This is a variation of the old "cat and mouse" engine, with a toroidal track
instead of a cylindrical one (in the original versions, the cylinder axis is
coaxial with the coaxial shafts that drive the "pistons" around. See US
patent 5,433,179 for one example). There was one version with ball shaped
pistons running in a similar toroidal track. Interesting design. I played
around with variations once, but that was for a pump, when Edwards High
Vacuum was looking for novel vacuum pump designs and I worked for the parent
company's R&D center.

--
Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways)


"Stealth Pilot" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 5 May 2006 10:06:27 +0200, (Nick Müller)
wrote:

Jon Grimm wrote:

I first read about this in nasa tech briefs last month.
Has anybody seen this thing first hand?

http://www.gear6.net/2006/04/the_myt_massive.html

Hopefully it wasn't patented. Because that construction is about 80
years old!
And when you look at the "cylinders" you know why it was given up.


Nick

I cant see how it could possibly work. the leading piston moves as
expected but the trailing piston has the exact same force on it
pushing backwards. the video shows it to move forward as though there
were no resisting force on it.
the design is a load of codswallop. cant possibly function as
indicated.

Stealth Pilot