An interesting video on possible rotary engine improvement
 

I just saw this video posted on a local tuner Facebook page. I was just wondering what everyone's take on this is? I'm new to rotary motors and wonder if any of these improvements are within reach of the weekend tuner.

http://www.mazdamovement.com/rotary-...-breakthrough/

Intresting. I would say no, the improvements are not really in reach of the weekend tuner since you'll need new housings and rotors made. His rotor is clearly just a prototype, and I wouldn't expect it to last more than a week of real use.

The spark plug slots seem logical, and I don't see any problem with them that wouldn't be correctable with minor changes to spark plug heat ratings and maybe discharge energies. It looks like something that is more complicated to mass produce. Changing the EGTs probably changes the whole tuning process, so that would require additional research and development

I'm not sold on the moved compression divot though. It would appear to ruin the balance of the rotor, which would take considerable effort to correct. I'm also wondering if it causes cooling problems, directing all of the heat energy at the apex of the rotor instead of spreading it out along the entire face. Finally, I'm not convinced there is an actual problem. Sure, at TDC it appears that the rotor might be pushing back against its rotation, however the expansion forces due to ignition are not instantaneous, and it seems likely that the rotor would have rotated well past TDC before the trailing apex experiences any real resistance.

I'm also concerned he isn't doing any rigorous engineering. Its tough to say, but it looks like he developed both improvements in tandem according to the prototypes shown. Now how do we know the spark plug slots are what actually lowered the EGTs if his prototype also has the moved compression divots? Do the slots have any fuel efficiency benefit? It looks like he tested too many variables at once, and claimed success.

I'd be interested to see what others think about this video

I wanna shoot that announcer guy in the head.
Freakin bobble head...Drive ya nuts!

600* drop!! Hard to believe...

So where's that guys vid/proof of his success?! You'd think that he'd want to be documenting that in some way.... Seems like he may be onto something with those plug slots though..

He probably had a 600* drop because of all the extra unburned fuel being discharged due to the extremely small spark area.

BTW, there is a thread on this already.

https://www.rx7club.com/automotive-n...ngine-1019439/

Someone explain this guy about the reason of trailing and leading firing purpose. Also moving the compression divot and change the balance of the rotor this is something that even worst engineers can figure this out. You could create a new divot before the end and make the opposite side more flat without changing the weight balance this could be an answer but this also creates a lot of other issues.
About the spark plug holes... come on dude how are you going to fire through those tiny holes? And what’s the spark power and duration needed to win all of this mixture pressure. Cost of the housings? How about Technology of making this unreal kind of spark firing? How about the rotor? Is the rotor able to handle this spark of this power without the result of some holes after some kmiles? I think It’s a lot easier to put the technology to make some kind of new technological age flat spark creation than all these. But also this cost for changing those spark plugs would be probably high but it’s a less cost good patent at the end than changing the whole housing and firing idea.
By the way I’m sorry for my poor English. I'm going crazy when people think that are able to create something good but are not.
Felix Wankel was not just a mechanic and creator. This guy developed over 100 engines ideas first before stays on this.
If this channel was call some guys from the rx7forum, it would be more interesting since a lot of people in here already have a lot of better ideas than this guy.
Hope somebody one day make our engines more efficiency with low cost servicing and low cost parts. I'm probably dreaming :)
Have a nice day people.

early rotors had angular compression pockets, they had a similar purpose. but why do you think mazda stopped using them? i doubt the answer was simply "it was more cost effective". they already had the tooling and machines setup for the job, to be retired for what?

Mazda is working on changing the spark location and introducing skyactiv to it.

I had seen this when it came out. I was and still am a bit skeptical. Though I do believe all engines can be improved in some way, and the rotary's improvement might be similar to what the guy is talking about. But until I see proof in action I'll stay skeptical.

Edit: Saw this got necro'd. Dammit.