Is this possible? Has it been done?

 

Turbine engine?

 

Jim, not a gas turbine engine, a rotary piston engine. Its the kind of engine that Mazda puts in the RX7. Its also refered to as a Wankel engine, named after its creator.

Check out this link : Rotary enginge


Screaminbanana,

I don't think its possible to get a rotary engine to run like a diesel. This is mainly due to the fact that these engines run a low compression ratio. It would need some good reinforcing to handle the compression required for diesel fuel to ignite, particulary the apex seals.

Best example I can think of would be my Navy friend. He used to have an RX7 that he modified for racing. He had put a turbo on it and had problem afterward with keeping the apex seal from blowing out from prolonged high boost runs.

 

I hadnt thought of the apex seals on it. I know Roll Royce did some experimentation with the rotery (Wankel) diesel in the late 70s. That could be the reason it didnt get mainstreamed. I was thinking that perhaps it was the whole hollow center not standing up to the compression.

 

The apex seals on the rotary engines were always the weak point. I don't think that they could withstand the pressures of a diesel engine. Who knows maybe someone can modify the snot out of it and can make it work. That would be one high revving motha.

 

oops didn't see that screamin already mentioned the seals... my bad

 

Cant take the credit for that one, it was Jrs Dodge Diesel who made origonal mention of it. It was something I hadnt thought of when I was going over it in my head.

 

Rotary Diesel engine



don't say it can't be done!!!

--Berne

 

That Rand Cam engine was featured in one of the magazines I get at work, I dont remember which one tho. its supposed to be more reliable than the Wankle, has fewer moving parts, and is being used in one of the militaries UAVs

 

That was by far one of the most interesting and facinating websites I ahve read in quite some time. Thank you very much for the link.

 

That's pretty nifty looking. It's along the same lines as the guys who incorporated the valves into the cam shafts.

 

The impressive part is the weight to power ratio. The average is 6-7 lbs. per horsepower. Those engines are 3/4 lb. per HP. Maybe I should buy some of this company's stock!

 

That would make a great aircraft engine at 3/4 pound per HP.

 

I've built engines that were up to 5 HP/lb but those suckers only last 50 passes or so... Longevity is the key, and that is a very cool design BTW