The end of the Spark Plug?
 

Spark plugs, patented by Robert Bosch and Nikola Tesla in 1898, are about to
be replaced by lasers.

(Credit: Sonett72)

Say goodbye to spark plugs, a 19th century technology about to be supplanted
by lasers. The U.K. paper The Telegraph reports that Ford is working with
the University of Liverpool to develop a laser ignition system for
internal-combustion engines. That's right: engines with frickin' lasers
strapped to their heads.


The laser beam is delivered by a thin, fiber-optic cable to a focusing lens
that would take up much less space than a spark plug, allowing engineers
greater flexibility in designing valves and cylinders. The laser beam can be
split to ignite the fuel mixture from multiple points deep in the cylinder,
making for a more efficient burn than a spark plug can achieve, reducing
emissions and getting better fuel economy. Another advantage to the laser
system is that part of the beam can be reflected to a receiver and used to
gather data on the fuel mixture and the quality of the burn.
And this isn't merely a research project, as there are working prototypes of
the system at the University of Liverpool laboratory. Ford, which has
eagerly been adopting fuel efficiency technology such as electric-power
steering and six-speed transmissions, reportedly will use the laser ignition
system in some of its cars over the next couple of years, then spread the
technology to the full range.


(Source: The Telegraph)



Eisboch

The end of the Spark Plug?
 

On 7/23/09 9:34 AM, Eisboch wrote:
Spark plugs, patented by Robert Bosch and Nikola Tesla in 1898, are about to
be replaced by lasers.

(Credit: Sonett72)

Say goodbye to spark plugs, a 19th century technology about to be supplanted
by lasers. The U.K. paper The Telegraph reports that Ford is working with
the University of Liverpool to develop a laser ignition system for
internal-combustion engines. That's right: engines with frickin' lasers
strapped to their heads.


The laser beam is delivered by a thin, fiber-optic cable to a focusing lens
that would take up much less space than a spark plug, allowing engineers
greater flexibility in designing valves and cylinders. The laser beam can be
split to ignite the fuel mixture from multiple points deep in the cylinder,
making for a more efficient burn than a spark plug can achieve, reducing
emissions and getting better fuel economy. Another advantage to the laser
system is that part of the beam can be reflected to a receiver and used to
gather data on the fuel mixture and the quality of the burn.
And this isn't merely a research project, as there are working prototypes of
the system at the University of Liverpool laboratory. Ford, which has
eagerly been adopting fuel efficiency technology such as electric-power
steering and six-speed transmissions, reportedly will use the laser ignition
system in some of its cars over the next couple of years, then spread the
technology to the full range.


(Source: The Telegraph)



Eisboch



Another advantage is when the laser craps out, the replacement part will
be $2,125, and that doesn't include installation.

I knew about Bosch but I had no idea Tesla was involved in the invention
of spark plugs. Thanks.



--
A wise Latina makes better decisions than a dumb elephant.

The end of the Spark Plug?
 

Eisboch wrote:
Spark plugs, patented by Robert Bosch and Nikola Tesla in 1898, are about to
be replaced by lasers.

(Credit: Sonett72)

Say goodbye to spark plugs, a 19th century technology about to be supplanted
by lasers. The U.K. paper The Telegraph reports that Ford is working with
the University of Liverpool to develop a laser ignition system for
internal-combustion engines. That's right: engines with frickin' lasers
strapped to their heads.


The laser beam is delivered by a thin, fiber-optic cable to a focusing lens
that would take up much less space than a spark plug, allowing engineers
greater flexibility in designing valves and cylinders. The laser beam can be
split to ignite the fuel mixture from multiple points deep in the cylinder,
making for a more efficient burn than a spark plug can achieve, reducing
emissions and getting better fuel economy. Another advantage to the laser
system is that part of the beam can be reflected to a receiver and used to
gather data on the fuel mixture and the quality of the burn.
And this isn't merely a research project, as there are working prototypes of
the system at the University of Liverpool laboratory. Ford, which has
eagerly been adopting fuel efficiency technology such as electric-power
steering and six-speed transmissions, reportedly will use the laser ignition
system in some of its cars over the next couple of years, then spread the
technology to the full range.


(Source: The Telegraph)



Eisboch



That's just cool as hell!

The end of the Spark Plug?
 

"H the K" wrote in message
m...

On 7/23/09 9:34 AM, Eisboch wrote:
Spark plugs, patented by Robert Bosch and Nikola Tesla in 1898, are about
to
be replaced by lasers.

(Credit: Sonett72)



Another advantage is when the laser craps out, the replacement part will
be $2,125, and that doesn't include installation.

I knew about Bosch but I had no idea Tesla was involved in the invention
of spark plugs. Thanks.


In many cases the term "laser" isn't always used accurately. High powered
LED's run through fiber optics and then exiting through a focusing lens can
create tremendous, pin point power. Similar to how we used to start fires
using sunlight through a magnifying glass when we were kids.

LED's and fiber optics are cheap. They are only expensive when the
application is on boats, replacing interior halogen light fixtures and when
you purchase them from West Marine.

Eisboch

Eisboch

The end of the Spark Plug?
 

On 7/23/09 10:24 AM, Gene Kearns wrote:
On Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:40:33 -0400, H the K penned the following well
considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:

|On 7/23/09 9:34 AM, Eisboch wrote:
| Spark plugs, patented by Robert Bosch and Nikola Tesla in 1898, are about to
| be replaced by lasers.
|
| (Credit: Sonett72)
|
| Say goodbye to spark plugs, a 19th century technology about to be supplanted
| by lasers. The U.K. paper The Telegraph reports that Ford is working with
| the University of Liverpool to develop a laser ignition system for
| internal-combustion engines. That's right: engines with frickin' lasers
| strapped to their heads.
|
|
| The laser beam is delivered by a thin, fiber-optic cable to a focusing lens
| that would take up much less space than a spark plug, allowing engineers
| greater flexibility in designing valves and cylinders. The laser beam can be
| split to ignite the fuel mixture from multiple points deep in the cylinder,
| making for a more efficient burn than a spark plug can achieve, reducing
| emissions and getting better fuel economy. Another advantage to the laser
| system is that part of the beam can be reflected to a receiver and used to
| gather data on the fuel mixture and the quality of the burn.
| And this isn't merely a research project, as there are working prototypes of
| the system at the University of Liverpool laboratory. Ford, which has
| eagerly been adopting fuel efficiency technology such as electric-power
| steering and six-speed transmissions, reportedly will use the laser ignition
| system in some of its cars over the next couple of years, then spread the
| technology to the full range.
|
|
| (Source: The Telegraph)
|
|
|
| Eisboch
|
|
|
|Another advantage is when the laser craps out, the replacement part will
|be $2,125, and that doesn't include installation.
|
|I knew about Bosch but I had no idea Tesla was involved in the invention
|of spark plugs. Thanks.

We're actually working our way towards the technology that will give
us a negative carbon footprint. The only possible negative consequence
is that the car costs 236 trillion dollars..... 'course 'ya get what
you pay for.....


I'm all for advancement but, seriously, I was not aware there was a
problem serious enough with spark plugs to "incite" a pack of inventors
to make the process of igniting gasoline more complicated and expensive!

Your *next* even-rude outdoor motor, now called an L-Tech!







--
A wise Latina makes better decisions than a dumb elephant.

The end of the Spark Plug?
 

"H the K" wrote in message
...

On 7/23/09 10:24 AM, Gene Kearns wrote:

We're actually working our way towards the technology that will give
us a negative carbon footprint. The only possible negative consequence
is that the car costs 236 trillion dollars..... 'course 'ya get what
you pay for.....


I'm all for advancement but, seriously, I was not aware there was a
problem serious enough with spark plugs to "incite" a pack of inventors to
make the process of igniting gasoline more complicated and expensive!

The deal with the laser ignition is that it allows the point of combustion
to be located at an optimum spot for fuel economy. Also, the laser doubles
as a built in optical spectrograph. The results of combustion can be
analyzed real-time by the vehicle's computer and minor adjustments in
timing, mixture, etc. can be made.

It's all about squeezing a little more energy out of the fuel, from an
efficiency standpoint.

Eisboch

The end of the Spark Plug?
 

"Gene Kearns" wrote in message
...

I've no doubt that there will be an improvement, like Harry,
though.... at what co$t?


At whatever cost the lawmakers in Washington decide, based on fuel
efficiency (mpg) federal requirements.

Eisboch

The end of the Spark Plug?
 

On Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:40:33 -0400, H the K
wrote:

I knew about Bosch but I had no idea Tesla was involved in the invention
of spark plugs. Thanks.

Tesla invented the coil. The ignition of gas, and later, gasoline,
engines was the obvious application. Before tesla there were huge
stationary engines used for pumping water. They had used a pilot
light, exposed to the combustable mixture with valve gear. Not for
high revs to say the least. With a plug instead of a flame port, it
was possible to compress the mixture before lighting it.

Casady

The end of the Spark Plug?
 

On Jul 23, 11:33*am, Richard Casady
wrote:
On Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:40:33 -0400, H the K
wrote:

I knew about Bosch but I had no idea Tesla was involved in the invention
of spark plugs. Thanks.

Tesla invented the coil. The ignition of gas, and later, gasoline,
engines was the obvious application. Before tesla there were huge
stationary engines used for pumping water. They had used a pilot
light, exposed to the combustable mixture with valve gear. Not for
high revs to say the least. With a plug instead of a flame port, it
was possible to compress the mixture before lighting it.

Casady

Why not a diesel cycle for gas engines?

The end of the Spark Plug?
 

On Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:07:38 -0400, "Eisboch"
wrote:

LED's and fiber optics are cheap. They are only expensive when the
application is on boats, replacing interior halogen light fixtures and when
you purchase them from West Marine.

I was in a NAPA parts store yesterday and they were selling a really
nice looking LED work light for about $8, must have had at least 20 or
more LEDs in it, all powered from batteries.

The end of the Spark Plug?
 

Frogwatch wrote:
On Jul 23, 11:33 am, Richard Casady
wrote:
On Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:40:33 -0400, H the K
wrote:

I knew about Bosch but I had no idea Tesla was involved in the invention
of spark plugs. Thanks.
Tesla invented the coil. The ignition of gas, and later, gasoline,
engines was the obvious application. Before tesla there were huge
stationary engines used for pumping water. They had used a pilot
light, exposed to the combustable mixture with valve gear. Not for
high revs to say the least. With a plug instead of a flame port, it
was possible to compress the mixture before lighting it.

Casady

Why not a diesel cycle for gas engines?

Harry should know why, he's tried to tell people here that he's got a
degree in mechanical engineering!!!!!!!!!

The end of the Spark Plug?
 

On Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:24:54 -0400, Gene Kearns
wrote:

We're actually working our way towards the technology that will give
us a negative carbon footprint. The only possible negative consequence
is that the car costs 236 trillion dollars..... 'course 'ya get what
you pay for.....

ROTFL!!!

I read something the other day that, when you think about it, makes a
lot of sense.

People who drive hi-brid cars, like the Prius for example, drive
anywhere from an extra 2,000 to 3,500 miles more than a person who
owns a standard compact.

Which, thinking about it, almost negates the "fuel cost savings"
benefits that hy-brids are supposed to create.

I can testify to that in a rather odd way. One of my neighbors has a
Prius and he told me the other day that he had just turned 13,000 on
his Prius which is 4 months old, but he's saving on fuel. He works in
the next town over and it's his daily driver.

Here's the interesting part. He had a Toyota Camrey, 6 years old,
that only had 42,000 on it - I know because I was thinking of buying
it before he traded it in.

Now you tell me. :)

The end of the Spark Plug?
 

On Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:58:38 -0400, Yogi of Woodstock
wrote:

On Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:24:54 -0400, Gene Kearns
wrote:

We're actually working our way towards the technology that will give
us a negative carbon footprint. The only possible negative consequence
is that the car costs 236 trillion dollars..... 'course 'ya get what
you pay for.....

ROTFL!!!

I read something the other day that, when you think about it, makes a
lot of sense.

People who drive hi-brid cars, like the Prius for example, drive
anywhere from an extra 2,000 to 3,500 miles more than a person who
owns a standard compact.

Which, thinking about it, almost negates the "fuel cost savings"
benefits that hy-brids are supposed to create.

I can testify to that in a rather odd way. One of my neighbors has a
Prius and he told me the other day that he had just turned 13,000 on
his Prius which is 4 months old, but he's saving on fuel. He works in
the next town over and it's his daily driver.

Here's the interesting part. He had a Toyota Camrey, 6 years old,
that only had 42,000 on it - I know because I was thinking of buying
it before he traded it in.

Now you tell me. :)

They're trying hard as hell to break even before they die.

Amen.
--

John H