A new type of combustion engine could cut fuel consumption by 40 per cent and exhaust emissions by up to 50 per cent, according to Mayflower, the UK engineering company behind the design.
The e3 engine was invented by British motorcycle racing engineer Joe Ehrlich and is funded by Mayflower. The company says that the engine鈥檚 unique design allows it to alter engine capacity, and hence power and fuel consumption, on the move. This improves efficiency and cuts emissions.
However, the engine has yet to prove itself and is about five years from production. 鈥淭here is a clear mechanical advantage in their approach.鈥� says Peter Bryanston-Cross, an expert in internal combustion engine design at the University of Warwick in the UK. But he adds that the complex design could increase engine wear and reduce overall working life.
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Nonetheless, Bryanston-Cross says: 鈥淭his type of engine, coupled with a electronic direct fuel injection approach, and a back up fuel cell could considerably help pollution.鈥�
Others have also backed to the idea. Nick Stephenson, deputy chairman of Rover said in a statement: 鈥淚n the automotive industry we receive hundreds of crazy ideas. You can rest assured this is a serious and clever idea.鈥�
Smooth ride
The new engine involves two radical but simple modifications. First, changes to the shape of the crankshaft create an elliptical, rather than circular, motion. Mayflower engineer Mike Bryant says testing shows the piston operates more efficiently in an elliptical manner, generating more power and reducing unburned fuel emissions.
The second modification is a lever connected to the crankshaft that adjusts the position of the piston. By moving the lever, the usable volume of each cylinder is changed, therefore changing the engine鈥檚 power output and fuel consumption.
Bryant says this allows the engine to adjust to different driving demands and could eventually be performed intelligently by an on-board computer.
鈥淲hoever gets it into production will have an advantage by a long way,鈥� Bryant told New Scientist. In 2000, Saab unveiled a different kind of engine also capable of varying capacity on the move, called the Saab Variable Compression engine. Bryant says that e3 promises to be even more flexible and efficient.