Title: Hydrogen fuelled stepped piston engine for ultra-low emissions hybrid and range extender electric vehicles

Authors: Peter R. Hooper

Addresses: Department of Engineering Research, Bernard Hooper Engineering Ltd, Wolverhampton WV3 9BU, UK

Abstract: Compact two-stroke cycle engines are often perceived to suffer from poor durability, however that is not the case for segregated scavenge two-stroke engines. Stepped piston engines successfully separate lubrication and air delivery systems and allow closer correlation with the high durability aspects of four-stroke engines than the challenges associated with conventional two-stroke engines. This study builds upon previous experimental testing and 1-d CFD modelling research performed on a stepped piston segregated scavenge engine. Improved performance compared with the previous research using gasoline/indolene fuels, together with an initial exploratory investigation into the benefits of hydrogen fuel operation is presented. The drive of the study is to present an ultra-low emission solution for Hybrid Electric and range extender electric vehicles, whilst simultaneously countering the cost issues of such vehicles. The potential to overcome the continuing concerns of consumers in terms of the serious range anxiety challenges is discussed.

Keywords: hydrogen; hybrid electric vehicle; range extender electric vehicle; stepped piston engine; two-stroke cycle engine; four-stroke cycle engine; engine modelling/simulation; noise vibration and harshness.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPT.2024.142182

International Journal of Powertrains, 2024 Vol.13 No.3, pp.313 - 335

Received: 10 Apr 2024
Accepted: 17 Jul 2024
Published online: 11 Oct 2024 *

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