AIXRO had a customer CAD step file on their web site so I downloaded
    it into Rhino. Here are a few 3D's. Still need a rotor
    and a rotor housing.

    Paul Lamar

I noticed that that engine uses a caged needle roller bearing for the
rotor bearing. I understand that they have to since it is a charge
cooled engine but if it works for them running up to 10k rpm then maybe
a similar setup could be used for a mazda type engine. There shouldnt be
any "weirdness" in the bearing such as you described earlier posts since
the cage holds it together. For that matter they are used on every 2
stroke connecting rod out there and nave no problems even with high
rpms. It would seem to me that there are benefits to having a
antifriction bearing vs. a journal bearing in terms of assembled
stiffness, oil supply issues and reduced friction. The only downsides I
could see would be cost and surface hardness requirements on the needle
to rotor since it is cast iron.

Rob Woods

That would be a big mistake. Those bearings are the Achilles heel of the charged
cooled rotary engine. The charged cooled rotor and the e-shaft run way too hot for those bearings. They are right at the life limit at 10,000 engine RPM. Remember, they have to really zing RPM wise. If it were not for the fact that the rotor was also turning on the e-shaft they would not work. As it is they are turning only 6000 RPM which is the absolute upper limit for that size roller bearings.

Paul Lamar



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