Delphi Detailing Green Powertrain Initiatives at Prestigious London Engineering Conference

Delphi executives serving on panel and as keynote speaker

Three technical papers presented including one on Delphi’s Direct Acting Diesel Common Rail system which was developed in nearby Gillingham, Kent


LONDON -- In the automotive industry, one of the most pressing requirements is the rapid reduction in tailpipe emissions of CO2. As an example, the European Parliament recently set a target of 25-40 percent emissions reductions by 2020. Around the world, fuel economy is becoming the major development driver, and fuel injection technology plays a key part in helping achieve the more and more stringent emissions standards.

Delphi Corporation (Pinksheets: DPHIQ) will present its latest work on three cost-effective, environmentally-conscious product lines at the prestigious Injection Systems for IC Engines conference being held by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) May 13-14 in London.

During the conference, Delphi’s Dr. Detlev Schoeppe, technical director for Delphi Diesel Systems, has been invited to give the conference’s day-two keynote address titled “Fuel Injection Equipment -- The Key for Future Combustion Requirements?” And Delphi’s Dr. Rainer W. Jorach, chief engineer for common rail pumps, will serve as a panelist for the discussion on “Future Trends in Fuel Systems.”

Here’s a look at the Delphi papers being presented:

Paper I -- Direct Acting Diesel Common Rail
The first paper, which will be presented on May 13, is dedicated to the new Direct Acting Diesel Common Rail System. The paper describes the innovative approach taken in the design of a new common rail injector which uses a piezo stack to directly actuate the needle of the injector nozzle (Direct Acting concept) instead of using today’s servo concepts. The Direct Acting injector provides a reduction in engine-out emissions and fuel consumption. A revolutionary, rather than evolutionary, development path was followed in order to realize new levels of functionality to meet customer requirements. The system, which entered into high volume production in September 2008, is on the road today. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class line-up take advantage of this revolutionary technology to offer drivers improved engine output and torque while reducing emissions and fuel consumption. The new E-Class is available with Mercedes-Benz’ new fuel efficient four-cylinder engine: the E250 CDI. The engine has an output of 150 kW/204 hp and develops a maximum torque of 500 Newton meters -- available at just 1600 rpm. This rates the engine as more powerful than the V6 diesel in the preceding model while consuming less fuel: 5.3 liters per 100 kilometers (NEDC consumption, provisional figure). The corresponding CO2 emission level is 139 grams per kilometer.

The co-authors of the paper from Delphi Diesel Systems, Gillingham, UK, include

* Stefan Zuelch -- Chief Engineer, Advanced Diesel Engineering
* Mike Cooke -- Principal Engineer, Advanced Diesel Engineering
* Martin Hardy -- Manager Design and Development, Advanced Diesel Engineering
* Nebojsa Milovanovic -- Manager Combustion, NVH and Fuels, Advanced Diesel Engineering

Delphi’s innovative diesel technology was developed in Delphi Diesel Technical Centers in Blois, France; Bascharage, Luxembourg; and Gillingham, United Kingdom. Delphi conducts extensive work on its diesel systems at the Delphi UK Technical Centre in Gillingham, Kent. Teams at the Centre focus on the design, development and application of diesel fuel injection equipment, encompassing both road and industrial systems worldwide and almost every major area of engineering competence and technology: mechanical, electrical, electronic and software engineering. The Gillingham technical centre is also the centre of operations of the advanced diesel engineering group with special focus on the creation of new products and technologies. Here there are facilities with a specific focus on hydraulic research, combustion research, noise, vibration, and harshness regulation, fuels, and mathematical modeling.

A separate manufacturing facility, also in Gillingham, specializes in rotary direct injection pumps and common rail systems for the diesel market.

Paper 2 -- Delphi’s Fast Solenoid Injector for Stratified GDi
On the conference’s second day, Delphi engineers will present a paper on Delphi’s fast solenoid injector for lean stratified applications on gasoline engines. In the presentation, Delphi will reveal additional information on how this solenoid injector, named Multec 20, for gasoline direct injection engines delivers dramatic levels of fuel efficiency, emissions, performance and value.

An excerpt from the paper: “The Multec 20 outwardly-opening solenoid injector offers excellent performance in homogeneous and spray-guided stratified combustion modes and is capable of delivering the fuel efficiency benefits expected of spray-stratified combustion under multi-cylinder engine and vehicle conditions. When coupled with the lower cost of the solenoid actuator versus a piezo element, an engine management system using the Multec 20 offers the potential to be a best-value powertrain solution.”

The co-authors of the paper from Delphi Powertrain Systems in Luxembourg include:

* Dr. Walter F. Piock -- Chief Engineer, Advanced Powertrain
* Guy Hoffmann -- Engineering Manager, Gasoline Fuel Systems
* Harry L. Husted -- Engineering Group Manager, Advanced Powertrain
* George M. Ramsay - Chief Engineer, Gasoline Engine Management Systems

The Delphi Multec 20 GDi fast single coil fuel injector is designed for central mounting in direct injection gasoline engines and features a cone spray ideal for spray stratified lean combustion applications. It provides outstanding spray and fuel injection performance at a lower cost than piezo injector technology. Featuring an outwardly opening valve group, the injector offers excellent multiple injection capability.

Paper 3 -- Ultra High Pressure Diesel Common Rail for Heavy Duty Applications
In the final paper, Delphi executives will delve into Delphi Diesel Systems’ range of ultra high pressure common rail fuel systems that, with up to 3000 bar, are enabling heavy duty vehicles to meet the requirements of Euro VI and future emissions legislation.

Delphi’s approach has been to develop two systems focused on the two dominant heavy duty engine architectures. For existing engine platforms designed around cam driven fuel systems, there is Distributed Pump Common Rail System. This system not only significantly extends the potential life of existing cam drive fuel injection equipment (FIE) engine platforms by making it possible to meet future emissions legislation targets, but the packaging efficiency and control capabilities of this system open the possibility of new engine platforms being designed around this new generation of cam driven FIE. For engines requiring a more conventional common rail pump (for packaging or legacy reasons), there is the Remote Pump Common Rail System. This system utilizes an in-line two- or three-cylinder pump.

From that paper: “Delphi’s Distributed Pump Common Rail System provides common rail functionality for camshaft driven fuel injection equipment engines with minimum modification, whilst the Remote Pump Common Rail System provides equally advance performance -- Both systems deliver precise and accurate control of multiple injections at maximum rail pressure across all engine operation conditions, thus minimizing the demands on exhaust after treatment systems.”

The co-authors of the paper from Delphi Diesel Systems, UK, include:

* Mark Graham -- Team Leader, Advanced Products
* Nathan Keeler -- Senior Development Engineer
* James Kewley -- Development Team Leader