LASER IGNITED INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE--AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
Preliminary test results are presented for a spark ignition engine which uses a focused, laser beam and conventional spark ignition as ignition sources. For a steady running, single cylinder engine with minimum spark for best torque (MBT) spark timing and fixed throttle position, laser ignition provides improved engine performance and efficiency, extension of the lean limit of operation by five air/fuel ratios, and increased nitric oxide production. Carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions are essentially the same. With the laser, the spark location was found to have little effect on performance except when it was moved near the combustion chamber wall. The minimum laser pulse energy required for steady engine operation seems to be dictated by the minimum energy required to achieve breakdown of the laser pulse in air at the same pressure. Raising the spark energy above this minimum level is desirable to produce a steady running engine. The use of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) was found to be effective in reducing nitric oxide levels. The nitric-oxide specific fuel consumption tradeoff with 16% EGR showed the laser to be superior to the standard ignition system.
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Supplemental Notes:
- Presented at the SAE Congress and Exposition, Detroit, 27 February-3 March 1978. Research sponsored in part by National Research Council of Canada.
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Corporate Authors:
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
400 Commonwealth Drive
Warrendale, PA United States 15096 -
Authors:
- Dale, J D
- Smy, P R
- Clements, R M
- Publication Date: 1978
Media Info
- Features: References;
- Pagination: 12 p.
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Carbon monoxide; Exhaust gas recirculation; Fuel air mixtures; Fuel consumption; Hydrocarbons; Ignition systems; Internal combustion engines; Lasers; Nitric oxide; Nitrogen oxides; Performance; Spark ignition engines
- Uncontrolled Terms: Air fuel ratio
- Subject Areas: Energy; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00395654
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report/Paper Numbers: SAE 780329, HS-025 424U
- Contract Numbers: A7510
- Files: HSL, USDOT
- Created Date: Jun 30 1985 12:00AM