Wankel Rotary Engine (Noun)
Meaning
A rotary engine that is a four-stroke internal-combustion engine without reciprocating parts.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The Wankel rotary engine was invented by Felix Wankel in the 1950s and produced by NSU and later Mazda.
- Mazda became the most prominent manufacturer of the Wankel rotary engine, using it in the RX series of vehicles.
- Due to its unique design without reciprocating parts, the Wankel rotary engine has a distinctively smooth operation.
- One major issue with the Wankel rotary engine is its tendency to burn oil, leading to decreased efficiency and lifespan.
- In the 1960s and 1970s, General Motors funded a study into the feasibility of using the Wankel rotary engine in its models.