New Richmond, WI, July 8, 2013…..Engineered Propulsion Systems, Inc., of New Richmond, Wisconsin, reports significant technical progress in the development of its new water-cooled Vision 350 ‘flat V’, 350 hp diesel engine aimed at general aviation aircraft applications.
Among the major technical milestones achieved recently are the testing and calibration of EPS-designed turbochargers; positive results of heat rejection tests; high altitude (10,000 – 15,000 ft MSL) operation and re-starts, at Lake County Airport, and in Mount Evans Colorado, on the company’s mobile test stand; vibration testing with Hartzell aluminum propeller blades; the prototype design/analysis/manufacture of steel pistons; horsepower increases to more than 400 hp; and the prototype design of compacted graphite iron engine crankcase blocks.
Important to the design of the ‘Vision 350’ diesel engine is its unique ability to accept aluminum propellers. Powering a Hartzell aluminum ‘scimitar’ prop of 78-inch diameter, the EPS diesel produced very low vibration throughout its full RPM range. No other diesel aero engine can turn an aluminum prop without the possibility of random catastrophic failure due to blade fatigue.
The heat rejection tests are necessary to optimize radiator and intercooler size while minimizing coolant drag. Heat rejection from compression ignition in diesel engines is less significant than gasoline engines due to the inherent efficiency of the diesel, but must be carefully controlled and dissipated to enhance reliability. The compression ratio in the Vision 350 is 17:1, which is partially responsible for its thermal efficiency; along with enhanced combustion made possible with an electronic engine management system, injection hardware and strategies from Bosch General Aviation Technology.
The development of unique steel pistons will allow increased take-off horsepower from the twin-turbocharged powerplant. Additional engine strength is provided through the use of engine block halves of high-strength compacted graphite iron.
“Every step we take in development of this engine is deliberate and without undue haste,’’ says Steven Weinzierl, EPS vice-president and chief technology officer. “We want to make sure we progress, not regress, along the path to certification. Recent success in high-altitude cold starts (15,300 density altitude) is our latest technological milestone performed by the company’s static test bed article near the summit of Mount Evans, Colorado.”
The ‘flat V’ design of the 4.4 litre engine allows installation on more airframes than a typical 90-degree V8, ensuring low profile, low drag applications. The engine is more suitable for twin-engine applications than other engine configurations, with its low frontal area, increased propeller/ground clearance, and compact design.
“Our Vision 350 is new from the ground up,” Michael Fuchs, EPS president/CEO added. “The aero-engine industry has been resting on 60 year-old design technology; we think we offer a new and viable alternative in our horsepower range for many airframe types and configurations. And being a diesel, fuel will be more available internationally, whether it is pure kerosene or Jet A. Right now, fuel efficiency is proving out at nearly 30-50% better than six-cylinder avgas engines. Best specific fuel consumption (SFC) approximates lower than 0.32 lb/hp/hr. A typical TIO-540 gasoline (Avgas) engine has a SFC of approximately 0.42 lb/hp/hr.
“While the weight of the Vision 350 will prove out at between 30 and 50 pounds greater than a typical turbocharged six-cylinder avgas engine, the fuel efficiency more than compensates for that difference. We are seeing fuel flows of under 11 GPH at 65% power.”
The twin-turbocharged Vision 350 is the first to test an aircraft engine on Mount Evans using a mobile test laboratory. The venerable Liberty V-12 tested its turbocharging program in 1918 on Pike’s Peak in a similar fashion.
EPS will be displaying its Vision 350 diesel at AirVenture 2013 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin from July 29-August 4, at Innovations Pavilion, booth #9.
EPS Inc. is currently developing the pre-production versions of its unique and innovative “Flat-Vee” engine design, which promises to be the weight-competitive, fuel-efficient, liquid-cooled, reliable engine that General Aviation manufacturers have sought for some time. The 350(+) hp engine is designed to fit legacy, current production and future civil and military applications. The senior management team at EPS includes Michael Fuchs (President; CEO) and Steven Weinzierl (VP; CTO).
