2012 ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit to include split-cycle engine presentations

The ARPA-e 2012 event is designed to bring together key players from across the energy ecosystem – researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, corporate executives, and government officials – to share ideas for developing and deploying the next generation of energy technologies. The Summit's unique combination of leaders makes it the perfect forum for developing energy solutions that will enable America to out-innovate our global competitors.

Keynote speakers include the following: DOE Secretary Chu; Bill Gates as Chairman; Bill Clinton - 42nd President of the United States; and others.

For the record, the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) is a new agency within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) designed to harness the nation’s most innovative minds to unleash an energy revolution. Unlike other government organizations, ARPA-E invests exclusively in high-risk, high-reward energy technologies – potential breakthroughs that would forever change our world and the ways we use, produce, and store energy.

ARPA-E’s unique multifaceted approach combines industry-leading scientists, engineers, and business executives to identify promising solutions to the nation’s most critical energy problems. Leveraging the best practices of academia, government, and business enables ARPA-E to fast-track new game-changing technology towards the marketplace – which is critical to securing the nation’s global technology leadership and creating new American jobs.

I first received notice of this event via Dr. Oded Tour of Tour Engine. For the record, I met Dr. Tour in 2011 at the DEER Conference in Detroit. The latest email indicated he was very proud to be accepted and invited for the ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit; and with good reason. He is being listed among the best of those with the greatest energy innovations.

When I checked the list, I noticed that many of the companies I have been covering the past two years will be in attendance. Aside from Tour Engine, Scuderi Engine and Cyclone Power will also be attending.

In fact, under vehicle technologies, about 21 companies will be presenting. General Atomics, for example, will be presenting its Double-Sided Switched Reluctance Motor.
The proposed double-stator switched reluctance motor (DSSRM) completely eliminates the use of rare earth metals. The concept is “double-sided,” with a stator on both sides of the rotor. This unique solution overcomes fundamental limitations of conventional single-sided switched reluctance motors. The technology has the best chance to meet the challenging ARPA-E power density and cost metrics.

With regard to propulsions, though, it is no secret that I favor the split-cycle engine technologies, with all respect to other fine technologies. Simple reason is, I believe it has the best chance at being accepted by OEMs at this point for light vehicle; although it is capable for heavy trucks as well.

TourEngine: an Ultra-efficient Internal Combustion Engine

In the patented TourEngine™ split-cycle engine design, the cold strokes (Intake and Compression) occur in one cold cylinder while the hot strokes (Combustion and Exhaust) occur in a hotter and bigger cylinder. However, this engine’s configuration is an opposed-cylinder. Simulations predict 50% efficiency increase and reduction in CO2 and NOx. A running prototype proves design feasibility. Notably, the TourEngine™ is based on standard cylinder/piston technology enabling adopting recent advancements and reducing barriers for its adoption. Read: Tour Engine split-cycle technology draws interest at 2011 DEER Conference in Detroit

Scuderi Split-Cycle (SSC) Engine

SSC engine concept divides the four strokes of a conventional combustion engine cycle over two paired cylinders. The first cylinder, referred to as the cold “compressor”, provides intake and compression strokes. The second cylinder, referred to as the hot “expander”, provides power and exhaust strokes. The two cylinders are connected by a “crossover port”, through which the high pressure gas is transferred from the compressor cylinder to the expander cylinder between the compression and power strokes. Read: Engine expert joins Scuderi Group to commercialize split-cycle technology

Just Beyond Split Cycle

One additional company is worth noting, as I have covered its technologies here at TorqueNews, which means TN writers are on top of the latest innovations.

Cyclone Power Technologies: Cyclone Engine is a patented heat regenerative, reciprocating Rankine cycle engine. As such, it boasts high efficiencies and power densities to run on everything from waste heat recovery, solar and CHP distributed power systems to cars, trucks and locomotives. The eco-friendly Cyclone Engine is designed to run on virtually any fuel - including bio-diesels, syngas or solar - while emitting fewer greenhouse gases and irritating pollutants at a lower cost. Read: Raytheon: Cyclone Power's combustion engine game changer