New engine design-seals and lube
New engine design-seals and lube
(OP)
Hello, I have just been granted a patent on a new rotary engine design but I need help with the seals and lube. I need a material that can be used under high temp and pressure. I would like to get away from using anything petroleum based. I have considered Teflon but I don't think it can withstand temps over 500F. I would like to be able to coat the rotor so there will be and air tight seal with the housing with a low friction coefficient. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks





RE: New engine design-seals and lube
Agreed, Teflon ain't it.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: New engine design-seals and lube
Recently I experienced the material Thermiculite. Good chemical properties as well as mechanical (high temps in combination with relatively high pressure).
Just search for Thermiculite on the internet. Properties are available.
Teflon is indeed not suitable.
Good Luck.
Regards,
FKE
RE: New engine design-seals and lube
RE: New engine design-seals and lube
MikeHalloran is right. If you want to read a real horror story, study the development of the Wankel apex seal. Mazda, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, Curtiss-Wright, NSU, Ford, GM, etc., literally spent tens of millions of dollars on getting that apex seal to work properly.
However, best of luck with your project!
RE: New engine design-seals and lube
RE: New engine design-seals and lube
Try matweb.com, I use it a lot for general materials data. You may find that some of the seal materials which were once considered exotic are now easier to get hold of. Things move relatively fast in the materials world. If you are in the prototype development phase you don't need the best material, just something which works reasonably well for demos.
I would have thought the more important issue is whether your engine gives any significant benefit over everything else currently available. Assume that you have a seal material as good as any Mazda then consider the following: Unit cost, fuel efficiency, power density, controlability. Does your engine significantly surpass any current designs in any important category(s)?
If it doesn't, then you have a personal hobby engine not a business proposition. A hobby engine is perfectly respectable, just don't delude yourself into thinking it is any more than that and have fun with it.
Of course if you do score highly over other designs then you may become rich and famous.
Good Luck whichever way it goes.
gwolf.
RE: New engine design-seals and lube
RE: New engine design-seals and lube
Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. And scratch where it itches.
RE: New engine design-seals and lube
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: New engine design-seals and lube
Regarding the Thermiculte:
This material was recommended to us as valve stem seals. Subject seals will be exposed to dynamic loading as well.
May be, for your application, the dynamic loading will be higher than the dynamic loading in a manualy operated valve.
Anybody having experience Thermiculite as stem seals?
Thanks anyhow.
Regards.
RE: New engine design-seals and lube