Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG
Hi Ernie -
Could you post an abstract? That might whet more appetites.
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I think that should be okay. Here it is--
AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE FOR THE FUTURE
Ernest Rogers
The essence of life is an orderly consumption of energy. As earth's energy supplies dwindle, life is placed in jeopardy, therefore energy must be used with ever-increasing care and efficiency. One key to improved energy efficiency is to obtain more work from less heat energy input—that is, use of heat engines with greater thermodynamic efficiency. Heat engines, such as internal combustion engines, are used commonly to produce electric power and to drive machines of every kind, including virtually all forms of transportation.
Research was begun to identify a kind of internal combustion power plant that is more efficient, smaller, and cleaner in the environment. Three elements of engine design were emphasized to maximize efficiency—(1) a cycle with high intrinsic thermodynamic efficiency, (2) a two-stroke cycle to minimize parasitic losses, and
(3) an Atkinson ratio > 1.
The two-stroke Atkinson-Diesel cycle contains these three elements. It combines the constant-pressure Diesel cycle with the Atkinson cycle property. A formula was derived that represents this ideal cycle.
Engine Efficiency--theory of a new efficient cycle
A simplified engine model was used to evaluate a compact design for the Atkinson-Diesel engine. It shows that 60% brake efficiency is achievable. Conversion to the new engine could change a 35 mpg car into a 70 mpg car and save 17 million barrels of oil per day world-wide (20% of world oil consumption). The Atkinson-Diesel engine is adaptable to many kinds of clean-burning and renewable fuels. By fuel selection and control of air-fuel ratio and percentage of exhaust scavenging, the new engine can have exceptionally low emissions.