A designer from Wales has invented a rotary valve system, that he claims is such an advance on the current OHC design, that he claims all engines will feature them within 3 to 4 years.
What do you reckon ??
www.e4engineering.com/item.asp?nid=kl1w7&id=50918
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The article says: "the key to Wright's invention is a sealing mechanism that allows the rotary valve to rotate freely while still creating an air-tight combustion chamber".
How he has enabled the valve to rotate freely appears to be the crux of this invention but he declines to reveal how it is done other than talk of a seal that moves back and forth.
Perhaps he hasn't filed a patent application yet, since any technical disclosure of an invention before filing will prevent him obtaining a patent. Even publically revealing that the seal moves into and out of engagement could jeopardise his patent application unless he had already filed it at the time of going public.
If he files a patent application to protect his invention this must include an 'enabling disclosure', i.e. full details of how it works, so all should be revealed in time (patent publication takes place 18 months after initial filing).
To stand any chance of commercial success, he needs to have designed a valve that:
(1) will freely rotate (i.e. minimal friction),
(2) will not suffer from differential (distorting) expansion as it heats up and
(3) will not suffer from unacceptable seal wear.
His idea seems to have some merit and I wish him all success, however history tells us not to get too excited yet.
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I seem to remember that in the 70s/80s that model engines used some very innovative valve arrangements, I think it was a company called HP. There were engines with 'drum' valves and 'disc' valves, however all these were single cylinder engines.
Steve.
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Definately shouldn't get exited about this yet. What I am most concerned about is if the flow of air in rotating valves will be detremental to achieving a lean burn and swirl.
Therefore one would have to look at mpg and emmisions figures which this guy hasn't got.
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Very interesting !! It reminds me of my grandfather who made a single cylinder gas ( old town Gas ) Gas engine, part of the design were two rotary valves driven from the output crank. One opened to let gas in, the other to opened to allow the suction of the down stroke suck in a sample from a small pilot light which ignited the gas in the pot and forced the piston down the rest of the way. A shutter valve was used to open on the exhaust stroke. Shame he did not patent the rotary valve. I hope this guy gets his finger out and patents this. Technically very interesting and even in production very expensive, but for such a free breathing engine it may allow smaller engines to be used as they will produce more power/ltr with greater efficiency although still fossil fuelled. I wonder if this is aimed at a performace hydrogen or LPG engine. Regards Peter
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I wonder if this is the same principle as the Coates valve which I saw an article on a few years ago. Principal simple (arent they always?) replaced the valve,spring and camshaft with a rotating shaft with a series of 'doughnuts' along its length. Each doughnut had an aperture in it so that as it rotated it would effectively create an opening between the cylinder and either the inlet or exhaust tract. Mercedes (I believe) created a working engine which utilised self-lubricating materials so no oil feed to the head and the performance figures and emission levels were very impressive. The load on the engine from simply removing the drag from the valve springs aparrently was a major part and the absence of oil leaking past the valves was a key to the low emissions. Also the max revs available were increased by an impressive amounts. Just found this on Google, off for a look!
www.coatesengine.com
Andrew
Simplicate and add lightness!!
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I remember reading aboout an Aspin engine with superficial similarities, but this was a 1920's design. Other odd engines: www.geocities.com/kiwiengineer2002/index.html for your amusement!
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The article about this invention makes interesting reading. Until it is fully tested in a number of cars then driven at lunatic speed by msrs Jeremy Clarkeson and co it will be of no interest to no one. Tests have been done on a 'K' series engine but the hard facts are wooly. People need to see difference in mpg, 0-60, difference in co levels etc. I welcome improvements to the ICE and I wish the inventor good luck with it. I also look forward to reading about its improvement over the conventional ICE with great trepidation.
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These are the views of Robin the Technician with 35 years in the trade. I fix, therefore I am...
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