Racing to meet stringent CO2 standards, automakers continually explore every option to cut emissions and improve fuel economy. Among the most promising approaches for gasoline engines are downsizing and down-speeding. However, these approaches typically lead to higher stress in the engine/powertrain, in almost every respect. Engineers are finding it necessary to take a closer look at fundamental changes in combustion and parasitic losses, while closely monitoring material and component stress. FEV, a leading developer of advanced powertrain and vehicle systems technology will show a 3-cylinder technology demonstrator mock-up at the 2016 SAE World Congress, April 12 – 14 at Cobo Center in Detroit that will highlight a combination of innovative technologies that support these efforts.
The uniqueness of the 3-cylinder demonstrator lies in the combination of various FEV-developed technologies that support efficiency improvements in a variety of engines.
FEV’s technology carrier includes a roller bearing crank train, the company’s 2-stage variable compression ratio system, a friction-optimized crank train with minimized bearing dimensions, an integrated exhaust manifold, and active engine mounts that support good vehicle NVH behavior with downsized, down-speeded engines.
The 3-cylinder mock-up also features diagnostic technologies such as a triple image endoscope, optical spark plugs, and telemetric piston temperature measurement.
Triple image endoscopy can be used during the combustion development process to detect the location of pre-ignition, visualize the flame propagation, and analyze soot formation. But for a quick investigation, an optical spark plug can be used as an alternative to triple image endoscopy to help determine pre-ignition and investigate knocking locations. FEV has also developed an innovative telemetric system to conduct detailed piston temperature assessment on running engines, utilizing wireless signal transmission. Up to 8 channels of data can be wirelessly acquired under both steady-state and transient operating conditions. Optionally, the system can be combined with analysis of piston ring dynamics using a linkage system for data transfer.
FEV also operates a hot-gas stand that is ideally suited to investigate dual/twin scroll turbine turbochargers where the unequal admission between the scrolls can be varied and optimized.
Projects such as the 3-cylinder mock-up represent FEVs capacity as an innovation incubator, where its engineers constantly develop new ideas to address problems that perhaps have not yet even been recognized. In developing such solutions, FEV considers and leverages its expertise in all vehicle sub-systems, whether working with existing technology or entirely new developments.
