As a car enthusiast, you might have heard of conventional and popular rotary engines used back in 20th-century cars. Even today, some car manufacturers want to make cars with rotary engines for several reasons.
Rotary engines were sadly soon replaced by piston engines a few decades ago, mainly due to cost and environmental reasons. However, some car manufacturers have decided to bring back the legendary and conventional rotary engine with a hybrid engine option. Users might get an option to switch between engines.
In this article, we will walk you through everything that helps you learn significant facts about rotary engines and why they have considered the best options back then.
Let us begin this article by understanding:
Table of Contents
What are rotary engines?
The rotary engine, also known as the Wankel engine, is a unique type of internal combustion engine that Felix Wankel invented in the 1950s. Unlike traditional piston engines, the rotary engine uses a rotating triangular rotor to convert fuel into energy. The engine has been used in various applications, including aircraft, motorcycles, and automobiles.
The rotary engine is often described as a “spinning triangle inside a peanut-shaped housing.” The rotor, the spinning triangle, rotates inside the housing, shaped like a peanut. The housing has three internal combustion chambers, each of which the rotor passes through during each rotation.
The basic principle behind the rotary engine is similar to that of a piston engine. Fuel and air are introduced into the combustion chamber, which is then ignited by a spark plug. The resulting explosion pushes the rotor around the housing, which drives the output shaft.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of rotary engines?
Advantages
One of the primary advantages of the rotary engine is its high power-to-weight ratio. The engine is much smaller and lighter than a traditional piston engine with the same power output. It can be used in applications where weight is critical, such as aircraft and racing cars. Compared to other engines, the rotary engine is extremely smooth and operational. As the rotor continuously rotates throughout the operation, there are no reciprocating parts, such as pistons and connecting rods, which create vibrations and noise in traditional piston engines.
However, the rotary engine also has some drawbacks. One of the biggest challenges is its high fuel consumption and emissions. The design of the engine leads to incomplete combustion and higher fuel consumption. The exhaust emissions are also higher than traditional piston engines, making it challenging to meet modern or current emissions regulations.
Disadvantages
Another disadvantage of the rotary engine is its durability. The seals between the rotor and the housing wear out over time, leading to decreased engine performance and increased oil consumption. Additionally, because the engine runs at high speeds and temperatures, it is more prone to overheating and other mechanical failures.
Despite these challenges, the rotary engine has found a niche in certain industries. Mazda, in particular, has been a strong proponent of the technology and has produced several successful rotary-powered cars, including the RX-7 and RX-8. The engine has also been used in aircraft and motorcycle manufacturing, where its high power-to-weight ratio and smooth operation are extremely advantageous to the manufacturing industry.
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What is the component of the rotary engine?
Now, let’s take a closer look at the components of a rotary engine that help the engine function throughout the ride.
1. Rotor
The rotor is the heart of a rotary engine. It is a triangular-shaped piece of metal that rotates inside a housing, offset from the center of the engine. The rotor has three curved faces that create three chambers. As the rotor rotates, each chamber fills with fuel and air, compresses it, ignites it, and then expels the exhaust gases. The rotor is connected to the engine’s output shaft, which drives the vehicle or machinery it is powering.
2. Housing
The housing is a fixed, cylindrical component that surrounds the rotor. The outer casing encloses the rotor and has three curved surfaces that match the shape of the rotor, creating three distinct chambers. The housing is typically made of cast iron or aluminum and is precision-machined to ensure a close fit with the rotor. The rotor and housing are sealed together by a set of apex and side seals, which prevent fuel and exhaust gases from leaking out of the engine.
3. Apex Seals
The apex seals are small pieces of metal that fit into slots in the rotor, which are responsible for sealing the edges of the rotor against the housing. They are shaped like triangles and are positioned at the apexes of the rotor. The apex seals are critical components of the engine, as they create a seal between the rotor and the housing. If the apex seals fail, the engine will lose compression and power, and it may even suffer catastrophic failure. Additionally, apex seals can wear out over time and cause leaks and create problems within the system.
4. Side Seals
The side seals are another type of seal located between the rotor and the housing. They are thin strips of metal that fit into slots in the rotor and form a seal against the housing. The side seals help to prevent fuel and exhaust gases from leaking out of the engine, and they also help to maintain compression throughout the operation.
5. Intake Manifold
The intake manifold is a component that delivers air and fuel to the engine. In a rotary engine, the intake manifold is typically located on the side of the housing and delivers air and fuel to the chambers as they pass by. The intake manifold is connected to the carburetor or fuel injection system, which meters the fuel and air mixture.
6. Exhaust System
The exhaust system is a series of pipes and components that carry exhaust gases out of the engine and away from the vehicle or machinery. The intake and exhaust ports allow air and fuel in and out of the combustion chamber. The intake port is located in the front housing, and the exhaust port is located in the rear housing. The ports are timed to open and close at the appropriate times to allow air and fuel in and exhaust gases out for a smooth and hassle-free operation.
7. Spark Plugs
The spark plugs are responsible for igniting the air and fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber. The rotary engine has one spark plug for each chamber, for three spark plugs.
8. Eccentric Shaft
The eccentric shaft is similar to a crankshaft in a piston engine but is shaped differently to accommodate the rotor. The eccentric shaft is responsible for turning the rotor.
9. Oil Injection System
The oil injection system is primarily responsible for lubricating the engine’s moving parts. The oil injection system injects oil directly into the combustion chamber, which is burned along with the air and fuel mixture. This helps to lubricate the apex seals and other moving parts of the engine.
Hopefully, this article was helpful to you in many ways, and you learned vital information about cars with rotary engines. Stay updated with the latest news to know more about new Mazda cars in making that have rotary engines as their primary engine parts.
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