nir-vana innovation network

The Greek engineering startup has developed a patented innovative mechanism that converts rotary to reciprocating motion and vice versa. It is a replacement for the traditional crankshaft mechanism, which is found everywhere. The mechanism can be used in internal combustion engines, pumps, compressors, and expanders. This mechanism comprises of two symmetric annular undulated stators and an annular undulated rotor. The upper and lower undulated surfaces of the rotor are symmetric to those of the stators respectively. The rotor slides on both stators simultaneously, with every point of the rotor conducting a smooth undulated move.
The mechanism can be used in a variety of internal combustion engines where it can replace the traditional crankshaft mechanism to convert the reciprocating motion of the piston to rotary motion in the main axle. It can also work conversely and turn rotary movement to reciprocal, and it can be used in several types of piston pumps & compressors. It can either replace the crankshaft that drives the piston, or it can use the area between the individual less components as the chamber, with the working liquid being compressed in-between the moving parts.
The company is looking for manufacturers or suppliers of coatings such as ceramic or DLC (diamond-like carbon) coatings that provide good hardness, low wear and low friction coefficient for use in the mechanism. The types of partnership considered is supplier or subcontractor agreement.

Advantages & innovations

In most cases, the mechanism itself is smaller than the crankshaft mechanism. It also has a unique advantage in that the kinematics of the movement can be set to fit the particular purpose. Further, the mechanism can be balanced by connecting two units directly opposing each other, similar to the boxer style engines. Unlike the boxer engines, the two units are coaxial and can be completely balanced. Whether it is used in an internal combustion engine, pump, or compressor, this provides a unique advantage in terms of vibrations, fatigue, and noise. Another unique feature of the mechanism compared to the traditional crankshaft design is that it makes more than one reciprocation per rotation (compared to one reciprocation per rotation in the case of the crankshaft). The default design has two valleys and peaks in each component, and it is easy to see from the animations that this results in two full reciprocations per rotation. The design can change to 3, 4, or any number of valleys and peaks which would result in the same number of reciprocations per rotation.

Stage of development

Prototype available for demonstration

Partner sought

The company is looking for manufacturers or suppliers of coatings such as ceramic or DLC for use in the mechanism according to the requirements. The type of partnership considered is supplier or subcontracting agreement for the application of the coating.