In conjunction with Los Alamos National Laboratories (LANL), CFDRC has developed a laser igniter system for use in rocket engine applications. The novel multi-pulse laser format of the igniter has already demonstrated the ability to ignite hydrocarbon propellants at some of the lowest chamber pressures and laser energies ever achieved. This system can be readily adapted to a wide range of other rocket engine and gas turbine engine ignition applications.

This laser ignition approach is based on a novel multi- pulse format which effectively increases the laser generated plasma life times relative to single-pulse laser ignition methods. In the multi-pulse format successfully demonstrated here, an initial laser pulse is used to generate a small plasma kernel. A second laser pulse is subsequently used to irradiate this initial plasma kernel. Energy transfer into the kernel is much more efficient because the radiation absorption characteristics of the plasma kernel are greatly enhanced. This allows the kernel to develop into a much more effective ignition source for subsequent combustion processes.

Laser Ignition provides two fundamental advantages over current igniter systems based on the use of electrical sparks produced by high voltage/current sources. First, laser ignition systems essentially eliminate the production of unwanted and potentially dangerous electrical noise which can impact the entire electrical system of a rocket engine. This fact is especially true in rocket systems which have electrically-initiated pyrotechnic devices, such a pyro-valves, bolt and shroud cutters, etc. Secondly, laser ignition allows the formation of the plasmoid ignition kernel out away from chamber walls, as compared with electrical spark igniters which necessarily produce sparks that are always either near a wall or at the end of a flow obstruction. This allows the laser ignition system to be both non-intrusive and to accommodate a lower-energy ignition kernel.

This multi-pulse laser igniter system may be the enabling solution to a wide variety of ignition problems, such as cold-fuel ignition, multi-plexed ignition, or ignition applications which require precise location and timing of the ignition source, and CFDRC can provide an adaptation solution with this technology.

Please contact us for more information or a discussion on your specific needs.