Enhanced Engine Improvements

Enhanced Engine Improvements


Program:
OPEN 2015
Award:
$1,920,289
Location:
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
07/14/2016 - 12/31/2019

Technology Description:

The University of Michigan team will develop a compact micro-hybrid configuration that pairs an Electrically Assisted Variable Speed (EAVS) supercharger with an exhaust expander Waste Energy Recovery (WER) system. Together, the EAVS and WER can nearly eliminate the slow air-path dynamics associated with turbocharge inertia and high exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). The EAVS system compresses engine intake air to increase engine power and allows the engine to have valuable “breathing time.” This breathing time allows for a coordinated intake boosting and exhaust vacuum, so that the combustion timing and fueling is always optimal. Meanwhile, the WER system will capture exhaust energy, store it in a low-voltage battery together with energy from regenerative braking and later reuse it to assist the engine under transient acceleration loads, helping to further increase fuel efficiency. The team’s innovation could increase fuel economy in advanced vehicles by 20%.

Potential Impact:

If successful, the University of Michigan project team will improve fuel economy in vehicles by 20% at a much lower cost than alternative engine technologies.

Security:

This technology seeks to decrease fuel consumption and will help decrease demand for foreign sources of fossil fuel. 

Environment:

If successful, this technology will improve vehicle fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions while ensuring customer acceptability.

Economy:

This technology could allow consumers to save on their transportation fuel costs.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Christopher Atkinson
Project Contact:
Prof. Anna Stefanopoulou
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
annastef@umich.edu

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Release Date:
01/07/2015