News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on “Super Engine” may fundamentally change the way internal combustion engines work. Parent comment

Re:“Super Engine” may fundamentally change the way internal ... by dredmorbius on Thursday February 25, 2016 @04:19PM (#11177876)
Carnot efficiency. 30% is pretty typical in land-based motive systems. Shipboard combustion engines and coal-fired power plants (of all things) are rated as high as 45% efficiency.

This is based on input and output temperatures, more than anything.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:“Super Engine” may fundamentally change the way internal ... by dkuder on Thursday February 25, 2016 @04:46PM (#11178086)
F1 "power units" are at 47% thermal efficiency but there a complicated hybrid system.

https://www.formula1.com/content/fom-website/en/latest/inter...

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:“Super Engine” may fundamentally change the way internal ... by vvanders on Thursday February 25, 2016 @04:30PM (#11177965)
Got it, so a 1.5x improvement on 30% lines right up with 45%. That's where they're getting their 50% gains number from.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:“Super Engine” may fundamentally change the way internal ... by dredmorbius on Thursday February 25, 2016 @09:53PM (#11179537)
Good eye, though it's not immediately clear that that's strictly edging in on Carnot efficiencies or if other aspects (two-stroke power cycle, valveless port-based design, eliminating cylinder-head heat loss -- on which, doesn't that eventually reach equilibrium temp anyway?, etc.) are to credit.

I've seen a few other radical reciprocating energy designs, there are some interesting YouTube vids I should track down. I think "radial engine" might reveal something. New Zealand, possibly Australian engineering firm, IIRC.

[ Parent | on HN ]