Abstract
A modified Brayton cycle is incorporated into a continuous combustion engine system. This 6-stroke engine system is described and illustrated with pressure-volume diagrams. Potential advantages over the traditional 4-stroke Otto cycle are reviewed in the areas of emissions, flexible-fuel use, energy conversion efficiency, and noise. A detailed 1-D air standard thermodynamic model of the K6 cycle is generated and used to investigate the potential efficiency of this cycle and analyzed from partial throttle to wide-open throttle power output. The affects of compression ratio and expansion variations on efficiency are evaluated. The power output and power density are estimated. Key assumptions in the analysis of the thermodynamic model are discussed. Comparisons are made to a similar level of analysis of an Otto cycle 4-stroke engine. A utility engine simulating this cycle operating on compressed air is described.
Keywords: Power Unit, Engine Combustion, Thermal Engineering, Continuous Combustion, 6 cycle