Patent · US Expired

Laser ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine

US4416226A · kind A · utility

54Cited by
4References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 1, 1982
Grant dateNov 22, 1983
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 1, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF02P23/04
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A laser ignition apparatus includes a laser oscillator which generates at least two successive pulse-shaped laser beams during each compression stroke of the engine. A first pulse-shaped laser beam is generated by a Q switching action of the laser oscillator and thus has a high peak output and a second pulse-shaped laser beam is generated without the Q switching action and has a low peak output but a larger pulse duration than the first laser beam. The first and second pulse-shaped laser beams are guided and directed into the combustion chamber of the engine and the first laser beam of a high energy density causes the breakdown of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber to develop a plasma and the second laser beam further increases the energy of the plasma thereby to ensure the setting fire of the air-fuel mixture.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.