High-Efficiency Hybrid Cycle
Encyclopedia
The high-efficiency hybrid cycle (HEHC) is a new 4-stroke thermodynamic cycle
combining elements of the Otto cycle
, Diesel cycle
, Atkinson cycle
and Rankine cycle
.
Thermodynamic cycle
A thermodynamic cycle consists of a series of thermodynamic processes transferring heat and work, while varying pressure, temperature, and other state variables, eventually returning a system to its initial state...
combining elements of the Otto cycle
Otto cycle
An Otto cycle is an idealized thermodynamic cycle which describes the functioning of a typical reciprocating piston engine, the thermodynamic cycle most commonly found in automobile engines....
, Diesel cycle
Diesel cycle
The Diesel cycle is the thermodynamic cycle which approximates the pressure and volume of the combustion chamber of the Diesel engine, invented by Rudolph Diesel in 1897. It is assumed to have constant pressure during the first part of the "combustion" phase...
, Atkinson cycle
Atkinson cycle
The Atkinson cycle engine is a type of internal combustion engine invented by James Atkinson in 1882. The Atkinson cycle is designed to provide efficiency at the expense of power density, and is used in some modern hybrid electric applications.-Design:...
and Rankine cycle
Rankine cycle
The Rankine cycle is a cycle that converts heat into work. The heat is supplied externally to a closed loop, which usually uses water. This cycle generates about 90% of all electric power used throughout the world, including virtually all solar thermal, biomass, coal and nuclear power plants. It is...
.
HEHC engines
The 3rd generation design of the LiquidPiston Engine currently in development is the only engine currently designed around the HEHC. It is a rotary combustion engine.External links
- LiquidPiston Inc. The company designing the first HEHC-based engine.