rotaryengine

A rotary engine, also known as a Wankel engine, is a type of internal combustion engine that uses a rotor instead of pistons to convert pressure into rotational motion. Unlike conventional piston engines that have reciprocating parts, the Wankel engine has a triangular rotor that spins eccentrically within an epitrochoid-shaped housing. This spinning motion creates chambers that expand and contract, performing the four-stroke cycle of intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust.

The primary advantage of the rotary engine is its simplicity and high power-to-weight ratio. It has fewer moving parts than a piston engine, leading to less vibration and smoother operation. The continuous rotation also contributes to a more consistent power delivery. However, rotary engines typically have lower fuel efficiency and can produce higher emissions of unburned hydrocarbons compared to their piston counterparts. They also tend to consume more oil.

The Wankel engine was invented by Felix Wankel in Germany in the 1950s. While it has seen applications in various vehicles, most notably by Mazda, its adoption has been limited by the challenges in addressing its inherent drawbacks. Despite these challenges, the unique design and performance characteristics of the rotary engine continue to be of interest in specific niche applications.