I had no idea this type of valve was a thing. Interesting to learn a little about. Maybe something like this would make electrically controlled variable timing more viable and thus improve the efficiency of ICEs?

  • @BearOfaTime@lemm.ee
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    2 months ago

    I’d say a rotary engine exposes the difficulty/challenge of rotary valves, as it’s essentially one big rotary valve.

    Sealing has always been a bitch, especially as the seals wipe across the intake/exhaust openings. With a rotary valve on a piston engine, I wonder how the compression forces would impact valve sealing and rotation, where conventional valves are forced closed by compression.

    I imagine the bigger issue would be airflow dynamics because of how such valves open.

    I’m sure these have been considered, and not used for specific reasons.

    • @0ops@lemm.ee
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      12 months ago

      I had the same thought, these seals aren’t containing oil like a camshaft seal, they’re actually dealing with compression forces. Maybe not directly, but still there’s a pressure differential.

      I didn’t think of airflow dynamics, but yeah this thing is basically the lever valve thing in your garden hose adapter spinning at a few thousand rpm regulating combustion gasses. I could see it doing weird stuff when the valve is only partially open, especially when it starts to close.

      • @BearOfaTime@lemm.ee
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        12 months ago

        Exactly.

        I hadn’t really visualized it at speed either - I can only imagine the turbulence then.