Who invented the rotary engine?

[McOscar]

The inventor of the rotary engine is Felix Wankel from Germany. The rotary engine directly converts the combustion expansion force of flammable gas into driving torque. Compared with reciprocating engines, the rotary engine eliminates useless linear motion, so a rotary engine of the same power is smaller in size, lighter in weight, and has lower vibration and noise, giving it significant advantages. Due to the axial operation characteristics of the rotary engine, it can achieve higher operating speeds without requiring precise crankshaft balancing. The entire engine has only two rotating components, which is a significant simplification compared to the more than twenty moving parts, including intake and exhaust valves, found in a typical four-stroke engine. This also greatly reduces the possibility of malfunctions.

[SanLondyn]

I'm absolutely fascinated by automotive technology history, and the rotary engine is such an intriguing topic! The inventor was German engineer Felix Wankel, who obtained the patent in 1957. Imagine - back then without computer-aided design, he conceived this rotating piston concept to replace traditional engines' reciprocating motion through hand-drawn sketches. What I admire most is his simple original intention: to make engines more compact and efficient with fewer parts. Unfortunately, he wasn't from an automaker himself, and later Japanese Mazda recognized its potential, purchasing the rights for their RX series sports cars. In practical applications, rotaries could rev to extremely high RPMs with a beast-like roar, but sealing issues and fuel consumption became drawbacks. Although rare in modern vehicles today, Mazda enthusiasts still collect vintage models. I think Wankel's invention was truly innovative, reminding us that automotive breakthroughs often stem from small ideas.

[CorbinDella]

I've been driving for decades and once owned a Mazda RX-7, which used the rotary engine invented by Felix Wankel. This German engineer came up with the design in the 1950s—quite ingenious—a triangular rotor spins inside a chamber to handle air and fuel, eliminating the need for valves and camshafts. The acceleration is exceptionally fast and smooth, with no vibration, but the drawbacks are obvious: it's a gas guzzler, prone to overheating and damaging the seals, with high maintenance costs. I've seen mechanics take it apart—the internals are precise but prone to oil leaks. With today's strict environmental regulations, its excessive emissions have led to its gradual phasing out. Fortunately, racing enthusiasts still use it, and Mazda sports cars hold a classic status. Despite its flaws, Wankel's design proves that niche technologies have their charm.

[HopeMarie]

The principle of the rotary engine is truly ingenious! Inventor Felix Wankel sought to simplify traditional engines by replacing reciprocating motion with a rotating piston, patenting the design in 1957. The core concept involves compressing the air-fuel mixture through the rotation of a triangular rotor within an oval-shaped chamber, with combustion thrust directly converted into rotational power—resulting in a lightweight yet high-power structure. However, rapid heat dissipation leads to significantly increased fuel consumption, and the apex seals are prone to burning out. After Mazda adopted and refined the technology, it became the heart of sports cars. Despite its unique advantages, drawbacks like low efficiency and emissions hindered widespread adoption. I believe Wankel's innovation inspired engineers to think outside the box, and even today, drones and special-purpose vehicles may still draw inspiration from this design.