Who Invented the Rotary Engine?
2 Answers
The German engineer Felix Wankel produced the world's first rotary engine in 1957 and obtained the patent. However, currently only the Japanese automaker Mazda is conducting research on it. Below are specific details about the rotary engine: 1. The rotor of a rotary engine performs work once per rotation. Compared to a conventional four-stroke engine, which performs work once every two rotations, it has the advantage of a high power-to-displacement ratio (the engine can output more power with a smaller displacement). 2. Due to the axial operation characteristics of the rotary engine, it can achieve higher operating speeds without requiring a precisely balanced crankshaft. The entire engine has only two rotating components, which greatly simplifies the structure compared to a conventional four-stroke engine with over twenty moving parts, such as intake and exhaust valves, significantly reducing the likelihood of failure. In addition to the above advantages, the rotary engine also features a smaller size, lighter weight, and a lower center of gravity.
I first heard about the rotary engine at a car meet. Turns out it was invented by German engineer Felix Wankel. This guy was truly a genius—back in the 1950s, he came up with a design that used a rotating triangular rotor instead of pistons. He didn’t even have a college degree and taught himself mechanical engineering, even sketching designs in his own kitchen. Later, Mazda bought the patent in 1961 and spent years solving the oil leakage issue with the seals. Looking back now, although this engine was phased out due to high fuel consumption, its compact size and lightweight nature made it perfect for racing. Mazda’s 787B won at Le Mans largely thanks to this core design.
