Scuderi engine

[6spdcamaro]

Has anyone seen this? I wonder if it can actually run well.
http://www.scuderigroup.com/

[-Freak-]

That's an interesting design.

[WILWAXU]

So.. functionally. It's a 2 cylinder, but it has to move around 4 pistons. Doesn't seem very efficient to me. But, I'm far from an engineer.

[6spdcamaro]

Originally Posted by WILWAXU

So.. functionally. It's a 2 cylinder, but it has to move around 4 pistons. Doesn't seem very efficient to me. But, I'm far from an engineer.

I was thinking that too but.... Because the intake piston is pushing air into the combustion/ exhaust chamber which fires AFTER top.dead.center, the power stroke will last longer so even if it isn't as efficient as a conventional engine that extra length of the power stroke will outweigh the extra resistance? It is supposed to produce more power and less emissions but i still need to see it run under load before i believe it. Apparently Daimler and Honda are already involved and they will be putting them in cars next year.

[GregWeld]

Like most things mechanical - there's no "free lunch" - but this little engine is pretty darn kool... and like a 'blown engine' while the blower takes a bunch of HP to make the power - the power made far exceeds the amount used. Now if they could just fix that exhaust note...

[Benjamix]

Because the cycle is split, you get one power stroke for every crankshaft revolution, instead of every other -- that's part of the efficiency increase. Also, the high pressure air aids the combustion process, which minimizes pollutants and likely soot as well for the diesel version. Super-cool, highly intuitive, simple yet very elegant in my book!

[Benjamix]

I understand that the engine prototype is up and running very well at SwRI in Texas -- a highly respected research lab, and I doubt they'd be screwing around with this if weren't for real.

[6spdcamaro]

It definitely seems legitimate to me too. I would just like to see how it performs when it has to carry around a 3000-4000 pound car. It is definitely an innovative design

[Benjamix]

The Scuderi engine reflects a new thermodynamic cycle -- improving on the Otto and Diesel cycles, so it's scaleable. Theoretically, there's no reason you can't use it to run anything that uses a piston engine, whether operated on diesel fuel, gas, biodiesel, natural gas, ethanol, hydrogen, whatever. I think it's a huge advancement, and look forward to seeing it in every piece of new equipment within a few years. the worls needs this kind of technology.

[70rs]

That is pretty neat. Interesting.
I wonder how the overall real worl performance will be. It seems to me that the extra mass turning inside would not help on the efficiency end at all. But I am no engineer either. Still a neat design.


Greg, you are right, that exhaust note needs some work. LOL!