Is the Rotary Atkinson Cycle Engine Used in Production Vehicles?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of the Rotary Atkinson Cycle Engine in production vehicles, with a focus on its viability compared to the Wankel engine and the challenges associated with rotary engine designs in general.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that there are several rotary engine designs, but none have achieved the market success of the Wankel engine.
  • There is a perceived need for lightweight and powerful rotary engines in aviation, yet certification challenges persist.
  • One participant highlights that the design of rotary engines requires precise geometries and sliding seals, which are difficult to manufacture.
  • Another participant questions the practicality of manufacturing the Wankel engine, suggesting that sealing surfaces between rotors and housing is a significant issue.
  • Concerns are raised about the sealing problems in Wankel engines, with fuel and oil consumption being ongoing issues.
  • Participants discuss the relative ease of creating circular housings compared to the difficulty of achieving straight slides in rotary engine designs.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the practicality and challenges of rotary engine designs, particularly in relation to the Wankel engine. There is no consensus on the feasibility of the Rotary Atkinson Cycle Engine in production vehicles.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention specific technical challenges related to geometries and sealing, but do not resolve the implications of these challenges on the overall viability of rotary engines.

chhitiz
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http://white-smoke.wetpaint.com/page/Rotary+Engine
does anyone know of this engine being used in production?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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Nowhere that I know of.
There are several such rotary engine designs floating around, none has come close to the Wankel in terms of market success.
There is a real need for a lightweight and powerful engine of this type in the aviation world, which is still using 1940s vintage piston engines, but nothing has been able to get certified for use.
In this case, the design seems to call for some pretty exact geometries and sliding seals, which are hard to make. There were sleeve valves used in some WW2 fighter engines which were not the most reliable.
 
etudiant said:
In this case, the design seems to call for some pretty exact geometries and sliding seals, which are hard to make.

what about the wankel engine?
it needs some exact geometries and is not hard to make practically. i think major problem is the sealing of surfaces of rotors against the housing.
 
chhitiz said:
what about the wankel engine?
it needs some exact geometries and is not hard to make practically. i think major problem is the sealing of surfaces of rotors against the housing.

Circular housings are fairly easy, but straight slides are more difficult.
The Wankel sealing problems were managed, but not really solved. Fuel and oil consumption was an issue throughout.
 
etudiant said:
Circular housings are fairly easy, but straight slides are more difficult.
what does that mean?
 

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