What would be your most efficient engine design?

[Howard]

Electric

 

[iGas]

I would look into rotary engine using diesel such as a Wankel/RandCam hybrid, at 50 or less horse that charge a powerful electric motor. If we some how overcome the sealing hurdle.

 

[Esiuda]

why must the valve go up and down? Why not use a rotary or slide valve? that way the solenoid will not need to overcome any spring load, or pressure, and use much less energy? And be able to cycle faster.

Also, with using a solenoid for the valve, you do not need as much power as you think, as the solenoid is the valve?

 

[kornphlake]

That means no more engine torque affecting steering, launch, etc...

You do realize that torque steer is caused by compromises in the design of the drive train and has nothing to do with cams or valves right?

 

[snarl]

I think there is merit in opposing cylinders, Subaru uses this approach, some of it's strong suits are balance and efficiency (Push/Pull).

 

[SSSnail]

You do realize that torque steer is caused by compromises in the design of the drive train and has nothing to do with cams or valves right?

Actually, yes, but it also depends on the orientation of the engine layout as well. If you can design an engine that is truly neutral, then it won't have any effect on steering (save for the drive train compromises )

 

[kornphlake]

I'm not sure I understand your point, the only way to remove torque interactions from the dynamics of the vehicle would be to make a motor that doesn't apply torque to the drivetrain. It doesn't matter if the motor is electric, gasoline, diesel, jet turbine or steam powered, the output shaft of the motor turns a shaft that is in some way transmitted to the wheels and then the road. Have you ever seen a hot rod lean to one side when the throttle is blipped, even in neutral the rotational moment caused by the engine acting against the flywheel will affect the vehicle. Have you ever seen a car do a wheelie at the drag strip, that's torque affecting the handling of the vehicle too. I guess if the road were made of coils and the propulsion for the car was accomplished through magnetic fields then you'd have truly neutral handling, other than the effect of the magnetic fields holding the vehicle to the road or pushing it away from the road.

 

[Bignate603]

I would look into rotary engine using diesel such as a Wankel/RandCam hybrid, at 50 or less horse that charge a powerful electric motor. If we some how overcome the sealing hurdle.

I wouldn't hold my breath on that.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Alcohol fueled turbine. Not the cheapest or greenest but just once I want to sit in a car and watch the tach climb to 50,000 RPM!

 

[HannibalX]

Actually, yes, but it also depends on the orientation of the engine layout as well. If you can design an engine that is truly neutral, then it won't have any effect on steering (save for the drive train compromises )

No, not really. You're referring to a FWD car having torque steer - this has nothing to do with the orientation of the engine. The easy way to eliminate this is to use equal length half shafts. Cadillac figured this out a loooong looooong time ago. Caddy's FWD V8 cars with 300 pound feet of torque magically don't have insane torque steer.

It amazes me that companies like Nissan haven't figured this out yet. The Maxima is and always has been a huge offender.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Yes, F1 has been doing it (at least 4 years) and I believe BMW will be the first to introduce this to the masses.

So back on topic, given that the entire cams related assembly would be obsolete soon, this frees up the need for cams placement, belts, chains, etc... so the possibility are endless for more efficient internally combustible engine designs.

I was just wondering if there are any engineers here in ATOT garage would come up with any wild design concepts based on these information.

It is FIAT. The MultiAir is camless. It's only on the intake side, but it's available for purchase.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/1090309...nnounced--more-power-less-fuel-less-emissions

 

[canadageek]

The Multiair engines still have camshafts, however the hydraulic lifters have solenoids which allow oil to enter/leave it. this allows infinitely variable valve duration and lift.

 

[canadageek]

and the most efficient combustion engines in the world are the giat 2-stroke diesel engines in ships. 114 000 horsepower, 5.6 million pound feet torque....and a 52% efficiency rating. comapre this to a GE LM6000 turbine with 54, 600 hp, which is 42% efficient.

 

[Fenixgoon]

oh, i'd also say that some sort of thermally insulating, high durability, low-friction coating would be incredibly useful in mitigating heat and friction losses in the cylinder walls.