End of the spark plug?

papa_smurf · 04-24-11, 08:10 AM

Looks promising, only now is the technology cheap enough to make this possible.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13160950

Platapus · 04-24-11, 10:18 AM

I don't really see the pay off benefit for the increased complexity.

Still the idea of my car having frickin laser beams in its engine is appealing.

Betonov · 04-24-11, 11:13 AM

I remeber BOSNA SUPER sparkplugs that were once produced in Yugoslavia. A friend has a 1970 Tomos APN motorcycle that came out of the factory with these sparkplugs and were never replaced, these laserplugs wont last five years :P

papa_smurf · 04-24-11, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

I don't really see the pay off benefit for the increased complexity.

Still the idea of my car having frickin laser beams in its engine is appealing.

Better fuel efficiency not enough?

Platapus · 04-24-11, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papa_smurf

Better fuel efficiency not enough?

Well that would have to be demonstrated first.

And any fuel efficiency delta would have to overcome the cost and complexity of the laser ignition system.

That has not been demonstrated either.

Fish In The Water · 04-24-11, 03:42 PM

Quote:

The idea of replacing spark plugs - a technology that has changed little since their invention 150 years ago - with lasers is not a new one.

Well I guess we're due for an upgrade, but the jury's probably still out on whether this is it...

TorpX · 04-25-11, 11:48 AM

This seems like a pretty complicated and expensive way to create a spark. Other than having the point of ignition farther inside the cylinder, what is the advantage? Would the fuel efficency be boosted very much?

04-24-11, 08:10 AM	#1
papa_smurf Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: High Peak, Derbyshire Posts: 2,851 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	End of the spark plug? Looks promising, only now is the technology cheap enough to make this possible. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13160950 __________________

04-24-11, 10:18 AM	#2
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,360 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	I don't really see the pay off benefit for the increased complexity. Still the idea of my car having frickin laser beams in its engine is appealing. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

04-24-11, 11:13 AM	#3
Betonov Navy Seal Join Date: May 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 8,647 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	I remeber BOSNA SUPER sparkplugs that were once produced in Yugoslavia. A friend has a 1970 Tomos APN motorcycle that came out of the factory with these sparkplugs and were never replaced, these laserplugs wont last five years :P

04-25-11, 11:48 AM	#7
TorpX Silent Hunter Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 3,975 Downloads: 153 Uploads: 11	This seems like a pretty complicated and expensive way to create a spark. Other than having the point of ignition farther inside the cylinder, what is the advantage? Would the fuel efficency be boosted very much?