Conceived in the 1930s, simplified and successfully tested in the 1950s, the darling of the automotive industry in the early 1970s, then all but abandoned before resurging for a brilliant run as a high-performance powerplant for Mazda, the Wankel rotary engine has long been an object of fascination and more than a little mystery. A remarkably simple design (yet understood by few), it boasts compact size, light weight and nearly vibration-free operation. In the 1960s, German engineer Felix Wankel's invention was beginning to look like a revolution in the making. Though still in need of refinement, it held much promise as a smooth and powerful engine that could fit in smaller spaces than piston engines of similar output. Auto makers lined up for licensing rights to build their own Wankels, and for a time analysts predicted that much of the industry would convert to rotary power. This complete and well-illustrated account traces the full history of the engine and its use in various cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles and other applications. It clearly explains the working of the engine and the technical challenges it presented--the difficulty of designing effective and durable seals, early emissions troubles, high fuel consumption, and others. The work done by several companies to overcome these problems is described in detail, as are the economic and political troubles that nearly killed the rotary in the 1970s, and the prospects for future rotary-powered vehicles.

This is an open access book. Faculty of Mechanics is organizing International Conference of Mechanical Engineering, ICOME 2022 that will be held on 18th–20th of May 2022. The aim of the conference is to provide opportunities for the participants to: Gain insight into the cutting-edge technologies and ideas for future developments; Update their skills and knowledge by attending focused technical sessions; Network with potential new partners, clients and suppliers; View the latest technology products and services in the technical exhibition. The conference aims to bring together scientists, engineers, manufacturers and users from all over the world to discuss common theoretical and practical problems, describe scientific applications and explore avenues for the future researches in the area of Mechanical engineering.

With the changing landscape of the transport sector, there are also alternative powertrain systems on offer that can run independently of or in conjunction with the internal combustion (IC) engine. This shift has actually helped the industry gain traction with the IC Engine market projected to grow at 4.67% CAGR during the forecast period 2019-2025. It continues to meet both requirements and challenges through continual technology advancement and innovation from the latest research. With this in mind, the contributions in Internal Combustion Engines and Powertrain Systems for Future Transport 2019 not only cover the particular issues for the IC engine market but also reflect the impact of alternative powertrains on the propulsion industry. The main topics include: • Engines for hybrid powertrains and electrification • IC engines • Fuel cells • E-machines • Air-path and other technologies achieving performance and fuel economy benefits • Advances and improvements in combustion and ignition systems • Emissions regulation and their control by engine and after-treatment • Developments in real-world driving cycles • Advanced boosting systems • Connected powertrains (AI) • Electrification opportunities • Energy conversion and recovery systems • Modified or novel engine cycles • IC engines for heavy duty and off highway Internal Combustion Engines and Powertrain Systems for Future Transport 2019 provides a forum for IC engine, fuels and powertrain experts, and looks closely at developments in powertrain technology required to meet the demands of the low carbon economy and global competition in all sectors of the transportation, off-highway and stationary power industries.