It's pretty neat and well done http://www.dump.com/2011/08/05/how-a-rotary-engine-work-video/

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

Nice.

I've always been a big fan, having owned an RX7 convertible. Despite only "3 moving parts" it's not an efficient design - the problems will always be low torque and high heat output. But one reviewer describes revving the rotary through the gears as like running a chain saw through fiberglass. That's very accurate, and so much fun. Everyone should get the opportunity to at least drive one.

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

I have difficulty following how the crank makes 3 rotations for each rotor cycle.

Sixto
87 300D

I think you may have that backwards....there are three combustion cycles for each revolution--one for each of the three "sides" of the rotor . At least that is how I have understood it.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

There are 3 rotor faces, and each one sees combustion. The crank of course has to be at TDC for each combustion event. So BANG-BANG-BANG, 3 spins of the crank.

That is why the torque is so low, but the crank output speed is 3 times faster than the rotors are actually turning.

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

If that is true, then my understanding is wrong. Oh well, I've been wrong before, ( often, or even always, according to some on OD)

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

I think my difficulty is that I envision the rotor turning the eccentric. In fact the rotor pushes the eccentric with sliding contact.

Sixto
87 300D

Here's the 'real' (i.e. first) rotary engine. Saw one in person yesterday.

http://www.animatedengines.com/gnome.shtml

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Isn't that a radial engine regardless of what's fixed and what rotates?

Sixto
87 300D

No. A radial engine has a turning crankshaft and fixed block. Rotary has a fixed crankshaft and turning block.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

OHHHH! You mean a WANKEL engine...... Named after my Uncle Felix Wankel; inventor of the 'Wankel stroke engine'.
His name was not "Felix Rotary".

Like Kerry said; A 'Rotary' is like WW1 airplane engine; the mass turns around a stationary crankshaft.
And No it is not called a radial engine;... when the crankshaft turns then it is a 'radial' layout.

Yes I am being an Ass. But Uncle Felix would take issue with his invention.
..
.
I overhauled a Wankel engine in 1976; it bent my brain seeing how it worked with the side housing off.
.
.

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"Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration...
don't Fail Us Now"

A Radial engine....just to complete the discussion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hWZ40120BQ&feature=related

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Knew a guy who owned one along with a flying car.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

That's an older video, I guess. The current rotary powered car sold in the US for the last 6 or 8 years-the RX-8- has exhaust ports in the side housings that look much like the intake ports.
The first engine Wankel built had a stationary eccentric shaft and the rotor housings rotated around it. That was quickly improved to the planetary type engine we have today.