Radial impulse engine, pump, and compressor systems, and associated methods of operation

An internal combustion engine comprising:

• a first end wall portion;
• a second end wall portion spaced apart from the first end wall portion to at least partially define a combustion chamber therebetween;
• a first wrist shaft extending at least partially between the first and second end wall portions along a first pivot axis;
• a second wrist shaft extending at least partially between the first and second end wall portions along a second pivot axis;
• a first movable wall portion fixedly attached to the first wrist shaft and having a first surface facing at least generally toward the combustion chamber;
• a second movable wall portion fixedly attached to the second wrist shaft and having a second surface facing at least generally toward the combustion chamber;
• and
• a synchronizing apparatus operably coupling the first wrist shaft to the second wrist shaft, the synchronizing mechanism causing the first and second movable walls to move in unison as the first movable wall portion pivots about the first pivot axis and the second movable wall portion pivots about the second pivot axis.