In the spring of 2006 a team of Rutgers engineering students launched a project that would transform their lives for the rest of the semester. They embarked on a mission to redesign the Wankle rotary engine. Compelling them was the mystery and beauty of the Wankle design. Masochism also drove them to choose the most complicated possible project without any prior knowledge of the subject.

The task was daunting, but these brave students pressed on. Through rain, snow and traffic, uphill both ways, these students battled Pro Engineer for one reason and one reason only. To completely redesign something that has already been built.

Comparing The Winners

HP Per Liter

Efficiencies

R36 SpecsHigh Compression

Rotors 9:1 Rotors 9:1 Rotors

       

compression ratio 12.6135 8.9839 8.9839

Boost (psi) 0 0 16.5

HP 955.416 642.6855 1364.1

Torque (ft lb) 607.5223 408.6657 867.3683

Torque at failure (ft lb) 911.28345 911.28345 911.2835

Displacement (cubic centimeters)

3,601.60 3,601.60 3,601.60

MEP 0.069 0.0506 0.1074

Thermal Efficiency 0.6372 0.5845 0.5845

Case height* (mm) 332.5 332.5 332.5

(13.1 inches)

Case width* (mm) 257.7593 257.7593 257.7593

(10.15 inches)

Length*      (around 26

inches)

How the Rotary Engine WorksHow the Rotary Engine Works

RotorRotor

• Provides the torque necessary to rotate the crankshaft and drive the motor

• Triangular shape divides the case into the 3 distinct volumes in which the thermodynamic cycles occur that convert the stored energy of gasoline into motion

Combustion ChamberCombustion Chamber

• Where all of the action takes place.

• The smallest volume of the engine

• Burns air and fuel• A spark ignites the air

fuel ratio and creates pressure, thus moving the rotor

Apex SealApex Seal

Prevents high pressure combustion gases from seeping past into the other volumes which the triangular rotor creates

Water PumpWater Pump

Supplies the driving energy to the coolant.

CrankshaftCrankshaft

• Converts the oblong rotation of the rotors into a usable rotation that can drive the transmission

• Must be strong enough to with stand the incredible forces generated by the rotating rotors

GearsGears

Restricts the rotating motion to insure that the pressure force generated by the combustion process on the rotors rotate in a predicable dependable direction

FlywheelFlywheel

Responsible for transmitting the power from the crankshaft into the transmission

Front/Rear PlatesFront/Rear Plates

• Provides a number of services to the rotary engine.

• Seal outside combustion chambers.

• Antifreeze runs thought them and into the rest of the motor.

• Engine accessories are mounted on to them.

• Bearings of crankshaft are mounted inside of them

Coolant SystemCoolant System

The coolant system is responsible for maintaining the engine at an efficient operating temperature.

Oil PanOil Pan

• Reservoir of the life’s blood of an engine.

• Without the lubricating and cooling effects of a lubrication system the engine would seize up in moments

IntakeIntake

Delivers fresh clean air into the engine

Throttle BodyThrottle Body

Together with the Electronic control unit regulates the rotating speed of the engine

ExhaustExhaust

Transports high energy burned fuel into turbo charger

Turbo ChargerTurbo Charger

• Higher intake pressure will result In a greater pressure in the combustion chamber and more power output from the motor

• Responsible for boosting the pressure of the air entering the engine.

Spark PlugSpark Plug

• Inserted into the combusting chamber

• Provides the spark that begins the chain reaction of combustion

Fuel InjectionFuel Injection

• A 21st century alternative to carburetion

• Delivers the fuel to clean air of the intake.

• It is the responsibility of both the fuel injectors and the ECU to adjust maintain the proper fuel air ratio

Fuel RailFuel Rail

Provides the fuel to the fuel injectors

Front Mounting PlatesFront Mounting Plates

• Attached to end plates- supports alternator, idler pulley, crank pulley

• All pulleys must be on same horizontal level

AlternatorAlternator

• AC electrical generator connected to crankshaft

• Design depended on protrusion of exhaust system behind it

Pulley SystemPulley System

• Controls engine accessories

• Drives water pump, and alternator

Finished EngineFinished Engine

Thanks to:Thanks to:

PowerpointPowerpoint

ProEngineerProEngineer

MatlabMatlab

RayRay

Mark SproulMark Sproul

Ismar UzicaninIsmar Uzicanin

QuiznosQuiznos

GodGod

Jump DrivesJump Drives

Felix WankelFelix Wankel

MazdaMazda

Google-Google-http://www.google.comhttp://www.google.com

Wikipedia- Wikipedia- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wankel_enginehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wankel_engine

How Stuff Works-How Stuff Works-http://auto.howstuffworks.com/rotary-engine.htmhttp://auto.howstuffworks.com/rotary-engine.htm

Rotary Engine Illustrated-Rotary Engine Illustrated-http://www.rotaryengineillustrated.com/index.phphttp://www.rotaryengineillustrated.com/index.php

http://www.rx7.com/techarticles_displacement.htmlhttp://www.rx7.com/techarticles_displacement.html

http://www.mazdatrix.com/http://www.mazdatrix.com/

http://www.turborx7.com/recomend.htmhttp://www.turborx7.com/recomend.htm

http://www.rotaryeng.net/http://www.rotaryeng.net/

http://cp_www.tripod.com/rotary/pg03.htmhttp://cp_www.tripod.com/rotary/pg03.htm

http://www.keveney.com/Wankel.htmlhttp://www.keveney.com/Wankel.html

http://www.nomicos.comhttp://www.nomicos.com

Chilton’s Auto Repair ManualChilton’s Auto Repair Manual

Internal Combustion Engines Volume IInternal Combustion Engines Volume I

Internal Combustion Engines Volume IIInternal Combustion Engines Volume II

ThermodynamicsThermodynamics

MomMom

DadDad