Mexican Media Brands
GM Touts “Skip Fire” Cylinder Deactivation
General Motor Co. says piston engines could hike their fuel economy 15% with a new continuously variable cylinder deactivation system being developed by a Silicon Valley startup funded in part by GM Ventures.
#economics
Share
General Motor Co. says piston engines could hike their fuel economy 15% with a new continuously variable cylinder deactivation system being developed by a Silicon Valley startup funded in part by GM Ventures.
Conventional cylinder deactivation systems conserve fuel by switching off two or more cylinders under low-load conditions. Until now, such systems have been able to move only between fixed firing patterns.
But Tula Technology Inc.'s Dynamic Skip Fire system makes continuous decisions about how many and which cylinders should fire to maintain smooth operation and deliver only the amount of torque required at the moment.
GM says the software-based DSF technology taps the capabilities of digital signal processing and advanced powertrain controls. Tests to date indicate the system could deliver 15% fuel efficiency boosts in 4-, 6- and 8-cylinder engines compared with standard forms of the same powerplants.
Tula's development work combines the company's software knowhow with GM's expertise in powertrain operations. The company's other investors include Khosla Ventures, Sequoia Capital and Sigma Partners.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Porsche Doubles EV Target for 2025
Porsche AG says about half the vehicles it sells by 2025 will be equipped with hybrid or all-electric powertrains, twice the ratio it forecast four weeks ago.
-
On Global EV Sales, Lean and the Supply Chain & Dealing With Snow
The distribution of EVs and potential implications, why lean still matters even with supply chain issues, where there are the most industrial robots, a potential coming shortage that isn’t a microprocessor, mapping tech and obscured signs, and a look at the future
-
Mazda, CARB and PSA North America: Car Talk
The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) Management Briefing Seminars, an annual event, was held last week in Traverse City, Michigan.