The following brief article is reprinted from the June 1929
issue of Scientific American. It was sent to us by A. W.
Sponseller, 2609 Black Oak Dr., Niles, Ohio 44446.
In 1905 the first air-cooled engine was developed for industrial
and foreign use by The ‘New Way’ Motor Company of Lansing,
Michigan, and for 23 years this company has consistently stood by
its conviction that the air-cooled engine would eventually come
into its own and the possibilities of light weight together with
simplicity of construction would force a recognition of this type
of engine for certain classes of work which could not be
satisfactorily handled by a water-cooled engine.
There is no question regarding the ability of these engines to
deliver satisfactory service; in fact, the latest and highest type
of power, aircraft motors may be said to represent the last word in
mechanical knowledge, and the seal of approval affixed to
air-cooling by aircraft engineers settles for all time the debate
on water versus air-cooling.
In the new twin-cylinder six to ten horsepower engine, announced
recently, there are no water pipes, radiator fins, or other parts
necessary to water-cooling. It is a valve-in-head type with
detachable cylinder head. A large inspection plate may be removed,
exposing all moving parts. A distinctive feature is the ease with
which pistons may be removed and replaced through the
inspection-plate opening. Roller bearings, air-governor, Eisemann
special flywheel magneto, Tillotson float feed carburetor and air
cleaner, and Lynite connecting rods are standard equipment on this
new engine.
The flywheel is provided with a series of curved blower blades
around its periphery, and as it turns it creates a partial vacuum
in the wheel housing. The strong suction effect draws air in and
down through the cylinder jackets. The air currents pass over and
between the flanges at fairly high velocity, and as there is a
large amount of exposed surface, the excess heat is promptly
disposed of, being absorbed by air passing around the cylinders,
which is ejected from the motor compartment by the action of the
blower flywheel.
