Concentric sets up variable flow company
05/06/2006
Concentric PLC, the world leader in pumps for medium/heavy diesel engines, has established a separate company, Concentric VFP Ltd. which will concentrate engineering and marketing resources on its innovative variable flow pump (VFP) technology.
The VFP concept was first launched at the 2004 SAE Commercial Vehicle conference in Chicago both as a more efficient, energy-saving system and as a contribution to the development of future engine designs. It has now won seven development contracts from major European and North American OEMs for new platforms launching from 2007 onwards, in on- and off-road vehicles, petrol and diesel applications, passenger cars and commercial vehicles.
The new company will be headed by Kevin Johanson B.Eng. M.Sc, Business Manager, Variable Flow, who has been with Concentric for seven years and, as R & D Manager within the engineering department, played a leading role in the development of variable flow technology. Originally from Edinburgh, Kevin is a graduate of Napier University with wide experience, ranging from the offshore oil and gas industries to sub-sea engineering and automotive design consultancy.
Concentric's VFP pump is an annulus and rotor design, which offers superior durability, compactness and economy. Its principle is to align flow to demand, so limiting the power needed to drive the pump and hence fuel consumption. Two rotor sets control flow output. The driving rotor operates in the traditional, fixed arrangement while the offset position and resultant flow of the second, eccentrically-mounted rotor is controlled mechanically by a rack and pinion. Alternatively Concentric's electronically controlled version offers all the benefits of the mechanical variant while full pressure mapping provides additional fuel economy
In addition to direct fuel savings, matching oil supply to demand offers a variety of other benefits, particularly in relation to the new European drive cycle (NEDC). In petrol engines and high-performance cars, with a cold start and significant running time below 80ºC, the lube system is responsible for an even higher proportion of parasitic losses than in medium/heavy diesels. This is equally relevant to medium and light duty engines, which often operate at high speed and part load. In a typical duty cycle, such engines often do not reach a stable 80ºC for long periods and the regulating valve can operate prematurely, providing the opportunity for further energy saving.
Based in Birmingham, UK, Concentric PLC is a major supplier to the world's truck, agricultural and construction equipment industries. The company has four plants around the world, manufacturing oil, water and fuel transfer pumps, as well as integrated front cover assemblies for diesel engines. In addition, it also supplies lubrication pumps for transmissions and reciprocating compressors.
