Smart Plugs Ignition System?

[Dan Cordon]

> Sounds to me like they are targeted at companies trying to design 
> radically "different" internal combustion engines.  It seems like they 
> would be a "step back" from the optimized systems already integrated 
> into conventional designs.

You're mostly correct there. Most engine designers will tell you that 
the current gasoline engine is highly optimized. We know most of what 
there is to know about it, and cost of materials and manufacturing are 
the main constraints between good and mediocre engines. Emissions 
reduction is the main focus at this point. Making power is relatively 
easy....

As much as I support the smartplug product, its ideal applications will 
never become mainstream. One of my research engines running aquanol 
actually has a 43% efficiency (at high loads to boot!) from fuel energy 
to crank energy. This is virtually unheard of in the vehicle engine 
world. But there will never be widespread infrastructure for the fuel, 
so it will only find itself used in niche markets.

It's really too bad, since the emissions are far superior to gasoline, 
(no net CO2 production, almost undetectable NOx, no change in CO, and 
only slight increase in HC's, which are easily managed in a reduction 
cat) and it's a relatively inexpensive and renewable fuel. It's also a 
non-toxic fuel and would reduce dependence on foreign oil supplies.

But this all requires the smartplug technology - or something similar. 
Since this is unproven, no one in their right mind is going to start 
creating mass infrastructure to support it. Look at E85....it actually 
works well with our current infrastructure and engine technology, but we 
still barely support it. The idea of aqueous ethanol as a fuel source 
isn't likely to happen in our lifetimes anyway. And if you're going to 
go to the trouble of making your own, you're probably *far* more likely 
to drink it than drive your car with it! :o)

But Huw is right....any change in IC engine design *is* going to be a 
step back. But I believe we've come about as far as we're going to with 
our gasoline piston engines. Other technologies (HCCCI, rotary, direct 
injection, discrete valve control, fuel cells,...) are getting a lot 
more attention, and while they are currently a step back they at least 
show promise for improving things beyond our now conventional designs.

-- 
Dan Cordon
Mechanical Engineer - Engine Research Facility
University of Idaho