Let me preface this by reiterating that I have very little aviation
experience with rotary or any other engines. But, if torque "reversals" are a
potential problem with single rotor engines (and the mass of a suitable
flywheel is obviously undesireable), I have seen sprag clutches used as
torsional "decouplers." I have never liked the idea because I think there is
too much chance of failure, but the concept might be a way to solve the
torsional problem.
Jon Lauter
Rotary Power Marine Corporation
www.rotarymarine.com
And indeed they do. Larry's Neil's design for the New Horizons PSRU has
been working on Gyro's for quite some time with very good results.
One complaint the guys have is the prop free wheels when the power
is pulled off creating high drag. More of a problem for gyro's
that do this sort of thing all the time than it would be for
an aircraft. Might be an advantage for canards to get them on the
ground faster.
Paul Lamar
The Aircraft Rotary Engine Newsletter. Powered by Linux.
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