Patent Hints Mazda is Working on a Laser-Ignition Engine
A new patent filing from Mazda suggests that the company is working to replace the spark plugs in its engines with lasers.
The Japanese automaker has filed a patent with the World Intellectual Property Organization for a control device that works with a laser-ignition engine, confirming that Mazda is working with laser ignition and hinting that it may end up in its cars in the future.
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One of the issues with laser ignition of the fuel/air mixture in a cylinder is that the laser has the potential to get blocked by contaminates, lowering its potency once it reaches the mixture. This newly patented control device is able to detect contamination and then adjust a number of variables, including laser strength and fuel/air mixture levels to make sure the engine is running at a desired output.
Using laser ignition over spark plugs will lead to more efficient engines, as high compression ratios can be used in the cylinder without the need for increased voltage. This high voltage used in high compression engines also leads to spark plugs wearing out much faster, an issue that won’t affect a laser setup.
Mazda’s SkyActiv suite of fuel saving technologies includes high compression ratios in its small engines, which means they are good candidates for laser ignition.
Fricken laser beams!
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Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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Honda invented variable valve timing,Mitsubishi applied the direction fuel injection, and now the laser spark, I salute the ingenuity of the Japanese ingineers.
I give laser ignition systems at least 2 more years before they go mainstream in the automotive industry and potentially replace spark ignition. This will fit perfectly in Mazda's SkyActiv Technology family and revolutionize the internal combustion engine as a whole. All Mazda needs to research in next is synthetic fuels, 100% full synthetic fuels. I'm talking gasoline and Diesel fuels going through the Fischer-Tropsch process to be converted into ultra clean burning fuels that directly replaces conventional pump fuels, also producing much higher fuel efficiency than traditional petroleum fuels