Sturman Industries
This engine is a camless engine with hydraulically actuated valves. In addition to the advantages of this technology such as improved efficiency and somewhat reduced engines, Sturman is pursuing innovative combustion cycles not possible in conventional engines.
Sturman's Digital Engine enables air injection in addition to fuel injection for increased control over cumbustion events. Implementable in 2-stroke, 4-stroke, and even 6 or 8 stroke modes, this innovative air-controlled combustion promises to be remarkably cleaner and remarkably more efficient than standard 4-stroke gas or diesel engines.
IndividualsHealth impacts are huge Particulate emissions are known to be involved in asthma, lung cancer, stunted lung growth in children. NOx and other emissions are known to contribute to the above affects through the interaction with sunlight causing formation of ground level ozone.SocietyImpacts at societal level include health and life span improvements through improved air quality, reduced dependence on fossil fuels, reduced greenhouse gasses which contribute to global warming. EconomyImpacts to global finance are primarily tied to the value as it applies to societal impacts above. Improved labor availability and cost savings in reduced healthcare, savings reduced volitility and cost associated with oil as a primary input to the world economy, and the risk posed to the economy by rapid global warming including the upset of world agricultural systems.EnvironmentThe risk to the environment posed by global warming due to CO2 intensive fossil based fuels is huge. Sturman's technology not only runs with less fuel, but offers a fuel flexibility which can adapt to various fuels on the fly? freeing users to fuel with diesel, gas, ethanol, biodiesel, a blend of these fuels, or a similar fuel which does not yet exist.
This technology is applicable not just in new engines, but could retrofit onto old engines creating a much quicker path to cleaner air and reduced energy consumption than waiting for vehicle turnover. This combustion cycle is compatable with exising fuel networks, biofuels, and adaptable to future fuels. It is applicable to cars, trucks, trains, and ships, etc as well as small equipment and stationary piston engines such as generators. Any piston engine engine can be made to use this technology.
This nominee proved the feasability of a technology deemed impossible by many. Camless engines were not seen as possible except in limited applications. Air-injection-based control of combustion was seen as impossible by major engine makers, domestic and international. This nominee has shown that the percieved barriers are surmountable. This significant engineering accomplishment is the central reason for nomiation.
The reduction of carbon dioxide in the environment and the reduction of the use of petroluem based fuels is indisputable, with known social and economic impacts. This opportunity is not just sustainable, but restorative. It could enable geograpically separated economies to create the fuels that make sense to grow as crops in each ecological environment, all converted to mechanical work in the same engine which could work in these varied geographic areas? and that is just the tip of the iceberg for benefits.
This product leverages the entire worldwide fleet of piston engines. It is possible to retrofit the cylinder head of an old engine, add one or two other small components, and have an existing engine block harness the full efficiency improvement and full emissions improvement of this technology. It need not be built into new engines. This means that change can happen much faster, instead of waiting 15-30 years for fleet turnover to bring this technology to bear.