Siheyuan: I eat melons while doing scientific research

Chapter 1393 is indeed difficult (4k)

It's not surprising that other comrades raised such questions, because the diesel engines of that time were completely different from those of later years. They were noisy, fuel-consuming, slow-speed, and vibrated a lot. Pollution was secondary; the main problem was that people back then couldn't think of that.

Of course, the advantages of high torque and non-flammability have always been there, but given these advantages, people would never have imagined that this thing could be used in a small passenger car, or rather, that it could be comfortably used in a small passenger car.

After all, if we're talking about making do, we did use cars that burned wood and gas back in the day. Although we didn't use them much in the 80s and 90s, the comrades in the northern peninsula were still using them.

"High-pressure common rail? What is that?" This is a completely new technology, and it wasn't until the 90s that it truly matured.

In the 60s, this was not even possible, let alone in China or abroad.

Gao Zhendong essentially skipped the fuel injection systems, including inline pumps, electronically controlled unit pumps, electronically controlled VE distributor pumps, and accumulator injection systems, and went straight to high-pressure common rail.

The high-pressure common rail diesel engine is a game-changer that has spanned so many generations and eliminated so many technologies. It would be absolutely impossible to achieve such a dominant position without some serious expertise.

Gao Zhendong thought for a moment. This technology was too complex to explain in a few words, so he decided to start from the beginning.

"Modern diesel engine fuel injection uses the engine's rotation to drive the fuel injection mechanism, right?"

"Yes, that will save a lot of trouble." Although they don't use diesel engines much, the colleagues at Beijing Automotive Development Co., Ltd. still know a lot about them.

"But this brings a problem, namely that the pressure and control of fuel injection depend entirely on the speed of the diesel engine itself. At high speeds, the fuel pressure is low and there is a pressure limit. The fuel atomization is incomplete, and it does not mix well with air, resulting in low combustion efficiency. Is that right?" Gao Zhendong patiently explained.

This is the problem with this injection system, and a major drawback is that the higher the speed, the lower the pressure and the lower the combustion efficiency.

"Yes, that's true... I understand, Chief Engineer Gao. You mean this high-pressure common rail technology can increase fuel pressure, separating fuel injection control from engine rotation, thus achieving fully active, end-to-end control?"

Gao Zhendong nodded: "Yes, higher pressure results in better fuel atomization, more even mixing with air, a larger combustion area, more complete combustion, and naturally better efficiency."

This is the biggest reason for the widespread adoption of high-pressure common rail systems, as they achieve efficient combustion while also balancing system complexity and cost.

The comrades took this to heart. After all, achieving such high power and torque in such a small size while also saving fuel boils down to one thing: high combustion efficiency, meaning more work can be done per unit of energy.

"Chief Engineer Gao, this technology isn't just for small cars, is it?" A colleague from Beijing Automotive Group asked, his eyes lighting up.

Comrades aren't stupid; this sounds like a general-purpose technology.

Gao Zhendong nodded: "That's right! Diesel engines can be used in heavy vehicles, tanks, ships, and so on! To put it simply, in an extreme case, we can forgo developing the diesel engine itself, but we must continue developing the technology!"

If we don't develop automobiles, then the comrades at the grassland tractor factory will have work to do. Gao Zhendong's idea is to first popularize automobiles, and then, once they are mature, transplant them to suitable tanks, marine diesel engines, and other machines that require diesel power. It's like using the Ministry of Motor Vehicle Industry's chickens to lay the eggs of the entire diesel power industry.

The comrades were not surprised at all by Gao Zhendong's statement. As long as it can improve combustion efficiency, even if there are no other benefits, this technology must be pursued.

"Committee Member Gao, how confident are you in the theoretical feasibility of this high-pressure common rail technology?" At this moment, the chief engineer had completely forgotten about the diesel engine itself; this was the real treasure.

As for the question of whether to be confident, that's only natural. No matter how brilliant Gao Zhendong's achievements are, this is a new, brand-new, and undisputed new technology. New technologies always have the possibility of failure, and even the theory itself could be wrong.

So his question wasn't whether it was possible to do it, but whether the theoretical feasibility was certain. As long as it was theoretically feasible, then they had to keep going.

Gao Zhendong's answer was unequivocal: "One hundred percent!"

The comrades all hissed. Such a statement is rarely seen from ordinary technicians, and even among Gao Zhendong, it is uncommon. The difference between 100% and 99% can sometimes be worlds apart.

"Let's do it! We absolutely must do it!" The chief engineer of the Ministry of Machinery Industry could not contain his excitement.

"But wouldn't the vibration and noise from diesel engines in passenger cars be unacceptable? And there's also the issue of competing with the military for diesel fuel."

These days, diesel fuel is a rare commodity. Not to mention ordinary passenger cars, even civilian trucks use gasoline engines. This is partly due to the inadequacy of diesel engine technology, but this is also a major reason.

As for vibration and noise, it goes without saying. When the comrades thought of the Beijing 720 moving forward, shaking and spewing black smoke, they found it hard to imagine.

Gao Zhendong smiled and said, "The vibration and noise of this diesel engine are much less than you imagine. This is thanks to the high-pressure common rail system, as well as the help of other technologies. In addition, like multi-purpose sports cars, this diesel engine is not used in China, but in Europe and other countries."

He said the vibration and noise of this thing weren't that great, and the comrades believed him. But they hadn't expected it to be used in Europe.

Westerners are so advanced, would they even look down on this kind of thing?
"Europe? I'm afraid it won't sell well?" the chief engineer pondered.

Gao Zhendong laughed. This was something many people wouldn't have expected. Europe's acceptance of diesel engines was unusually high, provided the diesel engine technology was good enough. Fuel efficiency, high torque, and strong power at low and medium speeds meant that there was a long-standing tradition of using diesel engines in small passenger cars in Europe.

Even in the early 21st century, Mercedes-Benz still had a diesel version of the S-Class.

"They should be able to recognize the value of good things. I've analyzed it, and it should work out."

This kind of thing is not easy to explain, Gao Zhendong said vaguely.

"Well, it doesn't really matter. Whether they want it or not is secondary. We can use this stuff in large quantities domestically," the chief engineer of the Ministry of Machinery Industry said with a smile.

He didn't intend to use it in passenger cars, since passenger cars already have the 463 series engine, and turbocharged models are also maturing. His colleagues were unlikely to change their minds about diesel engine noise anytime soon. He thought it could be used in trucks; if it were made according to Gao Zhendong's plan, it would be much better than the engine for the CA10 heavy truck. So he set his sights on that.

Speaking of this, he remembered something: "However, this thing was probably more likely to be used by the military at first. For ordinary civilian use, it would probably not be so easy to find diesel fuel."

Oil production is already not very high, and diesel production is even lower. It would be good if it could supply military, industrial, and some special applications; it wouldn't be available for ordinary civilian use.

Gao Zhendong remained silent. He had other ideas about this matter, but they weren't directly related to the Ministry of Machinery Industry, so he didn't intend to discuss it further with his colleagues there.

"Things will get better gradually. Let's get the diesel engine ready first," Gao Zhendong said with a smile.

"Hmm, you're right. So, shall we leave this to the comrades at Beijing Automotive Development Group to study?"

Hearing the chief engineer's words, the comrades at Beijing Automobile Works were completely relieved. It must be said, in terms of experience with diesel engines, they were actually inferior to some other factories and institutes that had worked on diesel engines. Their biggest advantage, however, was their geographical location; their proximity to Gao Zhendong was extremely beneficial for research and development.

Gao Zhendong shook his head: "No need to study it anymore. I've already drawn the diagrams. Let's just start the trial production. If we need to study it, we can do so when we've made some improvements." The technology of this diesel engine is too advanced. If we wait until the comrades have a chance to study it, it will be too late.

It's not that the golden age of this technology will be delayed—that's not the case. High-pressure common rail diesel engines for vehicles were supposed to mature in the 90s. Rather, Gao Zhendong couldn't wait that long, or rather, the newly established Ministry of Motor Vehicle Industry couldn't wait that long, and neither could the comrades who needed diesel engines.

Anyway, the blueprints are already available, so let's just go for it. Once the comrades have learned the technology of advanced diesel engines for small vehicles through this engine, we can gradually become self-reliant.

Comrades are getting a little numb. You've finished drawing the car diagram, and the engine diagram too? Have you been taking too much time off work?
However, considering that they actually produced the 463 engine before notifying us, the diesel engine was produced with drawings ready for Beijing Automotive Group to conduct trial production, which seems much more normal.

Seeing the expressions on his comrades' faces, Gao Zhendong couldn't help but add, "This thing is extremely difficult. Even following the instructions is very challenging. The comrades at Beijing Automotive Group should be prepared."

Putting everything else aside, the high-pressure common rail system alone is not something that can be easily manufactured. If it weren't for the foundation of laser and other processing technologies, Gao Zhendong doubted that the system would be able to extract the high-pressure common rail system at this time.

Even so, the high-pressure common rail provided by the system is still somewhat inferior to that of the 21st century. In the 21st century, a 2.4-liter diesel engine can achieve a torque of nearly 500 Nm.

However, Gao Zhendong was already very satisfied. Judging from the expressions and reactions of his comrades, he knew just how incredible this thing was.

The chief engineer nodded: "Yes, we are prepared for what you've said. I believe that the comrades at Beijing Automotive Engine Co., Ltd. will be well prepared to deal with all difficulties and remain humble in victory and undeterred in defeat."

It is even more commendable to remain humble in victory and undeterred in defeat.

However, the facts show that they underestimated the "difficulties" that Gao Zhendong mentioned.

Looking at the introduction on the back of the high-pressure common rail diesel engine, one of the comrades let out a sharp, explosive sound.

"Huh? 1200 Bar???"

The comrades looked at each other in dismay; this high-pressure common rail system was indeed very high-pressure.

Since everyone here works in the automotive industry, a good comparison is that the tire pressure of a small car is only around 3 bar.

So this 1200 Bar injection pressure is indeed beyond everyone's imagination, it's too high!
Gao Zhendong was too embarrassed to say that decades later, this number could reach 1800.

The comrades couldn't even imagine what would be used to create this pressure, because Gao Zhendong had made it clear that the engine rotation would no longer be used to create the injection pressure, and it would be very difficult to create such a high oil pressure by rotating the engine.

It seems that even just this fuel injection pump is a very difficult step. As Committee Member Gao said, "difficult" things are indeed very difficult.

However, the colleagues at Beijing Automotive Plant were even more excited. The most difficult part, namely design, had actually been solved by Committee Member Gao. As for manufacturing, given Committee Member Gao's usual practice, he would certainly not have remained silent; on the contrary, he should have provided extensive guidance.

Things have come to this point, and it would be too embarrassing if we still couldn't do a good job in our own factory. Moreover, the more difficult the task, the greater the potential reward. Otherwise, why would Committee Member Gao have bothered to set up a 1200 Bar hydraulic pressure system? How could the comrades not be excited?

"Boss, Committee Member Gao, rest assured, everyone at Beijing Automotive Group will work together to produce this engine as soon as possible! Even if we have to make it by hand, we will definitely make two engines according to your design first!"

The time has come for those master craftsmen in the factory to shine! Although hand-crafting has no significance for mass production, it doesn't matter during the trial production stage. Whether it's hand-crafted or not, the important thing is whether it's made. Having a certain number of engines for testing is a victory.

Gao Zhendong and the head of the Ministry of Machinery Industry exchanged a glance and smiled, "Well, I have confidence in the abilities of the comrades from Beijing Automotive Industry Group."

The chief engineer thanked Gao Zhendong very sincerely.

"Committee Member Gao, this gift you have given us is truly invaluable. We are very grateful for everything you have done for our Ministry of Machinery Industry."

Gao Zhendong was busy all afternoon before seeing off the colleagues from the Mechanical Engineering Department. Whether it was the cars or the engines, even before the official documents were handed over, there were still many things to explain in the preliminary work, which was very time-consuming.

After seeing off the comrades from the Machinery Department, Gao Zhendong saw Sha Zhu leading a comrade from the canteen, carrying two buckets over.

"Zhendong, I've brought you what you asked for. What kind of research do you need this stuff for? You know what, it's pretty hard to collect. These days, everyone's got all the money they could get, there's practically nothing left. Getting these two buckets took us a long time."

The contents of the two buckets had solidified in the December temperature, but fortunately it wasn't summer, so there wasn't a particularly unpleasant smell.

(End of this chapter)