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Catalog Data

Designer:
Laurent Seguin  Search this
Louis Seguin  Search this
Manufacturer:
Societe des Moteurs Gnome et Rhône  Search this
Materials:
Steel, Aluminum, Preservative coating
Dimensions:
Other: 33 x 31 x 38 x 42 x 39 1/2in. (83.8 x 78.7 x 96.5 x 106.7 x 100.3cm)
Approximate (Weighed with Stand by Cat Forklift): 132.5kg (292lb.)
Type:
PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary
Country of Origin:
France
Date:
Circa 1912
Physical Description:
Type: Rotary, 7 cylinders, monsoupape, air-cooled
Power rating: 37 kw (50 hp) at 1,200 rpm
Displacement: 7.98 L ( 488.5 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke: 110 mm (4.33 in.) x 120 mm (4.73 in.)
Weight: 78 kg (172 lb)
Summary:
The first successful rotary engine is generally attributed to the American F.O. Farwell in 1896; but the French Gnome engine, developed by the Seguin brothers, was much more successful in bringing the rotary to a broad aviation market beginning in 1909. The original Gnome had two valves, with the inlet in the head of the piston and exhaust in the in the cylinder head. The monosoupape, as the name signifies, had only one valve in the cylinder head, eliminating a weak feature of the earlier design, and was the most numerous model during World War I.
This was the second type of rotary aircraft engine designed by the Seguins, and the artifact was to power an aircraft designed in 1910 by Charles M. Olmsted. It drove two pusher propellers through extension drive shafts and mitre gears. Scale model wind tunnel tests indicated that the design was practical, but lack of funds prevented completion of the Olmsted aircraft.
Credit Line:
Gift of the Family and Estate of Charles M. Olmsted. Ph.D.
Inventory Number:
A19660001000
Restrictions & Rights:
Usage conditions apply
See more items in:
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Location:
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
Exhibit Station:
Pre-1920 Aviation
Data Source:
National Air and Space Museum
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv94564f70d-4677-4205-beb6-214f2fb612fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nasm_A19660001000