Scuderi Group Will Present Results from Split-Cycle Prototype Testing at IAA
08 September 2009
Scuderi Group, LLC will announce next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show that it has proven the concept of Firing After Top Dead Center. A working, cutaway model of the prototype split-cycle engine will be on display in Frankfurt. Scuderi introduced the proof-of-concept prototype for its Scuderi Split-Cycle Engine (earlier post) at the SAE World Congress in Detroit in April. (Earlier post.)
The naturally aspirated, one-liter prototype is currently running and undergoing testing at SwRI where preliminary test results have matched earlier computer simulation projections. Further testing will occur over the next several weeks as engineers continue to fine tune and adjust the prototype. Engine maps and other data are currently being made available to OEMs on a non-disclosure basis.
The Scuderi engine is expected to produce up to 80% fewer toxins than a typical internal combustion engine. The current naturally aspirated gasoline prototype is expected to reach efficiency gains of 5-10% more than any conventional engine on the road today. And when fully developed with its turbocharged and Air-Hybrid components, the engine is expected to achieve efficiency levels of 25-50% higher.
Preliminary test results are very encouraging. The pressure curves produced from the combustion process of firing after top dead center are showing excellent results and torque levels remain very strong.
—Sal Scuderi, president, Scuderi Group
The Scuderi Cycle is a split-cycle design that divides the four strokes of a conventional combustion cycle over two paired cylinders: one intake/compression cylinder and one power/exhaust cylinder. By firing after top-dead center, it produces efficient, cleaner combustion with one cylinder and compressed air in the other. Unlike conventional engines that require two crankshaft revolutions to complete a single combustion cycle, the Scuderi Engine requires just one. Besides the improvements in efficiency and emissions, studies show that the Scuderi Cycle is capable of producing more torque than conventional gasoline and diesel engines.
With the naturally aspirated engine prototype now running, Scuderi Group and its independent laboratory continue to work on the next prototypes. Completion of the turbocharged Scuderi Engine and the Scuderi Air-Hybrid are expected in 2010.
I just read about a DELTIC engine that was supercharged with a jet engine for very high power and efficiency.
Scuderi should immediately buy rights to the electric-turbo-supercharger-generator developed along with the OPOC(tm), as should any diesel performance engine builder. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 08 September 2009 at 05:16 PM
“preliminary test results have matched earlier computer simulation projections.” What’s that mean?
I know what it should mean.
Mañana, as usual.
Isn't there a Monty Python movie or Benny Hill skit with this same plot?
Posted by: ToppaTom | 08 September 2009 at 07:20 PM
TT
I think that means the engine is running, and the data being collected so far matches the original projected data from the computer simulations at South West research. As the engine progresses and if they continues to match the computer simulation results, then what you have is an engine that has better torque, burns 80% cleaner and is more effcient than any combustion engine ever designed. This is starting to look good.
Posted by: pfb | 09 September 2009 at 08:58 AM
The thing to watch out for is a major vehicle manufacturer setting a production date for such engines. Until then, any great improvement in the real world isn't happening.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 10 September 2009 at 08:37 AM
Maybe it means that as air and fuel is increased in the prototype, power increases - just as in the computer simulations - and paving the way for new investors.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 10 September 2009 at 09:11 AM
With world-wide trend now going toward PHEV's and HEV's, using Atkinson-cycle engines with exceptional efficiency, then, perhaps the claimed advantage of this concept may be moot. A mfg can produce HEV's and PHEV's on the same assembly line, only to add more batteries later, depending on the desirable all-electric range.
A plugged-in air-gasoline hybrid would never measure up to a PHEV, due to the inefficiency of compressed air energy storage, even in theory, while ignoring frictional losses.
Posted by: Roger Pham | 10 September 2009 at 06:33 PM
Most OEM and car industry experts have stated that the internal combustion engine are still the engine of the foreseeable future, something like the next 15 to 20 years. New technologies and advancements in the ICE is, and will be, a highly needed product for the foreseeable future and the Scuderi Split Cycle engine would be a perfect bridge to the next generation of PHEV'S and HEV'S however, adding battery power for range can have many unforseen problems.
Posted by: pfb | 11 September 2009 at 06:24 AM
I think the only reason auto mfg. are making more electric cars models , is so they meet their cafe requirements of the future. Just my opinion but I don't think anybody really wants to buy or drive an electric car now or in the next 10 to 15 years. Also note, the auto mfg. profit margins are very slim on electric cars.
Posted by: pfb | 14 September 2009 at 02:10 PM
The profit margins (and far lower dealer revenue) are the real reason why mfgr's don't like electric cars. The shift from ICEVs to EVs faces them with the same sort of contraction that tire mfgr's faced when bias-ply tires yielded to much longer-lasting radials.
Manufacturers could easily sell 1% electric vehicles today, if they didn't consider "EV" synonymous with "NEV". The "NEV" (glorified golf cart) cannot even travel many major surface roads and is unusable for many drivers; there is no way to get anywhere from my house without travelling on a road with a speed limit of 40 MPH or more, and an NEV limited to 25 MPH can't go there. Give me something that can cruise 50 miles at 50+ MPH and I can do almost everything I need to do. So could most people. Those would sell.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 15 September 2009 at 07:24 AM
WHAT'S YOUR OPINION: Now that the Scuderi Group has a running proto-type, which proves their original concept (firing after top dead center, a new thermo-efficiency process) and when this testing is completed, and if it matches prior computer simulation results; Do you think this engine has real potential to someday going into future automobiles? Scuderi claims to have several OEM's who are interested and this was confirmed by a Wall Street Journal article back in April.
Posted by: pfb | 16 September 2009 at 05:40 AM
Hats off and congrats to Scuderi! At least they are pushing the envelope on engine technology. That's more than I can say for US auto companies who for the last 40 years have come up with what? Fuel Cell. Whoopi for fuel cell, where's the fuel? Oh fuel, that's not our job. We only design and build the cars. That's why GM is bankrupt, because their management went bankrupt a long time ago. They were thinking about their bonuses and yearly sales figures, not consumers, certainly not environment and definitely not practical matters like fuel. Scuderi seems like good ol Yankee ingenuity is alive and kicking. Probably because their management can think. That's hope there for a once giant industry.
Posted by: wxfman | 11 October 2009 at 09:04 PM