by rxtoy » Fri Sep 09, 2005 1:07 am
a bit of an interesting read, it just seems like a jumped up rotary to me. they make a big deal of no crank but how are they going to output the power??? and the fact it can be used as a pump, any internal combustion engine is basically a pump and compressor. don't know about running steam through most engines but the steam turbines i've worked on don't look anything like that so i'd guess it wouldn't exactly be optimal. steam isn't environmentally friendly anyway, somethings got to make it (excluding using natural vents of course).
the main difference to a normal wankel rotary is that they talk about the varied sorts of fuels they could burn but its still going to need some form of apex seal which isn't going to hold up (with present technology) to the sort of pressure needed to combust diesel and the like.
also they're making a big deal out of the emissions thing, Moller over in the states (he builds skycars and powers them with his own sort of rotary engine which is infinitly stackable, ie forget quad rotors, you can make them as long as you want) has put engines together that produce something like 2% (from memory, feel free to flame me once you've proved me wrong) emissions compared to your average 4 stroke engine
the cam type one looks interesting but i couldn't see the rotor holding up to that sort of punishment for long, metal on metal??? how would they lubricate the inside of the combustion chamber???
cool idea though, good to see somebody's thinking outside the square. will be interesting to see what comes of it.
cheers
Matt
current rides:
76 stout
77 B1600 13B J port