new rotary diesel engine concept

[Jeff in VA]

Caught a bit of this on a public access channel last night while flipping thru the channels. It's a new concept in rotary engines that employs diesel engine theory. It's called the Rand Cam, and it has no plugs, and it produces 1 hp per .75 lbs of engine weight (compared to conventional piston engines that are about 1 hp per 5 to 6 lbs of engine weight). The thing only has two moving part assemblies! A 6" by 6" (yes, that's INCHES) prototype version, weighing only 40 lbs, produced 42 hp It's basically the equivalent of a 24 cylinder diesel, 20:1 compression :shocked:

Anyways, if it piques anyone's interest, here is the website:

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

Also click the "Rand Cam Technology" link on the page and go to "prototype engine" to see the actual thing. Enjoy!

Jeff

 

[GoliathJeeper]

Cool design. I like the idea of such a small engine. The site is worth reading about.

 

[Matthew Currie]

A neat design. It resembes a bunch of other designs I've seen over the years that never quite made it. People have been trying for years to figure out how to design a swashplate engine that's practical. All through my childhood I got Popular Science, and there would be a couple of those revolutionary engines every year. Still, you never know. The revolutionary new Wankel was one of them.

I think most of these engines fall down on sealing and wear, but who knows. It certainly looks good.

 

[casm]

I think most of these engines fall down on sealing and wear, but who knows. It certainly looks good.

Definitely interesting, that's for sure. I like the power claims, but notice there aren't any made for fuel efficiency. Rotaries have traditionally been not-so-hot in that department, so it'd be nice to see how it compares.

 

[casm]

For comparison purposes, this interesting. Definitely not exactly the same, but I can see similarities between them.

 

[CanMan]

Them are both interesting. Now if they can mass produce them, and put them in a bunch of different makes and models, that would be cool. I wonder what kinda fuel economy they would get.

 

[Lawn Cher']

Those would be really great for marine applications as well.

 

[lost1]

fuel-wise...if they're such small engines making so much power they're either terrible on gas or about the same...the only thing is that with the weight dufference you'd stil see an improvement, it seems.

If that littel engine made over 40 horses, it wouldn't take one much larger to provide power for quite a few compact cars currently on the market. Very interesting concept, it'll be fun to see if it actually takes off.

 

[Lawn Cher']

I wonder how they keep it lubricated though. At 7k rpm, I don't see how these would last very long without some seriously high-tech metallurgy.

 

[tealcherokee]

i bet theyre lubricated by the fuel....its the only possible way i can see it, unless they want to burn the oil lol

 

[Flip94ta]

Wankels and other rotary engines are nortiously dirty engines. Dirty as in hard to pass emissions. Diesels are even more strict emisson standards coming next year.

It is amazing how crediabilty will make you not believe in somones idea, as soon as I read that conventional motors weigh 5-6lbs per hp I was suspicious. A GM ecotec motor weighs 340lbs and makes 174hp in 2.4L trim. A GM LS2 weighs 440lbs and makes 400hp. Hardly 5-6lbs per hp.

It seems the materials needed in the center section of that motor would be quite pricey. The black slabs riding up and down seem impossible to keep lubed. I think we'll be waiting on this like we are on the turbine engine for an auto application or a hydrogen cell.

 

[cmotsvt]

High compression might cause issues with the sealing surfaces too.

 

[Bender]

Do a search on "OX2"

Carrol Shelby has been one of the lead designers on an engine very similar to the one you've shown for over 8 years now....still hasn't produced anything near a finished product yet.

 

[75SV1]

The Rand design has been in development for about 8 years or so. I think my dad has some stock in one of its development companies. If you look around there are other engines of unique design. I actually have one called Migrating Cumbustion Chamber (MCC) engine made in Indiana. It was made for model airplanes. I hear they are trying to develope it for weedeaters and other stuff. I haven't run mine yet. The exhaust is suppose to be very cool. They use a silicon pipe to route the exhaust.
Tom