Scuderi engine
 

Has anyone seen this? I wonder if it can actually run well.
http://www.scuderigroup.com/

That's an interesting design.

So.. functionally. It's a 2 cylinder, but it has to move around 4 pistons. Doesn't seem very efficient to me. But, I'm far from an engineer.

I was thinking that too but.... Because the intake piston is pushing air into the combustion/ exhaust chamber which fires AFTER top.dead.center, the power stroke will last longer so even if it isn't as efficient as a conventional engine that extra length of the power stroke will outweigh the extra resistance? It is supposed to produce more power and less emissions but i still need to see it run under load before i believe it. Apparently Daimler and Honda are already involved and they will be putting them in cars next year.

Like most things mechanical - there's no "free lunch" - but this little engine is pretty darn kool... and like a 'blown engine' while the blower takes a bunch of HP to make the power - the power made far exceeds the amount used. Now if they could just fix that exhaust note... :rofl:

power strokes in split-cycle engines
 

Because the cycle is split, you get one power stroke for every crankshaft revolution, instead of every other -- that's part of the efficiency increase. Also, the high pressure air aids the combustion process, which minimizes pollutants and likely soot as well for the diesel version. Super-cool, highly intuitive, simple yet very elegant in my book!

prototype up and running well
 

I understand that the engine prototype is up and running very well at SwRI in Texas -- a highly respected research lab, and I doubt they'd be screwing around with this if weren't for real.

It definitely seems legitimate to me too. I would just like to see how it performs when it has to carry around a 3000-4000 pound car. It is definitely an innovative design

car, truck, lawnmower, ship, whatever ...
 

The Scuderi engine reflects a new thermodynamic cycle -- improving on the Otto and Diesel cycles, so it's scaleable. Theoretically, there's no reason you can't use it to run anything that uses a piston engine, whether operated on diesel fuel, gas, biodiesel, natural gas, ethanol, hydrogen, whatever. I think it's a huge advancement, and look forward to seeing it in every piece of new equipment within a few years. the worls needs this kind of technology.

That is pretty neat. Interesting.
I wonder how the overall real worl performance will be. It seems to me that the extra mass turning inside would not help on the efficiency end at all. But I am no engineer either. Still a neat design.


Greg, you are right, that exhaust note needs some work. LOL!

If you watch the videos -- they're talking BIG 18 WHEELERS not little puny ass cars! LOL

I think it's one of those "how fast do you want to go" kinda engines.... if it's a diesel replacement - they're talking cleaner - lighter - more efficient...

And then they mention as a gas engine for "hybrid" cars -- so different strokes (so to speak) for different folks.

scudari
 

that is a remarkable bit of engineering. watching the video, one thing comes to mind. the output performance of this thing can be taylored using nothing but electric over air valves. if all of the firing cylinders are fed by a common air tank (or plenum) then the pumping cylinders can be of different sizes and compression ratios. this would allow the valves to open or close air into these bigger or higher compression pumping cylinders under load or for acceleration raising the common plenum air pressure (think turbo boost) raising performance and or volume or air. this would also allow them to be shut off with little to no drag under normal driving. the performance and effeciency options look to be endless. this has the potential to outperform turbos or blowers and make traction on take off infinetly controllable. damn technology is cool. direct injection seems to be the secret for making the old designs seem groundbreaking.

years ago my shop teacher challenged us to try to design an engine with oval pistons, enabling the ability to use two rods per cylinder, stabilizing the piston and reducing skirt loads. as many valves as you could squeeze in. he then told us that someone had tried to do this. i have never been able to find any info. have any one of you ever heard of this. if he was full of s##t at least he got us to think for 9 weeks and it has challenged me since.

EDIT. I found it. It started in 1979 with a 500cc oval piston racer. The NR750 was the street version. VERY limited production. You can still buy one (used) on the open market if you want.

Honda did it with some race bikes. If I remember it was the NR750. And they had a few street versions (not sire if it was ONLY prototype or limited production) Look up HRC NR750. Pretty cool stuff. And it worked well enough to win a few races too. VERY high RPM and decent power for the displacement.:cheers:

scudari
 

thanks 70rs.
hard to beleive i missed those bikes. wonder why it didn't take off. probably hard to seal the long side of the piston ring. damn, that shop teacher never told us where or who. thought he just made it up to keep us thinking he was a auto god. lol:hail:

Wouldn't ovular pistons lead to detonation? I don't know a lot about engines but in my simple mind, thats what I come up with.

I would think all of the same factors that come into play with a traditional round piston would count. And maybe a few more. But I think if you had the compression, cyl pressure, fuel, timing, spark intensity....you should be able to dial it in without any detonation.?