Sustainable mobility that relies on fuels better than electricity continues to seek solutions to be more powerful, autonomous and efficient. However, one manufacturer seems to have achieved the same, but following an opposite path to the others. This is the enigmatic new one-stroke engine, with 120 hp with only 0.5 liters, although the most curious of all are its pistons, now you will see why.
This is the new one-stroke engine: innovation or return to the past?
The E-Rex forming the core of the new engine technology developed by Innengine, a Spanish engine manufacturer, is conceived to break down the current industry standards by bringing significant change in efficiency and exhaust emissions, which, in turns, might enhance performance and limit pollutants released.
It is noticeable because the “one stroke” engine principle is completely different from the standard engines, resulting in just a 500-displacement and 8-piston being able to produce 120 horsepower, a unique fact. The on-going combustion used in place of a well-controlled explosion of the E-Rex makes this technology efficient.
It makes for no cooling system or lubricant oiling needed and has just the one moving part; It can be very light and compact. It is fit for reserve in an electric vehicle which allows to use almost twice mileage on a single battery capacity.
Although the E-Rex concept is in the initial prototypes and testing stages of development, the technology potential to be harnessed for the engine world is truly mind-boggling. With its new substantial, hydrogen fuel variant, it is able to deliver powerful and efficient performance that surpasses the existing ones.
The futuristic fuel behind this new engine: attention to how it works
The E-Rex engine from Innengine draws it working characteristic from an exclusively one-stroke process which is radically different from conventional models. Contrary to the majority, that involve four-strokes process including intake, compression, atic, and exhaust, this single-stroke performs all of those processes in one stroke.
This is affected by a quite a new principle of making pistons and cylinders. The E-Rex is equipped with 8í1/8 pistons in the layout of radial array around a central combustion chamber. A piston moves up and down, displace a mass of air who’s motion is driven by the propeller.
The in draw movement of the piston on the inlet stroke is responsible for drawing air from the intake ports that are placed on the sides of the cylinder. At the end of the piston’s stroke, it reaches bottom dead center which denotes the placement of fuel in the cylinder head in the middle.
The piston, in its turn, forces the air-fuel mixture in advance. At this stage, a high-energy spark passes from the spark plug main firing pin into the spark plug’s first tiny gap, providing the source of ignition. Consequently, the radiant heat from the flame gives the thrust stroke; as a result of which the piston moves upwards.
Powerful, futuristic, but simple: the new E-rex engine, at detail
The power-to-weight specifications for E-Rex are very impressive for its size. Coming with a total of 120 hp out of the engine’s ½ liter displacement is new. It does the work of a 16 piston engine due to the use of a very neat one-stroke design and 8 pistons.
An overwhelming majority of conventional engines have 4 steps per cycle; i.e., breathing in, compression, burning, and exhausting. The E-Rex is a product that has evolved from the merger of all 4 traditional strokes into 1 continuous stroke.
As you can see, this new one-stroke engine has features that prove that simplifying the pistons and injection is a feasible and necessary process. In fact, it is just the opposite of what other manufacturers are doing, with proposals such as the four-strokes that, yes, bet on hydrogen as a priority fuel. Do you think it is here to stay and put an end to EVs?