Notices
General Automotive Discuss all things automotive here other than the RX-8

Rotary "Breakthrough"

Thread Tools
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 06:04 PM
  #1  
AZ R3's Avatar
Thread Starter
iZoom
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 198
Likes: 1
From: Chandler, AZ
Rotary "Breakthrough"

Anyone see this? Skip to 5min17s

Couldn't find it posted anywhere
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 06:26 PM
  #2  
Chrishoky's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 49
From: North Wales, PA
Interesting..
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 06:27 PM
  #3  
ZOOM-I-DO's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 366
Likes: 4
From: Simi Valley-SoCal
Very Interesting. However I would think that Mazda Engineers
would have tried something along those lines?
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 06:28 PM
  #4  
kma5783's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 836
Likes: 7
From: St Petersburg, FL
The smaller spark plug holes make sense, which I'm sure is one of the main reasons Mazda is exploring a laser ignition system.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 06:28 PM
  #5  
AZ R3's Avatar
Thread Starter
iZoom
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 198
Likes: 1
From: Chandler, AZ
Originally Posted by ZOOM-I-DO
Very Interesting. However I would think that Mazda Engineers
would have tried something along those lines?
Kinda what I thought. Was hoping to get some thoughts from our resident experts (hello, BHR?)
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 06:29 PM
  #6  
monchie's Avatar
I HATE SPEEDBUMPS!
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 8,549
Likes: 8
From: Las Vegas, NV
If its a breakthrough, then why we don't have it?
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 06:38 PM
  #7  
Sugarfree135's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 148
Likes: 1
From: Grand junction CO
His idea's make sense I just wonder if with that tiny slot if the spark plugs will still fire properly. I just find it hard to believe that mazda hasn't tried/thought of these things already in the past few decades ya know? lol By offsetting the relief on the rotor you would figure it wouldn't be balanced properly anymore which I'm talking out my *** on that one and don't know if that matters but if it was weighted more to one corner over the other two you would figure the apex seal would prematurely wear because of the excess pressure idk lol Anyone?
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 07:18 PM
  #8  
Jims5543's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
I was thinking the same exact thing, I wonder how balanced the rotor is with an offset relief.

The spark plug hole is interesting. Isn't the trailing plug hole already very tiny, what would be the benefit of making the leading one smaller? If there is not chance of over lap on the leading side why make it so small.

I think Mazda already thought of this, hence the tiny trailing plug hole.

Last edited by Jims5543; Oct 24, 2012 at 07:26 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 07:29 PM
  #9  
wrightcomputing's Avatar
Made in England
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 738
Likes: 3
From: Sarasota
I think the main reason we don't have advancements like this is because there is only one main maker of the rotary engine so no competition to push the technology forward.
If every manufacturer had a rotary engine you bet they could get 40 mpg and 300 HP out of it. Just look at how cylinder engines have got better over the last 100 years, always more efficient more MPG and more power.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 07:48 PM
  #10  
jamesf's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 581
Likes: 1
The nice thing about it is this means that people are still "thinking" about the rotary. But in a way you do have to cut mazda some slack. Think about all the money they must have lost through recalls and extended warranties to replace all of these parts we burn through. easy just to invest in a more reliable vehicle to sell.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2012 | 07:55 PM
  #11  
alnielsen's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,255
Likes: 8
From: Buddhist Monastery, High Himalaya Mtns. of Tibet
Very interesting indeed.
Originally Posted by Sugarfree135
His idea's make sense I just wonder if with that tiny slot if the spark plugs will still fire properly. I just find it hard to believe that mazda hasn't tried/thought of these things already in the past few decades ya know? lol By offsetting the relief on the rotor you would figure it wouldn't be balanced properly anymore which I'm talking out my *** on that one and don't know if that matters but if it was weighted more to one corner over the other two you would figure the apex seal would prematurely wear because of the excess pressure idk lol Anyone?
It could be that they are stuck thinking "this is the way we've always done it". The design of the rotor housings hasn't changed much since the 84-85 RX7. You can still see where the peripheral exhaust port used to be. They haven't changed the castings.

Originally Posted by wrightcomputing
I think the main reason we don't have advancements like this is because there is only one main maker of the rotary engine so no competition to push the technology forward.
If every manufacturer had a rotary engine you bet they could get 40 mpg and 300 HP out of it. Just look at how cylinder engines have got better over the last 100 years, always more efficient more MPG and more power.
The exact same thing I have posted before.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2012 | 05:09 PM
  #12  
9krpmrx8's Avatar
SARX Legend
iTrader: (46)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 33,788
Likes: 462
From: San Antonio, Texas
I agree, I'm not sure how a small hole would actually function and of course the modifications to the rotors be a huge manufacturing cost and we don't know what other problems would arise from the modification to the rotors.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2012 | 05:46 PM
  #13  
Mr_Pieper's Avatar
Legend In My Own Mind
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 3
From: The Lou
I understand all of the theory behind this. If you can get the spark out of the tiny hole efficiently that would be outstanding. Changing the shape and location of the reliefs is a matter of retooling machinery I would imagine. I do wonder how much has actually been tested, though, after seeing his shoddy demo rotor.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2012 | 05:46 PM
  #14  
shadycrew31's Avatar
WENTGERMAN
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,806
Likes: 31
From: Burbs,PA
you can always offset the weight with counterweights so thats not an issue... But hes showing the rotors going the wrong direction in the video. It goes top to bottom not bottom to top.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2012 | 06:41 PM
  #15  
j9fd3s's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 11
Originally Posted by Jims5543
I was thinking the same exact thing, I wonder how balanced the rotor is with an offset relief.
its fine most of the 12A engines have offset combustion recesses, called LDR leading deep recess. the 13B is an MDR, medium deep recess.

the kenichi yamamoto book talks about the differences it can be found @ Foxed.ca

given the weird piston shape the skyaktiv engines have, i would actually expect a fancy combustion recess shape in the next rotary.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2012 | 07:41 PM
  #16  
olddragger's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,828
Likes: 40
From: macon, georgia
hmmmmmmm-----researved opinion
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2012 | 08:10 PM
  #17  
jtspells's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Well he does not sound too crazy with his ideas but why not go to mazda with a general patient in hand and try and say i have an idea for you...
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2012 | 08:20 PM
  #18  
RIWWP's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 266
From: Pacific Northwest
This makes the assumption that Mazda hasn't figured this out already. The Renesis was largely designed in the late 90s into early 2000s. It's been 10+ years since they "finalized" the Renesis for production, and Mazda didn't just stop experimenting on it. None of this stuff could be "adapted" to the Renny. It requires a whole new rotary.

Hmm, 16x? Sky R? Well, yeah.

Remember Mazda saying that they believe they got the efficiency up to equivalent piston engines and just needs more testing? Remember them talking about different shapes? Their investigation into laser testing? etc...

I don't think Mazda would find any of this shocking. But it doesn't mean that they can rush it into production tomorrow......


And a leading recess in the rotor wouldn't throw off the balance any more than the rotor already is. Remember it's going to a duplicated shape on all 3 faces, all removing and/or adding the same amount of material the same distance from the center, and equally spaced around the center. Balance won't be any more of a problem than it always has been.
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2012 | 04:53 AM
  #19  
RX what?'s Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: G'vegas, SC
Originally Posted by RIWWP
This makes the assumption that Mazda hasn't figured this out already. The Renesis was largely designed in the late 90s into early 2000s. It's been 10+ years since they "finalized" the Renesis for production, and Mazda didn't just stop experimenting on it. None of this stuff could be "adapted" to the Renny. It requires a whole new rotary.

Hmm, 16x? Sky R? Well, yeah.

Remember Mazda saying that they believe they got the efficiency up to equivalent piston engines and just needs more testing? Remember them talking about different shapes? Their investigation into laser testing? etc...

I don't think Mazda would find any of this shocking. But it doesn't mean that they can rush it into production tomorrow......


And a leading recess in the rotor wouldn't throw off the balance any more than the rotor already is. Remember it's going to a duplicated shape on all 3 faces, all removing and/or adding the same amount of material the same distance from the center, and equally spaced around the center. Balance won't be any more of a problem than it always has been.
Exactly!

But what if someone with a spare rotor tries to pool weld the leading spark plug hole and make the same 'incision' shown on the video to see if in fact the compression does increase.
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2012 | 01:18 PM
  #20  
j9fd3s's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 11
Originally Posted by RX what?
Exactly!

But what if someone with a spare rotor tries to pool weld the leading spark plug hole and make the same 'incision' shown on the video to see if in fact the compression does increase.
the leading plug hole is bigger than the trailing plug hole because of compression loss, the trailing plug is located where the compression stroke ends and the power stroke begins, so it needs to be small.

the leading plug is not in the middle of the two strokes* like that, so it can be bigger, or more accurately it doesn't need to be so small.

the latest rumors ive heard about the new rotary involve THREE spark plugs, like the R26B, and if that is the case, then does this mean that the spark plug hole size thing is moot?

*the Rotary engine is a 4 stroke, it has an intake, compression, power and exhaust phase just like a normal piston engine. it differs from a reciprocating piston engine in that the strokes are longer, 270 degrees of crank rotation vs 180 for a boinger, and that the strokes physically take place in different places.

the fact that the Rotary opens and closes its ports with the piston, like a 2 stroke, doesn't make it a 2 stroke, it just makes it open and close the ports like a 2 stroke. there are many ways the rotary is similar to a reciprocating piston engine, but there are a couple of key ways it is different too.
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2012 | 07:50 PM
  #21  
jim.tonneson's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Silverthorne, Colorado
Probably a dumb question, but is replacing plugs in Rx-8 much different than the conventional ones?? I bought my 05 with about 35k miles on it and now it has about 80k. The only problem I had with it was some battery trouble in the beginning, but other than that it's been great. Now the fuel efficiency and the lack of torque.....I'm afraid of having things done at the dealers, as I've had other Mazda vehicles and they have done all mtnce since new and blew a motor on one of the two NEW trucks. If someone can give me some pointers, I would appreciate it. It sounds like most of you really know these engines!!
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2012 | 08:20 PM
  #22  
Mr_Pieper's Avatar
Legend In My Own Mind
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 3
From: The Lou
Originally Posted by jim.tonneson
Probably a dumb question, but is replacing plugs in Rx-8 much different than the conventional ones?? I bought my 05 with about 35k miles on it and now it has about 80k. The only problem I had with it was some battery trouble in the beginning, but other than that it's been great. Now the fuel efficiency and the lack of torque.....I'm afraid of having things done at the dealers, as I've had other Mazda vehicles and they have done all mtnce since new and blew a motor on one of the two NEW trucks. If someone can give me some pointers, I would appreciate it. It sounds like most of you really know these engines!!
Thread crap!

Really dude you just need to look around a bit. There are 3 very good threads for you to read and get started. They are all in RIWWP's signature. He posted a few above you.
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2012 | 09:10 PM
  #23  
Leonheart's Avatar
Rotary Frontier
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
I did find this video it almost looks like that guys same theory with the rotor only not the hole in the spark plug thing, seems like they have already had something similar although I could be totally wrong:

Scroll to 3:10
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2012 | 09:25 PM
  #24  
alnielsen's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,255
Likes: 8
From: Buddhist Monastery, High Himalaya Mtns. of Tibet
Originally Posted by Leonheart
I did find this video it almost looks like that guys same theory with the rotor only not the hole in the spark plug thing, seems like they have already had something similar although I could be totally wrong: RX-8 BORN HISTORY 1/3 - YouTube

Scroll to 3:10
The rotor in this video is not modified like the one in the original post. Since this is a standard Renesis engine, the spark plug hole wouldn't be modified either.
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2012 | 10:13 PM
  #25  
Leonheart's Avatar
Rotary Frontier
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Yeah your right it seems like the same concept though minus the spark plug hole. But it seems like if this guy really did make this break through and says what he claims, I hope there will be youtube vids or someone attempt to try this to see if this theory can be backup with evidence beside just showing us a modified rotor. I like this idea, Just putting in my two cents.
Reply


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:20 AM.