Cylinder Deactivation: Best of both worlds

Cylinder deactivation or variable cylinder management systems, as the names imply, control the number of cylinders in use by the engine. This technology has been used by big displacement motors, like Honda Accord's 3.5l V6, to reduce fuel consumption. It has also been used in hybrid’s like the Civic Hybrid to shut off the engine when running in electric mode or during braking.

The cylinder de-activation system monitors the driving conditions and when it senses that the full torque of the engine is not required it shuts off fuel and air from entering a pre-decided cylinder/s. So what happens? The piston inside the cylinder keeps moving up and down. But now it experiences very little load as the trapped inside air acts as a spring that pushes against the piston when it is compressed. The ECU also cuts off the fuel supply to the cylinders. The use of this system has pitfalls - such as resonance and mechanical imbalance. Manufacturers have found different ways of working around these using active acoustics to control drone and active engine mounts to absorb vibrations.

However, Volkswagen has just announced the use of this system on a turbocharged, 4-cylinder in-line motor. During low load conditions the 1.4 TSI motor will "switch off" the 2nd and 3rd cylinders by keeping the intake and exhaust valves closed. The two active cylinders will now run at higher loads and this improves efficiency.  This is done when the motor is running between 1,400 and 4,000 rpm and its torque is between 25 and 75 Nm. VW claims that these parameters apply to nearly 70 per cent of European driving distance in the EU driving cycle. The cylinders then spring back to life as soon as the driver presses the accelerator pedal hard enough. Notably, here the engine runs either in 2 cylinder or 4-cylinder mode. Watch the video to understand how it works.  

The Accord in comparison can go from 6 to 4 and even down to 3 cylinders. However, the I4 motor's by sticking to 2-cylinder or 4-cylinder operation will keep vibrations and harshness under check. Turbocharged fours are the next wave across classes of cars so you can expect the 1.4TSI with cylinder de-activation to power a wide range of cars in the VW family. The engine is expected to debut in 2012.

LASER up your car!

It’s always interesting to see new technologies in cars. BMW were technology and design trail blazers dues to the corona rings used in headlights.  It created a striking, unmistakable identity for all BMW products and gave them a "wow" factor as well. Now, BMW is looking at taking that to an all new level with LASER lights! Think LASER and you think a KAPOW!! KAPOW!! KAPOW!! Well not this time.

This time LASERS will only ZAP away darkness. Yes, LASER light is powerful, thousand times more powerful than LEDs. That's because - a Laser cell generates 170 Lumens of brightness compared to an LED cell, and on top of that it is much, much smaller. You can pack a 100 LASER cells in the space occupied by a single LED cell. So what you get is intense, bright well behaved light. Well behaved - because Laser light doesn’t radiate outwards. Remember Star Wars? LASER light shoots straight, it doesn’t spread out as the beams travel parallel to each other. Which means it will be possible to create very specific light patterns, which will be a big help for different speeds, oncoming traffic and cornering lights.

Now you won’t be able to use these lights as weapons... I know what a shame. Imagine pressing the high beam switch to “blind” that oncoming truck. Anyway, evil thoughts aside, it isn't possible because it isn't raw laser light that will shoot out of the head lamps. A fluorescent phosphor material will convert the bluish laser light into a bright white light, which will be safe for human or animal eyes.

Other than improved safety thanks to better visibility Laser will also improve fuel efficiency as it consumes even lesser energy than LEDs. Also, LASER cells will allow designers greater freedom with packaging the front end, so how cars look will also change. Although BMW insist that the "eyes" won’t be made smaller, how that space is used will change. And who knows, maybe laser light will replace LEDs on the inside of cars too. 

So let’s see when LASER tech gets to us. BMW's says it is a "few years" away.
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.. couldn't resist. :-)


Star Wars wallpaper from arts-wallpapers.com , Star Wars shot from dailymail.co.uk