About Power Sources

Internal Combustion Engines

The Internal Combustion Engine is a pre-eminent source of power in travel and transportation. Its power to weight ratio stands unchallenged by other power sources:

While performance of electric motors has vastly improved in recent years, today’s technologies still require a large number of batteries to equal the power of traditional fuel

The metal (e.g. cast iron, steel or aluminum) internal combustion engine has been the most successful power source ever made. It revolutionized land, water and air travel for people as well as the transportation of goods all over the world. Metal IC engines have also been used to power many portable devices and implements (e.g. lawn mowers, chain saws) that are crucial to a modern and vibrant economy.

The metal IC Engine is a safe, rugged, compact and portable autonomous power source that is being used to carry people and goods over short and relatively long distances relatively quickly. No other power source can match the performance, efficiency, ease of portability and range of travel of the metal IC engine.

Thus it is imperative to keep alive the commercial viability of the IC engine. Because the metal IC engine functions inefficiently there is clearly room for improvement.

 The Problem with Metal IC Engines?

Would you put expensive gasoline into a leaking tank? That is, more or less, what you are doing when you fill up your vehicle with gasoline.

Only about 25% of the energy in the fuel is used to move your vehicle. The rest of the energy is lost to metal engine inefficiencies such as cooling the metal engine (~60%) and driveline inefficiencies (~10%) or used to power accessories (~5%).   [Source: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/atv.shtml].

Energy Requirements for Combined City/Highway Driving: Engine Losses (68% to 72%), Parasitic Losses (4% to 6%), Power to Wheels (18% to 25%), Drivetrain Losses (5% to 6%), Idle Losses (3%).

The low fuel efficiency of the metal IC engine could limit its future because (A) the cost of fuel increases, (B) stricter emission standards are adopted and (C) alternatives, such as electric cars, are sought to replace the metal IC engine. So what is the solution? The Ceramic Rotary Engine:

The Ceramic Rotary Engine offers the possibility of prolonging the use of the internal combustion engine as a very successful portable power source well into the future. Why? Because the high temperature Ceramic Rotary Engine would allow almost any hydrocarbon fuels to be burnt including renewable fuels such as vegetable oils, fossil fuels, waste fossil fuels, etc.  Also operating at high temperatures mean more complete combustion of the fuel, less fuel consumed (i.e. more miles per gallon) and less emissions of toxic gases.