Laser ignition system for an internal combustion engine

摘要

A laser ignition system for an internal combustion engine comprises a laser head incorporating a laser medium 10, a first fully reflective mirror 12 and a Q-switch 16. A second partially reflective mirror 14 is mounted in a wall of a combustion chamber of the engine to emit laser light directly into the combustion chamber. An optic fibre 30 serves to guide light in both directions between the Q-switch 16 laser head and the second mirror 14 so as to form a part of the laser cavity and prolong the duration of the laser pulses used to ignite the charge in the combustion chamber. The laser ignition system is in three parts which can be mounted in different locations in a motor vehicle.