Matt wrote:

This is not to say that I'm not interested in backwards rotation
rotary engines.  I think for a twin tractor/pusher airplane having
one of the engines rotate opposite from the other would be worth
considering.

I wonder if the best way to make one run backwards is to actually
build mirrored end housings - taking the power from the other
side of the rotors - making the front the back.

Russell Kent replied:

Seems like it would be less work to make a "reversing rotation" PSRU.

Larry replied:

Lot less work yet to build a gear box with a hydraulic prop gov and
install a prop designed to go reverse...... brakes anyone?

Larry, I didn't make myself clear. Yes, if you want a prop that goes
beta (i.e. propeller angle of incidence can be set beyond "fine" to
"reverse"), then you need to get an in-flight controllable-pitch
propeller (which is usually a hydraulic propeller governor setup).

But, if your objective is to have a pair of propellers which rotate in
opposite directions (as Matt was suggesting), then I stand by my
statement: it would be easier to build a "rotation reversing" PSRU than
two custom end housings *and* a "standard" PSRU.

We're talking about two different things.

Russell Kent



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