Cyclone Power Technologies Throttles Up 'Green' Engine Design With Solidworks 3D CAD Software
Concord, MA - Cyclone Power Technologies, Inc. is using SolidWorks 3D CAD software to design an environmentally friendly combustion engine that can power everything from small generators to ships but "green" enough to dramatically reduce harmful emissions.
Developed by Cyclone President and CEO Harry Schoell, the Cyclone Clean Air Engine regenerates (or recycles) its heat, which allows it to run cleaner, cooler, and more efficiently than traditional internal combustion engines. The patented Cyclone Clean Air Engine uses an outside source to heat fluid (such as biofuel, ethanol, gasoline, etc.) that expands to turn a motor or initiate other work.
"By eliminating oil pumps, radiators, catalytic converters, and other processes, we've simplified the combustion process, yielding cleaner power that is more affordable to produce and maintain," said Cyclone Vice President of Sales and Marketing Wilson McQueen. "SolidWorks software gives us the 3D visualization to see how to improve the Cyclone Clean Air design so it can work for a variety of applications."
The company is working with industry leaders to develop variations of the engine so that it can power small and large generators, cars, trucks, heavy equipment, and other applications. In the process, the engineering team constantly designs, tests, builds, and runs different engines to measure everything from horsepower to carbon monoxide output.
"Working in 2D forced us to draw assemblies several times to change anything. SolidWorks lets us draw the same assemblies once and automates changes throughout the design so we know it is accurate," said Cyclone Chief Engineer Michael Hodgson. "This confidence in our work encourages us to try different concepts we probably wouldn't have in 2D – which is critical in developing what may become a new paradigm."
Hodgson and his team designed and evaluated an entire engine with 500 components in SolidWorks a month after deploying the software. "The same process would have taken several months in 2D and forced engineers to evaluate and re-draw parts because of engineering changes or errors," said Hodgson. Cyclone uses SolidWorks eDrawings e-mail-enabled design communication tool to share 3D models and 2D drawings with internal team members as well as suppliers and potential customers.
"Gas-powered engines that reduce emissions yet provide enough oomph to drive heavy equipment have long been a pipe dream," said SolidWorks Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Rainer Gawlick. "Cyclone Power is at the forefront of green engine design, using SolidWorks software to develop the next evolution that could be coming down the assembly line."
Cyclone relies on authorized SolidWorks reseller The SolidExperts for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.
Global CO2 emissions will jump from 26.9 billion metric tons to 42.9 billion metric tons by 2030.1
U.S. transportation CO2 emissions grew 25.4 percent between 1990 and 2006.2
Internal combustion engines burning at 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit or more emit harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide.
The Cyclone Clean Air burns at less than 2,300 degrees, emitting almost no CO, CO2, or NOX.
SOURCE: Cyclone Power Technologies, Inc.