Ed Anderson
Funny you should mention this, since I’ve
been thinking about single rotor engines recently. I’ve been
wondering just how light you could make the engine, and if those aluminum side housings
were still available. Last I heard, they were about $1500 each, but that
was a long time ago. The thought came up while looking for an engine for
the Airbike project. I’m not sure a single rotor could be made
light enough for the Airbike, but it could probably replace a full VW engine in
something like a KR-1 (have plans), or a Corby Starlet (future project).
For the single rotor to be most effective,
I’m thinking that you would want a high rpm engine, with a high numerical
ratio PSRU. A lightweight belt drive would be preferred, or better yet, a
direct drive ducted fan. I loved the Jet Hawk that was advertised for a
while, but understand that it suffered from a terrible homemade fan
assembly.
Here are some questions for anyone who
might wish to play along :-)
If you had to make an estimate, what would
a stock block weigh, in single rotor configuration? By this, I mean
with iron housings, and no water pump, flywheel, intakes etc. Since a
normal 13B block weighs about 190 lb, I’m guessing this would be around
110 lb.
How much lighter are the aluminum side
housings?
How much HP could you make in direct drive
mode, at say 3500 rpm.
Does anyone currently offer eccentric
shafts for a single rotor conversion? I know Atkins made some, as did
others probably. Could you modify a two rotor shaft, or would it have to
be made from scratch?
That’s all for now.
Thanks,
Rusty