Replacing Spark Plugs with Frickin' Laser Beams!

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 7:04 pm

http://www.loudoun.daily-monitor.com/la ... ines/5246/

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 6:36 am

IMO, that's yet another auto. idea that I'll believe when I see it in production. I've stopped counting the ideas I've read about in the last 30+ yrs that sound good but never make it into reality.

Pugsley · Post by **Pugsley** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 10:46 am

So its just a YAG laser. They have consumable parts. The strobe tube. the YAG rod. And the whole reflector assembly. Not to mention the optics that allow the beam into the combustion chamber. I work on 6KW industrial lasers And can tell you that, at least with the tech I see in optics, that seems like the hard part in the car. Getting the beam into the combustion chamber. Then you have to keep the optics clean so they don't absorb any of the energy.

normalicy · Post by **normalicy** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 12:08 pm

I was worried about keeping the optics clean as well, but I assume that they must have thought of that. Still, unless it provides a tangible advantage, I don't see why.

CaterpillarAssassin · Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:27 am

I can only imagine how to keep the optics clean.
"Sir, your laser plug wipers need to be replaced"