The companies will focus joint development on a spark plug injector that integrates the spark plug and fuel injector into a single device. The technology will have the benefits of low-emission, fuel-efficient direct fuel injection without the costs associated with a significant re-design of the engine.

Dr. Jean Botti, director of Delphi Energy & Chassis Systems' Customer Solution Center, said, "This exciting new technology will further enhance our leadership in supplying innovative environmentally responsive technologies to the automotive industry. It has the capability to produce significant efficiency improvements while requiring only minor changes to the engines on the road today."

Orbital CEO Kim Schlunke said, "The spark plug injector has been developed by Orbital and will now be refined for commercial application in conjunction with Delphi. It's an extension to our core direct fuel-injection activities and will leverage off the supply infrastructure we have already put in place through our joint venture with Siemens Automotive, Synerject. This agreement is an acknowledgement of the technology's outstanding commercial potential."

The spark plug injector uses the proprietary air-assisted, direct fuel-injection system developed by Orbital. Delphi brings its expertise in ignition systems, fuel systems and overall vehicle subsystem integration, along with its proven record in commercial application of new automotive technologies to the joint activity. Delphi's primary role is the design and development of the electrical and spark plug features along with component integration, while Orbital's primary role is the design and development of the air injector and combustion system. This direct-injection fuel system will be applied more easily to future engines because of its unique packaging. It will require only one point of access to the combustion chamber for both fuel and spark.

(April 13, 2000)