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This picture show how the energy in the fuel is used in city driving, and yes, there is significant potential to increase efficiency. We believe that the efficiency will improve more in the next 10 years than the previous 100! The reason is mainly the development in electronic control systems and actuators.
In fact, there is even more to gain since the 62.4% Engine Losses figure below is a very optimistic one and far lower than any current gasoline engine performance during city driving. 37.6% is a typical peak efficiency for a conventional gasoline engine and, unfortunately, this efficiency drops dramatically at part load when the throttle is activated, reducing the normal driving efficiency to typically 20%. Cargine have developed technology to reduce fuel consumption in several ways: |
1. Improve engine efficiency at part load, using the Free Valve Technology system to eliminate the throttle and introduce cylinder deactivation with a method called Frequency Modulated Torque. Combination with Variable Compression Ratio systems will further increase the part load efficiency.
2. A Pneumatic Hybrid provide an inexpensive and reliable solution to eliminate Standby/Idle (17,2% below) and regenerate braking energy (almost half of the energy used in city driving) with good efficiency. This solution basically provide the same benefits as the electric hybrid, like Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, but without the extra cost, weight and trouble with batteries and electric motors. 3. The Steam Hybrid provide means to eliminate the normal cooling system, recycle exhaust waste heat and introduce a work-generating internal cooling cycle, further reducing Engine Losses. |
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Fuel Consumption Reduction
The Internal Combustion Engine has been around for more than a hundred years. No other technology have received so much attention.
It have been thoroughly questioned and subject to massive research and invention.
Could such a mature technology really have significant potential of further improvement?
The figure below shows a very interesting picture.
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