 |
 |
Dear Terry, I think there are 2 dimensions to be clarified. 1. Invention Trying to protect a complete engine would be an exhausting and expensive attempt (probably half of the patent literature is about the engine and its sub components) I think they need to concentrate on what is specifically new on this engine for intellectual property right protection. 2. Innovation [Value Creation] If they suppose to propose their prototype to someone, I think they need to manifest some technical details including; - Power (in kW, etc) - Torque (in Nm, etc) - Fuel consumption (in l/h, etc.) - Emission (in g/kWh, etc.) - Weight in (kg, etc.) - Durability (under how severe temperature, vibration, time conditions it could perform) - Cost As Schumpeter pointed out decades ago, not all inventions are valuable, marketable or successful. Therefore cost versus potential benefits should be clarified first. I hope it helps. Arif An engineer who had invented and patented a product but failed to innovate and commercialize. -------------------------------------------- On Tue, 11/26/13, Terence Love <[log in to unmask]> wrote: Subject: Advice needed To: [log in to unmask] Date: Tuesday, November 26, 2013, 4:35 AM Hello, Over the weekend as part of some work for the IMechE, I was asked to visit an older gentleman who has developed and patented a new type of petrol engine. The gentleman is a highly skilled craftsperson. As an engine and vehicle designer, I've never seen anything like this engine (and I know a lot of engine configurations). His prototype engine (which I have seen running) is a four stroke petrol engine and appears to have several unusual features: Can run very slowly Has a very large range of angular speed Has high torque Is extremely easy to start Has smooth power delivery (doesn't require a flywheel) Can vary power by varying fuel-air mixture (operates happily in lean burn) Has an unusually compact layout Has primary, secondary (and possibly tertiary) balance Is relatively insensitive to manufacturing tolerances and material quality and uses very conventional manufacturing methods I'm being asked to recommend a way forward and I welcome advice. Best wishes , Terry --- Dr Terence Love PhD(UWA), BA(Hons) Engin. PGCEd, FDRS, AMIMechE, PMACM, MISI Honorary Fellow IEED, Management School Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK Director, Love Services Pty Ltd PO Box 226, Quinns Rocks Western Australia 6030 Tel: +61 (0)4 3497 5848 Fax:+61 (0)8 9305 7629 <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] -- ----------------------------------------------------------------- PhD-Design mailing list <[log in to unmask]> Discussion of PhD studies and related research in Design Subscribe or Unsubscribe at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/phd-design ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- PhD-Design mailing list <[log in to unmask]> Discussion of PhD studies and related research in Design Subscribe or Unsubscribe at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/phd-design -----------------------------------------------------------------