From: Rotary motors in aircraft [mailto:flyrotary@lancaironline.net] On
Behalf Of Russell Duffy
Sent: Saturday, December 11, 2004
11:10 AM
To: Rotary motors in aircraft
Subject: [FlyRotary] Serious
single rotor questions
As I've mentioned, I recently purchased a Kolb with a 912ULS
engine. Since I've mentioned the rotary engine possibility on the Kolb
list, I've had 3 people ask if I would sell the 912ULS. Now that I
find out how much the engine is worth, I'm seriously thinking about selling it,
and going ahead with the single rotor engine.
- Where can I get a single rotor eccentric shaft? I'm
thinking that the only ones running now were cut down from 13B shafts, which I
understand is a mighty tough job.
- Folks have done plugs-up engines, but has anyone ever done
a plugs-down engine? Do you see any reason why it wouldn't work as
well as plugs-up? Having the intake and exhaust on top would be the
best arrangement, but it won't be possible to do this unless I can get a
planetary drive unit to keep the prop in the center of the engine.
- What is available for light weight PSRU's? I know
that Richard is using a Hirth gearbox, which is a good idea. There must
be some belt drive units available as well. The biggest problem is that
most of these units that would fit, are made for a 13B, so they're much heavier
than they need to be for a single rotor. I'd like to stay with a
high gear ratio, since I'd plan to run the engine at higher rpms.
- Lot's more questions if I decide to do this.
Rusty (could I possibly be this much of a masochist)