Wankel engine for drone propulsion

Motor je toplinski stroj koji pretvara toplinsku energiju u mehaničku u cilju vršenja mehaničkog rada. Motore u osnovi dijelimo po broju taktova i načinu izgaranja goriva. Wankel motor je vrsta četverotaktnog rotacijskog motora sa unutarnjim izgaranjem. Iako je radi svojih nedostataka tržišno daleko manje rasprostranjen od konvencionalnog klipnog motora, Wankel motor pronalazi upotrebu u specifičnim područjima kao šta je avioindustrija. Njegove prednosti značajno dolaze do izražaja kod dronova malih i srednjih težina. U ovom radu opisana je povijest razvoja Wankel motora, njegov princip rada kao i sastavni dijelovi. Proizvoljno je izabran okvir drona, a na osnovi toga su određene specifikacije pogonskog motora. Izrađen je proračun za potrebnu snagu motora i termodinamički proračun odabranog motora. Analizirane su prednosti i nedostaci motora, koji je potom uspoređen sa konvencionalnim klipnim i električnim motorom iste klase. Predložena su naposljetku unaprijeđenja u cilju poboljšanja efikasnosti i ekonomičnosti motora.A motor is a heat engine that converts thermal energy into mechanical energy in order to perform mechanical work. Engines are basically divided by the number of strokes and the method of fuel combustion. Wankel engine is a type of four-stroke rotary engine with internal combustion. Although due to its shortcomings it is far less widespread on the market than a conventional reciprocating engine, the Wankel engine finds use in specific areas such as the aviation industry. Its advantages are significantly emphasized in small and medium weight drones. This paper describes the history of Wankel engine development, its working principle as well as its components. The drone frame was chosen arbitrarily, and based on that, the specifications of the propulsion engine were determined. A calculation of the power needed for the engine was made as well as thermodynamic calculation of the selected engine. The advantages and disadvantages of the motor were analyzed, which was then compared to a conventional piston and electric motor of the same class. Finally, improvements have been proposed to improve the engine efficiency and economy