IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0197833
(2005-08-04)
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등록번호 |
US-7420662
(2008-09-02)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Yalin,Azer
- Willson,Bryan
- Defoort,Morgan
- Joshi,Sachin
- Reynolds,Adam
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출원인 / 주소 |
- Colorado State University Research Foundation
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대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
18 인용 특허 :
21 |
초록
▼
A spark delivery system for generating a spark using a laser beam is provided, and includes a laser light source and a laser delivery assembly. The laser delivery assembly includes a hollow fiber and a launch assembly comprising launch focusing optics to input the laser beam in the hollow fiber. T
A spark delivery system for generating a spark using a laser beam is provided, and includes a laser light source and a laser delivery assembly. The laser delivery assembly includes a hollow fiber and a launch assembly comprising launch focusing optics to input the laser beam in the hollow fiber. The laser delivery assembly further includes exit focusing optics that demagnify an exit beam of laser light from the hollow fiber, thereby increasing the intensity of the laser beam and creating a spark. Other embodiments use a fiber laser to generate a spark. Embodiments of the present invention may be used to create a spark in an engine. Yet other embodiments include collecting light from the spark or a flame resulting from the spark and conveying the light for diagnostics. Methods of using the spark delivery systems and diagnostic systems are provided.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A spark and diagnostic system for an engine, the system comprising: a laser light source for generating a laser beam; launch optics for focusing said laser beam; a laser transmission fiber for receiving said laser beam from said launch optics and transmitting said laser beam;
What is claimed is: 1. A spark and diagnostic system for an engine, the system comprising: a laser light source for generating a laser beam; launch optics for focusing said laser beam; a laser transmission fiber for receiving said laser beam from said launch optics and transmitting said laser beam; exit focusing optics for receiving said laser beam from said laser transmission fiber and focusing said laser beam for generating a spark in a fuel and air mixture within the engine; wherein said laser transmission fiber transmits diagnostic light generated from at least one of said spark or from a flame from combustion of the fuel and air mixture; a diagnostic apparatus for analyzing said diagnostic light from said laser transmission fiber; and a dichroic mirror located between said exit focusing optics and said diagnostic apparatus, wherein at least a portion of said laser beam passes through said dichroic mirror before generating said spark in the engine, and wherein at least a portion of the diagnostic light is reflected off said dichroic mirror and conveyed to said diagnostic apparatus. 2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said laser transmission fiber comprises a hollow bore and a wall surrounding said hollow bore, wherein the wall comprises an inside surface that comprises at least one of an interior layer and an interior coating. 3. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a window allowing optical communication of the diagnostic light to the laser transmission fiber. 4. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a multiplexer located between said laser light source and said exit focusing optics. 5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dichroic mirror comprises a cold mirror. 6. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one of a dispersive element or a band-pass filter between said dichroic mirror and said diagnostic apparatus. 7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said diagnostic apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a circuit and a computer. 8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said launch optics and said exit focusing optics comprises at least one lens. 9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said launch optics and said exit focusing optics comprises at least one curved mirror. 10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said launch optics and said exit focusing optics are selected from the group consisting of diffractive optics, adaptive optics, and a combination thereof. 11. A diagnostic system for an engine, the engine including a cylinder for containing a fuel and air mixture to be ignited, the system comprising: a means for generating a laser beam; a fiber optic means for conveying said laser beam, the fiber optic means comprising a hollow bore and a wall surrounding said hollow bore, wherein the wall comprises an inside surface that comprises at least one of an interior layer and an interior coating; a means for focusing the laser beam to generate a spark and ignite the fuel and air mixture within the cylinder; a means for transmitting diagnostic light from the cylinder, the diagnostic light comprising light from at least one of said spark or a flame from combustion of the fuel and air mixture; and a means for performing diagnostic analysis of said diagnostic light. 12. The system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a means for transmitting and reflecting, wherein said means for transmitting and reflecting transmits said laser beam and reflects said diagnostic light. 13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said laser beam and said diagnostic light from said cylinder traverse a substantially common path between said means for transmitting and reflecting and the cylinder. 14. The system as claimed in claim 12, further comprising an optical fiber between said means for transmitting and reflecting and said means for performing diagnostic analysis, wherein said optical fiber conveys at least a portion of said diagnostic light. 15. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said means for performing diagnostic analysis comprises a photodetector. 16. A spark and diagnostic system, comprising: a means for generating a beam of laser light, wherein said means for generating a beam of laser light is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a laser source, launch optics, and hollow optic fiber; and (b) a fiber laser; a means for focusing the laser light to generate a spark, wherein said means for focusing the laser light is selected from the group consisting of diffractive optics, active optics, adaptive optics, and a combination thereof; and a photodetector means for receiving diagnostic light from at least one of the spark or a flame resulting from the spark. 17. The system as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a means for separating the wavelengths of said diagnostic light. 18. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said means for separating comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of a prism, a diffraction grating, a monochromator, a spectrometer, an optical multi-channel analyzer, and an optical band-pass filter. 19. The system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said photodetector means for receiving comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of a photodiode, a phototransistor, an avalanche photodiode, a photomultiplier tube, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor, a charge-coupled device, an intensified charge-coupled device, and a contact image sensor. 20. The system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said means for focusing the laser light is in optical communication with an engine cylinder. 21. The system as claimed in claim 16, wherein a diagnostics performed by the system comprises at least one of a spark formation, an optical intensity, a LIBS, an element analysis, a pollutant analysis, an OES, a cycle measurement, a temperature analysis, a pressure sensing, an exhaust emissions analysis, an ion-sensing, a knock indicator, a buildup analysis, and a contaminant monitoring. 22. The system as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a multiplexer located between said means for generating and said means for focusing. 23. A method of generating a spark and collecting a diagnostic light, the method comprising: providing a beam of laser light using a laser generator and conveyance apparatus, the laser generator and conveyance apparatus comprising at least one of either; (a) a hollow optic fiber comprising a hollow bore and a wall surrounding said hollow bore, wherein the wall comprises an inside surface that comprises at least one of an interior layer and an interior coating; or (b) a fiber laser; focusing the laser light to generate a spark in a fuel and air mixture; and receiving a diagnostic light from at least one of the spark or a flame resulting from combustion of the fuel and air mixture. 24. The method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising substantially cleaning a window proximate a location of the fuel and air mixture. 25. The method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising multiplexing the laser light to a plurality of spark targets. 26. The method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising providing a photodetector for said receiving of the diagnostic light. 27. The method as claimed in claim 26, further comprising providing a dispersive element for separating a wavelength of the diagnostic light prior to said receiving the diagnostic light. 28. A spark and diagnostic system for an engine, the system comprising: a laser light source for generating a laser beam; launch optics for focusing said laser beam; a laser transmission fiber for receiving said laser beam from said launch optics and transmitting said laser beam; and exit focusing optics for receiving said laser beam from said laser transmission fiber and focusing said laser beam for generating a spark in a fuel and air mixture within the engine; wherein at least one of said launch optics and said exit focusing optics are selected from the group consisting of diffractive optics, adaptive optics, and a combination thereof; and wherein said laser transmission fiber transmits diagnostic light generated from at least one of said spark or from a flame from combustion of the fuel and air mixture. 29. The system as claimed in claim 28, wherein said laser transmission fiber comprises hollow bore and a wall surrounding said hollow bore, wherein the wall comprises an inside surface that comprises at least one of an interior layer and an interior coating. 30. The system as claimed in claim 28, wherein said laser transmission fiber comprises a fiber laser. 31. The system as claimed in claim 28, further comprising a window allowing optical communication of the diagnostic light to the laser transmission fiber. 32. The system as claimed in claim 28, further comprising a multiplexer located between said laser light source and said exit focusing optics. 33. The system as claimed in claim 28, further comprising a diagnostic apparatus for analyzing said diagnostic light from said laser transmission fiber. 34. The system as claimed in claim 33, further comprising a dichroic mirror located between said exit focusing optics and said diagnostic apparatus, wherein at least a portion of said laser beam passes through said dichroic mirror before generating said spark in the engine, and wherein at least a portion of the diagnostic light is reflected off said dichroic mirror and conveyed to said diagnostic apparatus. 35. A spark and diagnostic system for an engine, the system comprising: a laser light source for generating a laser beam; launch optics for focusing said laser beam; a laser transmission fiber for receiving said laser beam from said launch optics and transmitting said laser beam, said laser transmission fiber comprising a hollow bore and a wall surrounding said hollow bore, wherein the wall comprises an inside surface that comprises at least one of an interior layer and an interior coating; and exit focusing optics for receiving said laser beam from said laser transmission fiber and focusing said laser beam for generating a spark in a fuel and air mixture within the engine; wherein diagnostic light generated from at least one of said spark or from a flame from combustion of the fuel and air mixture passes to a diagnostic apparatus for analyzing said diagnostic light. 36. The system as claimed in claim 35, further comprising a multiplexer located between said laser light source and said exit focusing optics. 37. The system as claimed in claim 35, further comprising light separation optics located between said exit focusing optics and said diagnostic apparatus, wherein at least a portion of said laser beam passes through said light separation optics before generating said spark in the engine, and wherein at least a portion of the diagnostic light is reflected off said light separation optics and conveyed to said diagnostic apparatus. 38. The system as claimed in claim 37, wherein the light separation optics comprises a dichroic mirror located downstream of the laser transmission fiber. 39. The system as claimed in claim 38, wherein said dichroic mirror comprises a cold mirror. 40. The system as claimed in claim 38, further comprising at least one of a dispersive element or a band-pass filter between said dichroic mirror and said diagnostic apparatus. 41. The system as claimed in claim 35, wherein said diagnostic apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a circuit and a computer. 42. The system as claimed in claim 35, wherein at least one of said launch optics and said exit focusing optics are selected from the group consisting of diffractive optics, adaptive optics, and a combination thereof. 43. A method of generating a spark and collecting a diagnostic light, the method comprising: providing a beam of laser light using a laser generator and conveyance apparatus, the laser generator and conveyance apparatus comprising a fiber laser; focusing the laser light to generate a spark in a fuel and air mixture; and receiving a diagnostic light from at least one of the spark or a flame resulting from combustion of the fuel and air mixture, said receiving including separating a wavelength of the diagnostic light using a dispersive element. 44. The method as claimed in claim 43, further comprising using a photodetector for said receiving of the wavelength of the diagnostic light, wherein said photodetector comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of a photodiode, a phototransistor, an avalanche photodiode, a photomultiplier tube, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor, a charge-coupled device, an intensified charge-coupled device, and a contact image sensor. 45. The method as claimed in claim 43, further comprising multiplexing the laser light to a plurality of spark targets. 46. A diagnostic system for an engine, the engine including a cylinder for containing a fuel and air mixture to be ignited, the system comprising: a means for generating a laser beam; a fiber optic means for conveying said laser beam, the fiber optic means comprising a fiber laser; a means for focusing the laser beam to generate a spark and ignite the fuel and air mixture within the cylinder; a means for transmitting diagnostic light from the cylinder, the diagnostic light comprising light from at least one of said spark or a flame from combustion of the fuel and air mixture; and a means for performing diagnostic analysis of said diagnostic light. 47. The diagnostic system as claimed in claim 46, further comprising a means for multiplexing in optical communication with the means for generating. 48. The system as claimed in claim 46, further comprising a means for transmitting and reflecting, wherein said means for transmitting and reflecting allows passage of said laser beam and reflects said diagnostic light. 49. The system as claimed in claim 48, wherein the means for transmitting and reflecting comprises a mirror. 50. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the means for transmitting and reflecting comprises a mirror. 51. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the laser transmission fiber comprises a fiber laser.
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