Cars with Rotary Engines
What is a rotary engine?
A rotary engine is a type of internal combustion engine that uses a triangular rotor that spins within a figure-8 shaped chamber. The rotor is mounted on an eccentric shaft, and as it spins, it creates a series of combustion chambers between the rotor and the chamber walls. The combustion chambers are sealed by the rotor and the chamber walls, and the fuel-air mixture is ignited by a spark plug. The expanding gases from the combustion drive the rotor, which in turn drives the crankshaft.
Advantages of rotary engines
- Compact size: Rotary engines are much more compact than reciprocating engines, which makes them ideal for use in small vehicles.
- Smooth operation: Rotary engines run very smoothly, with no vibration. This is because the rotor spins in a continuous motion, rather than reciprocating up and down like a piston.
- High power output: Rotary engines can produce a high power output for their size. This is because the combustion chambers are sealed more effectively than in a reciprocating engine, which allows for a higher compression ratio.
Disadvantages of rotary engines
- Fuel economy: Rotary engines are not as fuel-efficient as reciprocating engines. This is because the combustion chambers are not as well sealed as in a reciprocating engine, which allows for some of the fuel-air mixture to escape.
- Emissions: Rotary engines produce more emissions than reciprocating engines. This is because the combustion chambers are not as well sealed as in a reciprocating engine, which allows for some of the combustion gases to escape.
- Reliability: Rotary engines are not as reliable as reciprocating engines. This is because the rotor and chamber walls are subject to high stresses, which can lead to wear and tear.
History of rotary engines
The first rotary engine was invented by Felix Wankel in 1954. Wankel’s engine was a single-rotor design, and it was later licensed to several automakers, including Mazda. Mazda was the only automaker to produce rotary-powered vehicles on a large scale, and the company’s RX-7 sports car was one of the most popular rotary-powered vehicles ever produced.
Rotary engines were once hailed as the future of automotive power, but their popularity has declined in recent years due to their fuel economy and emissions problems. However, rotary engines are still used in some applications, such as small generators and aircraft engines.
Examples of cars with rotary engines
- Mazda RX-7
- Mazda RX-8
- NSU Ro 80
- Citroën GS Birotor
- Mercedes-Benz C111
Conclusion
Rotary engines offer a number of advantages over reciprocating engines, but they also have some disadvantages. Fuel economy and emissions problems have limited the popularity of rotary engines in recent years, but they are still used in some applications. Whether or not rotary engines will make a comeback in the future remains to be seen.
