Abstract: A rotary engine (10) is provided having a housing (11), a rotor (34) mounted within the housing, an intake manifold 21, an exhaust manifold (33) and a reciprocating combustion containment valve (42). The rotor has a base (35) and a shoulder (36) extending from the base. A fuel injector (23), air injector (25) and spark plug (27) are all coupled to the intake manifold. The rotor is coupled to a cam (40) having a cam follower (43) thereon coupled to the combustion containment valve, whereby the movement of the combustion containment valve is synchronized with the movement of the rotor shoulder.