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A Micro Swing Rotor Engine and the Preliminary Study of Its Thermodynamic Characteristics

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  • Chen Xia

    (College of Energy and Power Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China)

  • Zhiguang Zhang

    (College of Energy and Power Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China)

  • Guoping Huang

    (College of Energy and Power Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China)

  • Tong Zhou

    (College of Energy and Power Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China)

  • Jianhua Xu

    (College of Energy and Power Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China)

Abstract

The rapid progress in microelectromechanical system technology has facilitated great developments in micro heat engines, however, defects in these engines still need to be overcome. Thus, a novel four-stroke micro swing rotor engine (MSRE) that features the advantages of Wankel engine and the micro swing engine is proposed in this study. Kinematic and thermodynamic analyses of the MSRE were performed, and a preliminary experimental research was conducted. In the MSRE, the driver assembly was used to dominate the movements of the two rotors. By the design guideline adaptable to the engine operation principle, the volume of each chamber will vary in a sine-like waveform, which was validated by kinematic analyses. Then, a prototype in mesoscale was designed and fabricated. In consideration of the leakage effect, the thermodynamic characteristics of this engine were numerically investigated. Results indicate that the engine thermodynamic processes were seriously affected by leakage flow, especially when working at low frequencies. Gap height and operation frequency were the two dominant factors that affected engine performance. Under a certain gap height, the MSRE had to work at a specific frequency range and the corresponding optical values exist for engine efficiency and power. With a 20 μm height, the MSRE reached the maximum efficiency of 23.62% at 55 Hz and the maximum power of 3442 W at 95 Hz. Feasibility of the engine was further verified by an experimental test on the operation characteristics, including the cold state test with pressured air blow and the combustion test for engine operation at thermal state. This research lays a good foundation for future development of MSRE, which is of great practical significance for the progress in micro power systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen Xia & Zhiguang Zhang & Guoping Huang & Tong Zhou & Jianhua Xu, 2018. "A Micro Swing Rotor Engine and the Preliminary Study of Its Thermodynamic Characteristics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-25, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:10:p:2684-:d:174360
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chou, S.K. & Yang, W.M. & Chua, K.J. & Li, J. & Zhang, K.L., 2011. "Development of micro power generators - A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(1), pages 1-16, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jahangiri, M. & Asghari, M., 2023. "The strain gradient-based torsional vibration analysis of micro-rotors with nonlinear flexural-torsional coupling," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 440(C).

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