Coates Rotary Valve Engine Concept

[NB4C]

Link, if you want to do more reading: http://www.coatesengine.com/technology-document.html

The idea is basically replacing the poppet valve seen in most engine with a rotary valve. Seems like a very clever and interesting idea which I think is worth sharing. But I do wonder why this tech isn't mainstream yet, it's been around for a few decades.

How it works:

Rotary Valve Engine

vs

Standard Poppet Valve Engine

Advantages summary:

> Peformance: more torque and power

> Efficiency: 35-40% thermal efficiency vs. 25% in most modern engines

> High compression ratios: by easing the hot spots on exhaust valves and increasing the threshold for detonation/ping

> More durable and reliable valves

> Simpler/less parts: no poppet valves, no springs, no cams

> Valve float eliminated: higher RPMs possible

> Less emissions

> Less noise/vibration due to the non reciprocating valves

> Potentially cheaper

(Brief overview video. Ignore the Greeny references.)

Comments ?

Edited 18/08/09 12:25 PM by NB4C

[xrystl]

The "Dean rotary valve" (Australian design) worked on a similar principal , saw a demonstation of the "rotary valve" in operation in the early seventies - the father & son team had very little money to develop their idea further , I heard that they had a meeting with "Ralph Sarich" in the early seventies and never heard anything again - the "Dean Rotary valve" was actually a drum that revolved above the cylinder head and replace all the valve gear with ports for the incoming fuel = it worked something like a "rotary valve" in early Kawasaki two stroke motorcycle engines; from memory a major problem they had was with seals or seal designs - what I saw did work and seemed like a good idea , it was attached to a late sixties six cylinder Falcon engine .

[bentles]

im pretty sure bmw have electronic valves.... they > this

[dule]

I like it, just not sure about the durability of the seals especially as there is no oil lubrication in the head. Would love to see one in action though and see the durability and efficiency testing be done by a third party.

Definitely sounds interesting and if their claims are correct I hope someone puts it in to production.