Trucker Tech Podcast: Episode 7

Posted on Mar 11, 2008 - 9:23am by E. Phil Haley in Podcast

Included in this podcast is an interview with the President of The Scuderi Group; Sal Scuderi. Near the end of January, I published a post at Life on the Road regarding the Scuderi Split-Cycle engine; an engine design improvement that, in my opinion, is the most important since Rudolph Diesel improved on the work of Nicolaus Otto.

When The Scuderi Group became aware of a post focusing on their efforts they offered me an opportunity to interview their President; and I accepted. The interview is pretty interesting and, hopefully, I’ll have an opportunity to do a follow up interview in the fall.

Also included in this episode is the conclusion of my commentary regarding Wi-Fi Facts. Give it a listen and, if you’re so inclined, let me know what you think about it.

Trucker Tech Podcast: Episode 7 [00:31:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (530)

It’s been almost two months since I published Episode 6 of the Trucker Tech Podcast. I’m sure nobody lost any sleep wondering whether or not another episode was in the works but, at the same time, I’m hoping you’re all still interested. Episode 6 garnered, by far, the largest number of Trucker Tech Podcast listeners ever and I’m hoping that Episode 7 continues that trend of audience growth.

Within the interview you’ll hear Mr. Scuderi talk about a couple of things that go without much explanation. First, he mentions the fact that the Scuderi Split-Cycle engine design incorporates “After Top Dead Center” ignition. Engines, whether diesel or gasoline fueled, normally fire “Before Top Dead Center” and this after TDC ignition timing is one key to the Split-Cycle’s efficiency.

After TDC ignition timing is a hallmark of the Miller Cycle and, in the Quick Links, I’ve included a link to the Wikipedia explanation of the Miller Cycle; which should be of tremendous help in understanding some of the Scuderi Split-Cycle’s finer points.

Another thing Sal talks about, when discussing the Air-Hybrid feature, is post-ignition pressures. If you didn’t know, and I didn’t until Sal explained it to me (no, I didn’t record the explanation; wish I’d been able to), post-ignition pressures are far higher than those normally created by piston compression in a standard gas or diesel fueled engine. These high pressures are another key to the increased efficiency expected in the Scuderi Split-Cycle engine.