The British company Advanced Innovative Engineering (AIE) has presented a compact 40ACS engine with a rotary-piston design, which is distinguished by high specific power and versatility.
The rotary piston engine, known as the Wankel engine, has a unique rotor design in the form of a Relau triangle. This configuration provides high power density, low vibration and compact dimensions, making it ideal for applications in light vehicles, aviation and robotics. The latest model 40ACS, developed by AIE, weighs only 2 kg and produces 3.7 kW (5 hp), which is a unique achievement for such dimensions — 19.5 cm in diameter and 17.2 cm in depth.
The introduction of modern additive technologies, such as 3D printing, has made it possible to reduce waste and increase the precision of manufacturing engine components. This has contributed to an increase in service life and weight reduction. The use of the patented SPARCS system allows for efficient engine cooling using compressed gas generated during combustion. This innovative approach has significantly reduced the engine's weight without sacrificing power.
The versatility of the 40ACS is underscored by its ability to run on a variety of fuels, including gasoline, jet fuel, aviation gas, and JP-5 and JP-8 jet fuels. This expands the engine's application possibilities in a variety of industries, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and spacecraft. According to the developers, the use of the 40ACS in UAVs can increase flight range and improve operational efficiency due to low vibrations.
Interest in rotary-piston engines is growing, as evidenced by the H2Starfire hydrogen engine prototype from Astron Aerospace, presented this summer. Its unique design provides a thermal efficiency of up to 60%, which is a significant achievement in the field of internal combustion engines.