A new engine concept known as the Quasiturbine, offers a design similar to that of a rotary engine but with the advantages of a gas turbine – all within the confines of chamber based on the shape of a Saint-Hilaire skating rink profile.

The profile offers the rotary components of the engine a bigger, more uniform radial path, enabling maximum torque to be reached more efficiently than a normal combustion engine. A fixed center of rotation offers significantly less dynamic vibration, while continuity is provided by continuous ignition (like a turbine) through ignition transfer slots.

Its ability to deliver high torque at low speeds can realise certain savings due to an increase in efficiency. According to the developer, gearboxes can typically consume between 8 and 12 per cent of the energy output from an engine. Good low-speed torque characteristics could remove the need for a gearbox and the infrastructure associated with it.

Unlike other rotating devices, in which torque increases progressively until a maximum is reached), the Quasiturbine rapidly reaches the maximum diameter and then follows it accurately along its entire length. Traditional rotary engine designs also present a dilemma when it comes to specifying compression ratios. If the compression ratio is to be increased, the intake volume must decrease to an unacceptable level. This imposes dimensionally on the engine. The Quasiturbine permits the construction of a compact detonation or diesel engine. Its asymmetric shape allows a higher compression to be reached, for maximum energy extraction, and offers an extended expansion cycle.

http://www.quasiturbine.com

 

Would be neat to see this further investigated

Who knows, maybe Mazda will stick their heads out again and run with it

 

Quasiturbine vs. Wankel

http://quasiturbine.promci.qc.ca/QTpasWankel.html


Quasiturbine vs. Piston

http://quasiturbine.promci.qc.ca/QTPiston.html

 

I remember seeing a similar post on this forum before, but I read the info more closely this time.

So, now that I've heard the "Quasiturbine's" praises sung, I'd like to know what its dissadvantages are. There I go again, thinking like an engineer...

 

Did I read that it takes 1.8 liters to get 100 hp???? I started getting tripped up in the bad english, until I realized that the article is translated from french.

 

I'd like to bump this..

 

The disadvantage is that it can't rev as high. The article reference suggest that the max rpm will be somewhere in the range of 3,000rpm.

 

So much for winding out the engine :P

 

Have any out-of-the-lab protos been built? Sounds like a nice plant for stationary power or aviation which both use low RPMs and benifit from good HP to LB ratios.