Rotary (Wankel) Diesel

[Divemaster1]

Now here's a good one in the power to weight ratio discussion.

In my work in the offshore industry I come across a number of interesting tings, the above is one which may be of interest to the boating world:

How does a 250 Hp @ 27"x28"x28" (LxWxH) @ 350Kg sound

or perhaps a 500 Hp @ 44"x28"x28" @ 680Kg would be better suited.

Perhaps beautifully suited to the "Surface Drive" discussion below.

Favourable fuel consumption, and virtually no vibration (glass of water was put on top of engine during bench trials and stood there for the duration).

All the Turbo, Pumps, etc., used are "off the shelf" items, such as Bosh etc., so if anything goes wrong, it should be easy / cheap to replace. Main parts, block etc., carry guarrantee for 5 Years !!! and with that weight they would be willing to fly out a replacement (for a 500) anywhere in Europe to replace...

Major service intervals 20,000 (yes Twenty thousand ) Hours !!!

Engine developed for the US Navy and ratings ranging from 125Hp - 1000Hp

Price for the 250 Hp and 500 Hp, fully marinised is no more that the equivialent diesel from a manufacturer starting with "Y" + 15%.

Will do some more research and come back to you...

Any interested people out there ???

AHM

 

[byron]

Re: Wankel

Is he allowed to say that? Shouldn't he have put "Wan*el"?

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[Divemaster1]

Re: Wankel

Obviously I am classed as a "serious" person , besides that I am a Norwegian who do not understand the "finer connotations" of the English language....

It would probably be worse if I used *ER , but as this is a serious post referring to the popular description of a "Stratified Charge Omnivorous Rotary Engine", derrived from the inventors name, I believe that it would pass through the eagle eyes of the webmaster.

AHM

 

[Guest]

Is this the engine recently developed by RPI in Norway? Apparently they're thinking about producing an outboard version as well. Is this right? Do you have any more details?

 

[MBJB]

Wasn't fuel consumption an issue with the design to date (and the wear on the rotor tips)?

 

[Dave_Snelson]

There should be some very worried manufacturers out there if this were to take hold. The weight, service intervals, consumption, physical size, lack of vibration, etc all add up to a dream of a motor.

Have the original rotary problems of rotor seals wearing out been solved yet? I'm guessing they must have, but I had "diesel" in the back of my mind when asking this! (and I've never heard of a diesel wankel motor before)

How come come "no show" at the boat show? Surely this would have taken the boating world by storm. What about people re-engining their boats?

This subject needs persuing.

Madoc Yacht Club
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[EME]

Re: Wankel

Don't worry about him. Th eword 'finer' in relation to any of Byron's habits, possessions or thoughts would be to exaggerate the obvious.

In other words , he was joking..badly...

The serious part of the post is of interest. Wankel were behind the RSU engine of the mid-seventies as well . I assume they had gone bust .Wasn't the major failing of the engine the poor consmption vs the internal combustion engine? Have they overcome that?

...I wanna boat please..

 

[byron]

Re: Wankel

Excuse me, I hadn't meant to offend you, I was just kidding with a play on words. Would it that I could speak Norwegian as well you speak English.
I regret I don't take anything too serious.

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[stewart]

memories of a Mazda RX7

Had one of these about 10 or so years ago with rotary engine and was definitely the thirstiest and least reliable car I've ever owned (all down to that engine). I think I'd be very reluctant to trust a rotary engine again, and what happens to resale if they don't work that well in the long term. Also, I kind of like the amount of development that's gone into conventional engines, and there's no way even a fraction of that has gone into rotary engines.

 

[MBJB]

Re: memories of a Mazda RX7

Mind you - Norton did pretty well with their bikes. In fact I think they did so well pressure was brought (rules changed etc) so they couldn't compete in races anymore. Don't know what their reliability was like for the road going versions though.

Must admit, the roads are not exactly crawling with RX-7's, Nortons or NSU's .....

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Re: memories of a Mazda RX7

The Norton Wankel motorbike was extensively used by Police forces until the change to BMW

Madoc Yacht Club
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[halcyon]

Re: Wankel

NSU made the wankel, small company, merged with Audi, VW were in trouble with sales, and needed water cooled front wheel drive. Trouble was VW only knew air cooled, NSU / AUDI did, so VW bought them out, put VW badges on there designs, VW saved to become what you see to-day.

The actual idea goes back to James Watt patent for an air compressor 17??, Wankle patented the sealing system.

Brian

 

[Forbsie]

Re: Wankel

Do you reckon that VW will bring out an air-cooled, rear-engined Bentley? /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/forbsie>My Project Pics</A>

 

[halcyon]

Re: Wankel

Very doubtfull, could see a rebadged Skoda.

Brian

 

[halcyon]

Re: memories of a Mazda RX7

Most of the Norton rotory engines were shot down, that why so few are around.

Brian

 

[Divemaster1]

Yes, thats the ones...

Have had a discussion with the F1 guys, who apparently loved the idea, but rules currently states "Piston Engines", so that's sort of fizzled out...

Have just spoken to one of the Norwegians who's working on the outboard project (was writing from Norway beefore and just landed and have alot of information to digest). Will read, attend a course Fri and Thur, will thereafter try to answer questions...

Keep them coming and I'll try to collate a series of sensible answere..

AHM

 

[Divemaster1]

Problems apparently sorted, but will get back during, or after the week-end.

AHM

 

[Divemaster1]

Not ready for the show this year, had to re-position the turbo and other vital parts. Main target for them was the military market, but are re-focussing on the leisure market and other commercial.

Will be interesting to see developments thoug....

AHM

 

[Divemaster1]

Re: Wankel

No offence taken, did actually understand that and made you catch the bate....

AHM

 

[Divemaster1]

Re: memories of a Mazda RX7

Reliability apparently sorted, as with fuel consumption and seals.



AHM