The Gyro-Jet

[Bruno Ogorelec]

Anders, I’d like to stress that the mass of the engine pack is not that great. Despite everything, we are still talking of several lengths of thinwall empty tube. No cast crankcases, no cast cylinder barrels, no pistons, no steel conrods, no crankshafts, no water jackets, no radiators, no reduction gear, no propshafts, no props, no starter motors, no bendix gears... need I go on?

But, if you still dislike it, well, this is a very flexible concept. Imagine the engine pack sliding along that boom closer to the mast or more distant, as you like it. It does not change the overall concept to any great extent.

The point of the whole exercise is an engine pack that guarantees symmetrical thrust even with one engine out, high thrust at low airspeeds, easy pre-rotation of rotor without additional gear, added maneuverability through vectored thrust – in addition to the usual pulsejet qualities, like utter simplicity and low cost.

Exactly how the components are to be packaged is certainly open to discussion.

[Bruno Ogorelec]

OK, here's still another layout; this time aimed at those who want engines close to the rotor mast.

[Cita]

Very nice drawings and concept!!

You need only one engine to pre-rotate the rotor as the engine blowing on the retreating side will add nothing to power the rotor,on the contrary.
The rim on the rotor, or fan, has advantages but I have my doubts that it will be benefitial for a rotor in autorotation.
The rotor needs to be tilted backwards in order to have the airstream passing through the rotor and perhaps the rim is acting as an airbrake on the after part.
The rim also will prevent a proper undeflected airflow over the advancing side.

the tip vortexes will be greatly reduced which is a great advantage though.

It might work!

Nice job!!

cheers Cita

[Bruno Ogorelec]

Very nice drawings and concept!!

You need only one engine to pre-rotate the rotor as the engine blowing on the retreating side will add nothing to power the rotor,on the contrary.
The rim on the rotor, or fan, has advantages but I have my doubts that it will be benefitial for a rotor in autorotation.
The rotor needs to be tilted backwards in order to have the airstream passing through the rotor and perhaps the rim is acting as an airbrake on the after part.
The rim also will prevent a proper undeflected airflow over the advancing side.

the tip vortexes will be greatly reduced which is a great advantage though.

It might work!

Nice job!!

cheers Cita

Thank you! It is just a very rough concept drawing.

I am far from knowledgeable enough to decide whether a 'normal' rotor would be preferable to the one with perimeter shroud or not. If I were to build a prototype, it would not have the rim on the rotor, as I would be buying the blades.

The engine is blowing perpendicular to the rotor disk from below, so that I really think both jet streams would help rotate the rotor. The forces on the rotor will be the same regardless of the side. Also, when the 'copter is stationary, there will be no difference between the advancing and retreating blade.

The engine is blowing into the rotor only during stationary pre-rotation. When the speed of rotation is adequate, the nozzles rotate backwards and start pushing the 'copter forward, like a normal jet engine. No more blowing into the rotor.

By the way, the engine is really a single engine, blowing equally through two nozzles. Those nozzles are similar to the ones on the Harrier jet.

I am currently talking to a gyrocopter specialist who will help me determine the specification for a possible prototype. (He used to run a gyrocopter flying school.) If it is built, it will be much more basic than the one on the sketches. It will have a 'bare bones' gyrocopter chassis, no cabin; just an open seat.

It will probably be powered by something like the Pegg-Makowski twin-pulsejet pack, rather than my Constant Flow engine. I have not found anyone willing to try to develop the Constant Flow thing. Offhand, I think between 150 and 200 lbs thrust should be enough to do it.

[Eric]

let me know when the suggestions die down, I would be happy to make a concept render. Take a picture of your driveway / garage with good lighting conditions and I will render it in place like you are just opening the doors to go for a flight.

Eric

[Bruno Ogorelec]

let me know when the suggestions die down, I would be happy to make a concept render. Take a picture of your driveway / garage with good lighting conditions and I will render it in place like you are just opening the doors to go for a flight.

A great idea, Eric. Give my wife a real fright. She'll really think I went out and built one...