Bude, Cornwall, 19th Sept 2022 – Cornish-based company Ripl Ltd announced today that it has been awarded grant funding from Marine-i to progress the next stage development of their revolutionary Rotary Internal Combustion Engine (ICE).
The RIPL Rotary ICE is designed to deliver improvements in power, efficiency, and noise output for use across multiple logistical sectors. It is especially targeted for the marine and aviation industries where electric power capacity, distribution, and weight limitations will be an ongoing blocker for adoption of purely electric vehicles for decades to come.
Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Marine-i is designed to help the marine technology sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly grow through harnessing the full potential of research and innovation.
The Ripl Rotary engine is designed to further the best possible performance of a liquid-fuel (ethanol, bio fuel, hydrogen or standard fossil fuel) engine with the least emissions and the minimum acoustic nuisance.
The funding will support the next stage of engine analysis by Riventa Ltd and end-use application review within the maritime sector by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.
Andy Crouch, a founding director at Ripl, commented ,”Despite being unfashionable to talk about anything other than EV solutions, the fact of the matter is that our societies will be reliant upon internal combustion for decades. That’s why Ripl is dedicated to an accelerated delivery of a proven design for an optimally efficient, multi-fuel, combustion engine that supports NET ZERO but also powers our logistical requirements effortlessly. Our sincere thanks to our switched-on partners at Marine-i who have provided generous funding and industry relevant guidance. And it’s great working with another Cornish company Riventa Ltd who have responded to this project with genuine passion and commitment.”
Alex Whatley of University of Plymouth, a partner in Marine-i, said: “This is an exciting and innovative development which is set to transform the extent to which rotary engines can deliver performance which scores highly on environmental dimensions.”
Key features of RIPL’s Rotary ICE design:
• Optimally efficient engine delivering both rev/ high-power capability and low rev/ high-torque bridging the gap between standard internal combustion and jet engine performance
• A novel and simple improvement to rotary engine design
• 4 moving parts with minimal contact between components
• Removes oil in fuel lubrication requirement with few high-pressure differential seals
• All engine components rotate around same centre of gravity for low vibration and maximum efficiency
About Ripl Ltd
Founded in 2021 and based near Bude in North Cornwall, Ripl has access to some of the most inventive minds in the UK, which it uses to design evolved engineering solutions for existing and emerging requirements. In addition to the RIpl Rotary engine, they hold designs for a Mass Accelerator and Gyrocopter.
To find out more please contact invent@ripl.ltd
About Marine-i
Marine-i is a pioneering project designed to help marine technology businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly grow through research, development and innovation. Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Marine-i is a collaboration between the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, The Cornwall College Group, Cornwall Marine Network, Cornwall Development Company and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.
Marine-i brings together key infrastructure and expertise to enable technology innovation in the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly’s marine sector, which has been identified as an area of high growth potential by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership. The current programme is focussed on accelerating development of innovative product ideas, working closely with businesses to take their products to the next stage of commercialisation.
Full details can be seen at: www.marine-i.co.uk
About the European Regional Development Fund
Marine-i is receiving funding of up to £4,146,161 from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.
For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding
About the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult
ORE Catapult was established in 2013 by the UK Government and is one of a network of Catapults set up by Innovate UK in high growth industries. It is the UK’s flagship technology innovation and research centre for offshore wind, wave and tidal energy and helps to reduce the cost of offshore renewable energy, supporting the growth of the industry and creating UK benefit.
Full details can be seen at: www.ore.catapult.org.uk