Here is another possible approach to reducing gear chatter [attached
  file]
   which would be located forward of whatever flex plate we end up with?.
   the red drive gear is coaxial with the eshaft, which drives the green
   internal gear directly, and the power is transmitted to the outer
purple   gear via the black-colored rubber bushings. Of course this
is only a   representation of a concept where rubber bushings are
placed as close   as possible to the source of gear chatter, which
is difficult to do with   planetary gears. Also, the purple gear
would not have to necessarily be    outside the green gear, but it
could be placed forward of the green   gear,   and its 'fingers'
could extend between the rubber bushings in an axial   direction
instead of the radial direction shown in my crude drawing.  This
would be analogous to the products shown in the attached Centaflex file.
   [So have we agreed that Rhino2 is as good as any? Anything cheaper?]

   This concept could be used to raise the prop thrust line,
allowing more   room over the engine to consider using stock Mazda
components such   as water pump etc.

   Gene Kahn

   Excellent idea Gene!!!! Good work. All we need is a new ring gear
holder   and slots milled in the PSRU housing. I think chunks of
round   silicone rubber rods will work.

   What is shown is an internal spur gear but it will work fine with
   a planetary. Much simpler than what we are trying to do now,
   Will require a new PSRU housing but that is no real problem.

   I think we can saw off Tracy's box and weld on a new aft section.
   Will stiffen the motor plate in the bargain.

   I will draw it up.

   I like Rhino but it is up to 4.

   Good work Gene. Why to think.

   Raising the trust line is not the way to go. Not needed and less cowl
  volume
   for the cooling system. The RX8 water pump is no higher than the rotor
   housing. Been there done that.

   Paul Lamar

   Hi, a soft mount for the ring gear is an excellent idea, I
thought of  it   years ago. Found out that R-R used it in their
Eagle of 1918.

   Murry I Rozansky

   Here is a Rhino 3D dwg hot off the press.
   The advantage over the R-R is silicone rubber.

   Paul Lamar

   If you put oil in the space around the rubber rods, it will pump
  through the clearances and provide dampening.

  Murry I Rozansky

Gene,  Nice design. The increase in diameter might get into the Mazda
starter, however, Tilton and others make some small gear reduction starters
with a variety of solenoid positions.

george grimes

It will fit the current starter George.

Paul Lamar


Paul,

As regard to putting the silicone in the PSRU, I just looked at Tracy's site
and the gear assembly. It would be easy to machine every second tooth off the
outside of the ring gear and the inside of the housing. That would enable
installation of the silicone rods.

Dale Davies