The fastest reciprocating ICEs I've ever heard of are small, two stroke model engines. Some of those can approach 30K RPM, but that is rare, and I don't know if anyone still manufactures those. ~20K isn't rare for these small engines.
Back in the pre-history of Radio (before and during WW1,) electro-mechanical alternators were used to generate low frequency RF in powerful transmitters. Some of those designs would spin at 20K RPM.
Comments
The fastest reciprocating ICEs I've ever heard of are small, two stroke model engines. Some of those can approach 30K RPM, but that is rare, and I don't know if anyone still manufactures those. ~20K isn't rare for these small engines.
Back in the pre-history of Radio (before and during WW1,) electro-mechanical alternators were used to generate low frequency RF in powerful transmitters. Some of those designs would spin at 20K RPM.