Performance and efficiency of internal combustion engines
Background
The University of Limerick have developed a technology
portfolio relating to engine exhaust systems which
increase the power and efficiency of internal combustion
engines. These technologies are some of the fruits of an
extensive program or research involving the he
Automotive Systems Research Group (ASRG)
(www.ttcan.com) and the John Holland Research
Centre (www.jhrc.ul.ie), which are both based at the
University of Limerick.
Opportunities
The following
developed:
briefly
describes
the
technologies
A) The Electronically Tuned Manifold System
(Patented) enables the tuning of exhaust systems for a
large RPM range unlike conventional exhausts which are
tuned only for one narrow RPM band. Through the
utilisation of pressure waves present in the exhaust
system, it is possible to increase the volumetric efficiency
and breathability of an engine. The current prototypes are
yielding up to a 10% increase in engine horsepower for no
additional fuel input. This novel technology incorporates
two additional innovations.
Commercial opportunity
; The ETMS system may be marketed as a method to
either increases the fuel efficiency of an engine or as a
system which increases the power output of an engine.
; The ETMS technology is itself part of a related
portfolio of patents which provides robust IP protection
(Expansion wave reservoir and Double faced valve).
; The measurement method to differentiate between
superimposed waves in a fluid allows for actual wave
fronts to be observed. It has been previously only possible
to estimate such waves through advanced simulation. This
method gives designers new real-time insights into the
wave actions in air induction and exhaust networks.
; The software tool enables a new understanding of the
fluid flow within engines. The tool reconstructs the fluid
dynamics of the system based on actual empirical
measurements. This is unlike prior methods which relied
on approximations and mathematical models.
B) Expansion wave reservoir (Patented)
A method to decrease the propagation velocity of
compression and expansion waves in a fluid.
C) Double faced valve (Patented)
A mechanical valve designed to alter the flow path of
exhaust gasses.
Further innovations related to this technology include:
D) Method for differentiating between superimposed
pressure waves in a fluid (Patented)
Normally, pressure wave propagation fronts are only
observable as a single superimposed wave which may in
fact be the result of several expansion and compression
waves travelling in different directions. The group has
developed a new method which allows the physical
discrimination of wave fronts within an exhaust network,
thus allowing a more complete analysis of the propagation
of pressure waves in an exhaust network.
E) A software tool for gas flow analysis
A semi-theoretical software program which is able to
reconstruct the constituent wave propagation fronts from
measured data taken from an actual exhaust system.
IP status
As indicated the technologies are patented or in the
process thereof. The software tool is copyrighted.
Business relationship
The University of Limerick recognises the commercial
potential of these technologies and seeks to engage in
dialogue with parties interested in licensing or purchasing
the technologies here disclosed.
Contact
Paul Dillon
Director
Technology Transfer Office
University of Limerick, Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)61 202611
E-mail: [email protected]