Four-Stroke Aircraft Diesel Unveiled

AVL has shown us a world record-breaking diesel engine, that they made public at the SAE Small Engine Technology Conference in Madison (WI). It's designed for UAVs, they say; but could a small manned aircraft use such a component? Hmmm.

Schrick, Inc., a subsidiary of AVL, created a prototype diesel engine that weighs 53 pounds and produces 47 horsepower, a new record for four-stroke aircraft diesel power density. The engine is designed for high-altitude unmanned aircraft.

AVL's Schrick overcame significant technical challenges in the development of a lightweight, high-output diesel engine for unmanned aerial vehicles. In the process, the engineering team made breakthrough discoveries regarding engine performance enhancement.

Pushrod diesel: 10,000rpm. Any questions?

The team designed a pushrod-type valve train that, in combination with Schrick's advanced camshaft profiles, enabled the engine to sustain engine speeds of 10,000 rpm. The project demonstrates the extended use of pushrod-type valve trains for all diesel-powered vehicles, including automotive. The discoveries could lead to OHC performance with a lower-cost pushrod system.

"This is the highest specific power four-stroke diesel engine to date for aircraft," noted Michael Fuchs, President of Schrick, Inc. "It is a running example of what can be achieved using the latest design techniques, materials, manufacturing processes and the collective collaboration of a creative design and development staff."

Also on display by AVL was a concept that may power tomorrow's high-performance motorcycle, the "W3" concept that wedges three cylinders into the space normally utilized in the century-old V2 layout. One advantage to the W3 layout is that more power and torque can be produced in a package no larger than the more conventional layouts. Also, the W3 configuration could be used in everything from 180 mph Supersport bikes to cruisers.

[AVL, of Plymouth (MI), is the world's largest privately owned and independent company for the development of gasoline, diesel, alternative fuel powertrain systems, as well as fuel cell and hybrid technologies. The company also manufactures powertrain instrumentation and test systems.]

FMI: www.avlna.com