As I undestand turbo's they turn heat in to motion energy. The compounding if you will, turns it into shaft power vs. back into the induction system as boost.
With poor thermal efficency, the Wankel would be a natural given the high exhaust temps. So, take those losses and turn them into motion?
Take a look at Lamar's website. He used to have a Cad 2D drawing of the concept you noted. A 3 rotor Wankel with direct-drive in a duct, turbocharged but I think this was before he was into the Turbocompounding as a poor man's jet engine if you will....
“As I undestand turbo’s they turn heat in to motion energy”
~~~~~~~~~~
There is a difference between a pressure pump and a displacement pump. Also, with turbos, there is a difference between a velocity turbo and a pressure turbo. It’s been a long long time since I studied thermodynamics in college, so I don’t remember much of it.
Isothermal vs isotropic, IIRC.
It seems to me like we are on the verge of an energy revolution. These ultra efficient ideas for combustion cycles coupled with emerging battery technologies should give us amazing improvements. I can’t help but think we are about to witness something like the industrial revolution brought on by the invention of the steam engine. If obama doesn’t kill our economy first.
The more I think about it, the more I’m of the opinion that John Deere and company were geniuses when they invented the johnny popper. I’m thinking a high tech two stroke twin cylinder compression ignition version of the old johnny popper is the way to go for class 8 trucks and agricultural implements. Make it valveless(like a detroit diesel series 51) with a supercharger, a turbosupercharger, and turbo compounding with a 180 degree crankshaft...and run it at about 300RPMs. manifold boost pressure set around 50-100psi. I’d say a 6inch bore and about a 10inch stroke should do. Bring back the piston rod and the crosshead bearing, and maybe make the crosshead bearing of the cutting edge magnetic levitating kind. Then get rid of the transmission and go with pure electric drive like a locomotive does. Then add regenerative braking and batteries.