Engine
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Frequently frozen MN
Engine
Anybody ever heard what happened to this engine?
Popular Science - Google Books
I stumbled across it while reading some old popular science articles. It was supposed to be the next big thing, but it seems to have been just a flash in the pan. Probably had some fatal flaw, but I'm curious as to just what it was.
hj
ps
Sorry about the post title -- I was actually just checking that the link was good and hit submit instead of preview --can't edit the title
Popular Science - Google Books
I stumbled across it while reading some old popular science articles. It was supposed to be the next big thing, but it seems to have been just a flash in the pan. Probably had some fatal flaw, but I'm curious as to just what it was.
hj
ps
Sorry about the post title -- I was actually just checking that the link was good and hit submit instead of preview --can't edit the title
Last edited by ford2go; Nov 18, 2010 at 02:52 AM. Reason: stupidity as usual
FTE Legend
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From: NY and VA
The "Wankel" engine (Felix?) Mazda had them. A friend sold snowmobiles and had a couple in Evenrude sleds. Quick pick up. I do believe there was a problem with the seals. And of course meeting EPA regs.
Post Fiend
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From: Running Springs CA
Fascinating to look back in time. I got my drivers license that year. Popular Science and Car and Driver were my monthly magazine subscriptions back then.
Most "alternative" internal combustion engines, like that Mercer, have fatal flaws that only the Mazda implementation of the Wankel have overcome. How is that roller and cam plate mechanism lubricated? Liquid cooling, how exactly? No cooling system was obvious from the drawings or photographs. Also the whole thing looks pretty big and heavy for its displacement/power output. Two-stroke engines back then were air cooled and had high power to weight ratios.
Scanning down the magazine, the new technology that did finally work, decades later, was the LCD television.
Most "alternative" internal combustion engines, like that Mercer, have fatal flaws that only the Mazda implementation of the Wankel have overcome. How is that roller and cam plate mechanism lubricated? Liquid cooling, how exactly? No cooling system was obvious from the drawings or photographs. Also the whole thing looks pretty big and heavy for its displacement/power output. Two-stroke engines back then were air cooled and had high power to weight ratios.
Scanning down the magazine, the new technology that did finally work, decades later, was the LCD television.
Cargo Master
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From: Acworth, GA
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Revolving-Block Internal-Combustion Engines. Like the guy throwing off all his clothes and running into the cactus patch, it probably seemed a good idea at the time.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Frequently frozen MN
Thanks for the input -- I was sure that a few folks here could point out the things that kept the Mercer engine from succeeding.
LazyK that's a great link.
hj
LazyK that's a great link.
hj
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Post Fiend
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I think the comments from the guy in the link were valid, that the frictional losses would be large and there would be a weight penalty.
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From: So Cal
Car and Driver magazine had an articles years ago(10?) that went over many if the "Revolutionary World Changing" engines. A very interesting article.
The most common flaw was the huge frictional loss most of the engines had. In effect they either burned a lot of fuel, generated a lot of heat(Meltdown or siezing) or they would wear out rapidly under normal use. Like whatever happened to the Ceramic engine?
Only a few engines were practicle, the Wankle rotary being one good example. But even that had issues with friction and fuel efficiency, at least in early models. Even modern Wankles are used only because they have good power to weight/size, but still have relatively poor fuel consumption and still some issues with friction, ie Apex seal wear.
So for now it looks like we are stuck with the good old piston engine as it continues to improve. Until we have some breakthru in an alternative fuel or electricty storage or generation, gas/diesel is it.
Just my opinion and recollection,
Jim Henderson
The most common flaw was the huge frictional loss most of the engines had. In effect they either burned a lot of fuel, generated a lot of heat(Meltdown or siezing) or they would wear out rapidly under normal use. Like whatever happened to the Ceramic engine?
Only a few engines were practicle, the Wankle rotary being one good example. But even that had issues with friction and fuel efficiency, at least in early models. Even modern Wankles are used only because they have good power to weight/size, but still have relatively poor fuel consumption and still some issues with friction, ie Apex seal wear.
So for now it looks like we are stuck with the good old piston engine as it continues to improve. Until we have some breakthru in an alternative fuel or electricty storage or generation, gas/diesel is it.
Just my opinion and recollection,
Jim Henderson
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From: Clarksburg WV
I always understood the big problem with turbine engines is that while they make lots of power, they also use lots of fuel doing it. Isn't the only widespread ground-based use of turbines currently the Abrams tank?
edit: HA! Halfway down the page on the popular science link they have something about the world's tallest smokestack, at the AEP Mitchell power plant. They're one of our customers.
Anyone who lives here knows you gotta make the damn smokestacks 1200' tall just to get the smoke up over the hilltops.
edit: HA! Halfway down the page on the popular science link they have something about the world's tallest smokestack, at the AEP Mitchell power plant. They're one of our customers.
Anyone who lives here knows you gotta make the damn smokestacks 1200' tall just to get the smoke up over the hilltops.
Postmaster
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From: So Cal
Other issues with the Turbine, like in the Chryslers was that they had slow acceleration and there was NO engine braking so people were getting confused.
Lots of cool ideas out there, but so far none of them are ready for the mass market. Like even the modern fleet of Hybrids and electrics are disappointing when you really think about their overall cost versus performance.
I wish I could buy an electric car that would take me on my daily 60 mile RT commute with heavy summer AC needs, stop and go and the odd side trip that can add an easy 40 miles to my trip. At least once a week I do drive 120 miles or more. Looks like the best electric for now has a 100 mile range, but that is under ideal driving, daylight and weather conditions. AC or heater will kill the range, so will any hills etc. A hybrid comes closest to what I would be willing to use, but I'd rather have a good Diesel with better mileage/range than the usual hybrid, at equal or less cost.
Jim Henderson
Lots of cool ideas out there, but so far none of them are ready for the mass market. Like even the modern fleet of Hybrids and electrics are disappointing when you really think about their overall cost versus performance.
I wish I could buy an electric car that would take me on my daily 60 mile RT commute with heavy summer AC needs, stop and go and the odd side trip that can add an easy 40 miles to my trip. At least once a week I do drive 120 miles or more. Looks like the best electric for now has a 100 mile range, but that is under ideal driving, daylight and weather conditions. AC or heater will kill the range, so will any hills etc. A hybrid comes closest to what I would be willing to use, but I'd rather have a good Diesel with better mileage/range than the usual hybrid, at equal or less cost.
Jim Henderson
Post Fiend
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From: McKenzie River
I think the Wankel engines very earliest premise was toyed with by its inventor Felix Wankel, during WWII. The German Luftwaffe was hearing all ideas for a lightweight, powerful engine for fighter planes............of course they found something called the jet engine (which was already proven but not perfected) and never looked back.
Felix Wankel never did anything with his ideas until years after the war.
Felix Wankel never did anything with his ideas until years after the war.
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