Hello,
I'm new here. This thread just grabbed my attention while looking up something completely unrelated.
So as an engine enthusiast I am always looking for better ways to make power and use less fuel. The principle here is not anything new. Auto manufactures and hotroders alike take advantage, the best they can, every day. The inside of the air intake manifold is intentionally left rough cast or with dimples. It is the same effect you get from a golf balls dimples. The air trapped in the golf ball dimples creates a "thin turbulent boundry area" that is a frictionless path for the air to travel in, allowing a higher velocity (and depending on spin, has an effect on flight path). The limiting factors here are crosssectional area (slightly reduced by the boundy area) and pumping losses due to drag of the fuel droplets and exhaust particles. Newer engines use direct fuel injection to negate fuel droplet limitations. (They are prone to their own problems). No fuel in the intake = NO drag from fuel droplets.
Next, having worked on engines since the mid '80s I have never experienced a situation where fuel delivery is increased to satisfy the catalytic converters "needs"? (Scratching head?) The catalyst fires when there is an excess of fuel. i.e. cold start, extra fuel is REQUIRED for ignition, NOT added to fire the catalyst. Heavy acceleration, extra fuel is REQUIRED to combat preignition and piston meltdown, NOT to fire the catalyst. The catalytic converter is there to burn excess fuel and oil that are a product of NORMAL engine operation. The reason a catalytic converter fails is due to excess heat (too much fuel or oil), contamination (coolant, additives or other engine malfunction), or breakage (thermal shock, vibration or direct impact).
So...Deep Breath...
I understand the principle, physics and the math. I can not say this is not valid because I haven't tested it or witnessed it first hand. It may work...in a way... This is NOT a new idea. This can NOT change the engines inherent volumetric efficiency. It CAN under a defined range of operation (often too narrow to be useful to more than a very small percentage of us) optimize fuel atomization and air flow velocity thereby improving power and fuel economy in that range.
Just have to share sometimes.
My passion is Suck, Squeeze, Bang, BLOW! Oh, I love that sound! (I DO Love the electric motor symphony as well, so there is hope!)
Thanks,
Voeltagear
