Subject: VTOL Engine Lubrication
From: Rotary Engine
Date: 10/15/2007, 2:08 PM
To: AARotary Engine




Dear Paul:

Only if this has not been discussed before.

Les


Mazda designed their Wankel rotary engines to operate with the e-centric
shaft generally horizontal.  Mazda engineered its Wankel engines to be
well lubricated when oriented so.

When the proposed VTOL aircraft takes off, lands, and stands on the
apron vertically, the engine will be vertical, sometimes for quite a
long time.  I see generally that there will be problems lubricating an
engine so oriented.   What specific problems exist for a "vertical"
Wankel engine?  How do you adapt a Wankel rotary engine for prolonged
vertical, as well as horizontal (if that makes any sense), lubrication?
I know that when the aircraft takes off and translates to horizontal
flight, the transition will not take a long time, but it has been
my experience that (yes, I admit it, piston) engines break down quickly
when deprived of lubrication only briefly.

Les Nordman

You use a dry sump system that scavenges the oil from various
parts of the engine and pumps it to a dry sump oil tank which in turn feeds
it to the oil pressure pump.

Same as any full aerobatic engine.

Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

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