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Shockwave-Generating Wave Discs Could Replace Internal Combustion Engines
Popular Science ^ | 03.16.2011 at 2:14 pm | By Rebecca Boyle

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.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Technical
KEYWORDS: auto; energy; engine; fuel; tech
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To: mo
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 ....

Thats my fear as well

41 posted on 03/18/2011 1:15:24 PM PDT by Charlespg
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To: Red Badger
He was so secretive a genius, I would not doubt it...............

Or a bit of a fraud, depending on who you believe. Naturally he had some great contributions but he very often couldn't back up his claims.

42 posted on 03/18/2011 1:15:29 PM PDT by bkepley
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To: mo
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 ....

Thats my fear as well

43 posted on 03/18/2011 1:15:30 PM PDT by Charlespg
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To: DaxtonBrown; Red Badger

Isn’t this just a variation on a turbine engine?


44 posted on 03/18/2011 1:17:02 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative
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To: truth_seeker

I prefer to call them Wanking Rotary Engines.


45 posted on 03/18/2011 1:18:13 PM PDT by technically right
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To: Red Badger

“And the Mazda goes hmmmmmmmmmm”. old commercial


46 posted on 03/18/2011 1:24:13 PM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: Regulator

I thought I had heard of this before. Thanks for the memory refreash.


47 posted on 03/18/2011 1:24:27 PM PDT by taxcontrol
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To: Red Badger

48 posted on 03/18/2011 1:25:49 PM PDT by sbhitchc (Check your premise, contradictions do not exist -Francisco Domingo Carlos Andres Sabastien D'anconia)
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To: taxcontrol
The version talked about here is termed a radial wave rotor, and is discussed a bit on page 730 Wave rotor applications. Note this paper is by the prof in the article; his cohorts have been doing wave rotor studies at Purdue for a long time.

At one point in my life I worked a bit on incorporating wave rotors into production jet engines, but then my supe told me the fun was over...

49 posted on 03/18/2011 1:31:04 PM PDT by Regulator (Watch Out! Americans are on the March! America Forever, Mexico Never!)
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To: Red Badger

Maybe Daigny Taggert can solve the mystery on April 15th & this is the motor.
Exactly who is John Galt?


50 posted on 03/18/2011 1:31:27 PM PDT by certrtwngnut
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To: Red Badger

It would depend a lot on materials. Will they be able to use steel or will it require more exotic materials?

If it can in fact turn out 60% carnot effiency, it would have to run at temps that would melt most metals.


51 posted on 03/18/2011 1:34:26 PM PDT by dangerdoc (see post #6)
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To: Red Badger
And a third question for your list... Seals... This has been a weak point for Wankel engines, i.e. the rotor tip seals, which are the functional equivalent of piston rings in a piston engine.
52 posted on 03/18/2011 1:37:56 PM PDT by Hootowl99
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To: Red Badger
Dr. Norbert Mueller discusses the Wave Disc Generator: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf_-IMgla34
53 posted on 03/18/2011 1:43:17 PM PDT by Yo-Yo (Is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: Red Badger

20 Million RPM. 0.0005 ft/lb torque. Make a nice alternator?


54 posted on 03/18/2011 1:47:29 PM PDT by Kenny Bunk (America might survive Obama. But it cannot survive with the kind of people who would vote for him.)
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To: Red Badger

kinda reminds me of the Tesla steam disk generator.


55 posted on 03/18/2011 1:58:19 PM PDT by Walkingfeather
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To: Nevadan
We could finally be in a position to not have to buy oil from the Muslim countries.

I heard spots on the radio today advertising the large amount and general availability of Canadian gas and oil. I wonder if there is a vote coming up in the House or Senate in regards to this issue.

56 posted on 03/18/2011 2:02:27 PM PDT by Sawdring
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To: Red Badger

Thanks - bookmarking!


57 posted on 03/18/2011 2:04:21 PM PDT by LiveFreeOrDie2001 (Best Cook on Free Republic! ;-))
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To: DaxtonBrown

The thing that raised my eyebrows is the fact that the people working on it were given a grant by the government...I guess Id work on anything if I was given a grant.


58 posted on 03/18/2011 2:06:54 PM PDT by MondoQueen
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To: JoeProBono
Like the Wenkel engine was supposed to revolutionize the auto?


59 posted on 03/18/2011 2:08:27 PM PDT by Daffynition ( DBKP ~ Death By 1000 Papercuts)
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To: Red Badger
Thanks for the post!

Norbert Mueller describes his wave disk generator

60 posted on 03/18/2011 2:14:52 PM PDT by Sawdring
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