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
Freewheeling props create less drag than turning over the
engine with power off. Virg
That is what they told me Virg. They should know.
Paul Lamar
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