Posted on February 16, 2016 David Sherman
Engineered Propulsion Systems is in the process of building a clean sheet diesel engine for aviation purposes, with everything going according to plan so far. The engine is thought to combine power and efficiency unlike anything that has ever been seen before. It is a Graflight V-8 engine, but is not based on automotive design. Through its initial testing, it has been even better than experts expected. It has displayed a horsepower of 360, and it is looking likely it will break that barrier once modifications are made. EPS president Michael Fuchs expressed his delight in a February 3rd news release.
“We spent considerable time tweaking the calibrations and adjustments to assure optimal performance,” Fuchs said in news release last week. “That’s the only way to reach peak efficiencies and maximum horsepower. We have turned up 360 horsepower so far and expect to reach higher as the software is enhanced.”
After one hundred hours of testing, the pre-production version had posted exceptional results. It was given an inspection and a complete teardown after the first few hours of testing. Once it reached thirty hours with no problems, they knew it was a great sign. It had received a partial teardown that added in plenty of new aircraft components and systems, and still ran smoothly.
“We are extremely proud that the EPS team and suppliers have reached this important milestone,” said vice president and company cofounder Steven Weinzierl. “Clean sheet designs are essential for advancing power plant technologies and our test runs have clearly demonstrated their merits.”
The tests have been running for about six months now, and the tests will get harder as time goes on. This continued progress will result in certification for the aircraft engine as long as there are no unexpected holdups. Dick Rutan is expected to pilot the first flight.
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