Quote:
Originally Posted by beepbeep
Every now and then, new IC engine pops up as "game changer". Then fizzles out. There is one thing piston engines are really good at: keeping combustion chamber area/volume ratio as low as possible, which keeps thermodynamic losses low. There are probably smaller/stronger engine designs but at this point, a sunset of IC engine, it is unlikely as major company will pour money into another design...
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spark ignition street car will have ~35%+/- thermal efficiency at best, Diesel in the high 40s
Astrom claims 80% true or not it's a remarkable engine w/ basically 4 moving parts, no wobble, no reciprocation, just pure rotary motion that apparently goes Diesel at higher rpm. Also no seals. Just tight tolerances and precise alignment using Ti as the main material, also zero to no harmful emissions.
sure it needs development but the potential is enormous
sounds like a buddy's 250cc BSA thumper from back in the day.