Scuderi split-cycle engine

[jvbtte]

I saw this the other day its very intriguing.

what do you guys think ? http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/19/scuderi-split-cycle-engine-almost-ready-for-sale-to-automakers/

http://www.scuderigroup.com/

I'm thinking it may have some balancing issues at variable speeds.

if it does I'm sure they'll figure out though

[slngsht]

seems like a lot of pumping losses and friction losses to overcome, but I'm sure they've looked at that.

[Croc]

So a 4 cylinder engine becomes an 8 cylinder in this approach? Unless they dropped something (e,g, some cylinders) the packaging for one of these engines is larger and heavier than the original otto cycle design?

[xflow7]

This idea's been around on the 'net for a while. To be honest, I don't see a lot to recommend this. Splitting the cycle up does have some benefit, but they can't possibly make up for the negatives they seem to incur.

 

Aside from the very valid points already raised, igniting after TDC as they seem forced to do will likely be a disaster as far as efficiency is concerned due to the finite burn time of the fuel mixture unless the engine is restricted to *very* low rpm.

 

I also tend to be pretty wary of any supposed great new engine technology where the marketing materials do not show a prototype running and making net positive power or at least running! Particularly one that has been in development for years already.