A Simplified Model of the Internal Combustion Engine

by Christofer Neff

Submitted : Spring 2012

By evaluating the divide between theoretical and practical application, this project sets out to replicate a given result of approximately 72 rad/sec average angular velocity graphed over a given time frame for a simplified model of an internal combustion engine. A number of variables and quantities are available to successfully achieve this result using Euler’s modified method for ordinary differential equations, as a non-linear second order differential equation is provided. Once some result is obtained preferably through some computational device it should be tabulated and graphed to compare the approximations assuming certain conditions; that a sufficiently lightweight flywheel is present, that a Scotch yoke linkage is used for a connecting rod, and that the engine is operating on an Otto cycle using air as the working fluid. A manageable model of the internal combustion engine was realized by using sufficiently small time intervals, 0.001 seconds, over 12 seconds reproducing the same approximate angular velocity corresponding to the thermodynamic power cycle of 72 rad/sec average angular velocity.

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