And now i know! And knowing is half the battle!

-Craig
'85GL

On 10/4/07, Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Until Jim explains properly:
>
> The rotary isn't very efficient Craig.  Smooth, yes, powerful, yes, good
> on gas, no.
>
> Its also more difficult to keep the lubricating oil out of the combustion
> chamber, so the hydrocarbon emissions are a little high.
>
> On 10/4/07, craig cowan <phishman068@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > I've spent the last hour reading the various articles i could find on
> > that
> > "little engine that could". I'm quite familiar with the Wankel Rotary
> > design, but this is awesome! I am suprised and amazed at this little bit
> > of
> > potential. If this eventually comes out, and becomes cheap, and a cheap
> > hybrid system comes into the market as well for it.....this would seem
> > like
> > an amazing conversion for many cars. That brings me to wondering why
> > people
> > dont use more rotary engines for conversions, and not just in vanagons.
> > My
> > understanding is that its a far superior technology in many ways, yet
> > doesnt
> > only mazda use it? I've heard of a bus with a rotary in it, but am yet
> > to
> > find a link to it.
> >
> > A hybrid would be cool. Have you guys seen that link to the electric
> > vanagon
> > project? I dont still have the link, but it was a pretty cool looking
> > project. Inovative thinking keeps the world turning.
> >
> > -Craig
> > '85GL
> >
> > On 10/4/07, Ron LK Johnson <adhocMedia@comcast.net> wrote:
> > >
> > > A quick follow-up to Mark's note - lots of nice links - thanks!
> > >
> > > Diesel hybrid systems for city buses do operate the diesel engine at
> > > peak power production - essentially running continuously  or near
> > > continuously at a constant rpm to maximize efficiency. There are
> > > several such buses in the Portland, OR fleet (TriMet).
> > > The diesel engine is connected to a generator that only feeds the
> > > battery pack - i.e., it is completely out of the drive train. The bus
> > > is driven by an electric system that is fed by the battery pack. In
> > > the case of the TriMet buses, the batteries are located on the roof.
> > > This arrangement allows for a much smaller diesel engine, reduced
> > > maintenance, increased engine life, reduced emissions, etc.
> > >
> > > http://www.regtech.com/
> > >
> > > Above is a link to company with a promising rotary diesel engine
> > > design:  40+ HP in a 6" x 6" package. The claim is the design is
> > > easily scalable. One of the applications papers on the site describes
> > > the type of hybrid system above that could be adapted to passenger
> > > vehicles owing to the small size of their diesel design.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Ron Johnson
> > > Portland, OR
> > > '91 Weekender
> > > '04 Prius (& former '01 Insight owner)
> > >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Jake
> 1984 Vanagon GL
> 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
> www.crescentbeachguitar.com
> http://subyjake.googlepages.com/