Co-operation Profile

A small Romanian company has realised a hybrid engine that comprises a new innovative arrangement combined with a hybrid operation system that attains partial recovery of the braking energy. The technology can be used in hybrid vehicle power trains or in the propulsion system of aircraft and ships. It is looking for technical cooperation in this field. The following goals were pursued in the development of the Hybrid Engine concept: a) Throttle-less operation even as spark ignition engine. b) Energy recovery. c) Reduction in friction losses. d) Similar or identical design of the components reported to the classic four-stroke engine, and low development risks. e) Improved efficiency at all rpm but specially at part loads. f) Improved power density to make the engine more compatible with the increased weight of the hybrid vehicles. g) Optimal combustion for improved consumption and performance as well as reduced emissions. h) Application versatility (automotive, aeronautical, nautical, spark ignition, diesel, two-stroke/four-stroke switching, etc.). i) High power density capability also with alternative energy sources like GPL, natural gas, hydrogen and biofuels. j) Engine block modularity allowing a wide range of power options. k) Design simplicity excluding the need for complex or expensive technology and precious materials. l) Compactness and reduced weight allowing for easy assembly and maintenance. m) Reduction in wasted energy from the exhaust. n) Improved durability combined with improved performances. This technology offer is registered to obtain the patent. The innovative aspect of the Hybrid Engine is the possibility to achieve small-size engines with half the number of cylinders reported to the same power as a classic four-stroke engine. If this engine is turbocharged, the power density can be compared with the gas turbine engine level but this time with a very good efficiency. The hybrid operation system (the braking energy recovery and the stop-and-go function) is achieved in this case by the engine itself, making ineffective the using of a huge hybrid electric transmission and battery system. This Hybrid Engine uses similar component parts to those of the current four-stroke, and the development risks are minimised. By the present invention, a reciprocating piston, four-stroke internal-combustion engine, much smaller than a conventional four-stroke engine is employed in the vehicle for attaining high efficiency for maximum power. The engine is much smaller in overall dimensions, weight, engine cylinder displacement and combustion chamber volume. Used in the power train of a road vehicle it can also employ a hybrid operation modality that permits partial recovery of the brake energy, this time made by the engine itself. Consequently, the cost of this hybrid engine is significantly lower than the cost of an additional motive power source and associated power train, which are used in hybrid electric vehicles, and is more competitive in price with conventional engines of comparable power. The size of the engine is much reduced relatively to the size of the vehicle in order to minimise the effect of engine friction losses and to maximise vehicle fuel economy. Turbo charging can be occasionally employed to satisfy maximum power requirements without detracting from light load engine efficiency. This arrangement attains approximately the same fuel economy as the hybrid electric vehicle's primary engine in the same automobile, but at significantly lower cost, complexity, weight and bulk than the hybrid electric system. The small size of the engine of the present invention enables the aerodynamics of the vehicle to be improved, which in turn improves fuel economy. The smaller weight of the engine also improves vehicle fuel economy. Hybrid electric power systems, by comparison, are significantly more expensive, heavier and bulkier than both the hybrid engine of the present invention and conventional vehicle engines. A small amount of engine downsizing yields a small benefit in fuel economy. However, the rate of fuel economy improvement increases significantly with greater engine downsizing with the hybrid engine of the present invention. The concept of the present invention hopes to attain up to approximately 50% better fuel economy than conventional spark ignition vehicle engines in the same automobile. By downsizing the engine for a given vehicle, a significantly improved fuel economy is achieved by the present invention and a favourable cost to benefit ratio is attained. With the smaller engine according to the present invention, combustion chamber shape is optimum at light loads, and mechanical friction and pumping losses are at a minimum.

- Type of partner sought: Interested in a collaboration in this field.
- Specific area of activity of the partner: R&D centres, universities, manufacturers.
- Task to be performed: The partner would like to be able to develop this technology.