Water/Steam Injection of internal combustion engines
I worked for some time at a company that manufactured racing
cars. I was employed as an electrical/electronic design engineer,
whilst I was in Sheffield organising an electrical overhaul and
upgrade to the diesel generator system at a hospital, I met a diesel
engine fitter that was a spare time racing mechanic. This chap was
extremely enthusiastic about water injection and fired me with the
desire to try it. I ran a couple of very thirsty, highly tuned Jaguars
at the time and was attracted by possible improved fuel economy.
The system that I concocted was based on what I had been
told, but in keeping with design engineers worldwide, I adapted the
original design somewhat.
Part of reason for this was engine size, The 3.8 litre
Jaguar "S" type engine had a considerably larger appetite
for fuel/air mixture than the Ford Cortina that was the prototype. And
another part of the reason would have been my arrogance, as a young,
innovative engineer - I wanted to put my "stamp" on the
project.
