EPA-AA-TAEB 74-29
Evaluation of an Automobile Power
and Deceleration Governor
April 1974
Test and Evaluation Branch
Emission Control Technology Division
Environmental Protection Agency
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Conclusions
1. Significant penalties in hydrocarbon emissions and in
fuel economy resulted from the device installation.
Carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen were significantly
reduced.
2. Vehicle driveability with the device was not evaluated,
but would require analysis in any further development
effort.
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Background
Mr. Coye Conner, representing Mr. Edward Smith, inventor
of the Power and Deceleration Governor, contacted the
Mobile Source Air Pollution Control laboratory in Ann Arbor,
Michigan, to request a laboratory and engineering evaluation
of Mr. Smith's invention. Submitted with the request was a
test report prepared by Automotive Research Associates, Inc.
of San Antonio, Texas, indicating significant reductions of
exhaust emissions. A confirmatory test program was conducted
by the Test and Evaluation Branch of the Emission Control
Technology Division.
Device Description
The Power and Deceleration Governor is a vacuum controlled
throttle valve assembly installed between the carburetor
and the engine intake manifold. The control mechanism of the
device affects a carburetion cut-off during deceleration and
limits throttling during acceleration. There are no parameter
changes made to the engine's basic spark timing, idle CO setting,
or idle rpm. The cost of the device is approximately $50 and
can be installed in about one hour.
Test Program
A 1966 Chevrolet Impala, 283 CID, supplied by the inventor
was used in the testing. Three tests were conducted, two
with the device installed, and one with a standard carburetor.
Two additional tests were run with the standard carburetor,
but were invalid due to an exhaust system leak. All testing
was performed in accordance with the 1975 Federal Test Pro-
cedure as outlined in the November 15, 1972, Federal Register.
The tests were conducted using the standard dynamometer
inertia loading of 4000 pounds and Indolene 30 as the test
fuel.
Test Results
The test results are presented in the Appendix of this report.
These results are summarized as follows:
Summary of Emission Results
% Change from Baseline
PPG Device
HC 18% increase
CO 23% decrease
CO2 13% ih'cre'ase'"''
NOx 45% decrease
Fuel Economy 5% penalty
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APPENDIX
Comparison of 1975 FTP Emission Results
with and without the Power and Deceleration Governor
Without Device
Date
4-5
With Device
4-2
4-3
% Emission
HC gm/mi CO gm/mi CO 2 gm/mi NOx gm/mi
7.02 79.2 454.45 3.32
8.32 57.9 509.95 1.71
8.22 61.2 513.40 1.82
Change
Fuel Economy
14.8
14.4
14.1
-17.8% 22.7% -12.9% 45.2% -4.7%
NOTE: a negative sign indicates an increase of emissions
or fuel economy penalty.
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