Inventors:
Sreenath Borra Gupta - Naperville IL, US
Ramanujam Raj Sekar - Naperville IL, US
Gregory E. Hillman - Chicago Ridge IL, US
Assignee:
The University of Chicago - Chicago IL
International Classification:
G02B 6/36
F02B 19/00
H01S 3/123
US Classification:
385 88, 385 18, 385 25, 385 12, 385 92, 385147, 372 15, 123143 B
Abstract:
A laser based ignition system for stationary natural gas engines, a distributor system for use with high-powered lasers, and a method of determining a successful ignition event in a laser-based ignition system are provided. The laser based ignition (LBI) system for stationary natural gas engines includes a high power pulsed laser providing a pulsed emission output coupled to a plurality of laser plugs. A respective one of the plurality of laser plugs is provided in an engine cylinder. The laser plug focuses the coherent emission from the pulsed laser to a tiny volume or focal spot and a high electric field gradient at the focal spot leads to photoionization of the combustible mixture resulting in ignition.