| Overview | Intro |
| Concepts | Illustrated |
| Side View | Operation |
| Single Chamber | Rotary vs. Piston |
| Pollution | Seals |
| Applications |
Consumer vehicles form the largest market for internal combustion engines. If the rotary engine could really increase mileage, reduce pollution, and reduce noise and vibration, that would have a major economic impact on the whole planet. A vehicle with a lighter, more fuel efficient, quieter, and less polluting engine would be popular with everyone who drives. It certainly seems that someone ought to be investigating whether this engine is practical for mainstream private transportation and the auto companies have the expertise and the deep pockets required.
But the auto industry is deeply conservative, so maybe it would be better to start with some other product.
I think most of us would appreciate a motorcycle that made less noise. Those who actually ride them would almost certainly appreciate less vibration, and everyone would benefit from better mileage and less pollution. Be cause of the lightness and simplicity of the engine it might be possible to create a much smaller and lighter motorized two-wheeled vehicle that could be produced very cheaply and provide motorized transportation for those who currently can't afford it all over the world.
Lakes and rivers are very sensitive to pollution caused by fuel additives. Noisy jet skis are a source of irritation in a supposedly tranquil outdoor setting. A lighter simpler outboard motor that didn't require starting would be welcomed by most boat people.
If it turns out that pollution is a problem with the rotary engine, then chain saws might still be a good application. The light weight and auto start capability should be big selling points.
Perhaps the rotary engine could be used to create products that are not now possible like a very small and very quiet DC generator for running and charging laptop computers and small electronic devices. Or a very small 12 volt dc generator for charging a single 12 volt battery to be used by campers and people who don't have connections to the grid. Here again, auto start capability and quiet vibration free operation are big pluses.
It might be possible to create a vehicle with one rotary engine attached to each wheel. If the speeds were relatively low, direct drive might be feasible. Perhaps with very large vehicles, it might be possible to build the engines into the wheels. A round16 engine would be almost the shape of a wheel. The valve plate in a round16 engine would run at one eighth the speed of the combustion elements, and output power at a speed that might be about that required for the operation of such equipment. If such a vehicle were feasible, it would eliminate bulky dual differentials and provide true four wheel drive.
It would have to be light weight air vehicles, of course. I doubt the rotary engine could ever power a 747. Light air vehicles require a light weight, low rpm engine. Reliability is a requirement. The rotary engine should be reliable because it has few and simple components which are subject to less stress than the piston engine.
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