Inconsistent is the correct word. Under "Emissions" they claim that the
two-step combustion (more like two-region stratification) will cool the gas
for lower emission, but then ignore what that does to expansion and power.
They also totally ignore the chamber's poor shape with far too much surface
area combined with too little space for valves and spark plug. Cooling the
charge also will aid deposition of carbon on the surfaces, bringing us back
to the "sticking" and "soot" problems. That's what killed the Knight
sleeve-valve engine - and it had all the parts moving, so the Alvar claim
about sticking being impossible because the parts move rings false.
I'll give it this: it's an interesting concept, but I think that the
reduction to practice is going to be far rockier than they'll ever believe.
Meanwhile: according to Automotive Test Reports, February 2000 issue,
there's now a "Site for Engine Geeks". "Kolbenshchmidt Peirburg AG has
created a web site solely for engine enthusiasts. At
http://www.engineweb.com, you'll find engine research and development news,
an events calendar, and discussion groups that will allow users to discuss
engine technology." I've only taken the briefest look so far, but I suspect
it's a less biased site than the Alvar one. I wonder if that's "our"
Peirburg (fuel transfer pump mfr.)?
I apologize for slightly OT going to full list, but think it's worth
some bandwidth. Anyone interested in further discussion, let's get together
via private e-mails.
Ron
----- Original Message -----
From: <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 21, 2000 11:34 PM
Subject: OT: link Can you pick out the engineering problems?
<A HREF="http://www.alvar-engine.se/";>The ALVAR engine</A> <-(link) I took
a look at this and on first sight knew this would never work. There are too
many inconsistencies to make any sense of how the motor will work. The
author claims that the compression is variable and can be adjusted like a 2
stroke diesel model airplane motor (I don't know of any 4stroke diesel model
airplane motors) but not according to the animation. I don't think the
person who came up with the design had any clue as to any intricacies of how
an internal combustion motor works. There are way too many problems to even
make the design feasible. Just look at the small piston P=F/A tells you
that
the smaller piston will see a higher force than the big piston requiring
stronger bearing surfaces. Cooling will be another big problem as will
getting air and fuel efficiently in and out of the motor. Of course what do
I know I am just an M.E. in his senior year that knows more than I care to
admit about the works of an internal combustion engine.
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