Wankel, Felix Heinrich
Published: August 18, 2006, 4:12 pm
Updated: August 18, 2006, 4:12 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Peter Saundry
Felix Heinrich Wankel (1902-1988) was the German inventor and developer of the practical rotary combustion engine (patented 1929), now known as the Wankel engine. In the Wankel engine, the four strokes of a typical Otto cycle engine are arranged sequentially around an oval, unlike the reciprocating motion of a piston engine. The power of a Wankel is generally higher than that of a four-stroke engine of similar displacement. Compared to a reciprocating engine, the Wankel engine is simpler, lighter, contains far fewer moving parts and can burn lower octane fuel without preignition or knock. However, the Wankel produced incomplete combustion and therefore high emissions. It is also difficult and expensive to expand the size of the Wankel engine. They typically consume more fuel than a piston engine because the thermodynamic efficiency of the engine is reduced by the long combustion-chamber shape and low compression ratio. Mazda was the only carmaker to aggressively develop the rotary engine in its cars.
Further Readings
Felix Wankel (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Citation
Cutler J. Cleveland (Lead Author);Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Wankel, Felix Heinrich". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth August 18, 2006; Last revised Date August 18, 2006; Retrieved June 19, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Wankel,_Felix_Heinrich>
The Author
Cutler J. Cleveland is Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, where he also is on the faculty of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. Professor Cleveland is Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Energy (Elsevier, 2004), winner of an American Library Association award, the Dictionary of Energy (Elsevier, 2005), Handbook of Energy (Elsevier, forthcoming), and is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. He is the recipient of the Adelma ... (Full Bio)
Felix Heinrich Wankel (1902-1988) was the German inventor and developer of the practical rotary combustion engine (patented 1929), now known as the Wankel engine. In the Wankel engine, the four strokes of a typical Otto cycle engine are arranged sequentially around an oval, unlike the reciprocating motion of a piston engine. The power of a Wankel is generally higher than that of a four-stroke engine of similar displacement. Compared to a reciprocating engine, the Wankel engine is simpler, lighter, contains far fewer moving parts and can burn lower octane fuel without preignition or knock. However, the Wankel produced incomplete combustion and therefore high emissions. It is also difficult and expensive to expand the size of the Wankel engine. They typically consume more fuel than a piston engine because the thermodynamic efficiency of the engine is reduced by the long combustion-chamber shape and low compression ratio. Mazda was the only carmaker to aggressively develop the rotary engine in its cars.
Further Readings
Felix Wankel (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Site Options
0 Comments
Add Comment