A controller of a laser ignition engine configured to perform ignition by using a laser ignition device configured to emit a laser beam condensed by a lens includes: a combustion state related value acquiring portion configured to acquire a combustion state related value related to a combustion state of the engine; and a contamination determining portion configured to compare the combustion state related value acquired by the combustion state related value acquiring portion with a combustion state determining value to determine whether or not the laser ignition device is contaminated, the combustion state determining value being defined based on the combustion state of the engine when the laser ignition device is not contaminated.

An electronic pipe includes a first pipe section having an electronic module and a first connector element that communicates with the electronic module. A second pipe section is attached to the first pipe section, the second pipe section including a combustible material reservoir having a passageway that communicates with a mouthpiece receiver, with an aperture located on a surface of the second pipe section, the aperture communicating with the combustible material reservoir so that a fluid exterior to the electronic pipe can pass into the aperture, through the combustible material reservoir and into the passageway that communicates with the mouthpiece receiver and a second connector element coupled to the first connector element, with both connector elements structured to transmit an electric current from the battery to a laser diode or induction coil heat source located within the combustible material reservoir.

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.

An electronic pipe includes a first pipe section having an electronic module and a first connector element that communicates with the electronic module. A second pipe section is attached to the first pipe section, the second pipe section including a combustible material reservoir having a passageway that communicates with a mouthpiece receiver, with an aperture located on a surface of the second pipe section, the aperture communicating with the combustible material reservoir so that a fluid exterior to the electronic pipe can pass into the aperture, through the combustible material reservoir and into the passageway that communicates with the mouthpiece receiver and a second connector element coupled to the first connector element, with both connector elements structured to transmit an electric current from the battery to a laser diode or induction coil heat source located within the combustible material reservoir.

A controller of a laser ignition engine configured to perform ignition by using a laser ignition device configured to emit a laser beam condensed by a lens includes: a combustion state related value acquiring portion configured to acquire a combustion state related value related to a combustion state of the engine; and a contamination determining portion configured to compare the combustion state related value acquired by the combustion state related value acquiring portion with a combustion state determining value to determine whether or not the laser ignition device is contaminated, the combustion state determining value being defined based on the combustion state of the engine when the laser ignition device is not contaminated.

Survival tools, kits, and related methods. A survival tool has: a housing with an encircling wall, the housing defining a heat chamber, the heat chamber having a combustion zone, the housing having an air vent communicating from outside the housing to the combustion zone; a receptacle; a magnifying lens; and in which the survival tool has a first operating configuration where the receptacle is within the heat chamber and oriented so that a combustion process within the combustion zone provides heat to the receptacle, and a second operating configuration where the receptacle is within the heat chamber and the magnifying lens is mounted on a magnifying lens mounting part on the housing and oriented to direct and concentrate light rays from outside the housing to within the heat chamber to heat the receptacle. Combinations of a handle part and a plurality of unique interchangeable tool parts are also disclosed for use with a survival tool.

A photo-ignition torch is provided including a light source configured to generate at least one of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light. A photo-ignitable sub-micron particle mix is contained in capsule configured to receive the at least one of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light generated by the light source or alternatively the photo-ignitable sub-micron particle mix is in direct contact with the light source. The exposure of the photo-ignitable sub-micron particle mix to the at least one of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light initiates a photo-ignition process causing a release of burning byproducts of the photo-ignition process.

The invention provides method for igniting pressurized fuel, the method comprising placing fuel into a combustion chamber; mixing the fuel with supercritical carbon dioxide and oxidizer to create a mixture; and contacting the fuel-air mixture with a laser, whereby the laser is pointed to a first point within the chamber. Also provided is a laser ignitor for carbon dioxide combustors, the ignitor comprising: an elongated housing capable of varying in length, the housing having a first proximal end and a second distal end; a laser head in close spatial relationship to the proximal end, wherein the laser head generates a first laser beam; a seal at the distal end that is optically transparent to the laser beam and physically opaque to combustion contaminants; an algorithm for directing the first beam to a first point within a combustion chamber for a first period of time; and an algorithm for directing a second laser beam to a second point within the combustion chamber for a second period of time.