Interesting Spherical Engine Design...

[NEATman]

I came across this engine design in NASA Tech Briefs.

http://www.yet2.com/app/insight/tech.../36009?sid=230

Has anyone seen this design before? It must be difficult to machine some of those parts!

Neatman

[DDM]

Wow! I have no idea how it works but it does look cool, wonder if i could fit one of those in my subaru

[One of Many]

Here is a bit more info. I take it the principle is that of an automotive AC compressor. Somewhat similar to the previous engine posted recently in having a cylinder on both sides of each piston cavity(randcam).

From what I can visualize, the ball would articulate inside the casing. The pistons look to be captured by the pins between the case? Seems like that would be a lot of friction between the case and the outside of that ball. It does eliminate the seal on the piston end since they are stationary and the ball(I.E. Ganged cylinder) moves to transmit power to the output shaft.

Too hard to wrap your mind around it with reasonable clarity since no animations are offered that I could find.

Golubev and his Machines

Fascinating and innovative way to put power out of a shaft. The real data would be nice to see back it up.

DC