2001
Sam Draper was pursuing a Master's of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. Jim Cowart taught advanced thermodynamics and had recently come from Ford and MIT's Sloan Automotive Laboratory. Professor Cowart peppered his lectures with his past experience. Sam learned the major source of losses for the internal combustion engine was heat transfer. The result of a semester's independent research with engine cycle studies and literature searches was a novel approach to reducing the heat transfer in the internal combustion engine: The Film Cooled Internal Combustion Engine.
2002
Recognizing that the product of Draper Horizons will be intellectual property, Sam commissioned Christy Parker & Hale to write and prosecute the first FCIC engine patent. That US patent issued in 2005.
With the intellectual property in place, Sam worked under the name Draper Energy to secure funding to demonstrate the technology from the DOE Office of Industrial Technology Inventions & Innovations Program. By summer, Draper Energy learned that the proposal had been rejected because the technology was not developed sufficiently to meet the requirements of that program. A review of other opportunities for government funding, including SBIR, STTR, DUST, and other programs confirmed that while the technology was unique and valuable, government funding for IC engine research was diverted to fuel cell development.
2003
Draper Energy selected a small generator to demonstrate the technology. Cycle simulations were run on that generator, and calibrated with engine run data.
A new review of government funding opportunities revealed a unique opportunity with the NIST ATP, and opportunities for industry funding were pursued at the 2003 Small Engine Technology Conference (SETC).
At the SETC, contacts were made with engine design and development organizations such as Ricardo, AVL, and the Southwest Research Institute. While interested, the technology was not sufficiently developed to warrant their investment. Draper Energy was left to continue the development and work to secure funding from NIST. Unfortunately, after expressing interest in the FCIC technology, the NIST technology program was cancelled.
Draper Energy changed its name to Draper Horizons and joined the Virginia Tech KnowledgeWorks Program. That program gives Draper Horizons access to business advisors, administrative assistance, legal advice, and a fantastic setting to develop the engine. Jim Flowers introduced Draper Horizons to Cosworth Technology, the engine manufacturer responsible for the Ford GT and others. That relationship has been invaluable for guidance into the automobile industry and is leading to a potential strategic partnership agreement in 2006.
2004
March 16, 2004, Draper Horizons demonstrated the novel engine
technology. The demonstration proved that the electronics, valving, machining,
and compression components exist to implement the technology. However, the
design requirements were not sufficiently defined to demonstrate large benefits
for the technology. Also, the test lacked the instrumentation and a modern
engine to prove to Detroit the concept worked.
2005
Draper Horizons created a unique arrangement with Fluent to train Sam Draper to use the software, build a first model, and license the software to model the FCIC engine. The modeling confirmed the technology offers a 20% improvement in fuel economy. The modeling also generated a number of new patentable features and applications of the technology.
2006
The CFD results have generated new interest in the engine technology. The Original US Patent issued. Draper Horizons has filed a second patent application aimed at international protection of manufacturing methods, ideal performance patterns, enabling components and other applications. A major automotive engine parts supplier is entering negotiations with Draper Horizons to become a strategic partner for marketing, peripheral parts, and engine integration development. The recently announced increase in federal funding for energy research has inspired Senator Allen to write a letter of recommendation to federal funding agencies to consider FCIC, and the DOE has a number of grant opportunities available.