Posted on 04/09/2011 9:11:38 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Michigan State University (MSU) mechanical engineering associate professor Norbert Mueller [profile] has invented an engine quite unlike those that the world is familiar with today. It has no transmission. It ditches the piston, valves, and crankshaft. It doesn't need to use cooling liquids.
Meet the Wave Disc Generator [video], the engine that could be the death of traditional gas and diesel internal combustion engines (ICEs).
When people claim to have a novel alternative to the ICE, they're typically peddling snake oil investments. But Dr. Mueller has carefully documented his progress and is offering a true ICE replacement. In short, he's turned what's typically a fantasy into reality.
The Wave Disc Generator starts with a rotor that feeds fuel into channels in the disc. As the rotor spins, it naturally mixes the fuel with oxygen in the air. The rotor also blocks the channels as it cycles. This creates a buildup in pressure within the channel chamber, which creates a shock wave capable of igniting the fuel.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailytech.com ...
Interesting, but not holding my breath.
fyi
It looks interesting, but I’m skeptical whenever I see the Next Big Thing described in vague terms illustrated with a fuzzy drawing that lacks detail or a solid technical explanation of the theory of operation. If they have provisional patents filed, why not show and tell instead of having Dr. Norbert drone on and on?
Should create work for a good PR person at least! I’ll stay tuned.
That is what it is being built for, to power a generator, making a hybrid.
The Wankel made it all the way to full production but has still never displaced the piston engine.
And, as far as I’m concerned from a motorcycle perspective the four-stroke still is unproven in the highest echelons of racing.
:-) .. on that last comment.
And what of the Stirling?
The combustion engine is kinda like the light bulb. No on has really been able to come up with any kind of substitute that’s just as good if not better.
LOL Looks like a V-1 on wheels. When you get close to your destination does it cut off and glide in? :~)
The problem with the current RX-8 is that it has only about 230HP while the competing Z-370 puts out 330 and the V8 Mustang puts out over 400. It gets worse gas milage than the V6 doing it, too. It will be interesting to see what they come up with in the 9 and if they finally get competitive with pistons. Gas milage has been one of the biggest weaknesses of the design, from what I can tell. It's light enough that they could put a bigger engine in and presumably match the power output of a piston engine, but the milage would be really bad.
They have done a great job on the styling at least. The current RX-8 was not ever a really cool looking car IMHO. 
It coasts in
I am looking for the return of the HVID engine. I once read an old newspaper article that said it could be powered by whipped cream.
When ever anyone says flywheel I remember the old(really old)one cylinder gas engines with huge fly wheels. It was a hoot watching one run with only one explosion about every 3 or 4 seconds and the engine cycling through the other 3 strokes silently. However, they were able to do what they were designed for, run a generator or other farm equipment and the fly wheel took forever to stop turning after the engine died.
How about the old “Make and Break” marine engines, PONG...Pong...PONG?
How to Build a 3HP Launch Engine
... complete text, drawings, and instructions for an amateur to build a single cylinder, three horsepower, make’n’break, marine engine.
www.marineengine.com/books/g7.html
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