Researchers at Michigan State University have built a prototype gasoline engine that requires no transmission, crankshaft, pistons, valves, fuel compression, cooling systems or fluids. Their so-called Wave Disk Generator could greatly improve the efficiency of gas-electric hybrid automobiles and potentially decrease auto emissions up to 90 percent when compared with conventional combustion engines.
The engine has a rotor that's equipped with wave-like channels that trap and mix oxygen and fuel as the rotor spins. These central inlets are blocked off, building pressure within the chamber, causing a shock wave that ignites the compressed air and fuel to transmit energy.
more at the link
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12:39 PM
PFF
System Bot
84fiero123 Member
Posts: 29950 From: farmington, maine usa Registered: Oct 2004
Oh no we are at the mercy of engineers again. I am going to have to learn something new about motors, all over again. “I am getting to old for this crap!”
Sounds interesting but still years away so maybe I don’t have anything to worry about.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't. Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.
Oh no we are at the mercy of engineers again. I am going to have to learn something new about motors, all over again. “I am getting to old for this crap!”
Sounds interesting but still years away so maybe I don’t have anything to worry about.
Steve
Since its essentially a turbine, no, there wont be any new stuff to learn.
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02:37 PM
phonedawgz Member
Posts: 17091 From: Green Bay, WI USA Registered: Dec 2009
It the pdf attached it looks like it defies the laws of thermal efficiency. We will see if anything comes from it.
And how come we never see a "proof of concept" working model of these ideas. Even just a miniture working model.
Alot here remember when the Wankel Rotary Engine was anounced, how long it took to come to fruiation, and what became of it's proposed 'world-changing' potental.
The engine received it's first patent in 1929, began development in the early 1950s, and was a working prototype in 1957.
[This message has been edited by Boondawg (edited 04-10-2011).]
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04:18 PM
ryan.hess Member
Posts: 20784 From: Orlando, FL Registered: Dec 2002
How can you shave 1,000 pounds off a car when the entire engine and transaxle doesn't weigh that much? You guys KNOW how much a 2.8 + transaxle + cooling system weighs. It's not 1,000 pounds.
When people start out making claims like that, that I, and you, know aren't true, it makes me suspicious of anything else they have to say.
That being said, I hope my suspicions are unfounded, and this thing meets all their claims.
And how come we never see a "proof of concept" working model of these ideas. Even just a miniture working model.
Alot here remember when the Wankel Rotary Engine was anounced, how long it took to come to fruiation, and what became of it's proposed 'world-changing' potental.
The engine received it's first patent in 1929, began development in the early 1950s, and was a working prototype in 1957.
The Wankel's chief advantage is power to volume/weight ratio. In the era when it was developed it was light years ahead of existing technology, but it's got inherent inefficiencies that make it hard to get as good a power to fuel ratio as can be had with a modern piston engine. Even piston engines are fairly limited, rarely breaking 30% efficiency. If a new technology came by that allowed even 50% efficiency it would be a game-changer.
Remember, the heat of exhaust and radiator is basically energy from gasoline that is being thrown away, unused.
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12:27 PM
82-T/A [At Work] Member
Posts: 22755 From: Florida USA Registered: Aug 2002
Sounds awesome... there's a lot of neat engine designes that have come out in recent years, including one that uses pistons, but is sort of a mix between a rotary plane piston engine, and a wenkle rotary engine.
Not sure though that it would drop 1,000 pounds... hah....
My solid cast iron 1969 Oldsmobile 455 big block, with all the accessories and a cast iron intake and heads, WITH the Th-400 filled with fluid, just comes in under 1,000 pounds at like 968lbs. So unless we're converting massive 70s cars, I don't think we'll be shedding much weight.
