There is a growing interest in both the United States and globally in creating engines that are more fuel-efficient and less damaging to the environment. While most engineers are concentrating on improvements to electric engines or alternative fuels, one company has focused on improving the traditional gasoline-powered motor.
Given the incredible dominance of the combustion engine, and the level of infrastructure that already exists to support the many road vehicles that use it, this makes a lot of sense. As we’re about to explain, the technology has a wide range of improvements and implications for the future of autos.
Updating the Past
Pinnacle Engines has patented an ultra-efficient engine that is based on the traditional four-stroke model. The engine is spark ignited, but utilizes opposed-piston and sleeve-valve design to increase estimated fuel efficiency by up to 50 percent under light load. For medium loads, the estimated increased fuel efficiency ranges from 12-30 percent over a conventional engine. The company anticipates further fuel economy with the addition of direct injection, turbocharging and other improvements.
The engine utilizes Pinnacle’s Cleeves Cycle patented design. It combines the best features of both diesel and gasoline engines into a new configuration. The engine size can be increased to power larger vehicles, and is readily modified to run on ethanol, diesel or natural gas.
Other Advantages
Along with its use of less fuel and generation of much less pollution, the Pinnacle engine will also be relatively cheap to produce. The design will be readily adaptable to the mass production techniques already in use globally. The engine has been designed specifically to provide a low-cost alternative to hybrid, natural gas and electric vehicle power.
Pinnacle engineers recognize that alternative vehicles will be necessary in the future. They anticipate their invention will be an affordable transition from gas or diesel to alternative power. They plan to initially target the engine to the growing Asian market. Low incomes coupled with high fuel costs have shut many consumers out of the vehicle market in India, Vietnam and other Asian nations.
Testing
The engine has undergone rigorous testing to confirm its workability and economy. Independent testing by FEV confirmed Pinnacle’s results with over 500 hours of testing on dynamometers. Additional lab testing is being conducted.
Availability
The company announced in March, 2012 that it had partnered with three sources to begin commercial production of the engine. Infield Capital, NEA and Bessemer Venture Partners have together invested $13.5 million for startup costs. If everything goes as planned, the engine will be available in 2013.
Pinnacle has entered into a development partnership with an unnamed Asian manufacturer. An Indian scooter company is rumored to be the partner. Production is planned to begin in early 2013.
Plans to globalize the new engine are also in the early planning stages. While anticipation is high for eventual use in an auto, that step is likely several years away. If the scooter proves successful, the next development is expected to be a motorized rickshaw. Further announcements are expected later in 2012.
Until the new ultra-efficient autos are available, car shoppers can depend on services like TrueCar to find the best deals on fuel-efficient models already on the market. With reliable reference sites as a starting point, the auto-shopping experience is simplified for both buyers and sellers.
