REFLECTOR: Torque pulses

[Al Gietzen]

    I wonder whats the difference in power pulses between a Chevy  V6
and a Continental flat 6?  Why does one hammer a prop and the other not? 
Scott

The big factor is the reduction drive.  For the same hp to the prop, and the
reduction is 2:1; the Chevy pulses are twice as often with much less peak to
valley range, and less torque reversal between the peaks than you do with
the direct drive AC engine; and the belt drive offers some snubbing of the
pulse peeks.

In the case of a rotary, the nature of the combustion chamber and the
gearing of the rotor to the shaft gives a broader, flatter pulse. Add
reduction drive with snubbers to that and you have still smoother output.

Al