BBC Focus Magazine

[Hyrulian Outlaw]

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg2 ... -spin.html

http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2011 ... on-engines

Michigan researchers have built a prototype of a new auto motor that does away with pistons, crankshafts and valves, replacing the old internal combustion engine with a disc-shaped shock wave generator. It could slash the weight of hybrid cars and reduce auto emissions by 90 percent.

The generator is about the size of a saucepot, and would replace the 1,000-pound power train in most cars — no transmission, cooling system, emissions regulation or fluids needed. Norbert Müller and colleagues at Michigan State University showed off the new motor prototype at a meeting with the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency.

[Shadowwolf]

Intriguing, though I would be fairly certain that we still need a transmission so that we can get the power from said engine to the wheels appropriate to the driving conditions.

[Healerman]

I read this article in NS and it does look very promising, but then so did the Stidworthy engine, and WTH happened to that?

Intriguing, though I would be fairly certain that we still need a transmission so that we can get the power from said engine to the wheels appropriate to the driving conditions.

Given that this is effect a turbine, I suspect it would probably be used in a turbo/electric combo, but that is only an opinion.

Watch with interest.

[M Paul Lloyd]

One of the problems with conventional gas turbines is that if the induction cycle intake air flow exceeds supersonic speeds at any point from the intake to combustion chamber the subsequent shock-waves actually work against a steady flow through of air , which in turn can lead to an engine surge and possibly even a complete flame-out.

This system seems to have turned a problem into an advantage but my concern is that the shock-wave in question will induce a fair amount of vibration which could lead to a catastrophic failure of the unit, not to mention a lot of noise.

My money is on the new generation of miniature gas turbines of a more conventional design.

Oh and yes definitely an electrical drive train, probably with a computer controlled motor in each wheel hub. Which will be wonderful....... until it goes wrong of course. You will not be allowed to own these cars (unless you are uber-riche) you'll just lease them but they'll never be something you can fix yourself.

One thing that interests me about this is the possibility of designing a gas turbine that can use internal shock-waves in this way in an airworthy design. You see that might just lead to a jet engine that could work at much higher air flow rates and hypersonic speeds making a single stage to orbit vehicle a much more viable proposition.

[Shadowwolf]

You will not be allowed to own these cars (unless you are uber-riche) you'll just lease them but they'll never be something you can fix yourself.

You have legs do you not?

You may walk until you too make the effort of hard graft that your betters have done, then you may reap the benefits and perks and only then.

[M Paul Lloyd]

Yes, I admit to having legs but its the joints that seem to be letting me down.