ASTRON AEROSPACE

Astron Omega 1 Turbine: the 160 hp pistonless rotary engine that weighs 15 kg

The rotary engine, also known as the Wankel engine, thanks to the inventor of this type of engine, Felix Wankel, is not new, since the first models date back to the 1930s. However, its use was never widely adopted and only one company managed to make good prolonged use of this engine architecture, Mazda.

But that story may be about to change. The start-up Astron has managed to develop a very interesting rotary engine project that could still be used today, when it seems that everyone is turning their attention to electric motors. The Omega 1 Turbine, as the new engine is called, promises to deliver an incredible 160 hp in a super compact package weighing just 15 kg! Now imagine what a “little engine” like that could do on a motorcycle!

One of the main problems with the Wankel engine is figuring out how to seal the rotor to the outer edge of the engine housing, a problem that Astron seems to have solved. Astron also claims that the new design is much more efficient than a conventional gasoline engine, thanks to the absence of reciprocating parts and much lower energy losses. The secret is that it separates the four strokes of a combustion engine – intake, compression, combustion and exhaust – and divides the cycle into two separate chambers. In total, the engine has four rotors, one pair at the front end handling the intake and compression strokes, the other pair at the rear end handling the combustion and exhaust. Between the two sets of rotors is a rotary disc valve, a bit like a two-stroke engine with a rotary valve, and a pre-chamber. 

Another efficiency-boosting feature is the engine’s ability to skip firing when cruising speed is maintained. This allows the engine to fire at every revolution during acceleration, but once cruising speed is reached, the engine will only fire when needed (every five, ten or fifty revolutions). When the engine needs more power, the computer will increase the firing rate to deliver near-instant power with very little throttle lag. The system can even be tuned for maximum efficiency, maximum power or a combination, depending on the desired application.

by Mundoquatrorodas