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Ford Develping Laser Ignition System, What's Next AI?

Agent00R submitted on 7/15/2009 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 1:58:04 PM

12 user comments | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: www.climatebiz.com

Ford Motor Co.

and researchers at the University of Liverpool are developing a car ignition system that swaps spark plugs for a laser beam to start vehicles while generating fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

The team has just received nearly £200,000 (US$320,000) in grants to test the technology from the Carbon Trust, a government funded entity charged with helping businesses in the transition to a low carbon economy. The award is part of the Carbon Trust’s Applied Research grant that supports the development of low carbon technologies.

Ford reportedly plans to install the laser ignitions in a select range of vehicles in the next few years before expanding the laser ignitions on a larger scale. 


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Ford Develping Laser Ignition System, What's Next AI?

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Agent00R

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User Comments

Joe_Limon

This is an awesome idea! Rather then having a point flame path source as is the case with all current engines (except hcci) This could create a line flame path source... this would significantly increase the total burn time seen in the cylinder which helps increase the engines efficiency and reduce emissions! It has me excited :)

— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 7/15/2009 2:52:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Obliv

This is pretty awesome stuff.

Of course, if it was BMW doing this people would be like "omgz, BMW is teh teknology leader!!"

Dunno about anyone else, but driving a lazer injected car just sounds sweet.

— Obliv (View Profile)

Posted on 7/15/2009 2:55:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Joe_Limon

ignited*

— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 7/15/2009 4:40:11 PM | | Votes: 1   

veyron1001

Yea like the typical ford owner can afford to shell out cash for laser plugs. For a BMW own it is not a big deal.

— veyron1001 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/15/2009 6:19:22 PM | | Votes: 1   

achiles

It would be funny if ford brings back the laser model with this on it.

— achiles (View Profile)

Posted on 7/15/2009 5:01:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

bfghemicuda

The laser was a Chrysler. Just a correction, no big deal.

— bfghemicuda (View Profile)

Posted on 7/16/2009 11:57:31 AM | | Votes: 1   

Type707

Whats next??? iROBOT for the drunk heads to be their designated drivers.

— Type707 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/15/2009 5:26:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

sector

Hope they don't take an eye out :)

— sector (View Profile)

Posted on 7/15/2009 5:41:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

HyundaiSmoke

Great Idea, I just dont think Ford is as forthright in its timescale ball park. They wont have this system ready unti 2020 at least.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 7/16/2009 12:39:50 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Joe_Limon

lol, laser's have been around for quite a while now, and since spark plugs deliver between 40,000 and 100,000 volts, I think a laser spark of that magnitude would be easy, and repeatable. The biggest hurdle I see, is how to keep the lens clean.

— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 7/16/2009 1:28:12 AM | | Votes: 1   

tango

@Joe_Limon: That's the first question that popped into my head. How on earth are they going to prevent carbon and varnish from building up in the lens? And what type of material would they use that can withstand the heat and pressure of the combustion chamber, while still being flexible enough to handle the vibrations inherently involved with automotive environments. Interesting times ahead. It's amazing the level of ingenuity US$4 caused...heck...I'm all for it jumping back up there again just to cement home the need to invent invent, invent!

— tango (View Profile)

Posted on 7/16/2009 2:17:58 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

bfghemicuda

Would be interesting to include a fiber optic idea to each cylinder that is fed by a single laser.

— bfghemicuda (View Profile)

Posted on 7/16/2009 12:02:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

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