A Survey of Curtiss-Wright's 1958-1971 Rotating Combustion Engine Technological Developments

This paper summarizes the highlights of developments of the rotating combustion (RC) engine at Curtiss-Wright Corp. in each of several principal areas; speculates on remaining directions, both within and without the framework of previous explorations; and briefly describes germane technical features of the engines used in commercial applications of other licensees. At the same time an attempt has been made to span gaps left by previous papers or publications and to expand material considered proprietary earlier.

Design features, testing, and ramifications of the RC1-60 rig engine are examined in detail. The application of the fundamentals and principles of the RC engine to automotive, air-craft, and small, air-cooled engines is also described.