I'm wondering why no one has thought about trying to connect all the accessories to something in the engine bay instead of the rotory engine so it would be possible to take out the rotory engine without Tak ng off all the parts like starter, alternator...if it was redesigned to have a bracket that holds everything to the transmission or manifold then there would be less work to rebuild the engine by being able to remove and install the engine. It seem obvious that the rotory engine needs rebuilding more often then a piston engine so it makes sense to me to make it easy to take out the engine quickly. Also I thought about using magnets as apex seals in the engine. There are some types of magnets that can stand up to high temperature. I think they would create a much better seal then normal apex seals. I looked around and there is someone trying to patent using magnetic seals with a fluid but I think just the apex seals being magnets should improve combustion by alot. Is there a reason why not? The new liquid piston engine has the seals on the housing instead of on the rotor. Another question I have is why aren't the rotor ends rounded so there is more surface that would be against the housing for a longer time. This could add more apex seals to the rounded ends so if one fails the others would allow it to continue to work. Finally has anyone tried another design like a throwing star? I can't download the picture but if you lookup a 3 sided shuriken . Could a triangle version that curves as it gets to the end point create a better combustion?

 

welcome to the board.

i would imagine the impracticality of removing things from the engine when they either need to drive, or be driven by, the engine is the main reason for keeping them where they are. besides, engine removal in rotary cars are not that big of a deal, so there's no pressing motivation to change that. well, i've never had to take out a Gen 3 engine, so i can't speak on that one, it seems to have a lot more crammed in the bay, so i don't know.

the magnet idea, i think i see where you're coming from, but you need to keep in mind that the springs are not the true force behind keeping the compression up while the engine is running, so it's sort of a solution looking for a problem there. the engine seals are tricky because you need something sturdy enough to survive, but also relatively gentle to keep down wear. also, remember that cost is a factor for any business - and while rotary cars are cool, they are also products for Mazda's business.

your question about the rounded rotors, i think is probably a non-starter for the combustion chamber than anything else. i remember reading somewhere (it may have been Rotary Engine (the old, silver book)) and it showed a number of rotor and chamber designs that they considered and/or tried before settling on the three-sided rotor in the peritrochoid we have. as for multiple seals, it is probably because it will increase wear. if i recall, Mazda started with carbon because the original seals were so wide (5 or 6 mm, not sure which, but i've seen both numbers in print), before trending down to 3 mm steel, then eventually 2 mm. so they have made improvements over the years, if you look at their history.

keep your enthusiasm though. i like it.

 

we used to joke about using wing nuts for the cars with haltechs, lol

 

Sort of on the same subject, this You Tube video explains how Liquid Pistons version of a rotary engine works. In summary, you can think of this as an inside-out Wankel rotary. It has some advantages, but I think it has a few limitations that would prevent an engine of this design to be readily scaled up or adapted to higher power output or forced induction - the hollow E-shaft and rotor in this thing serves as part of the intake manifold, which is ultimately going to be a choke point in how much air/fuel charge you can cram into an engine like this.

 

that was a pretty cool video. thanks for posting it.

 

Read the book "Rotary Engine" by KENICHI YAMAMOTO, here are the first few pages. You'll learn the reasons behind the design. Also, see the Krull star version used for torpedoes

 

It's an interesting idea to try to connect all the accessories to something in the engine bay instead of the rotary engine to make it easier to remove the engine quickly. However, it's important to keep in mind that the design of the engine and its accessories Thanks for sharing the idea.