Performance and efficiency of internal combustion engines

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:

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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]