Orbital Corporation
Orbital Corporation Limited (ASX: OEC, NYSE MKT: OBT, Grey Market: OBTEF), formerly Orbital Engine Corporation Limited pioneered by Ralph Sarich, is an Australian company based at Balcatta, Western Australia, that aims to provide clean engine technologies and alternative fuel systems with reduced environmental impact from gas emissions and improved fuel economy.
Consulting services
Design, manufacturing, development and testing facilities have been established at the Balcatta facility. Orbital has developed infrastructure in engine design and modelling, numerical analysis, computational fluid dynamics, combustion and fuel system development, rapid-turn-around prototyping, and engine-management system software and hardware design.
Autogas systems
A subsidiary, Orbital Autogas Systems, produces a retrofit LPG system applicable to a range of vehicles. Orbital Liquid LPG injection (LLi) is claimed to be the latest generation in automotive LPG fuel systems, promising substantial fuel savings, improved fuel consumption and reduced pollution. Injection of LPG into the engine as a liquid rather than a vapour is claimed to improve engine volumetric efficiency, producing more power from less fuel.[1]
Variable-fuel engine
A technology named FlexDI purports to improve emissions and fuel consumption in internal combustion engines designed to accept any common fuel type. The invention is being promoted to marine, recreational and light commercial vehicle markets including autorickshaws.
In 2003, the company was awarded a Banksia Award for its innovative combustion technology—winning in the category 'Leadership in Sustainable Product Design'.[2]
The Orbital Redback heavy fuel engine using FlexDI was chosen in 2012 to power an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufactured by AAIs Australian division Aerosonde.[3]
See also
References
- ↑ "Orbital commences supply of Liquid LPG systems to HSV". Orbital Autogas Systems. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
- ↑ Banksia Environmental Foundation 2003 Award Winners & Finalists - Leadership in Sustainable Product Design
- ↑ Gomez, Kevin. Australian engineering company wins contract to supply new engine for pilotless military aircraft PACE today, 26 June 2012. Retrieved: 9 July 2012.
Further reading
- Sydney Morning Herald, October 26, 2005. Orbital turns to its next big hope - rickshaws. By Matt O'Sullivan
- Powersports Business, December, 2004 Orbital expects improvement in 2005.
- Hoover's – Factsheet on Orbital Corporation Limited
- Scootering USA – December 10, 2007. Bajaj Provides Update on the Launch of the Direct Injection Autorickshaw
External links
- Orbital Corporation Limited Official site.
- Orbital Corporation Limited Official Chinese site.
- Synerject Official site.
- Orbital Autogas Systems Official site.
- FlexDi Official site.
- FlexDi Official Chinese site.