A few recent articles popped up about the Scuderi Split Cycle engine. The reason for the latest interest is because of the funding they recently received of around $8 million dollars, including $1.2 million from the Department of Defense. They also say they are going to show their technology to the SAE next month.
The Scuderi Split Cycle engine periodically shows up in the news, we’ve covered it here before. It has been hyped and talked about and explained and modeled and the Scuderi Group even has a nice website. What they don’t have is an engine. They have a nice DVD showing how it works, they expect to have a working model next year, it will save gas and lower emissions and they are going to revolutionize the internal combustion engine.
For those unfamiliar with the technology, the Scuderi engine utilizes two cylinders, one for compression, one for power with an interconnecting passage. After the air is compressed it is instantly transferred to the other cylinder where fuel is injected and a spark ignites the mixture slightly after TDC. Because of the timing of the ignition and exhaust valve opening, it claims to be very efficient. If you follow the animations and explanations, it sounds good.
The latest twist is to use the compression cylinder to add to a compressed air tank during braking and then use this stored compressed air to help run the engine, increasing efficiency even further. This sounds even better.
The problem with the Scuderi engine is the design and development which have been going on forever with nothing to show for it. The Scuderi Split Cycle Engine may actually be a hot air engine, built primarily from hot air. Contrast this with the Crower Six Stroke engine where Bruce Crower gets an idea, goes down to his shop and builds an engine, no fancy web site or DVD brochures, he just builds an engine. The Scuderi Group does have some really nice brochures, though.
Scuderi Group
The Kneeslider: Scuderi Split Cycle Engine
mike says
Forever? The breakthrough came in 2002. They have been patenting and verifying it since then to cover all their bases. Do you think 4 years is forever to design, patent, raise money, test and build the holy grail of engines? This is a family, not toyota or ford. Get a clue.
"Different" Mike says
The last Scuderi split cycle engine article posted on The Kneeslider is back in March 2006. The articles seem quite negative. Have your views of the technological concept changed in light of the concept having a strong backing through investors which has brought highly respected automotive technology developers. Plus they have brought many automobile manufacturers to the table who have signed NDAs. This all seems to make me believe Scuderi is convincing many “big dogs” that this technology is feasible despite the fact that the engine is yet to become a reality. However, a running prototype is planned before year end. I wonder and hope this technology proves itself.
Please provide an updated take on this technology.
Thanks,
“Different” Mike
gordon says
A July 1 report says Scuderi now has a running prototype at SwRI in San Antonio. Perhaps the reason it took so long is that it really is new technology and partners like Bosch and Cargine (among others) take time to line up. It will be interesting to see if the actual data approximates the computer model. If so, they have a big winner.