Quote:
Originally Posted by shovel
I hadn't previously been exposed to the Gnome engine from earlier in this thread...
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The Gnome Monosoupape engine had low compression, unbelievably poor valve timing, a total-loss oiling system, ran its intake through its crankcase, and dumped its exhaust straight out into the air. It also could not effectively be throttled.
Its
only real virtues were dependability through simplicity (fewer moving parts than most engines of the day), and that the major mass of the engine spun around and acted as a flywheel; engines of the day needed pretty sizeable flywheels to run and that added significantly to the weight. Since the rotary engine used the engine itself as the flywheel, it did not need the extra weight.
Check the Wikipedia article:
Gnome Monosoupape - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"...the Gnomes exhibited even poorer fuel economy than other rotaries because the inlet valves opened at times that were not efficient..."
Checking the main article on Rotary Aircraft Engines shows similar comments about their efficiency.
-soD