Goodbye to Spark Plugs

[strictlypersonl]

Science Daily article

Should allow a significantly increased compression ratio...

[ERA Chas]

Brilliant -but they better get a handle on containing nuclear fallout.

[TXBLU]

I like the sound of that! It seems to me that there is a good potential for aftermarket performance applications. I just wonder how much of a performance increase the laser ignition system would have over conventional spark plugs. At the very least, it should provide the opprtunity for tuners to really get the most out of an engine. Reliability should also be an improvement. Gonna keep a eye out for more on this.

I predict the gasoline-fueled internal combustion engine will still be around, and doing very well, long after I'm worm food. This is yet another example of how technology will help make that happen.

Eric

[Avmaviator]

Originally Posted by TXBLU

I predict the gasoline-fueled internal combustion engine will still be around, and doing very well, long after I'm worm food. This is yet another example of how technology will help make that happen.

Eric

Exactly! And most likely by then these internal combustion engines will be super efficient units, utilizing neat technology like the one posted above.

[jams]

What happens if you break a spark plug "wire" or if one falls off? It will be like a plasma torch going off under your hood.

[dcdoug]

Originally Posted by jams

What happens if you break a spark plug "wire" or if one falls off? It will be like a plasma torch going off under your hood.

Why? Wouldn't that just cut off power to that laser?

[avanti-176]

Originally Posted by jams

What happens if you break a spark plug "wire" or if one falls off? It will be like a plasma torch going off under your hood.

Not sure why, but this is the first thing that popped into my head when I read that....

[jams]

Originally Posted by avanti-176

Not sure why, but this is the first thing that popped into my head when I read that....

I guess we both thought of the worst case senerio instead of the benefit!

[dallas_]

Great concept.

Didn't see any mention of cost though.
Seems possible that a laser could cost a bit more than a sparkplug.

[olddog]

Snake oil.

So we run internal Explosion engines?

What I have read is it takes more energy to light more fuel not a lean mixture, but rest assured you can lean out your engine enough to melt parts with the spark plug ignition that is in it today. You do not need a frigging laser to burn leaner.

Seems I was told that air doesn't burn, but they say we need to burn more air. Humm?

The energy levels they stated seemed huge to me. Just how much energy is going to be consumed by these lasers and how much fuel will need to be burned to produce all this energy?

The information I have read stated that NOX increases as the fuel mixture goes either side of the ideal mixture (I would butcher the word if I tried to spell it).

For a bunch of scientist with new technology they seem to be very loose with their facts. Sounds too good to be true and most likely is not true.

[olddog]

double post

[snakebitekit]

WOW!!!
Can't wait for my new plugs.

[strictlypersonl]

Originally Posted by olddog

Snake oil.

So we run internal Explosion engines?

Close! But the idea is to have a smooth flame front. Explosions (called pinging or detonation) are bad. They are caused when there is a long flame-front path that over-pressures a pocket of mixture into igniting all at once: an explosion. The laser is able to move the initial ignition point closer to the center of the combustion chamber volume, making the flame front shorter, and lessening the likelihood of pre-ignition.
...

The energy levels they stated seemed huge to me. Just how much energy is going to be consumed by these lasers and how much fuel will need to be burned to produce all this energy?

Maybe a little more than a spark system and maybe not. The laser energy need only be concentrated in a very small volume to start the ignition. Sparks take up energy too. At any rate, we're talking about a relatively large amount of energy over a very, very short time period, not unlike a spark.

The information I have read stated that NOX increases as the fuel mixture goes either side of the ideal mixture (I would butcher the word if I tried to spell it).

The system allows leaner mixtures and/or higher compression ratios without the dreaded NOx increase because the peak temperatures are lower - the main cause of NOx.

[olddog]

I understand that the fuel burns in a controlled fashion, and that when it light all at once that is detonation, which is the pinging we hear. The article twice stated that it is an explosion.

" The spark ignites the air-fuel mixture in the engine's cylinder -- producing a controlled explosion that forces the piston down to the bottom of the cylinder, generating the horsepower needed to move the vehicle."

I will believe it when they get a running engine that actually delivers real results.

[mdross1]

Hopefully this technology will workout and we can see it affordable enough so we can all give it a try.As with all new technology some big Co might feel threatened buy out the startup Co and bury them, all in the name of high profit.

[trularin]

Worm food is a correct designation for all of us by the time this is a go.

One would wonder how much radiation is necessary to ignite the mixture if it were a "next move".

Video of laser use on a pirate boat where the engine was ignited and the boat disable in on Youtube ( I think ).

Perhaps our children will understand better what the ramifications are for each of these ventures.

[Buzz]

I really don't get all the pooh-poohing and skepticism. Lasers have been around for decades. From destructive military lasers to harmless laser pointers - like everything else, the size and cost of the technology is getting smaller and smaller. I've had watch-battery powered laser sights on my weapons for years. A coil fired, spark plug sized ceramic laser that can ignite an air/fuel mixture seems like a no-brainer to me and the benefits of a precisely controlled ignition system make perfect sense. Hell, I'm actually surprised this hasn't been done before now!

[twobjshelbys]

I'm not going to hold my breath on this. It's feasible but not cost effective. Distribution is the problem and lasers with enough power are too large still to be located at the cylinders. Someday, but still a ways away.