Net Worth: c. $1.57 Billion
Age: 85
DOB: 10 December 1938
Birthplace: Baskerville, Western Australia
Ralph Sarich is a well known inventor, automotive engineer, and businessman from Western Australia who rose to prominence in the 1970s for developing the orbital engine. After doing this he went on to establish the Orbital Engine Company, whereupon he subsequently created the orbital combustion process (OCP) engine, that was formulated around a unique two-stroke concept.
After selling his stake in Orbital, Sarich reinvested his profits into property development, establishing a Dark Company called Cape Bouvard Investments, that is notable for holding a grandfathered exemption.
Early Years
Sarich was born in Baskerville, Western Australia, on December 10th, 1938. His parents, of Austrian and Croatian heritage, had previously emigrated to Australia just before the Great Depression of the 1930s.
Sarich studied high school subjects part-time at Midland Technical School during years 11 and 12. At the same time, he began an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner.
He successfully completed his apprenticeship, achieving top honours in the process. While doing that, he also attended engineering classes one day per week, night classes and correspondence courses. All of which helped develop his passion for engineering.
Orbital Engine Company
To indulge this passion, Sarich pursued a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Western Australia. After completing his education, he entered the field with the goal of revolutionising internal combustion engines.
In the late 1960s, Sarich founded the Orbital Engine Company to create a more efficient and environmentally friendly engine. Soon, he came up with the Sarich orbital engine (also known as the orbital engine), which was notable for being a departure from traditional piston-based engines.
Sarich’s innovative approach involved a rotating cylinder that orbited around a fixed point, eliminating the need for a conventional crankshaft. This design promised improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions and enhanced performance compared to traditional engines.
Sarich gained international attention in 1972 for his orbital engine concept, which earned him the prestigious Sir Frank Whittle Medal. Not long afterwards, the Royal Aeronautical Society awarded
him a medal for his outstanding contributions to aerospace. Despite the promising features of the orbital engine, widespread adoption proved challenging, and Sarich faced numerous obstacles in bringing his invention to the mainstream automotive market.
Undeterred by initial setbacks, Sarich continued to refine his orbital engine design and secured various patents related to the engine’s technology throughout the 1970s and 1980s. While he did not achieve mass production, Sarich’s dedication to innovation and perseverance in the face of challenges earned him recognition in the engineering community.
As well as the orbital engine, Sarich played a crucial role in developing the Orbital Combustion Process (OCP). This fuel injection technology optimises the combustion process in internal combustion engines. By injecting fuel directly into the combustion chamber in a controlled manner, this technology leads to improved efficiency and reduced emissions. As a result, Sarich’s advancements in fuel injection technology contributed to the overall evolution of internal combustion engines.
Post Orbital
After retiring from Orbital, Sarich shifted his focus to Cape Bouvard Investments (CBI) where he served as the Executive Chairman of the private family investment company.
His son Peter currently manages the company’s operations. CBI invests in a variety of fields including property investment, property development, technology, and equities.
Other Inventions
As well as the orbital engine, Sarich is renowned for inventing the following items:
- Non-geared car transmission
- Linear Wind Generator
- Initial Australian Water Watcher
- Earth-moving scoop/scraper
- Security Cable Gate
- Special orchard cultivator
- Orchard spray High-pressure pump
- The first two-speed Marlin fishing reel in the world
Awards
During the course of his career, Sarich has received many rewards, including the following:
- Citizen of the Year (1972)
- West Australian Citizen of the Year (1972)
- Sir Lawrence Hartnett Inventors Award – Science (1972)
- Australian Broadcasting Commission Inventor of the Year (1972)
- Jaycees Outstanding Young Australian (1973)
- Hartnett Medal of the Royal Society of Arts for contribution to commerce and manufacture (1986)
- Doctor of Science from Murdoch University (1987)
- The Churchill Medal awarded by the Society of Engineers (1987)
- Honorary Fellow of the Society of Engineers (1988)
- Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) – service to engineering (1988)
- Clunies Ross Award for automotive engineering – National Academy of Science & Technology (1991)
Personal Life
Sarich met his wife Patricia in 1957 and they eventually married in September 1962. Patricia’s parents, like Sarich’s migrated to Australia when they were children, just after World War I from Britain. Sarich and Patrich had two children together, a son called Peter and a daughter called Jennifer who is unfortunately deceased.
Thanks to his considerable net worth, Sarich has donated a significant amount of money to various charitable causes – roughly $85 million. One of the biggest donations he made was a A$20 million gift towards neuroscience medical research facilities located around Perth in 2008.