Fuel-injection patent for D.S.I.R. man

Press, 30 November 1987, Page 28

Fuel-injection patent for D.S.I.R. man

PA Wellington A new fuel-injection system for cars that promises to be much cheaper than present systems has been invented by a Wellington automotive research scientist, Peter Waring. Mr Waring, of the D5.1.R. said the system could probably be manufactured for $5O — less than the price of carburettors. Present fuel-injection systems, mostly used in more expensive cars in New Zealand, cost several hundred dollars. Mr Waring said his phase-shifting electronic fuel-injection pump invention could be cheaper because it ran on an entirely different principleA New Zealand patent on the invention has been granted, and Mr Waring has begun approaching vehicle manufacturers throughout the world. He hopes to take the invention to Detroit He said car makers were always looking for

cheaper ways of making components. At present fuel-injec-tion systems used highpressure pumps to inject petrol or other fuels into engines. These were controlled by solenoid valves. The equipment was expensive because the valves had to be open for precise times. The new system used electro-magnetic coils simitar to those found at the centre of a loudspeaker. The coils at each end of a cylinder drive two small pistons facing each other. These created what is called a phase shift The space is varied between the pistons to deliver the rate of fuel required by the engine. This could then be controlled by electronic circuitry. The equipment was all cheap and easy to make, and made control of fuelflow easier. But fuel would not be injected into engines any more precisely.

Mr Waring said he had the idea for the tael injec- ■ tor some time ago but began working on it only • two years ago. Only one • model had so for been • made. This was working on a test-bed engine. -< The market for fuel- ' injection systems worldwide is very large. Most care now made in the i United States and Japan, i as well as a large propor- • tion in Europe, use tael i injection because they are : required to meet fuel emission standards for > prevention of smog and acid rain. Most New Zealand cars use carburettors, except i at the top of the range, Mr Waring has headed a team of researchers at the Industrial Processing Division of the D.S.I.R. which has been amoqg the world leaders in developing technology tar methanol-fuelled engines. Before migrating to New Zealand he was a research engineer for Ford in England,