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Title: Laser based ignition system for natural gas reciprocating engines, laser based ignition system having capability to detect successful ignition event; and distributor system for use with high-powered pulsed lasers

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1531514
; ;

A laser based ignition system for stationary natural gas engines, a distributor system for use with high-powered lasers, and a method of determining a successful ignition event in a laser-based ignition system are provided. The laser based ignition (LBI) system for stationary natural gas engines includes a high power pulsed laser providing a pulsed emission output coupled to a plurality of laser plugs. A respective one of the plurality of laser plugs is provided in an engine cylinder. The laser plug focuses the coherent emission from the pulsed laser to a tiny volume or focal spot and a high electric field gradient at the focal spot leads to photoionization of the combustible mixture resulting in ignition.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Chicago, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
W-31-109-ENG-38
Assignee:
The University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
Patent Number(s):
7,114,858
Application Number:
10/940,467
OSTI ID:
1531514
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 2004-09-14
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (4)

Methods and apparatuses for laser ignited engines patent September 2004
Ignition system for an internal combustion engine patent November 1999
Internal combustion engine patent-application July 2003
Laser based ignition system for natural gas reciprocating engines, laser based ignition system having capability to detect successful ignition event; and distributor system for use with high-powered pulsed lasers patent-application March 2005

Cited By (12)

Distributor for engine with laser ignition patent April 2008
Method and system to distribute high-energy pulses to multiple channels patent April 2010
Laser igniter with integral optimal geometry prechamber patent January 2019
Method and system for laser ignition control patent April 2017
Optical distributor for a laser-based ignition system, and method for the operation thereof patent December 2010
Laser spark plug and method for operating same patent July 2014
Laser igniter having integral pre-combustion chamber patent August 2010
Laser ignition apparatus patent October 2010
Devices and methods for conditioning or vaporizing liquid fuel in an intermittent combustion engine patent July 2008
Optical diagnostics integrated with laser spark delivery system patent September 2008
Laser spark distribution and ignition system patent September 2008
Method for operating an ignition device for an internal combustion engine patent October 2010

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