Mini-Rotary Engine

Objectives:
To investigate engine miniaturization
To prove feasibility of a small-scale engine
Mini-Engine
Research Issues:
Quenching Effect
Engine Sealing
Friction/Lubrication
Fuel Carburetion
Thermal Management
Engine Diagnostics
Ignition
Ancillary Equipment/Packaging
for an Autonomous System

Applications:
Power Generation between ~10-100 Watts
Portable Electronic Devices
Mechanically Powered Devices (i.e. Drill)
Power for Remote Sensing


Experimental Setup:


Experimental Setup
Results:


Demonstration of combustion in the mini-engine
Infrared movie of mini-engine operation.  White areas represent high temperature combustion.
Graph of power output vs. speed


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