Directory:VortexValve
From PESWiki
The VortexValve™ is advertised as a low-cost add-on that modifies the way air enters an engine, increasing the efficiency of the burn, which increases mileage (between 10 - 30%) and performance, while decreasing emissions.
The unit, which has no moving parts, fits either in the air intake pipe located just before the engine on newer vehicles or sits neatly inside the air-filter pan on older cars and trucks.
"Installs in 5-10 minutes, requires zero maintenance and will last virtually forever."
VortexValve™ costs around $70 (plus shipping and handling). Actual costs for mass production of one unit is probably in range of 25 cents. It's just a piece of tubular stainless steel with fins cut into it and folded down.
Skeptics say the product is bogus and makes no difference in fuel economy.
.
| Table of contents |
Official Website
...
Fighting for its life
On Aug. 16, 2007, a former marketing agent for VortexValve wrote:
The company is fighting for its life. Because they got lumped into the “all gas savers are scams” category (thanks to widespread press releases from various agencies), it became nearly impossible to market. The units do work. Better in some vehicles than in others.
But the company never worked to get the empirical data. Relied too much upon anecdotal info (i.e., won Pike’s Peak hill-climb in a number of categories, etc.). Now, they are trying to get data. May be too late for them, though, since they are financially hurting.
We’ve been out of the active marketing of these for quite some time. If/when the data comes in and we have something to show regulators, Feds, State AGs, etc., then we’ll be interested.
Patents
Canadian Patent No. 2,441,181
US Patent No. 6,550,446 (http://patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=6&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=6,550,446&OS=6,550,446&RS=6,550,446) - Air intake flow device for internal combustion engine; April 22, 2003; Robley, Jr.; Spencer H
- Abstract
- An air intake flow device to manipulate the airflow in an air entry chamber of a positive displacement internal combustion engine. The air intake flow device is comprised of a skirt defining an air flow passageway, multiple vanes extending into the airflow passageway from a first leading edge at the surface of the skirt. The configuration of the vanes direct the airflow into a vortex like configuration which is understood to improve air intake across the intake valve into the combustion chamber and thereby improve oxidation of the fuel. The airflow device is preferably constructed in a fashion so that the installer of the device can readily adapt its configuration by applying hand pressure from a first manufactured configuration to second installation configuration. Thus, the device is suitable for adaptation to various air entry chamber shapes.
Manufacturer
manufactured in the USA by Air Synergy Labs
How it works
The high-grade stainless steel air-handling unit has the capability of transforming an essentially linear but somewhat chaotic airflow into an organized, vortex-like configuration that crams more air into the engine, similar to expensive turbo chargers (which have fast-moving parts).
Tests
In one independent test, a couple of 1997 Saturns were each equipped with a VortexValve™. The sedans belong to a security company in the Los Angeles area. The vehicles are just about as "identical" as you can make them. And, they are driven on routes which are pretty consistent. The main variable for the test was the drivers. One Saturn got a 52 percent increase and the other one got a 43 percent increase in gas mileage.
Another test was done with the Santa Monica Municipal Bus Company (known as "Big Blue Bus," the company was voted the nation's #1 bus line in 1987, 1992, 1997 and 2000). VortexValves™ were installed in two of their buses (#4802 and #4820), both of which are 1995 models having Series 50 Detroit Diesel, 8.5 liter, 4 cylinder engines. The buses were evaluated after three months, comparing the new monthly data after installation with prior monthly data history. The two buses averaged more than a 13 percent increase in mileage (#4802 did 13.58 percent better and #4820 improved 13.79 percent) which was the equivalent of an average fuel savings of more than 100 gallons per bus, per month.
In the News
- Google News > VortexValve (http://news.google.com/news?q=vortexvalve)
- New device cuts fuel consumption, boosts engine performance (http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=50121) - This ingenious, low-cost device modifies the way air enters an engine, thereby increasing the engine's ability to burn fuel more efficiently. (WorldNetDaily; May 9, 2006)
Skeptics
These types products have been proven again and again to be scams. The following are links debunking the below claims:
WCPO - GAS MILEAGE BOOSTER (http://www.wcpo.com/external/dwym/9c0616.html)
Fuel Engine Bible (http://www.carbibles.com/fuel_engine_bible.html)
About.com Review (http://autorepair.about.com/cs/productreviews/fr/aafpr052002.htm)
EPA's Review of Cyclone-Z (http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/devices/pb83227587.pdf)
EPA's Review of Dynamix (http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/devices/pb83159384.pdf)
Washington Post Article - Caught Over a Barrel (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64180-2004May3_4.html)
On top of these there are countless forums posters who have done their own independant tests further showing at most a 1mpg increase, but many times a reduction in power and/or fuel economy.
Some positive dyno tests mentioned (http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef04635/29)
Works on some cars...Jeep, Dodge, Honda...Ford? (http://www.mpgresearch.com/viewtopic.php?t=39&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=0)
Contact
...
See also
- Other Directory listings
• Latest
• A-I
• J-R
• S-Z
• Tree
• News
- PESWiki home page
