The first video was made in 2008. They predicted 18 months to have prototype production. I wonder what has become of it? 40% thermal eff out of a ICE is not bad at all, if they can get it. Average gas powered ICE run at ~25%, and diesels run about 30% thermal eff. 40% would be a big reach forward. If it scales like a diesel, very large diesel engines (think cruise liners) which run at ~50% eff might run at over 66%.
Thats huge!
I wonder what further work has been done.
Zach
Bartlett 914
Feb 9 2011, 09:45 AM
What an interesting concept. Even more interesting is this concept came so early. People in the early part of the century were really creative in their thinking.
Mike Bellis
Feb 9 2011, 11:51 AM
The oposing piston is not new. It was the standard in large diesel engines for locomotive and large ships for years. Not as common today as it once was.
There are plenty of videos of these on Youtube using Briggs and Stratton motors bolted together head to head.
Rand
Feb 9 2011, 12:57 PM
Anyone else heard of the Bourke engine? Invented in the 1920s. Also an opposed 2-stroke, but with a huge unique point: Hydrogen detonation. Efficient and super low exhaust temps.