Development of a Clean, Quiet, and Efficient Two-Stroke Direct-Injection Snowmobile for Use in the Clean Snowmobile Challenge and National Parks
Grant
Overview
abstract
Since 2000, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Clean Snowmobile Challenge (CSC) has encouraged the development of a snowmobile that is acceptable for use in environmentally sensitive areas, while maintaining or improving performance and fuel efficiency. The objective of this project is to modify a stock snowmobile to meet the criteria of the 2012 CSC. Challenges associated with the competition revolve around exhaust and chassis noise reduction, and improvements to engine and drivetrain efficiency. The snowmobile team will develop two engine options, either of which will be required to run on flex-fuel, for the competition. Option 1 will use a larger displacement two-stroke engine that has been modified for direct-injection. The larger engine (800cc) is quieter and more fuel efficient under cruise conditions than the smaller engines. Option 2 requires completing the development of patent-pending rotary exhaust valves that improve charge trapping across the entire operating range of the engine. Based on preliminary work, these valves are expected to reduce the quantity of unburned air/fuel mixture short-circuited out the exhaust port, resulting in improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
Project deliverables include completion of the rotary exhaust valve patent, participation in the 2012 CSC, and papers suitable for publication at SAE and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) conferences.
