How Does a Rotary Engine Work?

The rotary engine is a type of internal combustion engine that uses a triangular rotor that spins within a figure-eight shaped chamber. The rotor is mounted on an eccentric shaft, which is offset from the center of the chamber. As the rotor spins, it creates a series of expanding and contracting chambers that draw in air and fuel, compress it, and then ignite it.

The rotary engine was invented by Felix Wankel in the 1950s. It was initially used in motorcycles, but it was later adapted for use in cars. The rotary engine is more compact and lighter than a conventional piston engine, and it produces more power for its size. However, the rotary engine also has some disadvantages, including higher fuel consumption and emissions.

How Does a Rotary Engine Work?

The rotary engine works on a different principle than a conventional piston engine. In a piston engine, the piston moves up and down within a cylinder, compressing the air and fuel mixture. The spark plug then ignites the mixture, and the expanding gases force the piston down, which turns the crankshaft.

In a rotary engine, the rotor spins within a figure-eight shaped chamber. The rotor is mounted on an eccentric shaft, which is offset from the center of the chamber. As the rotor spins, it creates a series of expanding and contracting chambers. The expanding chambers draw in air and fuel, and the contracting chambers compress the mixture and ignite it.

The rotor is divided into three sections, and each section is fitted with a combustion chamber. The combustion chambers are shaped like a triangle, and they are located at the corners of the rotor. As the rotor spins, the combustion chambers move through the figure-eight shaped chamber. The expanding chambers draw in air and fuel, and the contracting chambers compress the mixture and ignite it.

The spark plugs are located at the corners of the combustion chambers. As the rotor spins, the spark plugs ignite the air and fuel mixture in each combustion chamber. The expanding gases force the rotor to spin, which turns the eccentric shaft.

Advantages of the Rotary Engine

The rotary engine has a number of advantages over a conventional piston engine, including:

Compactness: The rotary engine is more compact than a conventional piston engine, which makes it ideal for use in small vehicles.
Lightweight: The rotary engine is also lighter than a conventional piston engine, which reduces the weight of the vehicle.
Power: The rotary engine produces more power for its size than a conventional piston engine, which makes it ideal for use in high-performance vehicles.
Smoothness: The rotary engine runs more smoothly than a conventional piston engine, which reduces vibrations and noise.

Disadvantages of the Rotary Engine

The rotary engine also has some disadvantages, including:

Fuel consumption: The rotary engine consumes more fuel than a conventional piston engine, which can reduce the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
Emissions: The rotary engine produces more emissions than a conventional piston engine, which can contribute to air pollution.
Reliability: The rotary engine is less reliable than a conventional piston engine, which can lead to more frequent repairs.

Applications of the Rotary Engine

The rotary engine has been used in a variety of applications, including:

Automobiles: The rotary engine was first used in the NSU Ro 80 in 1967. It was later used in a number of other cars, including the Mazda RX-7 and the Mazda RX-8.
Motorcycles: The rotary engine was first used in the Norton Rotary in 1987. It was later used in a number of other motorcycles, including the Suzuki RE5 and the Van Veen OCR1000.
Aircraft: The rotary engine has been used in a number of aircraft, including the Rotec Rally and the Diamond DA40.
Generators: The rotary engine has been used in a number of generators, including the Mazda Wankel Rotary Generator and the Caterpillar Wankel Rotary Generator.

Conclusion

The rotary engine is a unique type of internal combustion engine that offers a number of advantages over conventional piston engines. However, the rotary engine also has some disadvantages, including higher fuel consumption and emissions. The rotary engine has been used in a variety of applications, but it is most commonly used in automobiles and motorcycles.