Release Date: March 12, 2004

Harnessing the Power of Pulse Detonation Combustion for 21st Century Automotive Turbines in Hybrids

Munising, MI – News abounds of the explosive growth of hybrid vehicles – from the Toyota camp come projections that 90% of their auto production in the next decade will include piston-electric hybrids. But as piston engine exhaust emissions continue to draw fire from regulators, the scientific community is working on pulse detonation combustion (PDC) engines as the next wave in new-generation powerplants.

Never heard of pulse detonation combustion? Only a few years back the technology was highly classified, inhabiting the domain of NASA, the US Air Force and a handful of government contractors. Research facilities concentrated on trying to understand PDC so they could transfer the technology for use in aircraft powerplants & other defense applications.

Today, Michigan-based PNGinc is at the forefront of pulse detonation combustion development, harnessing this highly efficient combustion model for 21st century automotive use.

Pulse detonation combustion is based upon rapid combustion via a detonation wave of a pre-mixed fuel/ oxidizer mixture contained in a combustion chamber. Fuel efficiency, higher thrust to weight ratio, and straightforward construction are among the benefits listed by those who have built & tested pulse detonation engines.

PNGinc is the only group that is focused on PDC turboshaft engines for widespread vehicle use. The company's PDC turbine, now in development, integrates their hybrid hydraulic vehicle know-how with proprietary disk turbine improvements. Their turboshaft engine project will result in a complete automotive drivetrain that is lower in cost, higher in performance, and lower in emissions than foreign & domestic hybrid offerings.

For more information on strategic partnering and investment opportunities in this explosive growth automotive sector, visit the company's website at: www.phoenixnavigation.com 

# # #