Environmentalists now want GM to implement OCP:
nrglink.com
"BETTER ICE ECONOMY. General Motors has also said it plans to be the first company to sell a million fuel cell vehicles - though it doesn't say what kind. A million might seem like a large number, but with roughly 200 million vehicles on the road in the U.S alone (and growing) these fuel cell vehicles would rarely be seen, nor make a dent in reducing air pollution, greenhouse gases, or dependence on imported oil. However a million vehicles would be a good starting place. Other manufacturers too are planning to produce fuel cell vehicles which will add to the size of the fleet.
But what's needed almost immediately - if that were possible - is a major improvement to the internal combustion engine - an improvement that could be adapted to all new vehicles coming off the assembly line a few years hence - tens of millions of cars. One possible improvement is the addition of direct in-cylinder fuel injection to the venerable ICE.
Orbital Engine has been testing its Orbital Combustion Process (OCP) direct injection technology on an unspecified U.S.-built, four-cylinder car. The results after only 8 weeks? Twelve percent better fuel economy using the U.S. Federal test cycle, and the car meets stringent ULEV II emission standards. The company predicts fuel economy savings can reach 20 percent with refinements and further toxic emissions cuts could be made by introducing low sulfur fuels to the U.S. market. Visit Orbital at orbeng.com;
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REALITY FOR BIG AUTO. While the development of much cleaner more efficient automobiles is underway - hybrid, fuel cell or electric - auto manufacturers are faced with their own realities.
Consumers are generally skeptical about new technologies. But people must buy these new technologies in large numbers for air quality and fleet vehicle efficiency to improve. The companies have to find ways to convince people to do that. A difficult challenge.
Billions of dollars have already been invested in plant, equipment and knowledge geared to the internal combustion engine. Are the manufacturers willing to throw this investment aside?
And the reality of time. Even if a massive investment were to be made in radically new vehicle technologies, it takes time to gear up for mass production. Are stockholders willing to wait for a return on that investment?
Fortunately this change, this new reality, is already taking place. The clock is wound-up and ticking, though slowly. Already we see electric and hybrid vehicle technologies on the market - more on the way. Even while those vehicles are gaining popularity other changes under the hood of our cars will hopefully take place.
-- Air-assisted direct fuel injection. Orbital Engine, a primary developer of this technology, claims 12 to 20 percent better fuel economy and reduced toxic emissions. Delphi Automotive Systems and Orbital are working together to advance and commercialize gasoline direct fuel injection. General Motors and those companies have also just announced a new experimental engine - the XV8 - a V8 that incorporates Orbital's technology as well as other refinements.
-- Cam phasing or variable valve timing. This technology allows engines to become more efficient in a wider range of operating speeds than typical engines. Variable valve timing is already available but needs to be more widely introduced. It is endorsed by Orbital and Delphi as an additional way to improve efficiency.
-- Displacement on demand. At low speeds the engine runs on a few cylinders. At high speeds or acceleration more cylinders kick in for more power. This technology was tried in the aftermath of fuel shortages in the 1970's, but dropped when gasoline became plentiful in the 1980's. General Motors is working on this idea again.
-- Drive-by-wire systems. All those belts and pulleys at the front of an engine operate systems that soak up energy. Replace those systems with more efficient electric ones and overall vehicle efficiency improves. Delphi and TRW, separately, are working on safe, steer-by-wire - electric power steering - technology to replace inefficient hydraulic systems now in use. Electric braking systems are also being developed by both companies.
-- Efficient climate control. Reduce the energy drain from a vehicle's air conditioner by improving ventilation, reducing heat build-up in the passenger compartment - even while parked - and possibly switch to a more efficient all-electric air conditioning system as mentioned by BMW and fuel economy would be noticeably improved.
All of the changes, if incorporated in the same vehicle, could provide significant efficiency improvements and emission reductions - sooner than later - in a package that consumers would readily accept. This changes, too, would fall easily into current production operations. Visit Orbital at orbeng.com , Delphi at delphiauto.com , TRW at trw.com .
Thanks to RFritz on the yahoo club board. |
