Dwayne Parkinson wrote:
> I guess laser ignition eliminates the chance for fouled plugs, but I
> wonder what other monsters lurk beneath the surface.  It's got to be
> tough to keep a laser that's exposed to the harsh environment inside a
> rotary engine in working order, but that's a challenge for the smart
> people at Mazda.  Hopefully they can release the engine (oh, and I
> suppose a car too if they really feel the need) this year.  Maybe at the
> Tokyo Auto Show.

I can't see how the laser would ever get dirty.  The entrance to the combustion chamber would be covered by a lens.
There would be no need for the plug hole that allows conveyance between chambers, and the apex seals would continuously
be wiping it clean.  The electronics would all be solid state, and the only requirement would be proper cooling.
Designing for high temps is old hat, but a little more expensive than what you find in consumer electronics.  Only a
couple would be required per engine, and if designed properly, would never need replacing.  Best of all, the laser could
be situated so that it shot a beam from one end of the chamber to other or across the chamber, igniting a flame front
that is a line instead of a point source.  This offers the possibility of creating the swirl to get at the fuel that is
hiding in those crevices next to the apex seals.  Get that to burn and the power and fuel efficiency goes up, exhaust
heat and noise go down, and it becomes an even better airplane engine.

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