The penny is dropping further and further per post Ian!
It sounds like they are using a similar principle as Anti-Lag on a turbo engine (as I think you have already stated) as seen on a number of Rally cars to keep the turbo spinning and the boost pressure high whilst off the throttle.
A 'normal' amound of fuel is injected and the ignition retarded so there is little power output to the crankshaft but higher temperatures and subsequent pressures in the exhaust system that keep the turbo spooling at a high RPM. Opening the throttle increases the effect.
It sounds like what F1 teams are doing is channelling the gasses into the diffuser to speed up the flow through the diffuer resulting in gains in downforce.
Any aditional torque output by the engine due to the process can be soaked up by the KERS system!
Genious!
Whether they are igniting the fuel using the spark plug or letting it auto ignite as an afterburner in the exhaust I am not sure. I guess they would have more control using the spark plug. I cannot hear the cars popping and banging into the corners, thus suggesting that if they are using the spark plugs, they are not retarding the ignition excessivelly.
The system would certainly explain Heidfeld's fire during Practice last time out!
I do disagree though that the system does not come under the 'green' label. They are harnessing energy from the fuel using several different methods, just not in the way the powers that be had intended! It would be interesting to compare the overall 'efficiency' for the complete car with and without this system. I honestly can't see there being much between the two.
Love it!
Chris Adams
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