Mathematical modeling and analysis of thermodynamic processes in a twin-rotor piston engine

In order to study the major performance indicators of the twin-rotor piston engine(TRPE), Matlab/simulink was used to simulate the mathematical models of its thermodynamic processes. With consideration of the characteristics of the working processes in the TRPE, corresponding differential equations were established and then simplified by period features of the TRPE. Finally, the major boundary conditions were figured out. The changing trends of mass, pressure and temperature of working fuel in the working chamber during a complete engine cycle were presented. The simulation results are consistent with the trends of an actual working cycle in the TRPE, which indicates that the method of simulation is feasible. As the pressure in the working chamber is calculated, all the performance parameters of the TRPE can be obtained. The major performance indicators, such as the indicated mean effective pressure, power to weight ratio and the volume power, are also acquired. Compared with three different types of conventional engines, the TRPE has a bigger utilization ratio of cylinder volume, a higher power to weight ratio and a more compact structure. This indicates that TRPE is superior to conventional engines.

An Alternative Demonstration of the Carnot Efficiency “Without” Using the Entropy Function

Entropy function is used to demonstrate the Carnot efficiency, even if it is not always easy to understand its bases: the reversible movement or the reversible heat transfer. Here, it is proposed to demonstrate the Carnot efficiency “without” using the Entropy function. For this, it is necessary to enhance two concepts: heat transfer based on the source temperature and work transfer based on external pressure. This is achieved through 1) a balance exchanged heat, based on the source temperature and the system temperature, and 2) a balance exchanged work, based on the external pressure and the internal pressure. With these enhanced concepts, Laplace function and Carnot efficiency can be demonstrated without using the Entropy function (S). This is only a new formalism. Usual thermodynamics results are not changed. This new formalism can help to get a better description of realistic phenomena, like the efficiency of a realistic cycle.

Thermodynamic Characteristic Study of a High-temperature Flow-rate Control Valve for Fuel Supply of Scramjet Engines

Thermodynamic characteristics are of great importance for the performance of a high-temperature flow-rate control valve,as high-temperature environment may bring problems,such as blocking of spool and increasing of leakage,to the valve.In this paper,a high-temperature flow-rate control valve,pilot-controlled by a pneumatic servo system is developed to control the fuel supply for scramjet engines.After introducing the construction and working principle,the thermodynamic mathematical models of the valve are built based on the heat transfer methods inside the valve.By using different boundary conditions,different methods of simulations are carried out and compared.The steady-state and transient temperature field distribution inside the valve body are predicted and temperatures at five interested points are measured.By comparing the simulation and experimental results,a reasonable 3D finite element analysis method is suggested to predict the thermodynamic characteristics of the high-temperature flow-rate control valve.