Jacobs Enhancing Engine Braking Technology

“This technology provides the ability to decompress the engine cylinders for better engine response under a range of new applications,” Jacobs, Bloomfield, Conn., said. “It can also combine the functionality of a bleeder brake or it can be used in conjunction with a compression release engine brake.”

Jacobs said its prototype bleeder/decompression system is “a bolt-on device which holds an exhaust valve open during startup to reduce the amount of torque required to start the engine.”

It said that its test data shows that this reduction in torque leads to a reduction in energy consumed by the starter.