LEGO Pneumatic Wankel Engine | 1000+ RPM

After seeing @akiyuky 's model of a rotary Wankel engine, I wanted to convert his model and make it a true working pneumatic engine. In this video, I show you the building process/trial and error involved in making the engine run. In the end, the engine can rev over 1,100 RPM at 45 psi. (It makes very little torque though due to the leaking and imperfect housing shape)

This project took about 4 months to fully complete, and I thoroughly enjoyed the building journey. Of course, not without many problems along the way. I have not seen any other LEGO pneumatic Wankel engine before this, so maybe it's the worlds first one? I can't be sure of that though, as one could have been created before and not uploaded to YouTube.

(Note that this engine DOES NOT run on a motor, it is entirely air powered/pneumatic)

Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:07 The Housing
0:42 The Rotor
1:58 Outer Casings
2:38 The Eccentric Shaft
3:42 Assembling the Engine
4:09 Troubleshooting
5:45 The Final Product
6:59 Outtakes and Endscreen

NOTE: I do not take credit for any of Akiyuki's original ideas, I was simply inspired by his works and set out to create an actually working engine.

[lordginger]

This man out here using forbidden lego tech

[travisshearer]

I feel like it could run a lot easier with less lubrication with a fly wheel

[robot]

now i wish it could be build with official parts

[xmysef]

As I’ve said before, this is an even *more* huge of a milestone!
Keep up the great work! :D

[glowytheglowbug]

the amount of effort put into this is amazing its purely amazing worth not getting vids for a while

[BeightonJunction]

Good job man, glad you stuck at it, Was worth the wait!

[redshoebox]

When 1mm is the difference between an engine running and not running: 3:27


Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:07 The Housing
0:42 The Rotor
1:58 Outer Casings
2:38 The Eccentric Shaft
3:42 Assembling the Engine
4:09 Troubleshooting
5:45 The Final Product
6:59 Outtakes and Endscreen

NOTE: I do not take credit for any of Akiyuki's original ideas, I was simply inspired by his works and wanted to create an actually working engine.

[kostagajic]

bro, I searched for this few years ago when I was much younger, and no one made it, you literaly made my dream

[citizenplane]

Pretty cool and I'm glad you admitted the no torque thing. It doesn't matter it's still cool as hell.

[comicquartz]

I think there are multiple ways to improve torque on the engine, so I will list some:
1. Adding another rotary.
2. Adding a pro/supercharger.
3. Improving the rotor to maybe have 5 compression areas instead of the 3

[floriankringel]

Pneumatic engines are insane! I really like them and built a lpe powered car. But this is awesome! It doesn't run perfectly, but it runs! Wow!!! Felix wankel would like your model!

[TheRealBmanswan]

That's awesome. I myself made a mini rotary engine for small models, even posted a video of it working in slow motion. Keep up the great work!

[eyeseaewe]

You may have committed war crimes in this video but I respect it nonetheless.

[Non-dlcrocket-Pop]

It looks so cool and it also sounds like a rotary engine

[whyisitneversummer]

I’d love to see the design perfected a little bit more. Very cool to see a rotary in Lego! I’d also love to see another rotor added. It may help elevate some of that wobbling

[nitroboom]

Add a counter weight to reduce vibration and a flywheel should make the pulses of the rotary more smooth

[toi_techno]

I remember my dad who's an engineer telling about the Wankel engine and finding it very difficult not to start laughing

[ludicrousbrickstudio]

Me: sees video, "cool!"

Me: watches cutting and gluing of lego pieces.

Also Me: So this is what pain is like...

[vitoscaletta]

I love how you have a Solution for every problem that comes up!

[crackedemerald]

Btw pencil lead isn't pure graphite, it contains clay so it stays in shape, it might grind your parts a little bigger.