Diesel Engine Unusual Applications
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Aircraft
The zeppelinsGraf Zeppelin II and Hindenburg were propelled by reversible diesel engines. The direction of operation was changed by shifting gears on the camshaft. From full power forward, the engines could be brought to a stop, changed over, and brought to full power in reverse in less than 60 seconds.
Diesel engines were first tried in aircraft in the 1930s with the Junkers Jumo 205, which was moderately successful, but proved unsuitable for combat use in WWII. Another proposal was the complex Napier Nomad. In general, though, the lower power-to-weight ratio of diesels, particularly compared to kerosene-powered turboprop engines, has precluded their use in this application.
The very high cost of avgas in Europe, and the advances in automotive diesel technology, have seen renewed interest in the concept. New, certified diesel-powered light planes are already available, and a number of other companies are also developing new engine and aircraft designs for the purpose. Many of these run on the readily-available jet fuel, or can run on both jet fuel or conventional automotive diesel.
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Automobile racing
Although the weight and lower output of a diesel engine tend to keep them away from automotive racing applications, there are many diesels being raced in classes that call for them, mainly in truck racing, as well in types of racing where these drawbacks are less severe, such as land speed record racing. Diesel engined dragsters even exist, despite the diesel's drawbacks being central to performance in this sport. In 1952, Cummins Diesel won the pole at the Indianapolis 500 race with a supercharged 3 liter diesel car, relying on torque and fuel efficiency to overcome weight and low peak power, and led most of the race until the badly situated air intake of the car swallowed enough debris from the track to disable the car.
Recently, there had been a renewed interest in racing with diesel engine and the VAG is one of the best example. Their DAKAR rally entrants for 2005 and 2006 are powered by their own line of TDI engines. Meanwhile, the five time Le Mans winner Audi R8 race car is going to be replaced by the Audi R10 in Le Mans 2006, which is powered by a 650 HP (485kW) and 1100N·m (810 lbf·ft) V12 TDI Common Rail diesel engine; however, the significance of this is lessened by the fact that the race rules favour diesels[2].