Spherical rotary valves

[Richard]

A year or so ago, I read a magazine article that I found very interesting. Here's their website:

http://www.coatesengine.com/

This strikes me (given their PR) as a wonderful idea, so obvious, "why didn't I think of it", yet, other than here, I've heard nothing about it. (not that I travel in any circles that would/should hear about it mind you /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif)

Anyway, for those mechanically and automotively inclined, are there any thoughts/reason why this ISN'T a grand idea?

Richard

 

[MJB]

That is not a new idea. I think that there were a few automobile manufacturers (Willys comes to mind) who made engines with rotary valves back in the early 1920s... maybe even earlier. I don't know why they stopped using this idea, but I suspect it was due to manufacturing costs. I believe the system used years ago used rotating cylinders instead of spherical balls and I recall reading something about them being very difficult to seal properly so that the valve would not leak when they were closed. With advances in machining and seal design maybe this is an idea whose time has come./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Computers don't make mistakes.... What they do, they do on purpose.

 

[hess]

Although its design is different, the Wankel engine, used in the RX-7, does not have valves and it operates using a rotary engine. Check out this site for more info.
www.monito.com/wankel/rce.html