Rand Cam Engine: New Automotive Technology

[wolram]

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/05/09/070069.html

is this the replacement for the piston engine ?

 

[Ayrity]

wow, that's cool. see its stuff like this that makes me wonder why I am becoming an engineer, every time i see something like this there is one less thing for me to invent, and i always feel like that idea is much ebtter than mine

 

[wolram]

wow, that's cool. see its stuff like this that makes me wonder why I am becoming an engineer, every time i see something like this there is one less thing for me to invent, and i always feel like that idea is much ebtter than mine

I have read that this engine can be made entirly of ceramics, and may be used for powering spy planes, due to its low radar reflection and quiteness
of opperation.

 

[RVBuckeye]

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/05/09/070069.html

is this the replacement for the piston engine ?

If you are talking about the automobile engine, I would say we are many years away. Possibly, if we could ever find a suitable fuel.

 

[Danger]

Maybe it's just because of my not-so-great eyesight, but I can't quite determine the method of operation. Is that cam essentially a ramped piston that rotates by a wedge effect of the combustion gas? I wish that there was a more detailed set of pictures, and maybe an animation.

 

[wolram]

Maybe it's just because of my not-so-great eyesight, but I can't quite determine the method of operation. Is that cam essentially a ramped piston that rotates by a wedge effect of the combustion gas? I wish that there was a more detailed set of pictures, and maybe an animation.

Danger, look at this site for animation.

http://www.regtech.com/93.html

 

[FredGarvin]

It is interesting. I like the concept and easy is always better. I would like to see some power curves before I jump to too many conclusions. However, with their stock at $.40 or so per share, this might be a great low cost stock to get in on the ground floor.

BTW...that company should never have let that mechanic be interviewed on that video. His portions were horrendous to listen to.

 

[sid_galt]

sealing = HUGE problem like the wankel.

 

[wolram]

sealing = HUGE problem like the wankel.

I think the intension of building this engine from ceramics may over come
sealing problems, running clearances of 2 micron have been mentioned, in
other applications. if industry can mass produce to this level of accuracy
cheaply, (in comparison to a piston engine) is another matter.

 

[sid_galt]

I think the intension of building this engine from ceramics may over come
sealing problems, running clearances of 2 micron have been mentioned, in
other applications. if industry can mass produce to this level of accuracy
cheaply, (in comparison to a piston engine) is another matter.

Yes but
1) It would likely never be able to provide the type of sealing quality as in piston engines. Besides more sealing will be required than the piston. Piston requires sealing only on circumference. This one requires in on all sides of the vane.

2) I previously studied this rotary vane engine concept. In one of the patents, a problem mentioned was that when the vane uncovers the hole and the gases flow through, the hot gases will corrode the seal(if present) and the vane.
Over time this could be a major problem in this one especially since the corrosion will be taking place throughout the cycle of the engine.

3) Ceramics would be costlier than steel and aluminum. And they would require grinding and hot pressing to shape which is expensive though that might be partially offset by the lower number of parts.

4) Market scope:- I would say virtually zero because
a. no added advantage over the piston except power.
b. possibly expense
c. lack of research while the piston has been researched for over 120 years
d. MAJOR interest in fuel cells
e. restructuring of manufacturing equipment and tech know-how.

 

[Danger]

Thanks for the link, Woolie. It makes sense now, except that I can't figure out why the part labelled 'rotor' is apparently the only thing not rotating. I was about to ask where the hell the sparkplug screws in, until I reread the part that said it's a diesel. How to start it without a glowplug, though?