Photo: LiquidPiston
The internal combustion engine is already 150 years old, and while we may have improved the concept over the years, it has always been through the addition of something. Air filters, oil filters, turbochargers, superchargers, catalytic converters, thermal insulation and a lot more, have been added over the years to show that it has moved on.
Well, while there may be visible progress in the field, it really isn’t enough. Not when you put any conventional petrol or diesel engine up against the new X2 rotary engine, made by LiquidPiston. It is a mix of Wankel, conventional petrol and diesel engines, all rolled into one compact, unique and very efficient package.
It is capable of developing 40 hp, without the need for cooling, radiators and even mufflers. It also promises a thermodynamic efficiency of 75% - unheard-of, in a world where even the best and most modern of engines struggle to reach 50%. We are not going to go into the complex end of how it works, but let’s just say it’s very clever and very well thought through, and it is an excellent example of good outside-the-box thinking.
LiquidPiston is currently still testing the engine, yet it should be ready for partner testing in 2013, and there are high hopes for a pre-production prototype one year later.
Story via gizmag.com
It is capable of developing 40 hp, without the need for cooling, radiators and even mufflers. It also promises a thermodynamic efficiency of 75% - unheard-of, in a world where even the best and most modern of engines struggle to reach 50%. We are not going to go into the complex end of how it works, but let’s just say it’s very clever and very well thought through, and it is an excellent example of good outside-the-box thinking.
LiquidPiston is currently still testing the engine, yet it should be ready for partner testing in 2013, and there are high hopes for a pre-production prototype one year later.
Story via gizmag.com
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