Rotary Engines Go Mmmmmmmmm

Cruise Travel, Sept-Oct, 2004 by John M. Clearwater

I was skimming the August 2004 Cruise Travel when I noticed the "Cruise Views'" about gas turbine engines. The article states that gas turbines are "rotary" engines. Gas turbines, and all other kinds of jet engines, are not rotary engines at all.

The rotary engine was developed at the beginning of the 20th century, and used in small aircraft. This engine has all cylinders facing a single focal point (like a radial engine). What makes a rotary engine unique is that the entire engine rotates. The drive-shaft is bolted to the frame of the aircraft, and the propeller is bolted to the engine block. The entire engine spins, thus providing its own cooling (theoretically). For obvious reasons it has not been used since World War I.

Having recently returned from the inaugural tandem trans-Atlantic on Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2, I was most pleased to read your coverage of this great new ship (with two turbines of her own) in the June 2004 issue.

John M. Clearwater, Ottawa, ON, Canada Turning to our Webster's Unabridged, we find "rotary engine" defined as "1. an engine, as a turbine... " (our usage) and "2. a revolving radial engine" (your usage).