LiquidPiston... new type of engine

[Joeman]

Not sure if you guys have seen this or not, but I just discovered it today and thought it was very cool.

http://liquidpiston.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Looks like it eliminates the problems associated with Wankel engines and the rotor tips wearing out - it has no rotor tips!

Watch the video, see how it works.. it's very clever!

[Fozzie]

I keep trying to pick up flaws it may have but this in theory is actually very sound!

Mazda should take note as I'd rather like another RX8 style car on the market

[Joeman]

Looks very sound but it's crying out to be supercharged!!

Only drawback I can see is the side entry inlet and side exit exhaust means you can't pack loads of then together in a tightly packed line without having intake/exhaust manifold between them.

If I had a 3D printer I'd have a go at making one

[Stu]

Looks to me as though they are aiming at the smaller market for things like a go kart and lawn mowers!

I would probably say its a long way off from been fitted to a car or bike

you would have to have a big capacity one Joe rather than a few bolted inline

I would be interesting in seeing a 1000cc one made and looking at the power figures HP and torque!

[Joeman]

Yeah maybe just for smaller applications..

I've not had chance to read it, but does it need lubricant in the file like a twostroke?

Where the sides of the rotor meet the casings surfaced it will surely wear?

[Stu]

It gives nothing away on the lubrication side of things!

I have just read they can go up to 1000 hp

[JRH]

Yeah maybe just for smaller applications..

I've not had chance to read it, but does it need lubricant in the file like a twostroke?

Where the sides of the rotor meet the casings surfaced it will surely wear?

Think it said the sides can be lubricated from outside the casting.

[Stu]

Think it said the sides can be lubricated from outside the casting.

 

Yup it did say that

Just read that bit

[Joeman]

But then it's going the burn the lube!

Also, since the enclosure is clover leaf shaped, the pointy bits will likely wear, like the tips of a rotary motor... it's like an inside out Wankel!

[Stu]

I was thinking the same thing too Joe

or over time the pointy bits will wear groves in to the piston

only time will tell

[Grumpy Old Git]

Appropo to nothing - My friend (Lives in St Neots) is the son of the man who invented the 'Redrup' rotary motorcycle engine!

[dave_d]

I was thinking the same thing too Joe

or over time the pointy bits will wear groves in to the piston

only time will tell

 

Looking at the model, wouldn't there be a sacrificial seal in the notch. on the 'point' of the three chambers? Because the engine is so simple to strip. They wouldn't experience a great deal of physical load because the piston itself is held in place by the drive shaft. The seal just prevents the compressed gas escaping before the spark.

Looks interesting!

[Stu]

I was thinking the same thing too Joe

or over time the pointy bits will wear groves in to the piston

only time will tell

 

Looking at the model, wouldn't there be a sacrificial seal in the notch. on the 'point' of the three chambers? Because the engine is so simple to strip. They wouldn't experience a great deal of physical load because the piston itself is held in place by the drive shaft. The seal just prevents the compressed gas escaping before the spark.

Looks interesting!

 

Providing you get no wear causing end float on the crank yes you have a very valid point there