Somewhere, several years ago, I recall reading that our U.S. auto manufacturing industry killed the Wankel Rotary engine.
SamC

-------------- Original message --------------
From: craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>

> 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 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)
> >