Whatever happened to the Wenkel engine?

Question

I think they use them in some airplanes.

Interesting article. I wonder what mileage these get. Seems more economical and cleaner burning and less friction, ect, ect.

Good answers. Wish there were more out there. It is probably like the Beta/ VHS war. I did hear Wenkels had they're probs.,but so do conventional engines.

Answer 1

Wankel engine, also known as the rotary engine.

Mazda uses them in the RX-8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_Wankel_engine

Answer 2

Wankel engines have several major advantages over reciprocating piston designs, in addition to having higher output for similar displacement and physical size.

Wankel engines are considerably simpler and contain far fewer moving parts. For instance, because valving is accomplished by simple ports cut into the walls of the rotor housing, they have no valves or complex valve trains; in addition, since the rotor is geared directly to the output shaft, there is no need for connecting rods, a conventional crankshaft, crankshaft balance weights, etc.

The elimination of these parts not only makes a Wankel engine much lighter (typically half that of a conventional engine of equivalent power), but it also completely eliminates the reciprocating mass of a piston engine with its internal strain and inherent vibration due to repeated acceleration and deceleration, producing not only a smoother flow of power but also the ability to produce more power by running at higher rpm.

Answer 3

wankle engines are all over the place! every rx-7 out there came w/one. they were used in planes because of their power to weight ratio. some people think they are hard to keep up, but i have personally gone 250xxx+ on a stock engine before rebuilding. if you modify one then the longevity does decrease, as all engines do,but inch per inch there isn't a more powerful car engine made. i had a motorcycle and have seen a lawnmower w/rotary's ---yeah, they rule.

Answer 4

They are only used in Mazdaz Rx-7's and now RX-8's the main problem is they are hard to get to pass emissions.... compared to a regular combustion engine, they dont have the horsepower and half the torque, plus are not as fuel effecient as combustion engines too.

Answer 5

the Wankel rotary engine is still in use.....but it has a few inherit ant problem,s.....it,s a high maintenance engine....the rotor tip seal,s need frequent replacement.....the up side is it will run ..quite well...on a variety of different fuel,s.

Answer 6

Way fewer moving parts..but like what was said--the apex seals go bad quickly. but id still like to have one