Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #21657
From: Russell Duffy <13brv3@bellsouth.net>
Subject: RE: [FlyRotary] Re: center rotor OFF
Date: Mon, 9 May 2005 14:24:20 -0500
To: 'Rotary motors in aircraft' <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Message
I'm thinking this would not be a good plan.  For the piston engines you referred to, I bet they have a way to control the valves with solenoids so the deactivated pistons aren't producing compression. 
Actually they do have compression. No fuel or fire.
Bill Jepson 
 
 
OK, make me look it up :-)  Apparently, they stop the valves from opening, rather than leaving them open.  I couldn't find anything that gave details of exactly what point in the sequence they stop the valves, so the cylinder could either be full of air (silly and wasteful of power), empty of air (would cause vacuum that would be as bad as the compression force), or perhaps somewhere in between.  
 
Here's the best article I found, though with annoying ads.  Don't forget about those active controlled engine mounts to smooth out the 3 cylinder operation in economy mode.  Just boggles the mind what they'll do to make improvements in economy. 
 
 
Cheers,
Rusty (Great Plains VW 2180 running, and for sale)
Subscribe (FEED) Subscribe (DIGEST) Subscribe (INDEX) Unsubscribe Mail to Listmaster