Rotary VCR I.C.Engine project

Developing the World 1^st ever Fuel agnostic I.C. Engine.

Project

Making VCR viable

Every individual application project plan is made, and the generic high level (non-confidential) information is made available under a subdomain of KGYAT.

The various heads are discussed below.

The title -

Commercializing RVCR technology based I.C. Engine for primemover applications.

Global engine industry is seeking long term solutions to attain ‘Zero Carbon Goals’. One sustainable concrete way is to reduce and subsequently eliminate emission with green fuels. RVCR technology engines enables this by – simple and easy to achieve wide range VCR.

Prelude

The option of replacing of fossil fuels with alternative green fuels in engines is hardly being tapped. Considering the existing fuel infrastructure can enable green fuel logistics the propositions seem to be a natural course to be adopted. The supply of green fuels too can be made to match the demand; however, the difficulty lay in the limitation in I.C.Engine technologies to use these fuels.

We bring you the RVCR technology proposition as the solution to overcome this bottle neck in large scale transitioning to alternative fuels. Currently most innovations in this area are based on incremental improvements and design modifications of existing engines to suit desired fuel. This could be Bio-Fuel or LNG or Hydrogen. Other set of innovations are those chasing the ‘Variable Compression Ratio’ (VCR) feature that allows use of multiple fuels. It’s about a century now since the research of VCR began with Sir Harry Ricardo’s attempts in 1920’s. Almost all global majors experimented with VCR and various models exist, however they remained test models. The complexities of the mechanism requirements of VCR and the limited range of compression ratio variation makes’ them unviable. VCR is hence the holy grail of I.C. engine technologies.

Introduction

We KGYAT RVCR engines have developed RVCR Deep – tech innovation in Propulsion / Drive systems for Transport and Energy sector applications. Design and commercial R&D in I.C.Engine is high niche specialization dominated by few globally leading companies. It involves high-end engineering excellence, cost, and time intensive processes in customized facilities. The existing Engines are saturating at peak efficiency and performance levels from improvement through a century now. Any increment cost’s multiple millions of dollars and stretch over years.

These technologies are now being innovated to adopt green-fuels like, Biofuel, Hydrogen, LNG, Ammonia etc. Duel fuel engines are now seeing spike in demand in Marine propulsion. Existing Diesel Engines are modified to use Biofuel: Petrol / Gas Engines are modified to use LPG: Similarly marine propulsion engines are being adapted for using LNG and Ammonia as fuel.

Another line of innovations is in the VCR area, however even this too is based on conventional slider crank mechanism. These VCR technologies are extremely complex and has a difficult viability factor for its very high capital and operational cost requirement.

In this scenario the industry is seeking new break throughs and that is exactly what we offer.

Synopsis

The project’s objective is to develop and commercialize RVCR I.C. Engine technology for a primemover applications. We synthesized the knowhow to design and develop systems based on RVCR for industrial application during the initial Phases (I & II) of the project. The proof of concept of the RVCR kinematics and air flow thru-put was demonstrated with a 350CC proto. Our project aims to progressively enhance the RVCR’s ‘Technology Readiness level’ (TRL) for ease of comprehending its potency and viability by industry for adoption and commercialization.

Post Ph II we shifted to the project base to EU, for the phase-III part where the Industrial technological base was ideal for engine technology development. We secured grant funding for technology feasibility study from Europeans Commission’s H2020, however, project got stalled for number of reasons. The post covid recovery plan is to recover momentum of Phase III.

we plan achieve further higher levels of technology readiness. Simultaneously we intend to align newer value chain partners and other stakeholder for the proto development needs. We are set to rebuild the business operations structure in all fronts with collaborative and contractual engagement with the value chain partners. The project intends commercialize RVCR by providing OEM’s and Industry players with RVCR technology solution as a strategic tool to deal with 21st century environmental Market Drivers. Our key competitive advantage is: –

Global IPR (from granted RVCR patents in US, UK, EU, and China);
RVCR knowhow
competency to develop and deliver ‘pilot products’ Projects.

The RVCR endeavour began in India and adopting a B2B2C model we successfully executed 1st IPR Licensing along with a contract for ‘Prototype D&D services’ to develop a RVCR technology for Automotive application, with Tata Motors Limited (TML). We intent to replicate our ‘Licensing and JV’ success with global OEM’s and manufacturers for creating new market of RVCR powered products

Innovation

RVCR is based on a novel concept invention in ‘Mechanisms of Energy-Conversion’. Current Primemovers (I.C.Engines, Electric Motors, Turbines etc.) are based on either ‘Slider-Crank’ or ‘Rotary’ mechanism. These machines were invented about a century ago and are unable to cope-up with demands from ever stricter climate regulations. RVCR Mechanism simplifies the energy conversion process seeding new breed of Primemovers, with lower carbon-footprint, whilst delivering leap in Efficiency and newer adaptive capabilities. RVCR mechanism based I.C.Engine (I.C.E) allows the long pursued ‘Variable Compression Ratio’ (VCR) feature, key to multi-fuel adaptability (switching from fossil to green-fuels during operation) with ease. This permits for smooth transition from fossil fuel use to green-fuels. RCVR I.C.E attains never before thermodynamic prosses called Constant Volume Heat exchange (CVHE), Direct torque Transfer and uniform peak efficiency under all load conditions thus enhancing fuel efficiency up-to 27-30%, about 55% miniaturisation, and reduced operations costs up-to 35%. RVCR shall facilitate green-fuel enforceability without being in conflict with fossil-fuel economic structures, for a greener Industry ecosystem.

Overall Strategy

Our plan is to further develop RVCR technology, build strategic industry relationships and streamline business operations, enabling us to demonstrate RVCR potency to the relevant industry. The existing Virtual models and the prototype will be worked thru the planned course. These include simulation of workings of the virtual RVCR assembly and enhancing testing and trials of the existing prototype.
Further we shall proceed with a TRL-7 proto and TRL-8 Virtual model of a chosen MVP. Ph-III project will help reach threshold readiness for further downstream technical and business processes of integrating RVCR Primemovers into end products. Further we will align initiatives at various level with industry partners/OEM’s, commercialization professionals and Investors. We shall strategically leverage, partially dilution of global RVCR IPR application wise offering Commercial exclusivity for onboarding players into Joint ventures.
While global Industry is further moving towards incremental innovations, we shall cater a green tech alternative for creating new markets of next gen Primemovers for dealing with 21st century market drivers of and Energy Sector

The Opportunity / Industry Pain points

Heavy commercial transport

Globally, authorities are increasingly demarcating ‘Low/Zero Emission Zones’ (LEZ) in cities and ‘Emission Control Areas’ (ECA) maritime zone. The Low power density of batteries is a constraint for its use in the wider Heavy commercial transport Here there is an increasing demand gap in Duel/ Multi Fuel Engines. The conventional fuel rigid technology innovations require highly cost intensive modifications and gadgetries for using green fuel feeds. The industry is highly stressed and desperately seeking breakthrough in viable VCR technology.

Maritime sector

Maritime sector covers 90% of global trade and ships wholly depend on fuel-based Propulsion. Electric storage/ recharging solution remains unviable in their isolated operational environments. Maritime industry is now facing increasing pressure by regulators to limit the amount of CO2, SO2 and NOx emissions produced (Tier III MARPOL 73/78)[1]. IMO (International Maritime Organisation) has introduced the ‘Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI)[2] a measure for CO2 produced to transport a ton of cargo per nautical mile and maximum values that ships must comply and Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) to measure and control GHG emissions from the already existing shipping fleet. This is driving demand for Green-fuel Propulsion systems and Renewable energy Primemover alternatives for Power-Generation. The shell LNG outlook 2019[1] places LNG demand as the fastest growing in coming decades as a low emission fuel. Massive investments towards alternative green fuel Innovations like ‘Air to fuel’[2] and ammonia[3] fuel and liquid Hydrogen[4] for maritime by Equinor, BKK, Air Liquide, Wilhelmsen and NorSea are key to Green-fuels reality and the future of green fuel Engines.

Drone and Unmanned Arial Vehicles

The $5.8 billion and growing Drone and Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAV) market[5] is pushing demand for compact and very high ‘Power to Weight ratio’ prime movers[6] These currently use Wankel engines or turbine with low fuel efficiencies and high on emission.

Societal Pressure

Despite extreme societal pressure for greener ecosystem, the immensity of existing fossil fuel based established economic structures still has a large momentum and supports the global industry, trade, and lively hoods of millions. Any displacing of this dependency faces stiff resistance. Solutions like batteries inadvertently weakens its economic viability by reducing fossil-fuel consumption making it cheaper from abundant supply. This pain point demands a technology that enables a smooth transition from fossil to green systems.

Innovation technical details

The genesis of RVCR is the invention in Machine (Kinematic) Mechanism by Er. Ajee Kamath, which details a new configuration of components of novel geometry, into an assembly of ‘Moving elements’ (ME) and ‘Stationary Elements’ (SE). For nearly 100 years now only 2 types of mechanisms are used in Primemovers, wherein the most prevalent is the ‘Slider-Crank’ in Transport Primemovers and rotary mechanism in wind/ gas turbines. RVCR is a new addition in root mechanisms that simplifies conversion of energy within fluids into mechanical work (and Vice Versa) whilst enhancing efficiency and miniaturization. Energy in fluids – forces the ME to actuate motion of connected links – eventually leading to rotation of power generators or wheels. Improving efficacy of converting fluid forces to torque, is key to RVCR Primemovers.

Comparison

with Competing VCR Engine technologies

RVCR eliminates the need of

dedicated grounded link in mechanism by dynamic reorienting of a part of Rotating links intermittently.

Practical feasibility and Economic Viability

RVCR does-not require any change in ‘end user behaviour’ or new learning.

RVCR stands out

as a viable technology devoid of constructional complexities of Slider-crank Mechanism and turbines.

RVCR Technology is the only Gamechanger class solution that delivers strategic gains to OEM (leapfrogging existing Industry front runners and attain global leadership position, while global industry is stuck in incremental innovations.

Current status of RVCR tech development

The root to RVCR Technology is its ‘Kinetics’ and the integrity and robustness of RVCR to deliver machines operable in Industrial environment is impeccably established and placed higher than TRL6.

The commercial part

Why now?

Size & Growth rate

Market Type

Primemovers market is dynamically reorienting itself rapidly to adapt to global Climate change regulation needs. The shift to electrification, green fuels and renewables within the transport and energy sector is inevitable.