This seems like a good idea for a rotary.  Could have multiple
 ignition lenses without any loss in compression..

 http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Ford-Laser-Ignition-System-Engine,news-4248.html


 Matt-

 "Ford and the University of Liverpool are owrking on a new laser
 ignition system for automobiles.

 ZoomFord is teaming up with the University of Liverpool to throw
 out the old-school spark plugs and design a laser ignition
 system for internal-combustion engines. According to The
 Telegraph, a fiber-optic cable--powered by the car's
 battery--shoots the laser beam to a focusing lens that would
 consume a much smaller space than current spark plugs. The
 lenses focus the beams into an intense pinprick of light, and
 when the fuel is injected into the engine, the laser is fired
 and produces enough heat to ignite the fuel.

 The University researchers claim that the new technology--using
 lasers to ignite the fuel--is more reliable and efficient than
 current spark plug technology.  Although the laser will need to
 fire more than 50 times per second to produce 3000 RPM, it will
 require less power than current spark plugs. The lasers can also
 reflect back from inside the cylinders to relay information
 based on fuel type used and the level of ignition, enabling cars
 to readjust the quantities of air and fuel for optimum
 performance.

 "Lasers can be focused and split into multiple beams to give
 multiple ignition points, which means it can give a far better
 chance of ignition," said Dr. Tom Shenton, leader of the
 project. "This can really improve the performance of the engine
 when it is cold, as this is the time when around 80 per cent of
 the exhaust emissions are produced and the engine is at is least
 efficient. The laser also produces more stable combustion so you
 need to put less fuel into the cylinder."

 Ford said that it plans to implement the new technology into its
 top of the range vehicles within the next few years, and then
 make the laser ignition system available for its remaining
 models sometime thereafter."

 Sounds good.
 Not yet :) What does it do at 7500 RPM?

 Paul Lamar


No problem switching at that frequency.  Solid state (diode based)
lasers are modulated in the Megahertz range for communications
systems.  And in DVD burners. The question is about power (and
managing temperature).  I like the idea of being able to adjust the
focus point of the beam to the area of the chamber with the best
fuel-air mixture, instead of having to be tied to where the spark plus
is located.


Matt-

Matt,

Very interesting. I assume the quartz lenses would still have to be
installed in a metal threaded  plug so they could be taken out
periodically for cleaning soot off of them. The additional good point
about this technology is, as you mentioned, the informational feedback
capabilities.  The lasers could inform the engine monitoring system when
opacity of the lenses became nominal. This Flash Gordon technique would
be an 'enhancer' technology for an airplane though.  IE: retain a
leading plug and magneto ignition for reliability and use the laser
system to increase  performance. Despite the apparent pun, the idea is
still not fully baked yet.  Probably at  least five to ten years out
before market entry. The Telegraph is reporting on what 'could be' not
'what is'.

Doug in Japan