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dochip · 22-10-2012, 14:46

I thought some of you might find this article to be of interest:
LiquidPiston unveils its ultra efficient, small diesel engine — Cleantech News and Analysis

perchance · 22-10-2012, 14:54

Rotary engines may be new to diesels but were used in cars powered by gasoline. There is a reason they don't make them anymore.

**Sailmonkey** · 22-10-2012, 15:02

It seems that they've fixed the faults of the wankel rotary engine......I'm interested, I'd love to get 400lbs out of my stern

**bstreep** · 22-10-2012, 15:13

I won't buy one for JUST this reason alone "...with 10 times fewer parts...". How, is that possible? 1 times fewer parts is 0 total parts. So, does it have negative parts?

This assertion that products are "X times less..." is just stupid - and impossible.

**Therapy** · 22-10-2012, 15:21

EcoMotors raises $32.5M from Khosla, Bill Gates, Braemar — Cleantech News and Analysis

This is the one I saw a few years ago and liked.

I tried to contact them so I could invest a few dollars but they didn't want to talk to me.

I guess because I can't come up with $$ like Gates.

Adelie · 22-10-2012, 19:29

The reasons that the Wankel has not done well in the automotive sector are mostly related to the particular demands of the automotive sector, specifically the need to develop high power in the low RPM range, without that an engine will not perform adequately in normal stop and go traffic around town.

There have also been advances in fuel economy such that the wankel is now comparable to Gas and diesel automotive engines.

For boat use the engine generally run continuously at medium to high power putting the engine in a regime it can work well in.

The Wankel also has a big advantage on reciprocating engines in the areas of reliability, weight and physical size.

From reading about different engine cycles, it appears the liquidpiston has adopted aspects of the Adkinson cycle to increase efficiency.

Technology marches on and it appears that the wankel may come around again.

S/V Alchemy · 23-10-2012, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

It seems that they've fixed the faults of the wankel rotary engine......I'm interested, I'd love to get 400lbs out of my stern

Try Taco Night.

S/V Alchemy · 23-10-2012, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adelie

From reading about different engine cycles, it appears the liquidpiston has adopted aspects of the Adkinson cycle to increase efficiency.

Technology marches on and it appears that the wankel may come around again.

Well, it would, wouldn't it?

Meanwhile, can I find a small cargo van (something between a Honda Element and a Ford Transit) with a diesel/electric hybrid power setup?

I cannot. I might as well go sailing for five years until I can buy in North America what is available in Japan and Europe.

Target9000 · 23-10-2012, 10:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adelie

The Wankel also has a big advantage on reciprocating engines in the areas of reliability, weight and physical size.

Until an apex seal fails in a remote anchorage right?

**Sailmonkey** · 23-10-2012, 10:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

Try Taco Night.

I can eat all I want and never break 150 lbs.......it'll get me in the end I know.

Adelie · 23-10-2012, 11:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Target9000

Until an apex seal fails in a remote anchorage right?

I believe the odds of an apex seal failing are lower than throwing a valve or rod.

While the particular modes of failure are different between Wankel and reciprocating engines, the overall odds of failure are lower for the Wankel and when they do go it is less likely to be an immediate catastrophic failure which is why the light aircraft industry is investigating them heavily though they don't seem to have reached the market yet.