Rotary combustion engine
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Many types of rotary combustion engine, like the Quasiturbine or the Wankel engine, have been devised [1] (http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/POWER/rotaryIC/rotaryIC.htm), all having the same basic concept; to avoid the reciprocating motion of the piston with its inherent vibration and rotational-speed-related mechanical stress. Sometimes these engines are referred to in somewhat erroneous shorthand as rotary engines, although the term rotary engine was first used to describe the rotary piston engine, a type of aircooled reciprocating aircraft engine, where in the reverse of the usual piston engine practice, the crankshaft is static and attached to the airplane, while a bank of cylinders rotate around the crankshaft and are attached to the propeller.
The most recent automotive rotary engine was developed by Texas machinist, Frank Turner. It was noticed by Malcolm Bricklin and licensed for use in the Bricklin SV-1 vehicle. Although the engine was never used, it is connected with that legendary car.
