Recently, the Peoples Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has announced the decision to reward Guangxis outstanding science and technology projects in 2011. As a result, YC6L diesel engine R & D and popularization of Yuchai Machinery Co., Ltd. (YM) won 2011 Guangxi special award for science and technology contribution. This is the highest honor in Guangxis science and technology world as well as a generous return to Yuchais perseverance in independent innovation.

YC6L diesel engine R & D and popularization was launched in 2002. During R & D, product development, technical innovation and popularization over the nine years, Shen Jie, person in charge and technical leader of the project and chief engineer of Yuchai, has made painstaking efforts and outstanding and creative contributions together with an array of scientific and technological staff including Feng Jing, Zhuo Bin, Qin Zhuangge, Qin Wen, Li Qin, Lin Zhiqiang, Tao Zemin, Lin Tiejian, Wei Wenxue, Zhang Wen, Sun Buwu, Yang Chun, Yang Jian and Zhong Hongwen.

YC6L diesel engine is currently Chinas fastest-growing and salable new-generation high-efficiency energy-conserving and environment-friendly engine. The major innovation points of YC6L diesel engine R & D and popularization include emission upgrade, application of in-cylinder braking, application of positive crankcase ventilation, application of two-stage charging, engine electronic control system, combustion system optimization, fuel adaptability research, etc. In emission upgrade, by optimizing postprocessing technology, Yuchai developed and mass-manufactured engines up to national IV standards or above on the basis of meeting national III standards; in application of in-cylinder braking, Yuchai used VVEB braking system as the auxiliary braking system for vehicles to make vehicles braking force over 10% higher than the low-speed braking force of similar European and American products, thus enhancing vehicle safety; in engine electronic control system, Yuchai independently carried out engine pedestal calibration, vehicle calibration and three-high calibration (high temperature, highland and high heat), and took the lead in the country to master the technology of calibrating electronically controlled engines, thus breaking foreign technical blockade; in combustion system optimization, through technical tackling, Yuchai has reduced the minimum specific fuel consumption to 191g/kWh and engine noise to 113dB, far below other similar domestic models and up to advanced international standards; in fuel adaptability research, Yuchais original low-temperature ammonia storage control strategy and SCR system control strategy under the condition that high-sulfur diesel oil is consumed has solved problems in applications of SCR systems on Chinas city buses such as low speed and low exhaust temperature.

YC6L diesel engine R & D and popularization owns fully independent intellectual property, has won 8 national, ministerial, provincial and municipal science and technology awards and 162 patents, of which four-valve diesel cylinder cover unloading slot has broken foreign technical blockage and solved the technical problem that has long beset German engine experts.

YC6L is Chinas first launched engine up to national III, IV and V standards, which has been extensively recognized by auto works and customers. So far, Yuchai has established solid relations with the vast majority of major domestic auto works to match 107 models. The series operated stably and reliably as engines for reception vehicles and showed remarkable quality at the Beijing Olympic Games, Shanghai World Expo and Guangzhou Asian Games. At Beijing Olympic Games, YC6L national IV diesel engine wrapped up full-course service support with zero failure as the only national engine brand, and accomplished major reception tasks in events such as two national conferences, China-Africa Forum, Shanghai World Expo, Guangzhou Asian Games and Shenzhen Universiade. The project is of great importance to boosting the development of Chinas internal combustion engine industry and sharpening the international competitiveness of Chinas diesel engine manufacturing.

The project has yielded substantial economic and social benefits. Yuchai sold 815,000 units of YC6L and other models on the basis of YC6Ls core technology and developed over 50 direct suppliers in Guangxi from 2008 to 2010, and has purchased some 8.5 billion yuan worth of parts in Guangxi in recent three years, thus promoting the technical progress of Guangxi and domestic parts suppliers.

Additionally, among 140 projects that won 2011 Guangxi science and technology awards, R & D and industrialization of diesel engine filter series, jointly completed by Yuchai Huayuan Machinery (Yulin) Co., Ltd., Yulin Technical Market Management Office and YM, won 2011 Guangxi third prize for progress in science and technology. During manufacturing diesel engine series, Yuchai Huayuan took the lead in the industry to replace gravimetric method with particle counting method during detection; and originally extended additional functions such as hand pump, liquid level sensor, heater and temperature switch to filters, thus effectively reducing the failure rates of parts like fuel injection pump, fuel injector and common rail pipe. 

(Tang Ning)