Laser Spark Plug Development and Engine Testing: Design of a diode side pumped solid state passively Q-switched laser for use as an ignition source for a lean-burn stationary natural gas engine - Softcover

McIntyre, Dustin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3639113624 ISBN 13: 9783639113624

Publisher: VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, 2008

Synopsis

To meet the ignition system needs of future lean- burn natural gas engines a diode side pumped, passively Q-switched, Nd:YAG laser was developed and tested. Laboratory experimentation used a wide range of input parameters that when combined produced brilliant sparks in air. The results show a strong dependence of the output on the output coupler reflectivity, Q-switch initial transmission, and gain media dopant concentration. The results show peak power levels of up to 3MW and peak focal intensities of up to 560 GW/cm2. Engine testing was performed on a Ricardo Proteus single cylinder research engine. The engine testing consisted of a comparison of the in-cylinder, and emissions behavior. All engine parameters were kept as constant and the equivalence ratio was varied between 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0. The test laser was constructed with a 30% output coupler, 32% Q-switch initial transmission, and a 0.5% Nd concentration rod all pumped by approximately 1000 Watts of optical power. The test laser single mode output pulse had an energy of 23 mJ, with a pulsewidth of 10 ns, and an M2 value of 6.55. This output produced focal intensity of 270 GW/cm2.

About this title

About the Author

The author received a BSEE and a BSCpE in 1998 and an MSME in August of 2000 “The Coaxial Cavity Resonator as a Prototype RF IC Ignition System.” He completed his PhD in May 2007 “A Laser Spark Plug Ignition System for a Stationary Lean-Burn Natural Gas Reciprocating Engine”. He currently works as a researcher with the USDOE NETL.

Edition details

• Publisher: VDM Verlag Dr. Müller
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3639113624
• ISBN 13: 9783639113624
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224