MSU Creates New Engine Design

This joins a long list ofinnovative engine designs that have been worked on over the years.  They all have specific advantages that makethem attractive to continue development, yet usually run into the limitations imposedby materials.  That is why we still usethe same engine geometry developed a century ago.

This one looks attractive andlooks to be naturally light.  One hopesit makes it into the market.

The video could not betransferred, so for a longish discussion – no demo – use the link to get thevideo.

MSU researchers create a new engine prototype (w/ video)

March 17, 2011 byKatie Gatto 

(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers at Michigan State University have built aprototype, based on the research first released in 2009, of the Wave DiskGenerator -- an engine that does not have pistons, crankshafts or valves.

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-03-msu-prototype-video.html

This newmodel, which does away with the internal combustion engine of the past, has thepotential to reduce auto emissions up to 90 percent, when compared to thecurrent emissions level. This is because the engine uses roughly 60 percent ofits fuel for propulsion, when you compare this to the typical cars engine thatuses only 15 percent of fuel for propulsion, we can see how the increase ispossible.

The new engine prototype is built with a disc-shaped shock wavegenerator that is about the size of a sauce pan, and will require notransmission system, cooling system, emissions regulation or fluids, whichmeans that you will end up not only doing something good for the planet, butyou will end up with less in maintenance costs, if this new prototype evercomes to the market.

The engine works like this: a rotor, with a wave-like pattern carvedinto channels. The fuel and air enter and mix through the central inlets. Therotor then spins, blocking the exit of gasses. As the pressure builds it willgenerate a shock wave that will compress the mixture. Once it is ignited anoutlet opens to let the hot gases escape, and your car can move as usual.

The engine prototype was shown off by Norbert Müller and othercolleagues at Michigan State Universityat a meeting with the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency.

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