Wankelrotormotor

The Wankel rotary engine, often called the Wankelmotor in German, is a type of internal combustion engine that uses a rotating instead of a reciprocating motion. It was developed by Felix Wankel in the 1920s and 1950s. Instead of pistons moving up and down in cylinders, the Wankel engine uses a triangular rotor that spins within an epitrochoid-shaped housing.

The engine operates in four strokes: intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust, much like a conventional piston engine. However, these strokes occur simultaneously in different parts of the housing as the rotor turns. The rotor's three apexes maintain a seal against the housing walls, creating three separate working chambers. As the rotor spins, these chambers expand and contract, performing the four phases of the combustion cycle.

Wankel engines are known for their compact size, light weight, and smooth operation due to the absence of reciprocating parts. They also produce fewer vibrations than piston engines and have a high power-to-weight ratio. However, they can be less fuel-efficient and have historically faced challenges with apex seal wear and emissions control compared to their piston counterparts. Despite these challenges, the Wankel engine has been used in various applications, most notably in some Mazda sports cars, motorcycles, and even aircraft.