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US 12,631,332 B2Granted
Laser ignition systems and related methods in oil and gas applications
AssigneeSaudi Arabian Oil Company
InventorsAbdullah M. Bin Ziad, Fisal A. Bukhari, Khaled M. Althubiti, Fahad O. Alshammari
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A laser ignition system for igniting an ignition target includes a support structure, a laser assembly mounted to the support structure and configured to deliver a laser beam to the ignition target, and an inlet mounted to the support structure and configured to deliver a coolant to the laser ignition system.
Claims16
A laser ignition system for igniting an ignition target, the laser ignition system comprising:
- a support structure comprising an annular internal space;
- a plurality of laser assemblies mounted to the support structure and spaced apart from each other around a circumference of the support structure, wherein the plurality of laser assemblies are oriented to direct a plurality of respective laser beams in first respective radial directions to the ignition target, wherein the ignition target comprises a fluid that flows through the support structure in an axial direction that is perpendicular to the first respective radial directions;
- and
- a plurality of inlets mounted at an exterior circumferential wall of the support structure and spaced apart from each other around the circumference of the support structure, wherein the plurality of inlets are configured to deliver a coolant to the laser ignition system, and wherein the plurality of inlets are oriented in second respective radial directions to direct the coolant into the annular internal space of the support structure.
1 more element
A method of operating a laser ignition system, the method comprising:
- flowing a gas along an axial direction through a pipe segment of the laser ignition system;
- generating a plurality of laser beams, respectively, at a plurality of laser assemblies mounted to a support structure of the laser ignition system, wherein the support structure comprises an annular internal space, wherein the plurality of laser assemblies are spaced apart from each other around a circumference of the support structure, wherein the plurality of laser assemblies are oriented to direct the plurality of laser beams in first respective radial directions toward the gas, and wherein the first respective radial directions are perpendicular to the axial direction;
- directing the plurality of laser beams in the first respective radial directions onto the gas;
- flowing a coolant into the laser ignition system through a plurality of inlets mounted at an exterior circumferential wall of the support structure, wherein the plurality of inlets are spaced apart from each other around the circumference of the support structure, and wherein the plurality of inlets are oriented in second respective radial directions to direct the coolant into the annular internal space of the support structure;
- and
- igniting the gas with the plurality of laser beams to flare the gas within the pipe segment.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.