Ford Stands Strong in Commitment to Developing Environmentally-Friendly Combustion Engines
The team at CarBuzz has recently uncovered a new patent filed by Ford at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This patent outlines a method for improving the efficiency of combustion engines by redirecting captured vapors from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system, or any other similar evaporative emissions system, into a precombustion chamber.
Expanding on the concept, the patent also takes into account a process for regulating the quantity of fuel dispensed from the container that contains the unused fumes from the crankcase and other gases. Typically, this reservoir is packed with absorbent charcoal, but if Ford’s concept proves to be effective, the use of such a substance may become superfluous.
A damaged or obstructed valve in the PCV system can result in excessive pressure buildup, and when the storage canister’s integrity is compromised, these emissions are released into the air. Ford’s concept aims to lessen strain on the system, prolonging its lifespan; however, this is not the primary advantage.
In its regular operation, the vapors are typically gathered and reintroduced into the intake at certain points. However, this process fails to fully harness the inherent energy of the vapor, as it is only mixed with additional fuel and air.
Ford’s concept is superior as it would direct these gases into a pre-chamber. As evidenced by Porsche, utilizing pre-chamber ignition can unleash substantial untapped power. In addition, promoting a cleaner combustion process has proven to improve efficiency, demonstrated by Mazda. This method also prevents excessive carbon deposits from accumulating on the intake and exhaust valves, as seen through reduced buildup.
There are numerous advantages to implementing this particular design, such as decreased levels of pollutants released from the exhaust pipe, reduced fuel usage, enhanced performance, and lower maintenance requirements. These benefits appear to be valid justifications for incorporating this technology into the upcoming revamp of the Mustang, the next F-150 model update, or any other modified gasoline-powered vehicle. However, there could potentially be some challenges that need to be addressed before implementing it.
One major hurdle is the increased intricacy, closely followed by the disadvantage of higher production expenses. Even if these are not concerns, the technology may still remain in its conceptual stage as other concepts prove to be more effective in delivering performance or enhancing efficiency.
In any case, it is apparent that the Blue Oval company will continually search for improved combustion engines for as much time as they can.