Minerva was a bicycle and car manufacturer that in 1925 adapted one of their engines for use in aviation.

-This first aero engine was called Minerva-Knight because it was a distribution system based on sliding sleeves according to the Knight principle (see).

-Therefore, the engine does not have classic valves, rocker arms, cams, etc.

“Minerva”

-Technically it was the V8-150 model, with 150 basic CV.

-The 8 cylinders in blocks of four forming a V at 90°.

-It actually gave 140 CV at 1,600 rpm and 160 CV at 1,800 rpm.

“Minerva”

-It had a double Zenith carburetor and two Scintilla magnetos as it was double ignition.

-Around 1924 this Antwerp car factory developed a sliding sleeve engine for aviation.

-They used the Knight system. The engine was a 90° V-8 and was known as the 8V-150.

“Minerva 8V-150 cross-section”

“Knight cylinder details”

-The Knight system has two sliding sleeves that go up and down, driven by two connecting rods on the right, with which it is possible to close ports at its convenience to achieve the intake and exhaust cycles.

-They remain closed in compression and power strokes