Coates Spherical Rotary Valve - why hasn't anyone produced these large scale?

[monsterduc]

I heard about this from my instructor at UTI today.  This is brilliant engineering and I cannot figure out why it's not more common.  It would seem Formula 1 cars or MotoGP teams may want to try it.   



- 18% increase in fuel efficiency
- much improved airflow through the head
- much improved torque and horsepower
- lower emissions

http://www.coatesengine.com/index.html

[Popeye the Sailor]

I never looked into it....but back when I went to college...we had a spherical rotary valve just hanging out in a display case. It had been these for some time, and this was '98. It's not new technology.

[DY]

Cost of manufacturing?

[monsterduc]

I never looked into it....but back when I went to college...we had a spherical rotary valve just hanging out in a display case. It had been these for some time, and this was '98. It's not new technology.

I know it's not new.  There was an article in Popular Hot Rodding magazine (Oct. 1999) and the first mock up of this was in the 1960's.  I'm just curious why it hasn't been used.

[Popeye the Sailor]

I know it's not new.  There was an article in Popular Hot Rodding magazine (Oct. 1999) and the first mock up of this was in the 1960's.  I'm just curious why it hasn't been used.

It'd be terribly expensive. Really...terribly expensive.


Reminds me of the wankle.

[NAKID]

It'd be terribly expensive. Really...terribly expensive.


Reminds me of the wankle.

Yet Mazda still produces that...

[Mother]

maintenance?

if that thing is exposed to the combustion chamber as it spins around

the deposits on the face of the valve will create issues in long term applications on production vehicles

clearance issues

balance issues

oil contamination issues

[Popeye the Sailor]

Yet Mazda still produces that...

Sorry....I didn't mean to imply the wankle was expensive.....just that it's different and goes roundy-round.

[Rameses]

maintenance?

if that thing is exposed to the combustion chamber and it spins around

the deposits on the face of the valve will create issues in long term applications on production vehicles

clearance issues

balance issues

oil contamination issues

That doesn't explain why it wouldn't be viable in a racing application though.

[Mother]

That doesn't explain why it wouldn't be viable in a racing application though.

das why I said "long term applications on production vehicles"

[Rameses]

das why I said "long term applications on production vehicles"

I know.

I was just pointing out that nobody had come up with anything relative to why it hadn't been tried in race engines.  (Which is what was mentioned in the OP.)

[NAKID]

Well, it could never be an interference engine, so you'd have that going for you...

[BWClark]

In the video on their website they reckon oil contamination is not an issue as it is completely sealed(?)

I love seeing engineering solutions like this. I hate moving parts, and I like the idea of the rotary engine. Rotary: Two moving parts? in an engine? Awesome. 

And think how fast you could rev that thing without worrying about the valves bouncing open!   

[NAKID]

A single rotor would have 2, but Mazda typically builds 2 or 3 rotor Wankels. The rotor (2 or 3 of them) and a crank..

[BWClark]

A single rotor would have 2, but Mazda typically builds 2 or 3 rotor Wankels. The rotor (2 or 3 of them) and a crank..

I knew someone would call me out on this!