Scientists Claim Major Leap in Engine Design

An anonymous reader writes "Purdue researchers say they have made a major advance in the design of the internal combustion engine, one that could seriously boost fuel efficiency and cut emissions. A key portion involves building intake and exhaust valves that are no longer driven by mechanisms connected to the pistons, a departure from the way car engines have worked since they were commercialized more than a century ago. 'The concept, known as variable valve actuation, would enable significant improvements in conventional gasoline and diesel engines used in cars and trucks and for applications such as generators, he said. The technique also enables the introduction of an advanced method called homogeneous charge compression ignition, or HCCI, which would allow the United States to drastically reduce its dependence on foreign oil and the production of harmful exhaust emissions. The homogeneous charge compression ignition technique would make it possible to improve the efficiency of gasoline engines by 15 percent to 20 percent, making them as efficient as diesel engines while nearly eliminating smog-generating nitrogen oxides, Shaver said.'"

Comments

Hope they patented it.

[mosel-saar-ruwer]

Little known fact: If you don't patent before you publish, you lose your patent rights.

Offtopic

[Esc7]

What I have always wanted out of car is something where each wheel can be independently turned, and they're all hooked up to their own three stage induction electric motor. Can you imagine the driving you could pull off in that thing, given full complete control? You could strafe, slide, maybe even spin in place. Ah, the things dreams are made of.