An engine that improves efficiency at part-load where most engines typically operate.
Continuously Variable Displacement Engine
WHAT IS THE CVD?
A new Engine Drive System which improves Fuel Economy and reduces CO2 emissions at less than full throttle and is lower cost than other advanced efficiency engines. Appropriate for Gasoline, Natural Gas or Diesel. Secondary application: ultra-efficient Piston Compressor.
APPLICABLE MARKETS
Automobiles, Pickup Trucks, Medium Duty Trucks, Heavy Duty Trucks, Busses, Gen-Sets, Industrial Engines, Construction and Agriculture; any engine that doesn’t run at full load most of the time. A secondary application is the global piston compressor market.
MARKET SIZE + NEED
Current estimates for 2020, pre-COVID-19, suggest a rate of 200,000,000 engines/year and growing. The global need for the CVD drive system:
Global need for reduced CO2 emissions/fossil fuel consumption from ALL engines.
Global Need for lower cost engines that meet CO2 regulations.
Global need for more efficient Piston Compressors.
COMPARING CVD VS ADVANCED GASOLINE ROADMAP
In the U.S., CO2 is not seen as a harmful emission, but as fuel economy, which is regulated differently while the rest of the world sees CO2 as a regulated emission. Whenever engines are compared, they need to be compared at the same emissions level which should include CO2 or fuel economy.
The technical direction of advanced gasoline engines is generally the same throughout the world:
Downsized and boosted (turbocharger and intercooler added)
Variable Valve Actuation
Cylinder Deactivation
Down-speed (run the engine slower and use 8-10 speed transmission)
Add Dilution (lean with air, or cooled EGR)
Reduced viscosity of oil (0W20)
Each of these technologies seeks to improve part-load efficiency by reducing pumping work and reducing friction—the very same losses CVD reduces.
CVD Overview Videos
Other Fuels and Electric Vehicles
NATURAL GAS AND DIESEL
In addition to a gasoline engine design, the CVD can be designed as a Natural Gas Engine or a Diesel Engine. A Natural Gas CVD Engine will have almost identical benefits as the Gasoline Engine. A Diesel CVD Engine will also have fuel economy benefits, but the thermodynamics are somewhat different as the Diesel engine does not use a throttle.
CVD: COMPLEMENTING ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Will Electric Vehicles Eliminate Need for Engines? Yes, probably so. But when? There are many obstacles and risks which makes the timing complex. A few areas to note:
Government CO2 emissions/fuel economy requirements are subject to politics.
Progress of battery development.
Buying habits of consumers.
Cost of fossil fuel.
Progress of bringing online renewable energy sources.
Intermittent and unreliable nature of renewable sources, requirement for full “demand capacity” backup.
Inefficiency in electric grids transferring power.
Based on the most recent annual figures, the current market share of electric passenger vehicles sold in previous calendar year in the U.S. is a nominal 2.2% and appears to be flattening.
With a global electrical grid that struggles to provide power even today (Germany and Japan have had to build coal burning plants to replace the nuclear power they have shut down. California has rolling blackouts due to a lack of electrical capacity during summer months and must purchase electricity), can that grid be expanded to provide additional power for 200,000,000 electrical vehicles every year?
With extreme growth in electrical requirements, can renewable sources provide the scale needed with the existing “demand capacity” available 24/7 — or will it be coal power? Can we risk concentrating our mobility power in the same system as our homes, factories and offices; vulnerable to hackers, terrorists, wars, and rogue states? How do we survive natural catastrophes with electrical vehicles? Blizzards, floods, and hurricanes knock out power for entire regions of the country. Weather extremes are becoming more prevalent and more severe. These points are not intended to knock electric vehicles, but to show that high efficiency, affordable ICE are needed to complement electric vehicles until these issues can be ironed out.
A Cummins sponsored GT-Power simulation has shown a 30% improvement in fuel consumption (lower CO2) over the FTP cycle compared to a baseline gasoline engine.
SUMMARY
FUTURE OF CVD ENGINE
Some level of electrification of transportation is needed but it is not a panacea for global warming and fossil fuel depletion. The Internal Combustion Engine will continue to play an important role for many decades to come as a wholesale switch to electrical vehicles presents daunting challenges beyond drive system development and consumer acceptance.
We cannot assume that electrification will solve transportation’s CO2/fossil fuel problems. It is imperative that we continue to improve the efficiency of the Internal Combustion Engine.
Very few engines run constantly at full load. All other engines will benefit from the CVD drive system.
The CVD is a mechanical device and now that it has been proven to work, it can be developed with a minimum investment. It will have a massive global impact, reducing CO2 pollution and conserving our fossil fuel reserves.
Efficiency is our forte.