http://www.rotoblock.com/


its a really interesting idea, but kinda curious about reliability as well as power...


edited to hotlink

 

vaporware. The thing is overly complex, has no apparent advantage over a conventional engine design, and apparently doesn't even run.

I'm not holding my breath on this one.

 

It still reciprocates; I don't see the point. The primary flaw with reciprocating piston engines is how much energy you have to expend to constantly fight the inertia of your pistons. With fuel cell technology only a couple decades away from full practicality, why bother trying to re-invent the internal combustion engine?

The fuel cell, since it is an electrochemical process, is not limited to a Carnot efficiency. A fuel cell can theoretically be 100% efficient, since it doesn't require a heat source or sink. In practice, its not that simple, but we are getting there.

 

I still think a rotary is a sweet design superior in many respects to piston design but the gas milage on those things is horrible. Renesis design was hyped as solving gas milage problems but that was another Mazda "exaggeration".

 

I don't get it... according to the diagram, when the gas is lit, both the pistols move away equally.. shouldn't that pretty much cancel out the rotating motion? how do they get it to turn one way?

 

yes, they move away, but they must also come back. it is that reciprocation that puts a limit on efficiency. the piston being "pulled back" soaks up some power.

 

I'm not sure how it's really an exaggeration.

Surely the RX-8 gets crap for mileage like the RX-7, but they really aren't simliar platforms.

I don't have cd numbers handy, but I'd be willing to bet the RX-7 is lower. The 7 is surely lighter than the 8. And the 7 was turbocharged.

I'm guessing per unit gasoline, the Renesis power output is higher.

 

I don't see any comparison between the Rotoblock and the rotary engine. The Rotoblock is still a reciprocating engine just arranged in a four piston per connecting rod arrangement (sort of via disk and concentric shafts). Anyway it