Why round pistons not oval????

**ZeroIndex** · 12th September 2006, 13:54

Why not cube pistons (square ones.. like a box).. everything can be measured in 'cubic' inches, so why aren't pistons done like that instead?

**McJim** · 12th September 2006, 14:13

Originally Posted by slowpoke

Why not oval pistons? Using the KISS principle it's called Keep It Simple Stupid........

Because any shape other than a circle is not Simple any more.

There is friction caused by the piston ring on the cylinder - if we change from a circular piston the contact area and therefore the friction increases which reduces the efficiency of the engine which in turn will bleed power from the system - I imagine that this would become more pronounced the further from a circle shape the piston becomes.

This could all be speculative bullshit of course - I'm sure a real engineer will be along shortly.

**slowpoke** · 12th September 2006, 23:00

Originally Posted by McJim

Because any shape other than a circle is not Simple any more.

Exaccary wot I ment, late on nightshift my finga's wos finkin' for 'emselfs....brayne slowing down....muuuuuust sleeeeeep........ZZZZZZZZZZZZ

**Pixie** · 12th September 2006, 23:52

Originally Posted by degrom

Very interesting concept.. Wish there were more KIWI's like McLaughlin and Britten...

McLaughlin has some original ideas.
Britten merely stole and cobbled together other peoples ideas

**Shaun** · 13th September 2006, 00:51

Originally Posted by Pixie

McLaughlin has some original ideas.
Britten merely stole and cobbled together other peoples ideas

You are a Nice guy, did you know john? Did he ignore you some time

**slowpoke** · 13th September 2006, 01:27

Originally Posted by Pixie

Britten merely stole and cobbled together other peoples ideas

OUCH!!!!!!

**Motu** · 13th September 2006, 08:00

There is no inovation in the motor game - it has all been done before....it's just reapplied with new technology.

**craigs288** · 13th September 2006, 09:44

If you can take several good ideas from other people and fit it all together in a way that's better than what you originally had, that's still pretty ingenious.

**The Pastor** · 13th September 2006, 15:05

That square piston engine looks very good. I really hope that engine gets into some bike! Even if it IS a hondurrr

**Biff** · 13th September 2006, 15:11

According to Honda chief design cheese, in an interview in Bike magazine a couple of months ago, oval pistons will become the norm within the next 10 years for virtually all motorbikes.

Earlier manufacturing costs and design problems made them overly expensive for mass production machines.

I think the guys name was Tommy Tookamoto. Japanese chap.

**Motu** · 13th September 2006, 15:16

Bugger eh - so will one of those oval piston motors be powering my sucky blowy hovercar? We were told we were going to be driving those in 10 years too - 50 years ago!

**sAsLEX** · 13th September 2006, 15:29

Originally Posted by Motu

Bugger eh - so will one of those oval piston motors be powering my sucky blowy hovercar? We were told we were going to be driving those in 10 years too - 50 years ago!

What about this concept
http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/Tomlinson.htm

and lots more engine porn here
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...8&page=1&pp=15

**Speedracer** · 13th September 2006, 18:41

"This was followed by a 400cc twin chamber motorcycle engine. This engine ran up to 11,500rpm and drove the motorcycle to speeds exceeding 160kph. "

Then something about a 90kw 1.1L engine.

I don't think its amazingly powerful, but that pivotal engine design does look pretty darn neat!

**cowpoos** · 13th September 2006, 18:48

Originally Posted by Speedracer

"This was followed by a 400cc twin chamber motorcycle engine. This engine ran up to 11,500rpm and drove the motorcycle to speeds exceeding 160kph. "

Then something about a 90kw 1.1L engine.

I don't think its amazingly powerful, but that pivotal engine design does look pretty darn neat!

can you find a web link to that engine??