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.
Some more info......
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20928035.100-shock-wave-puts-hybrid-engines-in-a-spin.html
Not to be confused with the Whizzenator.
Anyway, not a new idea, but definitely cool and hopefully timely.
One for each wheel. Wonder if they could make them with spinners.
In a related article, they say it will run on a variety of fuels:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20928035.100-shock-wave-puts-hybrid-engines-in-a-spin.html
He was so secretive a genius, I would not doubt it...............
It’s spinning a fuel and air mixture not just air but your point is valid.....very much like a supercharger in construction....
I'm sure they would sell..............
I’m actually a mechanical engineer by training and I follow valveless pulsejets, ramjet and pulse detonation engine technology for myself. Getting a “shock wave” rotor to do what it should theoretically do is always a bear. If it were simple, I’d already have a few patents.
Two questions:
Low end torque
and
RPMs...........
Thanks. I was missing the connection between this being a rotor engine to generate electricity.
Neat idea, which I think of every time I replace bearings and packing in them. Better have one hell of a main shaft and bearing set.
This is another not-so-new idea in internal combustion engines: http://www.bourke-engine.com/
Like the Wankel, seals and gaskets are the problem or like a turbine, it only has one speed.
Wouldn’t it require high RPMs before the “shockwave” could be obtained??.. like spinning up a jet engine before ignition ???
I’m cool with it, so long as it can develop 300 hp and enough torque to get my SUV out of the mud and over the rocks.
This doesn’t matter as much as you may think. Energy for transportation is only about 20% of the total consumed.
“They could call it The Wankel Rotary Engine.......”
Das 1967 NSU Ro 80
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSU_Ro_80
Rotary engines have so far had poor fuel economy.
There are several emerging new technologies.
It’ll haveta be a hybrid...............
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