User:Rotaryinnovator

Rotary engines

The power rotor that effectively compresses and expands the working chamber as it rotates is the key component of all effective rotary engines. Yet, the weakest link of any rotary configuration well-known for simplicity is the chamber sealing-notice the Wankel engine apex seals (examine RX-8 Mazda's Renesis Engine). The simplest types (those with rotor and eccentric as the only major moving parts) have not eliminated the line-contact seals to rise above the reciprocating engines that enjoyed the area-contact seal provided by their simple and effective piston rings (see the animation of HEHC LiquidPiston Engine). In spite of their unresolved drawback with consequent fast-wearing seals, they managed a niche in modern sports cars, racecars and futuristic private aviation. One inherently favorable characteristic of modern rotary engines is simplicity in overall configuration and operation that brings about a reliably neat little package. With such compact design, they can even be meaner with much higher attainable revolutions than existing piston types. They can rapidly accelerate and attain higher power, achieving quicker response to crucial driver inputs. So, they are hyped to be the engine of the future.

Since the eighteenth century of rotary steam engine types, the whole world is dreaming for the long-awaited rotary engine to take the center stage and dispense with the old, bulky reciprocating engines (with piston, connecting rod, and crank as three major moving parts) into utter obsolescence. Yet, there are numerous major hurdles of rotor-eccentric rotary engine configuration that are yet to be solved by simply devising a way to avoid the line-contact sealing of combustion chambers. Such hurdles are low fuel economy, low thermodynamic efficiency, fuel range limited to dangerous volatile types, distortion caused by uneven thermal distribution, the need for higher wear-resistance of line-contact sealing elements and effective cooling system and afterburners or catalytic converters. What if the sealing elements, together with the whole structure, are simply improved with a tighter area-contact seal configuration? The answer would be an engine with too tremendous impact that appalls anyone's comprehension of the magnitude of the vulnerability of existing technologies that depend too much on conventional power plant: such simple change with drastic aftermath. Those established in any line of business will be deluged with very formidable competitors that quickly embraced the new innovation, nothing but by just simply incorporating the new engine or generator set with the usual services or production setup! Sooner, the future establishments anchor more on efficiency, reliability, portability and cost-effective methods brought about by the introduction of the simplistic rotary engine yet to come.

Even though the recent simple rotary engines (with rotor and crank as the only major moving parts) have not escaped the sealing setback, they are already potential contenders of conventional reciprocating types. The new breed of rotary engines already has different very potent characteristics according to their configuration, with suited effective process modification to top it all. But the best is yet to come. Some known recently-awarded rotary engines are:

1. Two simplest configurations: RX-8 Wankel (ideal for Hydrogen) & HEHC LiquidPiston (with much improved thermodynamic cycle)

2. Three with challenging sealing components: Rand Cam, Quasiturbine, and MYT Toroidal

What if these engines have utilized the inner volume of their rotors for added working chambers without adding another moving part? What if the Wankel design is altered into like that of LiquidPiston with simple circular-arc geometric curves and much improved thermodynamic cycle without the complexity of LiquidPiston porting? What if these eccentric-type rotors transform into such simple design without the need of synchronizing gears or cams? What if they have significantly reduced the surface area of combustion chambers to reduce heat-transfer loss? What if their rigid parts can all be transformed into being best made out of ceramics which are inherently much lighter, surface-tough, long-lasting and heat-insulating? Once a new class of rotary engine incorporating all those mentioned features will be brought into the market, it will be very less profitable to manufacture than existing ones but much more needed to the entire world for a greener and efficient environment.

Is the rotary engine a truly seductive concept? Do its practical difficulties appear to have been severe? Does it languish in almost total obscurity? Skeptics would like to discourage anyone to try, but the fascination lingers on: the more it is worth a try.

A certain website has written:

"The truth, however is that rotary steam engines were a snare and delusion for the unwary inventor that came second only to the perpetual motion machine, and a good number of lives must have been blighted by the pursuit of what looked easy, but proved practically unattainable. It is notable how contemptuous commentators writing in the mid-19th century were about these machines and their advocates."

It has even written this in its conclusion:

"rotary air compressors and motors have been highly successful; presumably because leakage at the clearances is less of a drawback than for a steam-engine... The Rotary steam engine was a seductive concept, but the practical difficulties appear to have been severe, and it languishes in almost total obscurity. No doubt the problems could be overcome given sufficient incentive; consider the slow and painful but ultimately successful efforts to make a durable Wankel engine. Consider also that the piston engine remains near-universal... Today there are very, very few possible applications for the Rotary steam engine; in almost all cases an electric motor powered from a central power station will beat it on efficiency, convenience, and just about every other consideration you can think of."

This is a call for "extra challenge" on the part of inventors with the spirit of "extreme survivors". Somehow, success borders on divine intervention we often interpret as "inspiration". Everyone complacent will be caught in surprise of the sudden changes. Even Noah could have devised a practical rotary engine, but he trusted more in the supernatural wind from God. The Rotary Engine is reserved for last, in the midst of The Seven Thunders.