Why is the curve of the Wankel engine rotor flatter than a Reuleaux triangle?

I’m not an expert mathematician so for a long time I just assumed that the rotor of a Wankel engine was in the shape of a Reuleaux triangle. My assumption was wrong. Did Wankel start from a Reuleaux triangle and then flattened the curves to better contain the hot gasses or to change the friction issues or …?

Why is the curve of the Wankel engine rotor flatter than a Reuleaux triangle?

One day Mrs. Wankel asked Mr. Wankel, “Does this rotor make me look flat?” :wink:

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Love it!

Now, I’m trying to think of a follow-up punchline that is not crude and rude.

By the way, I tried really hard to get Gemini Advanced to create a Mr. Wankel with a semi-Reuleaux triangle for a head—and it just could not do it. Instead it produced basic images where the guy had a standard triangle on his nose and various formulas on it.

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