Devices, systems, aircraft and methods for powering the same

A system for powering a driven shaft, the system comprising:

• an engine having an engine drive shaft;
• a flywheel;
• a gearbox having an output drive shaft configured to power the driven shaft, the gearbox including a rubber coupling;
• and
• a flywheel hub connected to the flywheel, the flywheel hub connected to the rubber coupling, and the flywheel hub connected to the engine drive shaft;
• whereby activation of the engine powers the driven shaft.

A gyroplane, comprising:

• a pilot section having controls for operation of the gyroplane;
• a mast configured to position an unpowered free rotation rotor above the pilot section;
• a propeller;
• a 2-cylinder, 4-stroke engine configured to power the propeller for forward thrust of the gyroplane;
• a gearbox;
• and
• an adapter which together with the gearbox transfers power from the engine to the propeller.

An adapter for connecting an engine with a gearbox, the adapter comprising:

• a casing having a first casing portion connected to a second casing portion and defining a flywheel cavity;
• and
• a flywheel contained within the flywheel cavity;
• whereby the second casing portion is configured to connect to the engine and the first casing portion is configured to connect to the gearbox.

A drive system, comprising:

• an engine having an engine block;
• a gearbox having an output drive powered by the engine;
• and
• an adapter having a first casing portion connected to a second casing portion and defining a flywheel cavity, a flywheel contained within the flywheel cavity;
• the first casing portion connected to the gearbox, the second casing portion connected to the engine, the flywheel having a diameter greater than a total height of the engine block;
• whereby activation of the engine powers the output drive.

A drive system, comprising:

• an engine;
• a gearbox having a driven gear powered by the engine, the driven gear having a maximum diameter;
• and
• an adapter having a first casing portion connected to a second casing portion and defining a flywheel cavity, a flywheel contained within the flywheel cavity;
• the first casing portion connected to the gearbox, the second casing portion connected to the engine, the flywheel having a diameter greater than the maximum diameter of the driven gear;
• whereby activation of the engine powers the driven gear.

A process for assembling a drive system, the process comprising:

• connecting a first casing portion of an adapter to an engine of the drive system, an output drive powered by the engine and extending through the first casing portion;
• connecting a flywheel hub to the output drive at a flywheel hub opening of the flywheel hub, the flywheel hub connected to a flywheel;
• and
• connecting a second casing portion of the adapter to the first casing portion, the flywheel hub extending through a gearbox side opening of the second casing portion.