Lasers To Replace Spark Plugs?

[roc]

Here's BorgWarner's version: EcoFlash® High Frequency Ignition System

http://youtu.be/XLpsDq5Vy-8

[lada ok]

But now that things like high pressure piezo direct injectors are common, benefits could outweigh costs.

Why not have the piezo set to detect the right cyl pressure to fire the s / plug ... just thinking out loud

[MadBill]

That general concept came up in another thread a few months ago; it was found that there was no simple interactive way of determining the correct spark advance to achieve the desired angle of peak cylinder pressure.

[lada ok]

That general concept came up in another thread a few months ago; it was found that there was no simple interactive way of determining the correct spark advance to achieve the desired angle of peak cylinder pressure.

That's ok, ... I won't think out loud next time

[140Air]

But now that things like high pressure piezo direct injectors are common, benefits could outweigh costs.

Why not have the piezo set to detect the right cyl pressure to fire the s / plug ... just thinking out loud

At cruise the peak pressure will be much lower than at WOT. In each case the ECU would have to see the pressure at a certain crank angle and calculate how the pressure rise will go and time the spark for a peak to occur at the desired angle ATC. It could correct its prediction as it watches the pressure rise right up to the time it has to fire the spark. But the prediction of how fast the burn will go and how fast the pressure will rise after the spark is very similar to what the ECU has to do now. The ECU has to use all the information it uses now, intake air temp and pressure, A/F ratio, coolant temp, head temp, fuel quality, whatever AND still probably needs a lookup table or map. ECUs nowaday are fast enough to do these calculations for each spark, for each cylinder even at high rpm.That might be more accurate than what they are doing now, but the sensor has to also be fast and long lived and relatively cheap. The improvement has to be worth the trouble.
Right now the ECU relies on the results from the previous firings to adjust its timing. It can sense the torque pulse so should know when the pressure peak occurred.

[geraldtson]

Most anyone in the ignition or performance industry knows Multiple Spark Ignition sounds great buts not very effective at much since it only works up to around 3000 rpm.After 3000 rpm it goes back to a single spark. There just isn't enough time during the cycle during rpm increase for Multiple Spark Discharge Its only good for idling and off throttle position.During most cruise and on throttle its back to a single spark! When the green flag drops its only seeing one spark!

[Kevin Johnson]

Most anyone in the ignition or performance industry knows Multiple Spark Ignition sounds great buts not very effective at much since it only works up to around 3000 rpm.After 3000 rpm it goes back to a single spark. There just isn't enough time during the cycle during rpm increase for Multiple Spark Discharge Its only good for idling and off throttle position.During most cruise and on throttle its back to a single spark! When the green flag drops its only seeing one spark!

I think the newer systems are working with simultaneous multiple stringers rather than multiple serial sparks.