Achates Engine: Discuss!

[herm]

I don't recall if this has come up before. Certainly new for me.

https://youtu.be/zf6OH4iVUkY

[Speeddog]

I recall seeing something about this engine at some point, no idea when or where.

They spent quite a while on telling us how great it was and not a chart or graph in sight. 

Compression ratio is the big factor on thermal efficiency, so it can have that going for it if they've done it as well as they seem to.

They are touting how much simpler it is without the valve gear, yet there are 2 crankshafts.
Here is a video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5P1E_SNrmE
They connect the cranks with one giant gear.
I've never been involved in volume production of gears, but I have with 1-2 pc orders, and the price was eye watering and it was not my money.

I can see it in a very specific application, like the original Junkers diesel engine for WWII aircraft.

[Langanobob]

Very interesting.  I think  I've seen articles about opposed piston engines all my life.  Reading through the comments on the first video, some of the trolls have a point.   Where is a working prototype engine after all the time and money they have spent?  Good luck to them and I hope they have some success with it!

[ducpainter]

Very interesting.  I think  I've seen articles about opposed piston engines all my life.  Reading through the comments on the first video, some of the trolls have a point.   Where is a working prototype engine after all the time and money they have spent?  Good luck to them and I hope they have some success with it!

Wouldn't this be a working prototype?... http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=76824.msg1412724#msg1412724

[Popeye the Sailor]

Looks like a newer version of the fairbanks-morse.

Seems an odd thing to be developing-electric is the future.

Might be a good powerplant for a hybrid.

[herm]

Wouldn't this be a working prototype?... http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=76824.msg1412724#msg1412724

https://youtu.be/usmauFigpzk

Not sure how I missed the original conversation.... Very cool! Sounds a bit like my fj40 straight 6

[Langanobob]

Wouldn't this be a working prototype?... http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=76824.msg1412724#msg1412724

I suppose it would!  I saw that thread title but never got as far as opening it, having been knocked off center by bat swinging monkeys.

[ducpainter]

Looks like a newer version of the fairbanks-morse.

Seems an odd thing to be developing-electric is the future.

Might be a good powerplant for a hybrid.

I don't see electric being a viable long distance alternative for otr trucks for quite some time.

If they can develop this thing into a 400+ HP diesel with similar torque gains as the 2.7 L, it would fill the gap, very nicely.

[Popeye the Sailor]

I don't see electric being a viable long distance alternative for otr trucks for quite some time.

If they can develop this thing into a 400+ HP diesel with similar torque gains as the 2.7 L, it would fill the gap, very nicely.

Not in the current state no, but things may change when those trucks start going autonomous.

[ducpainter]

Not in the current state no, but things may change when those trucks start going autonomous.

When they can charge them wirelessly...that'll work. Are these autonomous truck going to plug themselves in?

Until then, the charging will be the issue.

Wait...maybe I can get a job plugging in trucks. That'd be awesome. I'd probably need a masters for this high tech industry though. I guess I'm under qualified.

Back to the track for me.

[Popeye the Sailor]

Wireless charging is on the way 

https://chargedevs.com/newswire/daimler-and-bmw-commit-to-common-technology-for-wireless-charging/

[ducpainter]

Wireless charging is on the way 

https://chargedevs.com/newswire/daimler-and-bmw-commit-to-common-technology-for-wireless-charging/

Good thing they're in Germany, or I'd have to do the duck squat.

Life used to be sooooo much simpler.