A rotary internal combustion engine includes a rotor housing having a peripheral wall circumscribing a rotor cavity and a rotor disposed within the rotor cavity. A side housing is secured to the rotor housing and a plate defines a seal running surface for the rotor. The plate is disposed between a portion of the side housing and the rotor housing and at least one shim is disposed between the plate and the side housing for spacing the plate apart from contact with the side housing.

A rotary internal combustion engine includes a rotor housing having a peripheral wall circumscribing a rotor cavity and a rotor disposed within the rotor cavity. A side housing is secured to the rotor housing and a plate defines a seal running surface for the rotor. The plate is disposed between a portion of the side housing and the rotor housing and at least one shim is disposed between the plate and the side housing for spacing the plate apart from contact with the side housing.

A rotary engine side housing is provided that includes a side plate portion, a side housing body portion, a coolant chamber, and a plurality of posts. The side plate portion has exterior and interior surfaces. The coolant chamber is disposed internally within the side housing body portion. The coolant chamber is defined by a chamber base surface, the peripheral side walls, and the side plate portion interior surface. The chamber base surface and the side plate portion interior surface are spaced apart from one another and the one or more peripheral side walls extend there between. The plurality of posts extend between the chamber base surface and the side plate portion interior surface. The side plate portion, the side body housing portion, and the plurality of posts are integrally formed with one another.

A rotary engine side housing is provided that includes a side plate portion, a side housing body portion, a coolant chamber, and a plurality of posts. The side plate portion has exterior and interior surfaces. The coolant chamber is disposed internally within the side housing body portion. The coolant chamber is defined by a chamber base surface, the peripheral side walls, and the side plate portion interior surface. The chamber base surface and the side plate portion interior surface are spaced apart from one another and the one or more peripheral side walls extend there between. The plurality of posts extend between the chamber base surface and the side plate portion interior surface. The side plate portion, the side body housing portion, and the plurality of posts are integrally formed with one another.

A rotary engine casing having at least one end wall of an internal cavity for a rotor including a seal-engaging plate sealingly engaging the peripheral wall to partially seal the internal cavity and a member mounted adjacent the seal-engaging plate outside of the internal cavity. The member and seal-engaging plate having abutting mating surfaces which cooperate to define between them at least one fluid cavity communicating with a source of liquid coolant. When the casing includes a plurality of rotor housings, the end wall may be between rotor housings. A method of manufacturing a rotary engine casing is also discussed.

A rotary engine casing having at least one end wall of an internal cavity for a rotor including a seal-engaging plate sealingly engaging the peripheral wall to partially seal the internal cavity and a member mounted adjacent the seal-engaging plate outside of the internal cavity. The member and seal-engaging plate having abutting mating surfaces which cooperate to define between them at least one fluid cavity communicating with a source of liquid coolant. When the casing includes a plurality of rotor housings, the end wall may be between rotor housings. A method of manufacturing a rotary engine casing is also discussed.

A hybrid drive system for a motor vehicle, and a method for operating a motor vehicle. The hybrid drive system includes an amplidyne-type generator and a counterpoise engine to provide the power required for charging the storage batteries and providing supplemental drive energy (acceleration) to the motor vehicle.

A rotary internal combustion engine includes a rotor housing having a peripheral wall circumscribing a rotor cavity and a rotor disposed within the rotor cavity. A side housing is secured to the rotor housing and a plate defines a seal running surface for the rotor. The plate is disposed between a portion of the side housing and the rotor housing and at least one shim is disposed between the plate and the side housing for spacing the plate apart from contact with the side housing.

A rotary internal combustion engine includes a rotor housing having a peripheral wall circumscribing a rotor cavity and a rotor disposed within the rotor cavity. A side housing is secured to the rotor housing and a plate defines a seal running surface for the rotor. The plate is disposed between a portion of the side housing and the rotor housing and at least one shim is disposed between the plate and the side housing for spacing the plate apart from contact with the side housing.

A rotary engine side housing is provided that includes a side plate portion, a side housing body portion, a coolant chamber, and a plurality of posts. The side plate portion has exterior and interior surfaces. The coolant chamber is disposed internally within the side housing body portion. The coolant chamber is defined by a chamber base surface, the peripheral side walls, and the side plate portion interior surface. The chamber base surface and the side plate portion interior surface are spaced apart from one another and the one or more peripheral side walls extend there between. The plurality of posts extend between the chamber base surface and the side plate portion interior surface. The side plate portion, the side body housing portion, and the plurality of posts are integrally formed with one another.