Typical rotary engines have two rotors, as does the RX7.

These are arranged at 180º for mechanical balance.

The expanding gases force the rotor to spin and drive the eccentric shaft.

The gases are contained by the seals round the rotor, including the famous “apex seals”,

All of the above actions occur simultaneously, creating 3 power pulses for each complete revolution of one of the rotors, unique to the rx7.

The rotor therefore needs only to revolve once to achieve, in effect for the rx7, what a piston in a reciprocating engine takes 4 strokes to do.