Navistar and EcoMotors will work together on Opposed-Piston, Opposed-Cylinder Engine for up to 50% higher fuel efficiency

Navistar International Corporation today announced it has reached a development agreement with EcoMotors International in support of the company’s opoc (Opposed-Piston, Opposed-Cylinder) engine architecture.

EcoMotors International’s first product targeted for commercial application is a turbo-diesel version of the innovative opposed-piston, opposed-cylinder engine. With a two-module application configured at the appropriate power level (to deliver a combined 480 hp), the opoc unit could deliver about 45% better fuel efficiency compared to a conventional heavy-duty diesel engine in a Class 8 truck. Ecomotors is trying to make engine and powertrain packages that are designed to be 15-50% more efficient, smaller, lighter, and less expensive to manufacture than conventional internal combustion engines.

EcoMotors’ patented engine design creates a ground-breaking internal combustion engine family architecture that will operate on a number of different fuels, including gasoline, diesel, natural gas and ethanol. The opoc’s new opposed piston-opposed cylinder direct gas exchange operation provides the well known emissions benefits of 4-cycle engines, the simplicity benefits of 2-cycle engines, the power density of the less well known opposed piston engine, and the extraordinary developments in electronics and combustion technology all tied together in a new and proprietary engine architecture.

“EcoMotors is proud to partner with Navistar to commercialize the revolutionary opoc® engine,” said Don Runkle, CEO, EcoMotors International. “For customers such as Navistar, this remarkable engine technology represents a competitive advantage that enables not only enhanced environmental sustainability, but also greater profitability. Our engineers are working to effectively rejuvenate the internal combustion engine for the 21st century.”

The opoc® engine comprises two opposing cylinders per module, with a crankshaft between them — each cylinder has two pistons moving in opposite directions. This innovative design configuration eliminates the cylinder-head and valve-train components of conventional engines, offering an efficient, compact and simple core engine structure. The result is an engine family that is lighter, more efficient and economical, with lower exhaust emissions.

EcoMotors’ opoc® engine has a number of distinct advantages over traditional internal combustion engines. The opoc® engine has very high power density of nearly one horsepower per pound resulting in an unprecedented lightweight and compact engine. The opoc® engine is perfectly balanced enabling stackable power modules. This unique modular displacement capability is one of the long standing, but elusive goals of engine engineers’ quest for high efficiency. In addition, it also results in much less NVH than a conventional engine of comparable power. Its elegantly simple design allows for low cost, efficient manufacturing and increased operating durability:

* 50 percent fewer parts than a conventional engine
* Straightforward assembly
* No cylinder heads or valve-train
* Uses conventional components, materials and processes

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