Performance modelling of a one-stroke rotary internal combustion engine

• Main Author: Tsakiroglou, G. B.
• Published: University of Surrey 1988
• Subjects: 621
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.751813

The subject of this Thesis is the performance modelling and evaluation of the Rotary Internal Combustion One-Stroke Engine specified in Patent Application number PCT/GB 84/0048. A mathematical model, capable of simulating the various changes that take place during the cycle of the engine, has been formed and applied to the engine for testing its performance. Before forming the model the dimensions of the engine were calculated by considering the stressing of the main movable parts of the engine such as the driveshaft, radial sealing wall and rotary piston, as well as the surface area to volume ratio. Also the timing and conditions under which the engine operates were speci--fied and used as input to the model. The model incorporates six subroutines namely, "DATUM" which stores all the input constants and variables, "GEOMETRY" which calculates various geometrical engine parameters, "COMBUST" and "EXPAND" which simulate the ignition delay/combustion and expansion respectively, and "PERFORMANCE" which calculates the various performance parameters of the engine. The above model was run with different sets of fuel-air ratios/speeds as input. The performance evaluated has been tabulated and a performance map of the engine drawn. Typical pressure-volume and heat flux diagrams were plotted. Further, the model was tested, with different sets of operating variables as input, to optimise the principal dimensions and timing of the engine. The model was validated by adaption to simulate a two-stroke internal combustion reciprocating piston engine and run with MAN-B&W L55GB engine data. The output was compared with the figures quoted by the engine manufacturers. The comparison was favourable. Once the model had been validated a direct comparison was made between the internal combustion rotary one-stroke engine and the MAN-B&W L55GB engine. Costs were analysed and proposals of possible methods of optimising the design of the above engine formulated.