Timken Roller Crank
The journey to carbon reduction and 35-mpg economy starts with many small steps, and Timken offers several small but significant steps, by way of reduced friction. The company claims that by switching to its split-cage roller-bearings for the crankshaft and connecting-rods it can reduce internal engine friction by 25 percent, which translates to a five-percent fuel-economy improvement. Furthermore, a swap to all roller bearings significantly reduces the power required to start a cold engine, which could permit downsizing of the battery and starter, and with drip oiling of all those bearings the oil pump might even be able to come down in size.
FEV Aftermarket Diesel Aftertreatment System
Who on earth would want to spend big money to bring an old diesel engine up to modern emissions standards? According to FEV representatives, Green companies and governments are driving demand to retrofit older diesel vehicles with state-of-the-art emissions gear. To serve this market, FEV is working on a diesel particulate filter and a selective reduction catalyst with urea injection to remove the particulates and NOx that older engines produce in great abundance. The system is completely self-contained and autonomous from the regular engine's control system (which may be completely mechanical). As yet there's no word on price or timing of availability, but if it proves affordable and effective, it's fair to assume some governments may consider mandating such systems.
FEV Spray-Guided Turbo
The quest to squeeze ever more efficiency from gasoline engines has folks like the engineering consultants at FEV looking at ways to run lean. Their latest approach employs low-pressure (2900 psi) piezo injectors pointed directly down into a swirl chamber in the piston crown that, along with external EGR and variable timing on both cams can supposedly sustain lean operation for an eight-percent fuel savings. The system also dramatically reduces the oil dilution that happens in most other direct-injection gas engines with injectors that spray across the cylinder.
Ford Nanotechnology
Last year Ford partnered with Boeing and Northwestern University to conduct research into nanotechnology and some of the first fruits of this research alliance were announced at SAE this year. By studying aluminum engine block structure at the atomic level and by introducing nanomaterials, the studies show that a further 10-percent improvement in structural performance (allowing a commensurate reduction in weight) is possible. Ford's research facility in Aachen, Germany, is also at work on a thermally applied nano-coating for cylinder walls that provides wear resistance akin to an iron liner. Nano-tech shows promise in improving the performance of lithium-ion batteries. Even the vehicle's exterior finish may benefit from nanoparticles that help boost scratch resistance or help dissipate heat.
Cyclone Propane Lawn-Mower Engine & Waste Heat Engine
Cyclone Power Technologies has long been working on developing and licensing its external-combustion engine technology, and this year the company announced that a lawn-equipment manufacturer will enter production in 2009. The water-lubricated propane-powered engine runs far cleaner than similarly powerful 2- or 4-stroke engines, runs for about two hours on a small can of propane, and eliminates the possibility of refueling spills (which amount to eight-million gallons per year). Also on the Cyclone stand was a new Waste-Heat Engine. This radial engine uses 12 Teflon pistons to translate the expansion of a fluid heated by waste exhaust heat, biomass, or low-cost solar water heat into mechanical energy. It operates at up to 2000 rpm in a temperature range from 150-400 degrees F, and pressures of 2-200 psi.