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Curtiss Ricardo R-6, In-line 6 Engine, ca. 1921. Creator
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Curtiss Ricardo R-6, In-line 6 Engine, ca. 1921. Creator
Among the most successful early engines marketed in the United States were those designed and built by aviation pioneer and inventor Glenn Curtiss in his factory at Hammondsport, New York. Early Curtiss engines powered motorcycles, and were air cooled. Later, to achieve higher power, Curtiss began to develop liquid-cooled engines. Curtiss built this engine for the U.S. Navy in 1921 for experimental purposes. It incorporated the Ricardo supercharging system, designed to increase engine power at high altitude and decrease fuel consumption. The piston and cylinder assembly were designed so the underside of the piston compressed air on the intake stroke of the piston. The compressed air then passed through an intercooler back into the cylinder above the piston during the compression stroke. The Navy did not consider the experiment successful, as the improvements that resulted did not offset the increased weight and mechanical complexity
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the impressive Curtiss Ricardo R-6, an in-line 6 engine created around 1921. Glenn Curtiss, a renowned aviation pioneer and inventor, designed and built this remarkable engine at his factory in Hammondsport, New York. Initially used to power motorcycles, Curtiss engines were known for their air-cooled technology. However, as the need for higher power arose, Curtiss ventured into developing liquid-cooled engines. Commissioned by the U. S. Navy for experimental purposes, this particular engine incorporated the innovative Ricardo supercharging system. This groundbreaking feature aimed to enhance engine power at high altitudes while reducing fuel consumption—an essential aspect of aircraft performance during that era. The piston and cylinder assembly of this extraordinary creation were ingeniously designed to compress air on the intake stroke of the piston's underside. Subsequently, the compressed air passed through an intercooler before re-entering the cylinder above the piston during its compression stroke. Despite its ingenuity and potential advantages in theory, this experiment did not meet with success according to naval standards. The improvements achieved by implementing these advancements did not outweigh their drawbacks—increased weight and mechanical complexity. Nevertheless, this print serves as a testament to Glenn Curtiss' relentless pursuit of innovation in aviation engineering—a legacy that continues to inspire future generations within both aerospace and motor industries alike.
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