A rotary engine comprised of a pair of counterrotating rotors within a non-rotating outer housing. Each of the rotors is coupled to a common power shaft, one directly and the other through a reversing gear arrangement. Both are driven by the hyper-expansion of combustion gases in a repeating combustion cycle. Each has a generally circular, nearly frictionless working surface perpendicular to the power shaft axis. Each rotor surface defines chambers which rotate past each other. Within such chambers, compressed air and fuel are introduced, mixed, ignited, allowed to hyper-expand (and thus cause the rotation) and exhausted. The power shaft may be connected to a conventional clutch, torque converter, gearbox, differential, alternator or a similar system.

A rotary engine comprised of a pair of counterrotating rotors within a non-rotating outer housing. Each of the rotors is coupled to a common power shaft, one directly and the other through a reversing gear arrangement. Both are driven by the hyper-expansion of combustion gases in a repeating combustion cycle. Each has a generally circular, nearly frictionless working surface perpendicular to the power shaft axis. Each rotor surface defines chambers which rotate past each other. Within such chambers, compressed air and fuel are introduced, mixed, ignited, allowed to hyper-expand (and thus cause the rotation) and exhausted. The power shaft may be connected to a conventional clutch, torque converter, gearbox, differential, alternator or a similar system.

A compound engine assembly for use as an auxiliary power unit for an aircraft and including an engine core with internal combustion engine(s), a compressor having an outlet in fluid communication with an engine core inlet, a bleed conduit in fluid communication with the compressor outlet through a bleed air valve, and a turbine section having an inlet in fluid communication with the engine core outlet and configured to compound power with the engine core. The turbine section may include a first stage turbine having an inlet in fluid communication with the engine core outlet and a second stage turbine having an inlet in fluid communication the first stage turbine outlet. A method of providing compressed air and electrical power to an aircraft is also discussed.

A compound engine assembly for use as an auxiliary power unit for an aircraft and including an engine core with internal combustion engine(s), a compressor having an outlet in fluid communication with an engine core inlet, a bleed conduit in fluid communication with the compressor outlet through a bleed air valve, and a turbine section having an inlet in fluid communication with the engine core outlet and configured to compound power with the engine core. The turbine section may include a first stage turbine having an inlet in fluid communication with the engine core outlet and a second stage turbine having an inlet in fluid communication the first stage turbine outlet. A method of providing compressed air and electrical power to an aircraft is also discussed.

An aircraft propulsion system comprises an engine, a propeller drive shaft drivingly engaged with the engine, a propeller for propelling an aircraft and a fan driving cooling air along a flow path in thermal communication with the engine. The engine may be an internal combustion engine or other engine type having heat rejection requirements and the fan may facilitate cooling of the engine. The propulsion system may have a pusher configuration.

A method of operating a rotary engine including a rotor engaged to a shaft and rotationally received in a housing to define a plurality of working chambers of variable volume, including delivering a pilot quantity of fuel into a pilot cavity in successive communication with the working chambers, igniting the pilot quantity of fuel within the pilot cavity, and delivering a main quantity of fuel into the working chambers downstream of the successive communication of the pilot cavity with the working chambers, where at least one of the pilot quantity and the main quantity is varied between successive rotations of the shaft.

A method of operating a rotary engine including a rotor engaged to a shaft and rotationally received in a housing to define a plurality of working chambers of variable volume, including delivering a pilot quantity of fuel into a pilot cavity in successive communication with the working chambers, igniting the pilot quantity of fuel within the pilot cavity, and delivering a main quantity of fuel into the working chambers downstream of the successive communication of the pilot cavity with the working chambers, where at least one of the pilot quantity and the main quantity is varied between successive rotations of the shaft.

A rotary engine that starts and operates on compression-ignition of a heavy fuel without a secondary ignition source. The rotary engine includes a rotor housing that forms an epitrochoidal-shaped chamber having linear side portions extending between rounded end portions. A three-flanked rotor is disposed in the chamber to rotate and operate in a manner similar to that of a common Wankel-style rotary engine. The rotor and chamber are configured to provide a compression ratio sufficient to produce compression-ignition of a heavy fuel. The rotor includes apex seal and side seal mounting blocks formed from hardened materials and that are simply removable from the rotor for replacing apex and side seals. The apex seals may include multiple non-parallel seal members at each apex and the apex seals and the side seals may overlap or intersect a corner seal to increase sealing under high compression loads produced by the rotor/chamber configuration.

A rotary engine that starts and operates on compression-ignition of a heavy fuel without a secondary ignition source. The rotary engine includes a rotor housing that forms an epitrochoidal-shaped chamber having linear side portions extending between rounded end portions. A three-flanked rotor is disposed in the chamber to rotate and operate in a manner similar to that of a common Wankel-style rotary engine. The rotor and chamber are configured to provide a compression ratio sufficient to produce compression-ignition of a heavy fuel. The rotor includes apex seal and side seal mounting blocks formed from hardened materials and that are simply removable from the rotor for replacing apex and side seals. The apex seals may include multiple non-parallel seal members at each apex and the apex seals and the side seals may overlap or intersect a corner seal to increase sealing under high compression loads produced by the rotor/chamber configuration.

A rotary engine, parts thereof, and methods associated therewith is provided. The engine is modular and adjustable to accommodate a variety of requirements and preferences. The system includes a combustion assembly having a housing and a power rotor positioned therein. The power rotor rotates in a first direction from the beginning of each combustion process through the end of each exhaust process. The system also includes a compression assembly linked to the combustion assembly such that the compression rotor rotates in the first direction from the beginning of each intake process through the end of each compression process. A tank assembly in fluid communication with the compression assembly and the combustion assembly provides stability to the system while eliminating or otherwise reducing transitional loses.