Hi
I am new to this list (this is my first post) and have been following the
various discussions with interest.
With regards to the lightweight single rotor e shaft I have some very good
contacts in Asia (I work there) who can knock up stuff cheaply and of good
quality. George I am a fellow Aussie too, I would imagine that every CNC in
Aust is machining parts for the mining industry, probably easier and cheaper
to get the e/shafts done in Asia.

Anyway I started thinking that two issues with rotaries being widely
accepted in aviation are a) need for PSRU and b) cooling.
I know that my sources in Asia could knock out all the lightweight bits to
assemble a light rotary eng and with some engineering it should be able to
be assembled and offered for sale with a built-in PSRU.
However it is the cooling side of things that worries me. It is difficult to
offer an off-the-shelf ready to go engine when the reliability is dependent
upon the correct installation of a cooling system. So I did some searching
on ceramic rotaries and came up with the below. Forgive me if this info has
already been discussed/posted.
Does anyone know of any other companies attempting this? Are there other
ways to run a rotary at high temps and lose the cooling systems?
Forgive me if these sound ignorant questions. I am on a fast learning track.
It is my dream to build a plane and to use a rotary.

Regards Ron (In Japan)

Making An All-Ceramic Wankel Engine - Progress

from http://ceramicrotaryengines.com/

The image opposite is a photo of a small Wankel Rotor we ordered to
specification. It is made out of CeTZP (zirconia) ceramic. The ceramic
manufacturer shaped the CeTZP rotor in the green (soft) state and was
subsequently sintered (in a furnace).

The combustion chambers on the rotor faces and the slots at the apex where
the tip seals are to be located have yet to be machined. It is likely that
this will be done in the hardened state to ensure that tight tolerances will
be met. The gear will be made out of steel and fitted into the central
recesses. The low thermal conductivity of the CeTZP ceramic should ensure
that the steel gearing is kept from overheating.

We are considering making the Wankel housing out of CeTZP ceramic as well.
This should ensure that the heat generated during the combustion of fuel
will be retained within the walls of the combustion chamber. A CeTZP ceramic
Wankel engine should not require liquid cooling.

Ron,
Where are you from originally!?
Your right everything is too bloody expensive.
Yes you could get this made in China with the right specifications and some
solid QA I always have my doubts when considering manufactured in China.
Demand is not high so I'm unsure as to the economies of scale and
transportation cost might affect the final unit cost.
What Mazda uses is a very inexpensive material, and is induction hardened
(.45 Carbon). I personally would prefer something a little better. The core
has to be toughened and it the exterior surface has to be the right
Rockwell - I DO have all that information to hand.
I also have the drawings of the single, but their only accurate to the MM.
When setting up for CNC a sample of a 13B would be helpful for the CNC
programmer- I assume your speaking about CNC. I also have the tolerances
needed etc.

I could get more accurate and professional drawings done with the help of
one of the site members who has offered to do this.

Contact me on lendich@optusnet.com.au so that we might discuss this further.
George ( down under)



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