Revolutionary automobile engine technology?

[opabinia]

Wow. Rotary valve systems would eliminate 100+ parts per engine, and they would reduce noise, emissions, and manufacturing costs while increasing durability, power, and service intervals. If they're for real, that is.

Slow day at work.

Comments

Well.

[bottleimp.livejournal.com]

They're not claiming anything extraordinary or suspicious, like "5,000 MPG with our super-secret carburetor!" or anything that violates basic physical laws, like "Our system recovers ALL waste heat! You never have to buy gas again!"

They could clean up some of their language, like when they say that their design "eliminates engine friction." I think they mean "greatly reduces friction in the valve system."

Beyond that, I'd just like to see some real gearheads criticize them so that we can get more perspective.

Re: Well.

[jhimm.livejournal.com]

have you seen the ads that Mazda runs
during any motorsports event
about how their racing teams have
"never thrown a rod"
and a whole bunch of other seemingly outrageous claims
until you remember
that all Mazda racing vehicles use the rotary engine
which contain none of the parts they're pointing out
that a Mazda has never had break during a race?

very clever.

Re: Well.

[lepidosiren.livejournal.com]

Heh. (http://www.livejournal.com/community/gearheads/257056.html) I especially like the comment about the financial difficulty involved in trying them out for yourself.

[peculiaire.livejournal.com]

Well, there's always the Wankel Rotary Engine. :)

[lepidosiren.livejournal.com]

The latest generation of rotaries is extra-nifty. The engineers addressed some pesky emissions and low-end torque issues pretty well, I hear.