Breakthrough Federal-Mogul Advanced Corona Ignition System (ACIS) Technology Enables Significantly Improved Fuel Economy, Reduced Emissions, Extended Service Life

FRANKFURT, Germany, Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Federal-Mogul Corporation (NASDAQ: FDML) will introduce at this year's IAA (Frankfurt Auto Show, Hall 4.1, Stand E15, September 13-16, 2011) its highly innovative Advanced Corona Ignition System (ACIS), a breakthrough technology for fuel efficiency and emissions reduction that significantly outperforms conventional spark-ignition systems.  Federal-Mogul's ACIS is currently undergoing development with several customers and has enabled an up to 10-percent fuel efficiency improvement over standard spark ignition in development testing.

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Corona ignition creates a significantly larger high-intensity plasma ignition source, spread throughout the combustion chamber, when compared to conventional spark ignition systems.  The ACIS technology provides for more thorough combustion and enables advanced combustion strategies like lean burn, highly diluted mixtures and very high exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), further increasing fuel efficiency.  The company's ACIS utilizes materials and design strategies to facilitate high-volume production implementation on current and new engine architectures.

"Federal-Mogul's new corona discharge ignition is a breakthrough innovation that can offer significant fuel economy gains and emissions reductions at a lower incremental cost than other technologies," said Federal-Mogul President and CEO Jose Maria Alapont. "Our Advanced Corona Ignition System is another example of Federal-Mogul's commitment to developing leading technology and innovation to support vehicle manufacturers with regulatory compliance and customer satisfaction for energy efficiency, environmental responsibility and vehicle safety enhancements."

ACIS uses a high-energy, high frequency electrical field to produce repeatable, controlled ionization, creating multiple streams of ions to ignite the fuel mixture throughout the combustion chamber, whereas conventional spark ignition creates only a small arc in the gap between the electrodes of a spark plug.

This highly effective ignition technology also allows for optimized timing of the start of combustion versus conventional ignition systems.  ACIS generates rapid ignition and quick burning, ensuring greater conversion of the fuel energy to mechanical energy with the added potential for simultaneous reduction in engine cooling requirements.

"Federal-Mogul's and our customers' testing is demonstrating that the improvements to fuel economy and CO2 emissions are at levels unachievable with spark ignition," Alapont added.

"We have already recorded fuel consumption improvements of up to 10 percent on a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine, and there is potential for further improvements," said Kristapher Mixell, Federal-Mogul's director, advanced corona ignition system development, Powertrain Energy. "Our Advanced Corona Ignition System is a game-changing technology that also makes other combustion improvements possible."

Corona ignition technology provides higher energy and greater opportunities for ignition than a spark-ignition system, readily accommodating different fuel characteristics. "The technology enables powertrain engineers to more efficiently develop combustion strategies, such as stratified charge, lean burn and high levels of EGR, to reduce fuel consumption exhaust emissions," Mixell added.

Federal-Mogul has optimized its ACIS for ease of implementation in high-volume applications for both current and future powertrain architectures by designing it to package within the space of a spark-ignition system. The "two-piece" igniter architecture allows engine manufacturers the ability to replace traditional coil and plug systems with no adverse impact on engine design or assembly.

Eliminating the spark plug and its arc, ACIS eliminates the source of electrode erosion—the main cause of wear in a conventional spark-ignition system. This prolongs ignition system durability and extends service intervals. ACIS also uses materials that are already proven in automotive applications to ensure durability throughout the designed service life.

"The global growth of the car parc, reaching more than 1.2 billion vehicles by 2015, will continue to be a very strong market for spark-ignition systems, that is why we are continuing to develop new spark plug technology together with developing the Advanced Corona Ignition System for high performance powertrain and vehicle applications," Alapont added.

The company's Advanced Corona Ignition System is being developed at its technical centers in the United States, Europe and Asia.  

About Federal-Mogul

Federal-Mogul Corporation is a leading global supplier of powertrain and safety solutions to the world's foremost original equipment manufacturers of automotive, commercial, aerospace, marine, rail and off-road vehicles; industrial, agricultural and power generation equipment; as well as the worldwide aftermarket. Federal-Mogul's leading technology and innovation, lean manufacturing expertise, and global distribution network deliver world-class products, brands and services at a competitive cost. The company's sustainable global profitable growth strategy creates value for its employees, customers and shareholders. Federal-Mogul was founded in Detroit in 1899. The company is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, and employs approximately 45,000 people in 35 countries.

Federal-Mogul's aftermarket products are sold under a variety of well-known brands, including:  Abex®, AE®, ANCO®, Beral®, Carter®, Champion®, FP Diesel®, Fel-Pro®,  Ferodo®, Glyco®, Goetze®, MOOG®, National®, Necto®, Nural®, Payen®, Precision®, Sealed Power®, Speed-Pro® and Wagner®. All Federal-Mogul trademarks are owned by Federal-Mogul Corporation, or one or more of its subsidiaries, in one or more countries. Visit the company's website at www.federalmogul.com.

* Please note accent over 'e' in Jose Maria Alapont

SOURCE Federal-Mogul Corporation