Circle Cycle engine (new type of car engine. Darndest thing I have seen in awhile)

circlecycleice.com via Popular Science ad. ^ | 2012 | Circle cycle

[dynachrome]

What is it?

Orbital,non-reciprocating internal combustion engine. Piston/Cylinder structured Adaptable to all liquid or gaseous fuels Ultra efficient Patent # 7721687B1; & Patents Pending

[hadaclueonce]

“The zenith of the internal combustion engine was reached in 1955 with the invention of the Small Block Chevy

Then there was Vega.

Now Volt.

[Revolting cat!]

Flying cars will now become possible.

[Patton@Bastogne]

.


Resembles the "Wankle Engine" ... circa 1970's ...



Wikipedia:

The Wankel engine is a type of internal combustion engine using an eccentric rotary design to convert pressure into a rotating motion instead of using reciprocating pistons. Its four-stroke cycle takes place in a space between the inside of an oval-like epitrochoid-shaped housing and a rotor that is similar in shape to a Reuleaux triangle but with sides that are somewhat flatter. The very compact Wankel engine delivers smooth high-rpm power. It is commonly called a rotary engine, though this name applies also to other completely different designs. It is the only internal combustion engine invented in the twentieth century to go into production.[1]

The engine was invented by German engineer Felix Wankel. He received his first patent for the engine in 1929, began development in the early 1950s at NSU, completing a working prototype in 1957.[1] NSU then licensed the concept to companies around the world, which have continued to improve the design.

Thanks to their compact design, Wankel rotary engines have been installed in a variety of vehicles and devices including automobiles, motorcycles, racers, aircraft, go-karts, jet skis, snowmobiles, chain saws, and auxiliary power units. Perhaps the greatest proponent of the Wankel engine has been the Japanese company Mazda.


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[Vince Ferrer]

I am kind of following these guys, who are developing a new kind of steam engine. Don't know if it will succeed, but they seem to have some intrest in standing waste heat recovery applications.

Cyclone Power

[wildbill]

Wait until the manufacturers of the Orgasmatron see the illustrated engine at work.

[Vince Ferrer]

I am not sure if your picture is evidence that American civilization peaked in the 1950s, or if that car is the direct cause of our decline.

[Batrachian]

"Then there was Vega.

Now Volt."

We're discussing engines, not car models, but since you mention them, the Vega is what you get when all of your designers and engineers have retired and the bean counters and corporate brass design a car. As for the Volt, that's what you get when the government drives the entire design of a car.

Alas for Chevy!

[Balding_Eagle]

Can’t easily see the advantage of this design.

It still is a reciprocating engine for starters.

[count-your-change]

It looks very interesting but there looks to be so many critical wear points that maintaining alignment and fit might be nearly impossible for very long.

For example, what seals the piston inside the cylinders? That piston must have perfect alignment as it enters the cylinder and contend with side scuffing and maintaining inline position until it leaves the cylinder. What is a tiny bit of wear going to do to the fit?

[VeniVidiVici]

We should drill drill drill and then bring back the 426 Hemi when gas goes back to $.28 a gal.

You don't have to wait. You can buy a Chrysler manufactured 426 Hemi now at $3.50gal.

426 Gen III Hemi Engine - 425 Horsepower

[AnTiw1]

I get the slings and arrows every time I say this, but I had a Vega, and I loved it, it was one of the most fun little cars I ever owned.

Ducking and covering...

[The_Media_never_lie]

This is a PG rated thread. You’ll be banned if you talk about your Wankel here............

[coolbreeze]

I was also thinking about the timing...Henry Ford was obsessed with his design of the “X Engine”, an 8 cylinder with 2 cylinders transposed to each other in an X ...the timing killed it.

[entropy12]

You got that exactly right! Which is why my top priority is on durability when buying any car.

[Kellis91789]

Pennies for the Thorium, millions for gobermint busybodies to inspect it every month.

[Ole Okie]

It still is a reciprocating engine for starters.

Without rings, and without an obvious way to circulate coolant (and a commercial automobile engine would require cooling).

And the most obvious drawback: the "engine" itself is rotating. That's a lot of mass for quick acceleration, and would detract from brake specific fuel consumption.

Some early aircraft radial engines were designed for the engine itself to rotate.

Never caught on.

[gorush]

Very interesting and brilliant. Thanks for posting!

[brivette]

as a former vega owner,I can tell you they sucked.

[TChad]

A little mis-alignment and I think you would come to a sudden stop.

And the engine would disintegrate. You have to wonder about failure modes.

It certainly is an interesting design.

[Batrachian]

I can't help comparing the Vega to the Chevy II. Now there was an excellent small car. Available with a 327/350 it would embarrass many larger muscle cars. Compare the Chevy II/Nova to the Vega and you realize that a car is its engine, with none more wonderful than the SB Chevy.