Patent ID: 6676402
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: F02P,H01S,Y10S

Abstract:
An ignition apparatus comprising:(a) an excitation light source; (b) a light modulator positioned to receive output from said excitation light source; (c) a first polarization analyzer positioned to receive light from said light modulator; (d) a first output coupler positioned to receive a portion of light not redirected by said first polarization analyzer; (e) a focusing lens positioned to inject said portion of light not redirected by said first polarization analyzer from said first output coupler into a first end of a first optical fiber; (f) a second end of said first optical fiber connected to an ignitor laser so as to permit transport of said portion of light not redirected by said first polarization analyzer into a first lasing rod in said ignitor laser; (g) a second output coupler positioned to receive a portion of light redirected by said first polarization analyzer; (h) a halfwave plate positioned to receive from said second output coupler said portion of light redirected by said first polarization analyzer; (i) a second polarization analyzer positioned to receive output from said halfwave plate; (j) a second focusing lens positioned to inject light redirected by said second polarization analyzer into a first end of a second optical fiber; (k) a second end of said second optical fiber connected to said ignitor laser so as to permit transport of said portion of light redirected by said first polarization analyzer into a beam combiner in said ignitor laser; (l) a third focusing lens positioned to inject a portion of light not redirected by said second polarization analyzer into a first end of a third optical fiber; (m) a second end of said third optical fiber connected to said ignitor laser so as to permit transport of said portion of light not redirected by said second polarization analyzer into a second lasing rod in said ignitor laser; (n) an output coupler positioned to receive output from said second lasing rod in said ignitor laser; (o) at least one turning prism to direct said output from said second lasing rod in said ignitor laser into said first lasing rod in said ignitor laser; (p) said beam combiner also positioned to receive output from said first lasing rod in said ignitor laser; and (q) an ignitor output focusing lens positioned to direct output from said beam combiner into a combustible fuel.