In bringing up the Honda IMA system I was not meaning to infer a hybrid gas/electric aircraft engine. Power density almost completely eliminates any such possibility short of a very high L/D
sailplane.  Sorry that I left that open to interpretation.

I was only musing about the possibility of using existing hardware (the IMA motor/generator component) for a purpose somewhat different from its original design application. (like our intended use
for the Mazda rotary engine itself)  It may be possible to convert the IMA motor/generator for use as a starter/generator on a Mazda rotary conversion.  It would probably not be optimum but IF it
would work it would be more economical than developing custom hardware from scratch.  I have no useable size data on the IMA motor/generator to work from.  Perhaps others on the list do.  Since it
fits in the bellhousing of the little Honda Insight car it would likely fit between the engine and PSRU in a conversion and would eliminate the space problems the external alternator and starter
create.  Electrically using the existing hardware (IMA motor/generator) as a starter motor for starting and therafter as a generator only would be MUCH simpler than the complex computer control
required for a Hybrid automobile.

In addition the rotary is so compact it is natural for me to want to maintain and exploit this advantage (IE: naturally compact shape/size) IMHO.

And while some are musing about hybrid cars versus standard ICE vehicles I won't pollute this list with my opinion of our governments investment in the "Hydrogen economy" !!!  (sorry Paul, I
couldn't resist)

Thank you,
Tom

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