4 ms·
> LiquidPiston says that their X-mini is still in a testing phase, and they hope to get the weight down to 3 pounds and the power up to 5 hp. (The 40-pound pist
by noir_lord 10y ago
> LiquidPiston says that their X-mini is still in a testing phase, and they hope to get the weight down to 3 pounds and the power up to 5 hp. (The 40-pound piston engine produces about 6.5 hp.)
That's an unkind reading, for many applications a 5hp 3lb engine would replace a 6.5hp 40lb engine (not least because you put two 3lb engines at 5hp in for a total of 10hp at 6lbs..).
In any case it's a fascinating engine and the application for things like drones are pretty obvious.
- dharma1 10y agoI wonder how it compares to fuel cells on drones, in terms of weight of the engine and energy density of the fuel
- oofabz 10y agoThe problem with fuel cells is power output. They are very efficient and reliable but they generate much less power than a mechanical engine of the same weight. Power/weight ratio is very important for aircraft engines.
- dharma1 10y agoYou are right, power/weight ratio is important. I've seen news pop up in the last 12 months of fuel cell powered drones with several hours flight time (compared to under an hour with li-ion batteries) so I'm assuming they can push out enough power for a multirotor for decent lift without weighing too much. Fixed wings should definitely see good gains, as it requires less power to fly than multirotors. I haven't followed it closely but 5-10x flight times vs li-ion sounds realistic considering the energy density of hydrogen. http://www.hes.sg/ http://www.hes.sg/
- whamlastxmas 10y agoHaving a conditional "they hope to" makes that information worthless. I hope be to be a billionaire for sitting on my ass, it doesn't mean it's likely or that I'm even working towards it.