A groundbreaking innovation in the world of combustion engines has emerged from a small company in Washington, USA. The Avadi MA-250 engine, designed by Michael Arsenaeu and now spearheaded by Chief Technology Officer Dimitrios Dardalis, promises to revolutionize engine efficiency, power, and emissions. With a design that departs significantly from traditional internal combustion engines, the Avadi MA-250 presents a lighter, more efficient, and more powerful alternative.
The Ingenious Design of the Avadi Engine
The Avadi MA-250 engine’s unique design eliminates many components of a conventional engine, including the crankshaft. Instead, it utilizes an internally rotating piston and sleeve arrangement, which contributes to its compact and lightweight nature. The engine features two scissor-like pistons connected to pinion gears, creating a smooth and efficient motion to complete the four-stroke cycle: intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust.
This innovative design allows the entire crankcase to rotate, differing from the Wankel rotary engine, which also uses a rotary motion but with a fundamentally different mechanism. The Avadi engine’s design translates the piston’s up-and-down motion into rotational motion through a “half shaft,” which acts as the heart of the engine. This approach not only simplifies the engine construction but also enhances its efficiency and power output.
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Unparalleled Energy Efficiency and Power
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Avadi MA-250 engine is its exceptional energy efficiency. The prototype has achieved a brake thermal efficiency of 42.12%, significantly higher than most gasoline engines, which typically hover around 20%. For context, Toyota’s celebrated 2.5-litre A25K-FKS engine reached 39% thermal efficiency, showcasing how impressive Avadi’s achievement is.
The MA-250 engine produces 15.8 hp (11.8 kW) at 3,700 rpm and 22.3 lb-ft (30.24 Nm) of torque at 3,500 rpm, all while weighing only 23.6 lb (10.7 kg) and having a displacement of 250 cc. When compared to the Honda GX240, a commercial-grade engine with similar displacement, the Avadi engine outperforms it in both power and efficiency while being significantly lighter. The Honda GX240, for instance, weighs 77.2 lb (35 kg) and produces only 8 hp (6 kW) at 3,600 rpm.
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Addressing Emissions and Sustainability
In addition to its impressive power and efficiency, the Avadi engine is designed with sustainability in mind. The engine’s high efficiency results in lower emissions compared to traditional internal combustion engines. This is a significant advantage as the automotive industry increasingly seeks environmentally friendly solutions.
The Avadi team has continuously worked to refine the engine design to overcome challenges. For instance, the rotary valve system initially presented issues with airflow, which have since been addressed with a redesigned valve expected to be tested by the end of 2023. This commitment to innovation and improvement underscores Avadi’s dedication to producing a sustainable and efficient engine.
As the automotive industry increasingly moves towards electrification, the development of the Avadi engine serves as a reminder of the potential that still exists within internal combustion technology. The compact size, high efficiency, and low emissions of the Avadi engine make it a viable option for a variety of applications, from cars to generators and other machinery.
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Landon Wilkinson, CEO and Co-Founder of Avadi, expressed optimism about the engine’s future. “The revised engine design is coming along nicely,” Wilkinson said. “We achieved positive compression results last week with the new valve design and anticipate run tests shortly.”
While the future of transportation may be dominated by electric vehicles, the Avadi MA-250 engine offers a glimpse into a future where internal combustion engines can still play a significant role. By bridging the gap between current combustion engines and future electric-powered vehicles, the Avadi engine represents a significant step forward in the quest for sustainable and efficient automotive solutions.
