The vane/rotor tip and the rotor to end plate are the two
areas that require sealing in a rotary engine. For vane
type designs, the rotor slot to vane face is another
interface area that requires sealing. The main purpose
of seals in all engines is to prevent leakage from the
working chamber to adjacent volumes. The leakage
from the working volume (mass) reduces compression
and power. As much as 25% of the friction in rotary
engines can be attributed to the sealing. Seals in rotary
engines experience loading by spring, gas pressures,
friction, and inertial (acceleration). The geometrical
make-up of the rotor-housing system also has a
significant affect on the magnitude of loads applied to
the seals. Sealing has a significant affect on the
kinematic characteristics in a rotary engine as detailed
by Brotton [84].