New Gas Motor of the Future?

[Duper]

Interesting article

and no "Mr. Fusion"! (bummer)

[sdfgeoff]

Rotary engines are nothing new at all, there are many older ones dating to the 1960's (I think).
The problem with them is the wear-out time. The wankel rotary engine for example, had much more power than an equivalent size/mass engine, less vibration etc, but the contact between the rotor and the casing had to be nearly air tight, so when they wore even a bit it drastically reduced the efficiency.

[Duper]

this isn't your standard rotary engine.

[sdfgeoff]

No, but it's a new variation on an old theme, and will probably still have some of these effects

[Thenior]

I thought for sure this thread would be about this motor:

[snoopy]

Why not just run a generator off of a turbine, and then use traction motors?

[Ferno]

right now, the weight would be prohibitive. but give it ten years with advances in both engine and generator technology, it could happen.