Wave Disc
Courtesy Auto Rambler
Posted on 03/18/2011 12:45:45 PM PDT by Red Badger
Michigan researchers have built a prototype of a new auto motor that does away with pistons, crankshafts and valves, replacing the old internal combustion engine with a disc-shaped shock wave generator. It could slash the weight of hybrid cars and reduce auto emissions by 90 percent.
The generator is about the size of a saucepot, and would replace the 1,000-pound power train in most cars — no transmission, cooling system, emissions regulation or fluids needed. Norbert Müller and colleagues at Michigan State University showed off the new motor prototype at a meeting with the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency.
It consists of a rotor carved with wave-like channels. Fuel and air enter through central inlets, and the rotor spins to block their exit through a separate outlet. The sudden build-up of pressure generates a shock wave, compressing the mixture. Then it’s ignited, and as the rotor keeps spinning, the outlet opens again to let the hot gases escape. New Scientist explains in further detail.
The novel generator would use about 60 percent of fuel for propulsion, according to MSU. This is a dramatic improvement over typical car engines, which use only 15 percent of fuel for forward movement. The system could also make cars 20 percent lighter, improving fuel economy even more.
MSU received a $2.5 million ARPA-E grant to develop the technology. Müller said he hopes to have an even larger 25-kilowatt prototype by the end of this year.
Wave Disc
Courtesy Auto Rambler
New engine design Ping!................
Here comes the Sun King...
Any info on cost, horsepower and torque?
Cool...looking at it...where to I bolt on the supercharger?
I need more power!!
Cool. I want one. My gas bills are driving me to the poor house!
the little blurb in the article...
“...Michigan State University showed off the new motor prototype at a meeting with the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency.”
I suspect this was about strangling the baby in the cradle .....
Couldn’t have much torque to speak of.
They are looking at it being a generator motor for electric hybrids...............
Wouldn’t that be great? We could finally be in a position to not have to buy oil from the Muslim countries.
What’s it sound like??
Cost would be minimal. Looks like it could be manufactured by the mold process..............
Schematic model of a wave disk engine, showing combustion and shockwaves within the channels
Fingernails on a chalkboard to anyone against US energy independence.
They could call it The Wankel Rotary Engine.......
Mrs. Mad has a clock on the wall that looks just like that.
It sounds like a simple diesel engine yet they also use the term generator in this article.
It looks like it IS a Supercharger................
Didn’t Tesla have some kind of spinning disc machine?
Some kind of fan or air compressor?
Hey, that’s the water pump in my truck!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.