Sixteen-Cylinder Engine for American Aeroplanes
America's gradually increasing concern in aviation matters is beginning to bear fruit. For inventors and manufacturers are concentrating more and more attention upon the development of engines that will free us from us from dependency upon those of European fabrication. It is therefore interesting to know of a new rotary motor with 16 cylinders that has been developed by a Rochester, N.Y. engineer. Freedom from vibration obtained by balance and eight light explosions to each revolution; compactness of design, which keeps the head resistance of the unit down to that of a 25 -in. circle; simplicity of arrangement, permitting a reduction in the usual number of working parts, and lightness are among its outstanding features. The motor is rated at 150 hp. And weighs only 325 lb. Instead of using connecting rods, two pistons are built in one piece with a yoke in the center which has a sliding bearing. The intake manifold is cast integral with the crank case. It will be understood that the motor revolves around the crankshaft, which remains stationary and serves as part of the manifold, the
carburetor being attached at one end of it just below the magneto.
The article above is from the April, 1917 issue of Poplular Mechanics.