"It will run on any fuel with a hydro-carbon base, needs no repair and the oil in it is good for life."
Russell L. Bourke, engineer
In 1932, Russell L. Bourke built an engine he thought was destined to change the world. It had only two moving parts (the pistons) and a fluid bearing connecting the pistons to a Scotch yoke (a mechanism Bourke used instead of a crankshaft to change the linear motion of the pistons to rotary motion). Four years later, Bourke applied for three U.S. patents for his engine; these were issued in 1938.
For twenty years, Bourke was unable to interest government or industry in his engine. Then, in 1957, his patents ran out, enabling anyone in the world to manufacture it. And yet, few were interested. Over the last half century, gas prices have skyrocketed, concern over greenhouse gases has dramatically increased, and the Bourke engine remains unused. Bourke thought the oil, engine parts manufacture, and repair industries were suppressing his invention. There are those who believe he was right and that the Bourke engine can decrease demand for oil, alleviate global climate change, and, not incidentally, make a fortune for investors in the engine.
Other have more mundane opinions. They believe the Bourke engine is not a reasonable replacement for current engines. They cite a number of problems, including the large engine weight, decreased efficiency due to shock waves and excess heat transfer, and excessive nitrogen dioxide emissions.
