Can the rotary engine make a come back?

[rockytopva]

The only huge issue I have with rotary engines are in the Apex Seals. The apex seal must seal the cylinder as it travels its various states. If the apex seals go bad you will loose power. Another issue is that the engine must spray oil internally,which is not good for the environment.

Mazda Sheds More Light About The Rotary Engine Revival

 

[Athanasius377]

Maybe. Hopefully the next generation apex seals will last longer than my old RX-7 turbo.

 

[SkyWriting]

The only huge issue I have with rotary engines are in the Apex Seals. The apex seal must seal the cylinder as it travels its various states. If the apex seals go bad you will loose power. Another issue is that the engine must spray oil internally,which is not good for the environment.

Mazda Sheds More Light About The Rotary Engine Revival

And it's not efficient. And difficult to control the emissions.

 

[Dave-W]

And it's not efficient. And difficult to control the emissions.

THe efficiency was about the same as piston engines.

In the 1980s I actually came up with a design that I thought (on paper) had the potential for greater efficency due to less back and forth movement. Unfortunately I lacked the resources to either pursue a submission to existing manufacturers or to build a prototype for testing.

 

[SkyWriting]

THe efficiency was about the same as piston engines.

In the 1980s I actually came up with a design that I thought (on paper) had the potential for greater efficency due to less back and forth movement. Unfortunately I lacked the resources to either pursue a submission to existing manufacturers or to build a prototype for testing.

Buckminster fuller released all his designs to the public as he created them. Post your design here and you might improve the world.

We don't drive Bucky cars now, but they are getting closer to his streamlined design every year.

 

[Dave-W]

Post your design here and you might improve the world.

I do not have any of those drawings any more. They all were lost in a flood a few years back. I still remember the general design, though.

 

[Nige55]

I hope so, I'm an avid supporter of Mazda and the Rotary (and I used to work work Mazda as a senior designer). When I was still there, Rotary engines were working very well as a gas/hybrid electric set up. No idea where things are up to now though. Here's hoping !

 

[Dave-W]

I hope so, I'm an avid supporter of Mazda and the Rotary (and I used to work work Mazda as a senior designer). When I was still there, Rotary engines were working very well as a gas/hybrid electric set up. No idea where things are up to now though. Here's hoping !

The problem I saw with the piston, and to a lesser degree with the Wankel was a mass moving, stopping, moving, stopping, and so on. While the piston was a straight line action, the Wankel did the same thing only instead of straight line, it "wobbled" back and forth. That costs energy and momentum.

That was why I designed my system. Everything moved in either a circular or elliptical path. little loss of momentum.

 

[jayem]

The automotive future--at least for the rest of this century--is clearly electric. Battery technology is the holy grail for innovation.

 

[rockytopva]

I had a two stroke mini bike growing up that was very fast for its displacement. I have wondered if they could not make the two stroke into a better design.

 

[Nige55]

The problem I saw with the piston, and to a lesser degree with the Wankel was a mass moving, stopping, moving, stopping, and so on. While the piston was a straight line action, the Wankel did the same thing only instead of straight line, it "wobbled" back and forth. That costs energy and momentum.

That was why I designed my system. Everything moved in either a circular or elliptical path. little loss of momentum.

Sounds interesting Dave !

 

[tas8831]

The only huge issue I have with rotary engines are in the Apex Seals. The apex seal must seal the cylinder as it travels its various states. If the apex seals go bad you will loose power. Another issue is that the engine must spray oil internally,which is not good for the environment.

Mazda Sheds More Light About The Rotary Engine Revival

I hope they make a comeback - they look and sound cool!