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What is your opinion of this new engine technology that Runkel is pushing out!

JBsC5

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Home | EcoMotors
Anybody ever hear of this new engine technology? Does it have any legs? Will it actually work for 100,000 miles reliably? Will it actually meet fuel efficiency and emissions standards?
Any insight to this new engine technology?


Look whose CEO? EcoMotors Names Donald L. Runkle CEO
Sep 14 2009 - 11:34am

An Industry Leader, Don Runkle Brings Decades of Experience to Pursuit of Clean…
Leadership

EcoMotors has assembled a team of talented, experienced and accomplished individuals to develop and commercialize the exceptional opoc™ engine for a comprehensive array of uses. EcoMotors core leadership team has more than 230 years of collective experience in the automotive and power generation industries, and has been responsible for 150+ patents, 30+ powertrain programs and 25+ new vehicle launches. The key members of the EcoMotors leadership team are highlighted below.
.
Prof. Peter Hofbauer
Founder, Chairman, Chief Technical Officer
Prof. Peter Hofbauer guides EcoMotors continuing advancements in automotive systems and technologies. His career as an innovator and developer in the fields of advanced powertrains, combustion technologies and control systems spans four decades, and he has been awarded more than 50 patents for his inventions.
more
Donald Runkle
Chief Executive Officer
Joining EcoMotors as CEO in 2009, Don Runkle brings a wealth of automotive and executive leadership experience to the company.
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O. John Coletti
President and Chief Operating Officer
John Coletti brings more than 36 years of automotive industry experience to his role as president and COO of EcoMotors. His 33-year career at the Ford Motor Company spanned a range of engineering and management positions, including leadership of Ford's high-performance vehicle programs.

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Dr. Franz J. Laimboeck
Vice President, Research & Advanced Development
Dr. Laimboeck heads the R&D arm of EcoMotors, where he and his team work on rethinking and refining internal combustion engines and their capabilities for power output, fuel economy and emissions cleanliness.
more
Cheryl M. Samarco
Controller, Treasurer
Cheryl Samarco is EcoMotors senior financial executive, and directs the human resources and treasury functions. She brings to the company more than 25 years of diverse experience in corporate finance and accounting.
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Jonathan Hurden
Chief Engineer, Engine Programs
Jonathan Hurden heads the design, development and testing team for EcoMotors engine programs. He brings extensive experience in automotive engineering at OEM and Tier 1 companies in the UK, Germany and North America.
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Tom Bochenek
Chief Engineer, Commercial Systems
Tom Bochenek is responsible for the practical task of managing the progression of EcoMotors creations into production. His education and career experience make him ideally suited for that assignment.
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Tyler R Garrard
Chief Engineer, Mechatronics
Throughout his career, Tyler Garrard has been immersed in the workings of high-performance engines everything from two-stroke racing engines to flexible-fuel SULEV engines developed for hybrid vehicle applications.
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Adrian Tusinean
Lead Engineer, Special Engine Programs
As lead engineer, Adrian Tusinean directs all design and development work on EcoMotors' engine programs, including the opoc engine.


Technology
At EcoMotors International, we believe that advancements in technology are key to a greener world. Our engineers and designers are working to develop new engines and technologies for a wide range of propulsion and power-generation applications.
We are passionate about our work and proud that our efforts contribute to a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable future.
One of our goals is to demonstrate, in 2010, the automobile industry's first 5-passenger car capable of 100 mpg on the EPA highway cycle.
.Power Density
Why Is Power Density the Holy Grail?
The internal combustion piston engine has been the primary means of automotive propulsion for more than a century. Today, thousands of engineers around the world are hard at work trying to improve this 19th century invention. Some are striving to make incremental gains; some are hoping for a breakthrough. For all of them, one measuring stick is the "acid test" for any engine: power density. Why is this so important? Because, if you achieve greater power density, a range of critically important attributes will result, including:
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Engine Design
Opposed-Piston Opposed-Cylinder Engine
This patented design creates a ground-breaking internal combustion engine family that will run on a number of different fuels, including gasoline, diesel and ethanol. The engine operates on the 2-cycle principle, generating one power stroke per crank revolution per cylinder. It comprises two opposing cylinders per module, with a crankshaft between them, and 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 compared with conventional designs. Here you can see this revolutionary 2-stroke engine in operation, which helps to illustrate the simplicity, elegance and compactness of its design.
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Mechatronik Division
Electrically Controlled Turbocharger
This development in turbocharger technology incorporates an electric motor into the turbo assembly. In essence, it provides a supercharger, driven by the electric motor, as an adjunct to the exhaust-driven turbocharger. Boost pressure can be created by the electric motor, the turbocharger, or both. The ECT effectively eliminates turbo lag because the electric motor provides much faster turbine response, and also provides boost when there is low energy from the exhaust flow. The motor is actuated by an electronic controller, which can be integrated
-----------------------------------------------
otors' Mission
"Clean, Efficient and Lightweight Propulsion Systems for a Better World"
This credo is the essence of our mission, as well as of our passion.
EcoMotors’ journey comprises the quest for ever-greater Power Density, and the enabling of globally relevant applications of our technologies.
We dimension the terms of our Mission as follows:
•Clean: emissions, materials, processes
•Efficient: consumption, output, manufacture
•Lightweight: mass, moving parts, ancillary components
•Propulsion: automotive, marine, power generation
•Systems: holistic, modular, integrated
•Better World: sustainable, viable, affordable
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News
Join EcoMotors CEO Don Runkle and Host John McElroy on Autoline After Hours
Jan 14 2010 - 11:21am
In a live webcast available here, EcoMotors CEO Don Runkle appeared on Autoline After Hours hosted by noted automotive journalist John McElroy, in a wide ranging discussion of the state of the automotive industry today and the roles and opportunities available to EcoMotors powertrain innovations.
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EcoMotors Names Donald L. Runkle CEO
Sep 14 2009 - 11:34am
An Industry Leader, Don Runkle Brings Decades of Experience to Pursuit of Clean and Efficient Propulsion Systems
TROY, Mich., September 14, 2009 – EcoMotors International announced today it has named seasoned industry executive Donald L. Runkle as its CEO. Runkle brings automotive OEM, supplier, and private-equity experience to his new position at EcoMotors – an innovative, Michigan-based company developing clean, efficient and lightweight propulsion systems.
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EcoMotors Honored - Again
Mar 19 2009 - 2:05pm
On March 10, 2009 EcoMotors was honored at the 2009 Always On Going Green East conference as the category winner for Green Automobiles and Transportation in the GoingGreen East 50 awards. This is EcoMotors' second award from the Always On group, solidifying Ecomotors reputation as a leading company in the arena of cleantech. The company was selected for its innovative technology and the idea that growth in the automotive segment is going to come not in the form of new vehicles but in improving engine performance.
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An Introduction to EcoMotors with Prof. Peter Hofbauer
Jan 30 2009 - 3:26pm
Prof. Peter Hofbauer, EcoMotors CEO, provides a brief overview on the genesis of EcoMotors and the OPOC™ powertrain.
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An Introduction to the OPOC™ Powertrain
Jan 30 2009 - 3:21pm
Prof. Peter Hofbauer, EcoMotors CEO, describes the OPOC™ powertrain and some of its key components.
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State of Michigan Announcement
Dec 3 2008 - 9:14pm
In a joint announcement with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and EcoMotors, Governor Jennifer Granholm heralded EcoMotors and their plans to begin development of the next generation of diesel engines. Highlights from the press release are included below and the full text is available at the official state of Michigan website.
May 20, 2008 LANSING
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Going Green
Nov 6 2008 - 1:27pm
On September 16, 2008 EcoMotors was honored at the 2008 Always On Going Green conference as the category winner for Green Automobiles and Transportation in the GoingGreen 100 awards. This award recognizes leading private companies in the arena of cleantech. EcoMotors was selected for its innovative technology and the idea that growth in the automotive segment is going to come not in the form of new vehicles but in improving engine performance.
Both EcoMotors CEO, Dr. Peter Hofbauer and EcoMotors investor Vinod Khosla were featured speakers at the event.
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EcoMotors Single Module Animation
Nov 5 2008 - 6:27pm
An animation clip of the EcoMotors engine showing the complete cycle of the opposed piston configuration.
more
Electrically Controlled Turbocharger - ECT
Nov 3 2008 - 9:30pm
This development in turbocharger technology incorporates an electric motor into the turbo assembly. In essence, it provides a supercharger, driven by the electric motor, as an adjunct to the exhaust-driven turbocharger. Boost pressure can be created by the electric motor, the turbocharger, or both. The ECT effectively eliminates turbo lag because the electric motor provides much faster turbine response, and also provides boost when there is low energy from the exhaust flow. The motor is actuated by an electronic controller, which can be integrated with the engine control unit. When it is being spun by the turbocharger, the electric motor acts as generator, producing electricity.
more
EcoMotors EM 100 Benchtesting
Nov 3 2008 - 9:29pm
The EM100 benchtesting on the dynomometer.
Autoline detroit after hours interview with Runkel on Ecomotors future possibility.
Worth the time to watch. IMO
AAH #38 – Detroit’s Mojo Rising – John's Journal on Autoline Detroit
 
It looks interesting. The Horsepower at such a low engine speed is a plus as is the torque numbers. And I hate to discount anything out of hand, but my first consideration is "Cooling" and "Engine lubrication" secondary is the whole piston rods. With the engine being turbocharged, there is incredible stress on those very long rods. So I guess my opinion is show me how well this engine is after 100.000 of city and turnpike miles.

This reminds me of a Porsche design I saw a long time ago, I believe.
 
putting it on paper is one thing
r & d is another. putting it together for a finished product? would be good to see it work.
 
2 stroke is nothing new, turbo is nothing new and opposed cylinders is nothing new. 2 strokes are dity, that is wht you do not see 2 stroke motorcycles now. Tusbo, heck every kid on the block has a turbo. Opposed cylinders, look at VW cars and BMW motorcycles. So what is so great and new?
 
Did you watch the autoline after hours video where McElroy, Delorenzo and Welsh are impressed with runkel and his ecomotors product?

what the video..

I think its evolution puts the 300hp diesel at 1000 lbs lighter than the similiar output cummns product..

1000 lbs..is a 1000lbs..? Supposedly it passes the emissions standards and has coletti from ford as president and Runkel at CEO..

Take from it what you will. Enjoy the video link above from autoline after hours..

Great show!

2 stroke is nothing new, turbo is nothing new and opposed cylinders is nothing new. 2 strokes are dity, that is wht you do not see 2 stroke motorcycles now. Tusbo, heck every kid on the block has a turbo. Opposed cylinders, look at VW cars and BMW motorcycles. So what is so great and new?
 
Their biggest hurdle may be funding. Venture capital is pretty hard to come by. This sounds like it will need a ton of cash just to get to the working prototype.
 

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