The researchers hope their prototype machine will be as strong as GM's 3.8-liter V6 engine but with a shrinking target fuel consumption by 30 percent. Unfortunately, this technology still seems too early. The prototype of this new engine will be completed as early as the year 2014 which means it is still long to be produced commercially.SOME years ago a gasoline engine without spark plugs or homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) is very interesting. A number of major automobile manufacturers including General Motors, Daimler and Volkswagen seriously investigate the benefits.
Bosch conducts research on Gasoline Engine Technology Without sparking plugs
Since then the technology is not widely heard from again after the engine and hybrid electric drive systems powered vehicles increasingly popular. But that does not mean HCCI has been buried.
It seems that HCCI technology still has a bright future. Supplier of automotive components giant Bosch along with several associates plus a grant of U.S. $ 12 million from the departments of energy the United States is working on a project feasibility HCCI commercially.
This technology is reaching the stage just by compressing combustion air and fuel mixture without the need for spark plugs, as occurs in diesel engines. But the designers of gasoline engines face a number of challenges.
The biggest challenge is controlling the HCCI gasoline engine combustion process. If the spark plugs, combustion time can be easily arranged by the PCM (powertrain control module) that can control when the sparks are not possible on HCCI without spark plugs.
Mixture composition and temperature must be changed in complex and timely manner to achieve performance comparable to conventional engines with spark plugs in a very wide range of operational conditions. Challenges include extremes of temperature both hot and cold, thin air content effects on driving conditions at altitudes as in the hills and mountains.
To overcome this problem, the designer can use a machine that uses gasoline but can change the mode between uses spark plugs and diesel-style compression if needed.
If successful, the gasoline engine with HCCI and existing technologies such as turbochargers and stop-start system can improve fuel efficiency by 30 percent compared to a conventional engine with the performance of the first machine berberupa sama.Prototipe GM Ecotec 2.0-liter engine is equipped with a supercharger, turbocharger, direct fuel injection, stop-start systems and variable valve timing.
