Ricardo Claims 2-Stroke/4-Stroke Breakthrough
As much as I like the idea of a hydrogen fuel-cell/nuke-plant-powered future, there's a lot of miles left in ye olde internal combustion mill. For instance, if you replaced mechanically-motivated valves with electronically operated ones, you'd increase both power and mileage. And if you could somehow get the power of a two-stroke engine without constantly burning oil and piston rings or needing a carburetor, why you'd be popping wheelies like a Yamaha RZ 350! Ricardo says yes we can. Their "2/4SIGHT" is a single bank from a V6 set-up to run as two-stroke/four-stroke. Allegedly, it seamlessly switches between two- and four-stroke cycles as power demand increases and decreases. In theory, a 2.1-liter V6 [theoretically] would thus produces 265hp and 339 ft.-lbs. of torque at 2,500 rpm, 27 percent fuel savings and lower carbon emissions. Sadly for now, 2/4SIGHT uses a whole raft of high-tech solutions (boost, injection, intake and exhaust valves are all variable for each cylinder); it's not ready for prime time. We'll keep you posted.
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i wonder if GM has ever considered doing a pushrod 4 based on their 5.7 litre v8. vibration might be acceptable/fixable; power, economy, and flexibility might finally put the Accord and Camry 4's in their place.
This would be great for piston aircraft. Hope they get it solved before we are banned from the skies.
# eh_political : March 26th, 2008 at 5:28 pm i wonder if GM has ever considered doing a pushrod 4 based on their 5.7 litre v8. vibration might be acceptable/fixable; power, economy, and flexibility might finally put the Accord and Camry 4’s in their place. EP..The Camry and Accord 4s are already IN THEIR PLACE. And GM's 4s??
Interesting concept, by Ricardo, but definitely not ready yet for production. The exciting thing is there is a lot of research going on of how improve the ICE. Everything from fully electronic valve timing, to camless engines, to electrically assisted turbos.