When I first started to drive an engine was being developed which instead of pistons had what seemed to be a revolving cylinder. I think it was called WANKEL (I've almost certainly spelt this incorrecty)
2007-10-28 05:38:36 · 9 answers · asked by Scouse 7 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
The wankel engine was basically developed before it's time and was plagued by burned rotor tips. Obviously without good sealing the engine didn't run long. It is only in recent years that technology has provided solutions and Mazda use it extensively. A very smooth engine with fewer moving parts. I believe the main drawback is still poorer fuel consumption.
2007-10-28 06:03:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
QUOTED FROM WIKIPEDIA
"Felix Heinrich Wankel, Hon. DEng (August 13, 1902 – October 9, 1988) is a German mechanical engineer. He was the inventor of the Wankel engine.
Wankel was born in Lahr, Germany, in the upper Rhine Valley. Since his mother was widowed in World War I, Wankel received no university education or even an apprenticeship. However he was able to teach himself technical subjects and conceived the idea of the Wankel engine in 1924. In the 1930s, he had a disagreement with Adolf Hitler, and was imprisoned by the Nazis for some months.[citation needed]
During World War II, he developed seals and rotary valves for German air force aircraft and navy torpedoes. After the war, he was imprisoned by the Allies for some months, his laboratory was closed, his work confiscated, and he was prohibited from doing more work. In 1951, he began development of the engine at NSU (NSU Motorenwerke AG), leading to the first running prototype on February 1, 1957. [1] His Wankel engine design was first licensed by Curtiss Wright in New Jersey. Mazda in Japan solved the chatter marks problem. The engine has been successfully used by Mazda in several generations of their RX-series of coupés.
In later years, Wankel was granted an honorary Doctorate of Engineering. He was known for his championing of animal rights and opposition to the use of animals in testing.
Dr. Felix Wankel died in Heidelberg, aged 86."
2007-10-28 12:43:03 · answer #2 · answered by Vesper 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Mazda RX 8 uses a Rotary or "Wankel" engine. Initially the were very prone to break down but are reliably in production now
2007-10-28 12:48:37 · answer #3 · answered by Wulff1e 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
About 1970, I had to deliver a car called an NSU RO80 that had such a rotary Wankel engine ( pronounced Vainkel for the uninitiated ! ) .... it was futuristic and very smooth but I believe rather unreliable at the time. As to it's continuing success, I have no idea. Oh, I am sure the make was NSU ..... or is that non-specific urethritis ?
2007-10-28 12:44:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wankel (rotary) engines have been around for ever. Mazda is the only major car company that has mass-produced a car using one (ever heard of RX-7,8). They have some serious seal problems and are hard to get to run clean (emissions)
2007-10-28 12:46:54 · answer #5 · answered by Lab 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a rotary engine. They have been used in Mazda RX7's and 8's for years. They have many versions of it. I also have a lawnmower that has a wankel. They are great motors(burn oil naturally, but other than that, great motors). They are very small for the power they are cappable of. Here are a few links if you want more info.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wankel_engine
http://www.keveney.com/Wankel.html
http://www.wankel.net/
2007-10-28 12:46:37 · answer #6 · answered by holdenharwood 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The engine has been in use for 40 years.
Originally by NSU, and now used in various Mazda cars.
2007-10-28 12:41:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Suzuki actually used it in some of their motorcycles too. There was a 500cc (ish) around the early 70's. Buthey dont have any engine breaking so i don't think they took of very well, also being very very heavy.
2007-10-28 13:24:22 · answer #8 · answered by charlie_t 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SCOUSE I WAS GOING TO SAY ALL THE ABOVE TO YOU ,AND THEY BEAT ME TO IT HA HA
2007-10-28 13:34:25 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋