Laser ignition for internal combustion engines via fiber optic delivery

In the effort to reduce emissions and improve the efficiency of Otto cycle engines, the ignition system is often a limiting factor. Many "high energy" ignition systems have been developed, but almost all of these are based on traditional electric arc spark plugs. Laser ignition represents a fundamentally different approach to igniting gas mixtures and opens the door to improvements in fuel-lean engine operation and high-pressure combustion environments. Yet the promise of laser ignition remains unexploited, as practical systems have not been developed. In this contribution, we work towards the goal of developing a practical laser ignition system for stationary natural gas engines. Specifically, we focus on fiber optic delivery of the laser beam to the engine, thereby making a significant advance relative to past open-air (free-space) configurations. A combination of modeling and experimentation has been used to develop the needed fiber optic delivery systems, culminating in the first demonstration of fiber-optically delivered laser ignition on an engine.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Colorado State University. Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Authors dc:creator

• DeFoort, Morgan, author
• Yalin, Azer, advisor
• Willson, Bryan, advisor

• emissions reduction
• fiber optic delivery
• internal combustion engines
• laser ignition
• natural gas
• mechanical engineering

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.

Language dc:language.iso

eng, English

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25675/3.018972

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mountainscholar.org:10217/237677