Development of a Compact and Efficient Truck APU 2005-01-0653

Trucks parked at idle create excessive fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. One of the solutions to this issue is to institute a separate power system, the APU. It will be in operation when vehicle is parked and engine is off to provide the electricity and support the necessary needs (refrigerator, air conditioning, TV, etc.). This paper offers the insight of development of an Electrical Power Cell (EPC) as the candidate of the APU. The device consists of a unique Opposed Piston and Opposed Cylinder (opoc) engine and a high speed rotary generator. An extensive investigation has been conducted during the engine development program to create a special unniflow scavenging process of this two stroke engine. As the result, it realizes zero fresh charge loss with high scavenging efficiency. This paper provides the technical challenges and solutions in achieving the design targets.