US $400,000 grant helps cut vehicle emissions

Camcon has developed a digital valve which has the potential to improve engine performance and reduce exhaust emissions by up to 20% due to its precise control over combustion.

Camcon Technology has secured a US $400,000 grant from the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) to part fund the development of its technology for vehicle engines to reduce both fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

Camcon has developed a digital valve called the Camcon Binary Actuator, which has the potential to improve engine performance and reduce exhaust emissions by up to 20% due to its precise control over combustion.

The grant will help fund a two-year development programme to produce a commercial prototype, single-cylinder engine, with supporting electronics and software.

Environmentally friendly car engines that run for longer on less fuel are the ultimate design goal for car manufacturers.

However, the mechanical relationship between the valve and the camshaft limits control over valve actuation and fuel consumption, and ultimately engine efficiently.

With the European Union legislating that all new cars sold from 2010 must have CO2 emission levels approximately 25% below the 2005 average of 162g/km, the need to examine new technologies has become more pressing.

Camcon is improving the efficiency of diesel and petrol engines by controlling the camshaft electronically, rather than mechanically, and a proof of concept test rig has already demonstrated that such an engine is technically, practically and economically viable.

Camcon's goal for the project is to secure a licence for volume production with a tier one automotive supplier.

"Internal combustion engines produce moderately high pollution levels, due to the incomplete combustion of carbonaceous fuel", said Ian Anderson, Chief Operating Officer, Camcon.

"There is currently tremendous pressure on manufacturers to dramatically reduce engine emissions and Camcon has a solution to the problem and is working hard to bring its technology to market".

"The EEDA grant is a significant contribution to the project", he continued.

"Camcon's work in developing this exciting and highly innovative technology is precisely the type of initiative the 'grant for research and development' funding aims to support".

"The product of the two years work to be undertaken by Camcon should have a beneficial impact not only for the company, but for the automotive sector at large and the East of England region as a whole".

"We applaud their vision and determination to drive their process forward and wish them every success", said Mark Aspinall, Head of Innovation at EEDA.

Back to top