Pintle-regulated Venturi Air/Fuel Induction for Fuel Economy and Performance

PRV performance has developed, patented, and tested an automotive air/fuel induction system, demonstrating increased engine torque and improved engine efficiency. Fuel and air are mixed in throat of a variable area Venturi, upstream of the engine's intake valve. The premixed charge is cooled by the evaporation of the fuel, thereby improving power of the engine. Throttle control is accomplished by adjusting the area of the Venturi with an axial moving pintle. The airflow through the Venturi delivers a low pressure at the throat were mixing is accomplished, followed by pressure recovery before the air/fuel mixture is discharged into the engine.

Engine throttling loss is one of the largest contributors to internal combustion engine in efficiency, causing an efficiency loss of about 3% at full throttle to nearly 100% when the engine is idling. The unique throttling characteristics of the variable area Venturi controls airflow only at the end of the intake stroke, thereby reducing throttling losses and improving engine efficiency.

Throttle control is accomplished by adjusting the area of the Venturi with an axial moving pintle. The airflow through the Venturi delivers a low pressure at the throat were mixing is accomplished, followed by pressure recovery before the air/fuel mixture is discharged into the engine. The unique throttling characteristics of the variable area Venturi controls airflow only at the end of the intake stroke, thereby minimizing throttling losses and improving engine efficiency.

 The pintle-regulated Venturi induction (PRV)test vehicle has been driven and tested for 25,000 miles.

PRV Performance is a member of the Clean Technology and Sustainable Industries Association.

PRV NEWS

Update September 2010: EPA Highway Fuel Efficiency Test (HFET) test indicates 97 grams/km CO2.

Download the technical overview paper, Venturi Induction for Automotive Fuel Economy and Performance, (pdf file) by clicking here.

Update May 2009: PRV-10 is installed in prototype. Highway test delivers 53 mpg with stoichiometric tune and 58 mpg lean burn tune at 65 mph. Testing with turbo expected summer 2009

Update September 2008: Dynamometer testing complete, indicating torque increases of 12-18% across throttle range.