be gained from an average internal combusted engine by igniting 100% of the mixture?

about 30% or so.

 

[Fire-medic]

The economy of scale from the millions of vehicles produced annually make this something that is likely going to move ahead, especially if it can be retrofitted. Can you imaging getting even 20% more power and greater fuel economy? It talks of the focal point where the focused beam will ignite the mixture in the middle of the vapor cloud due to multiple pulses delivered, sounds like a description of a fuel-air bomb ignitor (for the Hollywood version, see the Dustin Hoffman/Renee Russo movie 'Outbreak')

I wonder how robust the laser is in such an environment, you would think the lens exposed to the combustion chamber environment would degrade over time. Maybe if it was located in a remote pocket and fired thru an opening into the main combustion chamber, that would remove it from proximity to the worst wearing effects of the combustion process.

Fascinating technology to be sure. Between direct injection, different fuel formulations, and this technology, the days of internal combustion are not over yet.

 

[MaxMidnight]

Fascinating technology to be sure. Between direct injection, different fuel formulations, and this technology, the days of internal combustion are not over yet.

And also add electro/ hydraulic valve operation (e.g. Multi Air) - certainly reduced the fuel consumption on my Alfa Romeo. :rofl_200::rofl_200:

 

[satariel666]

And also add electro/ hydraulic valve operation (e.g. Multi Air) - certainly reduced the fuel consumption on my Alfa Romeo. :rofl_200::rofl_200:

And dual spark too...

 

[Klatuu]

Interesting gadgets, these "lasers".

Will Ford will still figure out a way to make them break off in the threads when changing them?

 

[Ebein_486]

The economy of scale from the millions of vehicles produced annually make this something that is likely going to move ahead, especially if it can be retrofitted. Can you imaging getting even 20% more power and greater fuel economy? It talks of the focal point where the focused beam will ignite the mixture in the middle of the vapor cloud due to multiple pulses delivered, sounds like a description of a fuel-air bomb ignitor (for the Hollywood version, see the Dustin Hoffman/Renee Russo movie 'Outbreak')

I wonder how robust the laser is in such an environment, you would think the lens exposed to the combustion chamber environment would degrade over time. Maybe if it was located in a remote pocket and fired thru an opening into the main combustion chamber, that would remove it from proximity to the worst wearing effects of the combustion process.

Fascinating technology to be sure. Between direct injection, different fuel formulations, and this technology, the days of internal combustion are not over yet.

there isnt a glass lense, they are using opticaly clear ceramic with embeded metalic powder to tune the laser frequency. With a properly tuned engine there really shouldnt be much more maintainance on the lasers than on spark plugs.

 

[The Beekeeper]

Part of that article mentioned igniting two seperate areas of the mixture with two beams, wouldn't the colliding flame fronts cause problems, or would this promote a more complete combustion?