Future Fuel Efficient Technologies
27 June 2000
Gas Price Woes? Look for These Fuel Efficient Technologies From Delphi on Future Vehicles TROY, Mich., June 27 Long before prices at the gas pump
began to skyrocket, Delphi Automotive Systems was developing and
implementing a complete portfolio of vehicle systems that help increase fuel
efficiency without harming the environment.
"Rising fuel costs around the world combined with growing concern about
vehicle emissions is driving growing consumer demand for clean, efficient
engine technology that doesn't sacrifice performance or fuel economy," said
Don Runkle, Delphi Automotive Systems executive vice president. "Delphi has
an extensive portfolio of engine, thermal and energy management systems to
help address consumer's needs."
These products include a combination of technologies available today, and
technologies that are under development and will be available in the near
future. Highlights include the following:
* E-STEER(TM) (available today) -- E-STEER(TM) Electric Power Steering is
an all-electric, engine independent steering system. The system is powered by
an electric motor instead of a traditional hydraulic pump. This means no
pump, hoses, hydraulic fluid, drive belt or pulley on the engine, making
E-STEER a more efficient and environmentally friendly system. Consumers
benefit from Delphi's electric power steering system with increased fuel
economy of up to 5 percent on selected vehicles, improved acceleration, and
added safety with power steering even should the engine stall.
* Stop-Start Generator (under development) -- Delphi has developed a
small-vehicle generator that has a stop-start feature for increased fuel
economy, lower emissions and reduced noise in city driving. Called the Stop-
Start Generator, the unit helps deliver lower fuel consumption and emissions
by shutting off the engine when the vehicle idles -- such as at a stoplight --
and then quickly and quietly starting the engine via the accessory belt when
the driver is ready to proceed.
* Energen(TM) Energy Management Systems (under development) -- Delphi has
developed Energen(TM) systems, which help offer improved fuel economy and
reduced emissions while significantly increasing electrical power for the
growing number of advanced electrical and electronic systems of 21st century
vehicles. Energen is a family of hybrid and electric vehicle propulsion
systems that increase the use of electric motors, power electronics and energy
storage devices for cleaner, more efficient vehicle performance.
* Advanced Thermal Management System (under development) -- Delphi's
Advanced Thermal Management Systems (ATMS) are vehicle air-conditioning,
heating and powertrain heat management systems that help improve energy
efficiency and fuel economy, greatly enhance occupant comfort and address
environmental impact.
* Advanced Engine Management Systems -- Delphi has products available
today and in the near future that make the engine operate more efficiently by
more precisely managing air, fuel and spark delivery. Delphi can quickly and
cost-effectively develop custom-tailored systems for automakers to meet
virtually any market requirement with the most fuel-efficient, cleanest
operating solutions possible. These products include:
- Gasoline Direct-Injection System (available now) -- Delphi's gasoline
direct-injection system injects fuel directly into the cylinder, not the
intake manifold, to offer significant fuel economy benefits. The injectors
are capable of delivering a wide range of air/fuel ratios that can be
optimized for any driving condition or emissions requirement. Delphi is
prepared to adapt the direct-injection technology to all types of gasoline.
- Mechanical Variable Valve Train (under development) -- Delphi's
mechanical variable valve train has the ability to change intake valve lift,
duration and phasing, this allows more accurate control of air and fuel
delivery to correspond with varying engine demands. This technology provides
an improvement in fuel economy similar to that realized with gasoline direct
injection. It also allows for increased torque up to 5 percent.
- Diesel Common Rail Direct-Injection System (available now) -- Delphi
has developed a common rail direct injection system with ion-sensing for
closed-loop control of diesel engine combustion. This technology is
considered to be a major building block to bring the benefits of diesel
engines to a wider base of consumers. These benefits include significant
improvements in fuel economy, torque, noise and emissions. The technology
delivers the following benefits:
* Fuel economy improvements between 2 and 3 percent when compared
with today's already fuel-efficient diesel power plants;
* Exhaust particulate reduction between 10 and 20 percent;
* NOx emission reduction between 15 and 25 percent;
* Increases in torque performance between 3 and 4 percent;
* Dramatic improvement in pilot-injection accuracy, which diminishes
diesel "knock" by 3 to 5 decibels; and,
* Enabling closed-loop control at a cost that is equivalent to
production systems found in the marketplace today because no engine
modifications are required.
* Cylinder Deactivation Systems (under development) -- Delphi's cylinder
deactivation systems utilize a loss motion device to control the actuation of
individual cylinders. This provides fuel economy improvements of 5 to 8
percent over the current fuel-injection gasoline systems, depending on the
driving conditions. The system maintains driveability and meets emissions
standards through electro-hydraulic control and torque-based engine controls.
* Fuel Cell Auxiliary Power System (under development) -- Delphi is
working with European automakers BMW and Renault to co-develop a solid-oxide
fuel cell system as an auxiliary power unit for passenger cars and light- and
heavy-duty trucks. The system, being developed to use both gasoline and
diesel fuel, will permit the automakers to increase the total generation of
electrical energy in their vehicles. It will be able to power:
* Existing electrical features, such as lights, window controls and
fuel pumps;
* Sub-systems that are currently mechanically driven, such as air-
conditioning and water pumps, and;
* New electrical features, such as electric power steering, electric
brakes, and the extensive range of communication, navigation and electronic
equipment currently being introduced or planned.
In addition to Delphi's effort to improve fuel efficiency, it's also an
established leader in a variety of environmentally friendly initiatives.
Delphi has created "Design for Recyclability" and "Design for Disassembly"
programs to ensure development of products that meet environmental needs of
customers worldwide. These programs have earned Delphi industry recognition
such as the prestigious 1999 "Recycler of the Year" award from the Society of
Plastics Engineers.
Multi-national Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy,
Mich., USA, Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo, Brazil, is a world leader in
transportation and mobile electronics components and systems technology.
Delphi's three business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal &
Electrical Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communication -- provide
comprehensive product solutions to complex customer needs. Delphi has
approximately 213,000 employees and operates 176 wholly owned manufacturing
sites, 41 joint ventures, 53 customer centers and sales offices and 30
technical centers in 38 countries. Delphi can be found on the Internet at
http://www.delphiauto.com
