Presentation Transcript

1. IMPACT Plasma Igniter, LLC
2. The Plasma Ignition System The Plasma Ignition System supercedes current spark ignition systems in Internal Combustion Engines. Plasma Igniter, LLC
3. Basic Spark Ignition System Plasma Igniter, LLC
4. Distributor-less Ignition System Plasma Igniter, LLC
5. Plasma Igniter’s Ignition System One-for-one component replacement Plasma Ignition System is composed of: Plasma plugs RF Generator / Amplifier Shielded cabling Control module Plasma Igniter, LLC
6. How It Works The Plasma Ignition Technology Plasma Plug is a Quarter Wave Coaxial Cavity Resonator Electromagnetic waveguide Magnifies a small RF signal into a cylinder-sized coronal discharge Can be built and tuned for any frequency, any operating condition Plasma ignition results in nearly complete, high-speed combustion… Plasma Igniter, LLC
7. Timed Discharge Pattern Plasma Igniter, LLC
8. Stoichiometric Condition Burn (φ=1.0) Spark Plug Plasma Plug Plasma Igniter, LLC
9. Lean Condition Burn (φ=0.8) Spark Plug Plasma Plug Plasma Igniter, LLC
10. Why It’s Better PI’s Plasma Ignition System is a dramatic improvement over existing ignition systems. Increases fuel economy (more complete combustion) Reduces emissions (cooler combustion) Combusts multiple fuel types and mixtures Requires minimal change to existing engine designs while providing retrofit capabilities The Plasma Ignition System also has a profound additional advantage… Plasma Igniter, LLC
11. Game Changing Technology Our Plasma Ignition System provides in-cylinder feedback that creates Integrated Intelligence Real-time, cycle-to-cycle performance data under all operating conditions will revolutionize engine design and capabilities! Plasma Igniter, LLC
12. Underlying Science The result of a 20 year on-going R&D program at WVU 2 Patents Issued, 1 continuation-in-part, plus 3 additional invention disclosures for global submission Produces a true microwave plasma, not spark ignited ionized gases Magnified radio frequency (RF) resonance and acoustic wave propagation drives energy into the cylinder Allows customization for specific engines and load conditions Responds to operating conditions cycle-to-cycle, maximizing performance/efficiency Real-time combustion data will be a game changer! Plasma Igniter, LLC
13. Existing Market The market for automotive ignition systems is nearly $4 billion Industrial, stationary, recreational, etc. engines all have ignition systems and are all multi-billion markets PI offers greater performance, plug & play technology at similar cost Should command a premium price vs. current systems Plasma Igniter, LLC
14. Competition A number of small niche spark plug companies have emerged but they just modify existing technology Pyrotech uses domed electrode to spread spark Enerpulse (2010) uses pulse power to increase spark discharge from 500w to 5MW. Has raised over $20m in four investment rounds Plans $30m IPO late 2013 Sells under Pulstarbrand as a Premium replacement spark plug Independent testing at Wright Patterson AFB has proven the superior performance of Plasma Igniter’s technology Plasma Igniter, LLC
15. Competition Others are working on corona discharge plugs: Champion: Advanced Corona Ignition System Borg-Warner/BERU: Electrically Controlled Combustion Optimization System (ECCOS) was purchased from Etatech in 2009 for $15m Both use different technology than Plasma Igniter Both systems use an electrical voltage, not RF/acoustic wave Produce ionized gas that ignites fuel mixture Have more parts and are more complex No in-cylinder sensor capability Major ignition system producers will need competitive technology, and will need licenses from PI Plasma Igniter, LLC
16. Market Acceptance New Product introduction in the ICE and vehicle markets is costly Existing vendors and tier suppliers have well established relationships and product pathways OEMs have recognized the need for improvement Traditional and current solutions will not meet future needs (regulations, emissions, energy security, etc.) Plasma Igniter, LLC has a defined licensing strategy The timing is right… Plasma Igniter, LLC
17. The Perfect Storm Fuel Economy Greenhouse Gas Emissions Plasma Igniter Technology Energy Security Plasma Igniter, LLC
18. Business Model Plasma Igniter, LLC will have an exclusive license assignment Technology developed at West Virginia University Licensed by ATA, LLC (Jim Smith, principal) PI, LLC will sub-license to OEMs and Tier suppliers Sub-licenses could be based on market segments Construction & agricultural equipment Recreation vehicles − Automotive Marine vehicles − Aircraft Stationary industrial engines Plasma Igniter, LLC
19. Key Take Aways Plasma Igniter’s Ignition System provides: Superior Performance to all known competitors: better fuel economy, lower emissions, multi-fuel combustion Fine ignition control based on real-time data Customizable ignition system using software In-cylinder data will unleash new creativity Potential market is multi-billion Replacement of the current ignition system is inevitable Plasma Igniter, LLC
20. Call to Action In 2013, PI, LLC will complete development; conduct independent, EPA recognized performance testing; market and negotiate sub-licenses. Asking $2m in return for 30% ownership PPM and related documents were issued March 2013 $260k raised to date Plasma Igniter, LLC
21. This is our opportunity to have an enormous… IMPACT It’s In Your Hands! Plasma Igniter, LLC
22. Use of Proceeds (ROM) Plasma Igniter, LLC
23. Development Plan Task 1: Plasma Plug Prototype ($100k) Identify manufacturers, fabricate suitable plugs, verify proper operation Task 2: Ignition Support Electronics ($100k) Identify industry suppliers, select and acquire electronic systems, verify proper operation Task 3: Integration into Test Engine ($300k) Acquire test engine and interfaces, develop fueling and ignition interface, verify baseline operation Plasma Igniter, LLC
24. Development Plan Task 4: Plasma Ignition System Engine Testing ($375k) Install and tune plasma ignition system perform lean-limit and multi-fuel tests compare to conventional systems Task 5: Complete Documentation, Prepare Commercial Report ($75k) Report will be used to formalize and complete licensing efforts Task 6: System integration for vehicle and field testing ($250k) Acquire commercial partner for product integration / field testing Plasma Igniter, LLC
25. Team James Smith, Ph.D.—inventor, co-founder, President, PI LLC. Has refined the technology over 20 years. Tom Mahoney—co-founder, CEO, PI LLC. 15 years as President of successful industrial consultancy. Andrew Lowery, Ph.D.—10 years experience improving PI technology. Knows underlying science. Advisory Board will include strong automotive, engine maker experience and contacts. Plasma Igniter, LLC
26. IMPACT Plasma Igniter, LLC
27. National / Global Realities Growth in ICE demand will maintain pressure on global energy supplies and emission reductions US CAFE standards: 54.5 mpg by 2025 EU emission standards tighten again in 2014 In China, 40% of passenger vehicles must have engines 1.5 liters or less by 2020 California has implemented emission control standards on Small Off-Road Engines Plasma Igniter, LLC
28. National / Global Realities Countries are not meeting carbon emission reduction goals; trend is up, not down The average passenger vehicle produces 5.1 metric tons of CO2annually, almost 10 grams/gallon of petrol Global carbon emissions rose 2.6% in 2012 Shift from coal to natural gas for electricity production helps, but methane has 25x more Greenhouse Warming Potential than CO2 Plasma Igniter, LLC
29. National / Global Responses Tighter emission standards, higher fuel prices, and CAFE are driving huge investments in new technologies, including: Hybrids and all electric vehicles (EVs) Alternative fuels, especially bio-fuels and mandated ethanol use Growing use of natural gas to fuel industrial engines and vehicles Plasma Igniter, LLC
30. National / Global Responses All of these responses have serious drawbacks! EV technology is not yet good enough Alternate fuels remain costly, supply is minimal, and distribution very constrained LNG/CNG use is growing in response to price and supply advantages, but distribution infrastructure is poor Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and combusts poorly using standard spark ignition Plasma Igniter, LLC
31. National / Global Responses Most Importantly, None of these responses impacts the millions, maybe billions, of existing engines and the millions still to be introduced. Plasma Igniter, LLC
32. Development Plan Plasma Igniter, LLC