Ron,
I disagree with your comments that the Chevy small block has not changed in 50 years- imho, it is an excellent example of how modern technology has continually improved old technology. The current crop of rice burners is probably an even better example, as they are getting huge HP out of small displacement, efficient engines. Chevy is getting 2-3 times the power and far better economy than they did in the 50-60s.
George,
If anything, lawyers and govt regulations/costs involved with certification have impeded Lycoming's potential growth over the years. The Lyc is a good engine design built for a specific purpose- it has its good and bad points; superior- probably not, but it will always be the easiest and the best choice for most builders and will remain the industry's standard for a long time to come.
FWIW, bulletproof should be a measure of reliability- in engineering terms, a design that has eliminated potential failure points, but as you said, the fewer parts the better. Historically, the most problematic failure point has involved pilot error/fuel problems far more then mechanical things, like valves, drivetrain (pistons, rods, crankshafts), and electrical problems. Some are generally catostrophic, some less so.
Regarding your comment regarding rotaries, FOD will bring down any engine; the rotary is probably less suseptable than other designs, imho, simply because of its simplicity, part robustness, and lack of valves. The downside of the rotary involves overheating, particularly the involving high oil temps, which can damage seals and reduce compression; seldom is it catastrophic as long as the engine is not shut down (wont restart). Rotaries work fine with either carburation or fuel injection, some folks have also used magneto ignition- conventional electronic parts have proven safe and far cheaper, redundant electronics in critical systems are preferred obviously.
I disagree with your comments that the Chevy small block has not changed in 50 years- imho, it is an excellent example of how modern technology has continually improved old technology. The current crop of rice burners is probably an even better example, as they are getting huge HP out of small displacement, efficient engines. Chevy is getting 2-3 times the power and far better economy than they did in the 50-60s.
George,
If anything, lawyers and govt regulations/costs involved with certification have impeded Lycoming's potential growth over the years. The Lyc is a good engine design built for a specific purpose- it has its good and bad points; superior- probably not, but it will always be the easiest and the best choice for most builders and will remain the industry's standard for a long time to come.
FWIW, bulletproof should be a measure of reliability- in engineering terms, a design that has eliminated potential failure points, but as you said, the fewer parts the better. Historically, the most problematic failure point has involved pilot error/fuel problems far more then mechanical things, like valves, drivetrain (pistons, rods, crankshafts), and electrical problems. Some are generally catostrophic, some less so.
Regarding your comment regarding rotaries, FOD will bring down any engine; the rotary is probably less suseptable than other designs, imho, simply because of its simplicity, part robustness, and lack of valves. The downside of the rotary involves overheating, particularly the involving high oil temps, which can damage seals and reduce compression; seldom is it catastrophic as long as the engine is not shut down (wont restart). Rotaries work fine with either carburation or fuel injection, some folks have also used magneto ignition- conventional electronic parts have proven safe and far cheaper, redundant electronics in critical systems are preferred obviously.