Rotary engine having a conical rotor

A method of generating mechanical energy with a rotary engine comprising the following steps:

• a. providing a substantially conical rotor attached to a main drive shaft, said rotor having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface joined to said lower surface by an outer surface, said conical rotor having a groove engraved around said outer surface;
• b. providing at least one cylinder substantially parallel to said outer surface of said rotor, said cylinder including a cylinder chamber substantially surrounding a piston, said piston attached to a proximal end of a piston rod, and wherein a piston follower is attached to a distal end of said piston rod, said piston follower engaging said groove;
• c. plunging said piston within said cylinder chamber downward such that said piston rod moves in an inclined path;
• and
• d. rotating said rotor according to the force applied by the piston follower within said groove as the piston moves within said cylinder chamber.

A rotary engine comprising:

• a main drive shaft;
• a substantially frustoconical rotor mounted on said main drive shaft, said rotor having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface being joined to said lower surface by an outer surface;
• at least one cylinder;
• a piston positioned in each cylinder, said piston connected to a piston rod;
• a piston follower attached to said piston rod, said piston follower positioned in said groove;
• wherein each piston follower travels the path prescribed by said groove to induce the rotation of said rotor.