Axial engines are not new. The biggest problem isn't in the strength of the components but the configuration of the valves. You can't use a camshaft if the valves are arranged in a ring ;) Alternatives are lossy and rely on sliding sealing surfaces which therefore promote oil loss. Interestingly, the drawings show the use of Michel type slipper pads as opposed to the more common conrod design. I researched this type of piston machine for a university project some years ago. the animation we produced for our presentation is still on YouTube - this shows several components removed to display the action of the Michell slippers in our 10-piston double acting air compressor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os2A13dAGzg If you can make one work, they are one of the most compact engine types, and the swashplate doesn't have to be perfectly flat meaning the piston movement need not be purely sinusoidal. Martin On 24/11/2014 15:26, David Delman doctorDHD@xxxxxxx [dmcnews] wrote: > Has this been discussed before? > > http://jalopnik.com/deloreans-next-radical-idea-was-this-never-before-seen-1484018531 > > > Thank you, > Dave Delman > > > > > ------------------------------------ > Posted by: David Delman <doctordhd@xxxxxxx> > ------------------------------------ > > To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address: > moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx > > For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see www.dmcnews.com > > To search the archives or view files, log in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo Groups Links > > > > ------------------------------------ Posted by: Martin Gutkowski <martin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> ------------------------------------ To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address: moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see www.dmcnews.com To search the archives or view files, log in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews ------------------------------------ Yahoo Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: dmcnews-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx dmcnews-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: dmcnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo Groups is subject to: https://info.yahoo.com/legal/us/yahoo/utos/terms/