{"id":12553,"date":"2021-07-27T14:11:28","date_gmt":"2021-07-27T14:11:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dubizzle.com\/blog\/cars\/?p=12553"},"modified":"2021-07-27T14:11:29","modified_gmt":"2021-07-27T14:11:29","slug":"piston-vs-rotary-engine-cars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dubizzle.com\/blog\/cars\/piston-vs-rotary-engine-cars\/","title":{"rendered":"The Fall of Rotary Engine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Back in 1954, the invention of the rotary engine was indeed the headline. The engine differs in the way of mechanism from the regular piston engine. Of course, it did take some effort from Dr Wankel to make it more practical. By 1967, the rotary engines were a commercial success due to Mazda. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a look at what sets the rotary engine apart from traditional engines and why it failed to compete against the piston engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding 4-stroke Engine<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rotary engines have one thing in common with the piston engine. Both rely on the 4-stroke principle, intake, compression, combustion and exhaust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a piston first moves down in a piston engine, it creates a suction that pulls in the air and fuel mixture, known as intake stroke. On the upward motion, the temperature of air-fuel mixture rises followed by ignition from the spark plug. This leads to combustion driving the piston downward. As the piston rises again, the final stroke causes the burnt air-fuel mixture to escape through the exhaust valve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Rotary Engine<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Rotary
Unlike regular car engine, rotary engine does not use pistons, cylinder or camshaft to generate power<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The rotary engine follows similar steps as in the 4-stroke piston engine but differs in design and mechanism. The rotary engine has no pistons, cylinders or camshaft. Instead, it depends on five key components, rotor, rotor housing, eccentric shaft, front and rear plating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rotor is in the shape of a circular triangle that rotates around a fixed gear attached to the housing. The gear ensures the rotor follows a designated circular path. The rotor rotates the eccentric shaft, which is responsible for moving your car wheels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rotor housing consists of two openings for intake and exhaust on one side and spark plugs on the other. As the triangle rotates, when the first peak passes through the intake zone, it creates a suction that draws out the air-fuel mixture. As the rotor continues to rotate, it compresses the mixture and triggers the spark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the combustion zone is long, one spark plug is not enough as combustion will be slow to spread. Hence, two spark plugs are used for adequate combustion. This pushes the rotor to continue to rotate and let the burnt gases out from the exhaust port.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cycle continues for each triangular peak. This results in simultaneous occurrence of intake, combustion and exhaust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rotary Engine vs Piston Engine<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Looking at the mechanism of both engines, the rotary engine does offer some advantages and disadvantages over the piston engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of Rotary Engine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n