One
of the most famous Gnome engines was the 9N Monosoupape
(single-valve). Having no intake valve, its fuel mixture
entered the cylinders through holes cut in the cylinder walls.
The 9N was introduced around 1917.
The concept of the rotary engine was that (unlike
the radial engine) the propeller was bolted firmly to the engine
which rotated as a unit around a stationary crankshaft. The
torque generated tended to make aircraft powered by rotary engines
tricky to fly. |
|
| 9-cylinder rotary piston engine |
| Air-cooled |
| Displacement: 970 cubic inches (15.9 liters) |
|