Scuderi Split-Cycle Engine Update

Truck and auto companies are constantly bombarded with new engine designs; most of which never make it past a first glance. In fact, because of its simplicity, Nicolaus Otto's basic design of the internal combustion four-stroke engine has remained largely unchanged since the introduction of Rudolph Diesel's innovation.

That's beginning to change. In their July 2008 issue, Popular Mechanics briefly covered 5 different concepts, three of which are design modifications, that could significantly improve the efficiency of internal combustion engines. The three design modifications are:

• HCCI: Considered and dismissed in the 1970s, homogeneous charge-compression ignition is now being given a second, more serious, look. The design should yield a 30% to 40% increase in fuel economy.
• Sturman Camless Engine: Eddie Sturman's engine design replaces the camshaft with digitally controlled valves and hydraulic actuators; predicting a 50% to 60% increase in efficiency.
• Scuderi Split-Cycle Engine: By splitting the four strokes of the Otto Cycle (intake, compression, combustion and exhaust) across two cylinders (compression and power) the Scuderi design results in increased cylinder pressures resulting, it's hoped, in fuel economy increases of 50%.
  

Scuderi Unveils Prototype

Back in January of 2008 I wrote a post at Life on the Road regarding the Scuderi Split-Cycle engine and then followed it up with a Trucker Tech podcast interview of the company's CEO, Sal Scuderi. During the interview Mr. Scuderi indicated that a proof-of-concept prototype was in the works and they expected it to be completed sometime in September of '08.

That timetable was, apparently, somewhat optimistic but yesterday, at a news conference at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) 2009 World Congress in Detroit, a cutaway model of the first proof-of-concept prototype was unveiled. The engine cutaway is an exact duplicate of the proof-of-concept prototype undergoing testing and analysis by Southwest Research Laboratory in San Antonio, Texas.

Challenges Ahead

The development of any new engine design faces a number of challenges; not the least of which is just getting someone to take a close enough look to realize the potential. For quite some time, every letter to a truck or auto manufacturer was matched with a letter of rejection. Ford's response concluded with the phrase: "Good luck in your development of advanced engine technologies!"

Finally, in 2006 Honda began showing some interest and, in 2007, so did Daimler AG. Robert Bosch GmbH, builders of fuel pumps, injectors and other engine parts, is developing components for the Scuderi prototype.

Whether or not the engine ever makes it into production, either as a diesel or gasoline powered design, is dependent on the results of testing, scheduled to begin in May, at Southwest Research Labs. As a Daimler researcher familiar with the engine said: "There's a big difference between simulations and a working engine. It all seems interesting, if they can get it to work."

Comments

[hydraulic actuator]

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