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To: Steely Tom
Seal issues. Think Wankel.

Yup... and Wankels are not very fuel-efficient engines to begin with, compared to piston engines of similar horsepower. It looks like they've managed to recapture some waste heat and use it, upping the efficiency, but these claims sound terribly speculative.

Also, what's with the "the exhaust spins the rotor that drives the wheels" part? That sounds a lot like the old Chrysler Turbine setup. The diagram shows no connection between the compression and drive rotors, not even a viscous coupling. The vehicle better be small and light, because I suspect this design will share another Wankel characteristic - low torque. Efficiency is great, but if it can't do the work...

20 posted on 10/25/2006 7:46:21 AM PDT by Charles Martel (Liberals are the crab grass in the lawn of life.)
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To: Charles Martel
"The diagram shows no connection between the compression and drive rotors, "

There is a direct connection!



http://www.starrotor.com/index.htm
22 posted on 10/25/2006 8:05:56 AM PDT by HuntsvilleTxVeteran ("Remember the Alamo, Goliad and WACO, It is Time for a new San Jacinto")
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