Any possibility of converting the Mazda Rotary to
Diesel?
Here's what the Freedom Motors folks (developers of
the Wankel rotaries for the Moller Skycar) are saying:

"Freedom's Rotapower engine has all the inherent
advantages of existing Wankel-type rotary engines. In
addition, it improves the Wankel-type engine
performance as follows:
Emissions and fuel consumption

Uses our proprietary low cost lean burn combustion
process together with our patented combustion surface
coating and pre-heated incoming fuel-air charge to
greatly reduce both emissions and fuel consumption.
This technology has the potential to eliminate both
the lubrication and cooling systems.


Long engine life in a low-cost design

Uses a new proprietary rotor and rotor cooling
technology to reduce rotor weight and related
mechanical stresses throughout the engine. Uses new
apex seal material and proprietary plasma sprayed
internal coatings.


Maximum power with minimum weight and size

Uses our proprietary porting design and advanced
component development to generate twice as much power
for its weight as most four-stroke competitors.


Modular design allows low cost power growth

One- and two-rotor versions of the Rotapower 650
Series engine provide scalable power for applications
with requirements from 75 to 150 horsepower.


Ability to operate on any fuel

Proprietary technology developed to lower emissions
and fuel consumption also allows the use of any type
fuel with modest changes in the fuel injection system
for operation with diesel fuel.



OK - that last one is the key:

Any way you folks think that the Mazda Rotary engine
could be converted to use diesel (new fuel injection
system) and use the spark plugs as the primary
ignitors???


Thanks,

Spencer

Spencer W. Robinson

Freedom Motors or the parent company Moller has been saying
things for decades without shipping anything.

Mistral Engines in Switzerland has been working
on a jet fuel rotary engine and has one running. I have seen
it with my own eyes just a few weeks ago.
http://www.mistral-engines.com/

Also Wankel Gmbh had a turbo 2 rotor running on diesel fuel
several years ago. Unfortunately they are out of business.

Paul Lamar

Paul... back in 98 or so, you visited the gyroplane flyin at Wachula Florida
to see my ship the week before Sun-N-Fun.  At the same show, there was a guy
from England indicating that he used gas to warm his 13b up, then switched a
valve to diesel after a few minutes of hot flying.  He indicated that the
cost of petrol caused him to use this method.  As animate as he was, I never
did get a chance to verify his story.

Gary Buster

I missed Wachula Florida by one day this year. Actually drove
down there before going to Sun & Fun. I talked to the guys that
have the hurricain severely damaged DC3 out behind the last hangars :)

I have heard that before. Start on gas and run on kerosene. I suspect
it is quite possible.

Paul Lamar