System and method for igniting a combustor

Abstract

An ignition system for a combustor includes an access port through a wall of the combustor and a laser outside the combustor and aligned with the access port to generate a beam along a path. A lens in the path of the beam focuses the beam at a focal point inside the combustor, and a shutter has a first position in the path and a second position out of the path. A method for igniting a combustor includes generating a beam along a path, focusing the beam to a focal point inside the combustor, and moving a shutter from a first position in the path to a second position outside of the path.

1 . An ignition system for a combustor comprising:
 a. an access port through a wall of the combustor;   b. a laser outside the combustor and aligned with said access port, wherein said laser generates a beam along a path;   c. a lens in said path of said beam, wherein said lens focuses said beam at a focal point inside the combustor; and   d. a shutter having a first position in said path and a second position out of said path.   
     
     
         2 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein said lens comprises a fiber-optic bundle. 
     
     
         3 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising means for moving said shutter between said first position and said second position. 
     
     
         4 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein said path of said beam in the combustor is substantially perpendicular to fluid flow through the combustor. 
     
     
         5 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein said shutter is substantially transparent to said beam. 
     
     
         6 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a wiper in contact with said shutter. 
     
     
         7 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a bias member operatively connected to said shutter to bias said shutter to said second position. 
     
     
         8 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising means for sensing a condition of said shutter. 
     
     
         9 . An ignition system for a combustor comprising:
 a. an access port through a wall of the combustor;   b. a laser outside the combustor and aligned with said access port, wherein said laser generates a beam along a path; and   c. a fiber-optic bundle in said path, wherein said fiber-optic bundle focuses said beam at a focal point inside the combustor.   
     
     
         10 . The system as in  claim 9 , wherein said path of said beam in the combustor is substantially perpendicular to fluid flow through the combustor. 
     
     
         11 . The system as in  claim 9 , further comprising a shutter having a first position in said path and a second position out of said path. 
     
     
         12 . The system as in  claim 11 , further comprising means for moving said shutter between said first position and said second position. 
     
     
         13 . The system as in  claim 11 , wherein said shutter is substantially transparent to the said beam. 
     
     
         14 . The system as in  claim 11 , further comprising a wiper in contact with said shutter. 
     
     
         15 . The system as in  claim 11 , further comprising a bias member operatively connected to said shutter to bias said shutter to said second position. 
     
     
         16 . The system as in  claim 11 , further comprising means for sensing a condition of said shutter. 
     
     
         17 . A method for igniting a combustor comprising:
 a. generating a beam along a path;   b. focusing said beam to a focal point inside the combustor; and   c. moving a shutter from a first position in said path to a second position outside of said path.   
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 17 , further comprising focusing said beam with a fiber-optic bundle. 
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 17 , further comprising moving said shutter from said second position to said first position. 
     
     
         20 . The method as in  claim 17 , further comprising sensing a condition of said shutter.