The A.E.C.
Page 44
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Oil Engine Improved
SINCE the first form of oil engine was produced by the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., great strides have been made in this development, and the latest engine is a long way ahead of its predecessor, both in its design and performance.
The earlier model developed only 95 b.h.p., but the 1932 type, which resulted from the joint experimental work of the company's engineers and Mr. Ricardo, develops 130 b.h.p. and gives engine speeds of over 3,000 r.p.m. It attains 100 lb. and upwards per sq. in. B.M.E.P. over a speed range from 600 r.p.m. to 1,500 r.p.m., thus equalling the performance of the present-day petrol engine, whilst its weight with B26 flywheel and all accessories has been reduced to 1,414 lb. The so-called " Diesel knock" has also been practically eliminated.
The new cylinder head contains a spherical combustion chamber, connected to the cylinder barrel by means of a conical passage arranged tangentially to the surface of this spherical chamber. Only the necessary mechanical clearance is left between the top of the piston and the inner face of the cylinder head when the piston is at its highest point, and the fuel is sprayed into this spherical chamber. The idea is to produce an orderly swirl of the air in the combustion chamber, and it flows at a rapid rate past the injector nozzle, so that a high percentage of the air is utilized and a clear exhaust obtained.
The consumption of oil in service now shows a 75 per cent. to 95 per cent, improvement over that obtained with similar vehicles under the same conditions but using petrol. Figures of over 170 ton-miles per gallon have been achieved, and 150 ton-miles average over distances of 10,000 miles.
It will be exhibited at Olympia in the Renown six-wheeled passenger chassis and as a separate unit on the Mammoth Major lorry.