laser beams
 

This is really cool. Sharks not included:

Laser sparks revolution in internal combustion engines - ELEKTOR.com | Electronics: Microcontrollers Embedded Audio Digital Analogue Test Measurement

Wow, very cool.

A retro-fit kit for 911s at stores near you! Well...

I don't buy it.

N!

don't buy what? Lasers instead of spark plugs?

I predict the EPA requires use of the technology to reduce emissions before it is fully developed, and we end up with cars that cost on average $4,000 more, and end up much less reliable.

I'm skeptical about the ability to reduce NOx emissions. It might be a great igniter, but I don't see how it will reduce emissions.

I want one of those Camless Solenoid Valve Engines

I see the real application of this as a retrofit for industrial spark engines. Plugs usually need replacing every three months. If this thing lasts for years, it will save a lot of money and reduce downtime.

If this works, I expect that either CAT or Wartsilla will buy the patent, to keep it off the market.

They may buy the patent but not sure they would keep it off the market - even though these companies are making more on parts and service than actual sales they still need to have a marketing edge and technology always serves that need. Think ACERT engines. CAT bled that for what it was worth - not that it wasn't a good idea just not implemented well or thought out. I predict that this technology will follow suit.

this came out last year too. but what about real world reliability and failure models. what happens when a fuel injector sticks and the the uber laser pointer lens is clogged. the laser will keep firing and heating up the plug...

Small, powerful lasers? Hmmmm. I'm sure DARPA would be very interested in this...

and i'll be mounting array of 1000 spark plugs pointing forward.

This is a "window" and the laser focuses in the middle of the combustion chamber. There is actually a cheaper way to do all of this using standard plugs. You have a small prechamber which has a mixture that is far easier to set off. This then fires the main chamber. Most of the emmisions occur in the prechamber. THe secret is making the prechamber large enough to get full ignition of the main chamber but keeping it as small as possible to limit emmisions. The large industrial engine manufacturers have been doing this for years. I don't think it has been economical on the smaller engines. CAT, Wartsilla, AJAX and Superior all use this technololgy. I'm sure the rest do as well, but I'm not familiar with their product lines.

Even if thy bought the patent, China and the rest of the world will ignore the patent and start using them on their machines. If they really are that much better the foreign machines become cheaper to operate and the customers will want to go that way. It is a world market now days.

I had a great idea
combine the laser with direct injection
and mount the whole thing in the spark plug hole
to retro fit older cars to direct injection and laser ignition

just a few years tooo late
Bosch had a patent 5 years before

Iffn you point a weak spark plug at a police helicopter that's several miles away, can they bust you for endagering the lives of the crew? :rolleyes:

yes...and that's not a small crime. aiming laser pointers at aircraft is a federal offense.

Alright, another 100 years for the ICE.

i'd be all in for a diesel electric hybrid

Understood, and because that punishment is so over the top silly ridiculously stoopid it became the basis of my tongue in cheek post.