Rotary engine, apparatus including the same, and methods of making and using the same

An engine, comprising:

• a) a housing enclosing a manifold and having (i) an outer circumference and (ii) an inlet configured to receive an oxygen-containing gas, the manifold being in fluid communication with the inlet;
• b) a first axle or shaft to which the housing is joined or fixed;
• c) a plurality of conduits or passages within and/or extending from the housing and to which the housing is joined or fixed, the plurality of conduits or passages receiving the oxygen-containing gas from the manifold;
• d) a plurality of combustion chambers at distal ends of the plurality of conduits or passages and external to the housing, wherein the plurality of combustion chambers are configured to receive the oxygen-containing gas from the plurality of conduits or passages and burn a fuel to heat at least some of the oxygen-containing gas;
• e) a plurality of nozzles at distal ends of the plurality of combustion chambers, configured to (i) receive the heated oxygen-containing gas and combustion gases from the plurality of combustion chambers and (ii) direct the heated oxygen-containing gas and combustion gases exiting the plurality of nozzles in a predetermined direction;
• f) a second axle or shaft colinear with the first axle or shaft;
• g) a compressor in the manifold or upstream from the inlet, comprising a plurality of fins or blades joined or fixed to the second axle or shaft, wherein the compressor is configured to increase a pressure of the oxygen-containing gas at entrances of the plurality of conduits or passages;
• and
• h) a differential between the first axle or shaft and the second axle or shaft, wherein the first and second axles or shafts rotate at different rates.