US4852529A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser energy ignition system
Assignee: Bennett Automotive Technology Pty Ltd
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Filing: 1987-03-06
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Granted: 1989-08-01
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Expires: 2007-03-06
Abstract
Abstract An ignition system for internal combustion engines which minimizes or eliminates problems associated with conventional spark ignition arrangements, the ignition system comprises a laser energy generator (9) which is arranged to supply laser energy continuously at an energy level less than that needed to initiate combustion with the energy level being spiked in timed sequence and delivered to the combustion chambers (35) of the engine, the system further including optic means (39) for focussing the pulsed laser energy at predetermined points within the combustion chambers whereby the focussed laser energy is sufficient to ignite any combustible charge within the combustion chambers, the pulsed laser energy being deliverd through a purging chamber (12) to the respective combustion chambers with a purging gas being continuously supplied to the purging chamber (12) to prevent combustion gases flowing towards the laser optic means (39).
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Vowles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:23
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02P; F02P23/00; F02P23/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
An ignition system for an internal combustion engine, said system including laser energy generating means for generating pulsed laser energy, control means for delivering a pulse of said laser energy at predetermined time intervals through a purging chamber to a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, said purging chamber having an opening communication with said combustion chamber through which said laser energy pulses are delivered, said purging chamber being provided with a supply of purging gas during operation of the engine, and means for concentrating said pulsed laser energy at a predetermined location within said combustion chamber, such that focussed laser energy formed by said means for concentrating the pulsed laser energy is sufficient to cause ignition of a combustible charge within said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
An ignition system for an internal combustion engine, said system including laser energy generating means for generating pulsed laser energy, control means for delivering a pulse of said laser energy at predetermined time intervals through a purging chamber to a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, said purging chamber having an opening communication with said combustion chamber through which said laser energy pulses are delivered, said purging chamber being provided with a supply of purging gas during operation of the engine, and means for concentrating said pulsed laser energy at a predetermined location within said combustion chamber, such that focussed laser energy formed by said means for concentrating the pulsed laser energy is sufficient to cause ignition of a combustible charge within said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ignition system according to claim 1 wherein lens means forms the means for concentrating the pulsed laser energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
An ignition system according to claim 1 wherein the laser energy generating means generates said pulsed laser energy continuously at an energy level below that required to effect ignition in the combustion chamber and the energy output of said laser energy generating means being spiked at each point in time when ignition is required.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
An ignition system according to claim 1 wherein said purging gas is supplied to said purging chamber at a pressure that will enable gas flow from said purging chamber through said opening to said combustion chamber during at least a part of a complete operating cycle of the engine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
An ignition system according to claim 1 wherein a first passage is provided through which said laser energy pulses are delivered to said combustion chamber, said first passage terminating in opening located in said purging chamber, a plenum chamber forming part of said purging chamber and arranged upstream of said opening from said first passage, said plenum chamber including means for creating a vortex flow pattern of said purging gas from said plenum chamber in a downstream direction relative to the opening from said first passage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
An ignition system according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein said purging gas is supplied to the purging chamber at a pressure substantially equivalent to or greater than a maximum combustion gas pressure generated within said combustion chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ignition system according to claim 1 wherein said purging gas is highly filtered and cleaned prior to delivery into the purging chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
An ignition system for an internal combustion engine, said system including laser energy generating means for generating pulsed laser energy pulses of desired level in timed sequence to a combustion chamber, said laser energy pulses being delivered to said combustion chamber through a purging chamber opening into said combustion chamber, said purging chamber having a continuous flow of purging gas supplied thereto during operation of the engine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
An ignition system for an internal combustion engine, said system including laser energy generating means for generating pulsed laser energy pulses of desired level in timed sequence to a combustion chamber, said laser energy pulses being delivered to said combustion chamber through a purging chamber opening into said combustion chamber, said purging chamber having a continuous flow of purging gas supplied thereto during operation of the engine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An ignition system according to claim 1 or claim 8 wherein two or more laser energy pulses are supplied to said combustion chamber for each operating cycle of the combustion engine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
An ignition system according to claim 1 or claim 8 wherein two or more of said purging chambers are provided leading to a said combustion chamber whereby one or more laser energy pulses are supplied therethrough for each operating cycle of the combustion engine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
An internal combustion engine comprising one or more combustion chambers and an ignition system according to claim 1 or claim 8.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
An internal combustion engine according to claim 11 wherein a single said laser energy generating means is provided with distribution means arranged to transfer the generated laser energy pulses in timed sequence to said individual combustion chambers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
An internal combustion engine according to claim 11 wherein a said laser energy generating means is provided for each said combustion chamber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-31 | 1993-01-30 | 1993-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-31 | 1997-01-30 | 1997-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-31 | 2001-01-30 | 2001-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |