Enhancing Reciprocating Engines (Essay Sample)

Enhancing Reciprocating Engines
Name
Institution
Enhancing Reciprocating Engines
Reciprocating engines are used in combustion processes of machineries. According to Reitz (2012), the first way of enhancing their performance is through turbocharging. Also known as supercharging, turbocharging functions to increase the air density inlet in the cylinder. Once the air supply is enhanced, the rate of combustion goes up thereby increasing the power production of the reciprocating engine. "Turbocharging enhances engine power production efficiency by using available energy in the exhaust and reducing the power of pumping”. (Reitz, 2012). However, due to turbo charging, a piston attains its maximum speed roughly halfway through its stroke at peak rpm (Davis, 2010).
The Piston’s secondary motion in reciprocating engines occurs through transverse and rotation motion (Nagar & Piers, 2011). Such secondary motion causes friction and noise in the engine hence lowering its power production. In order to increase the performance of the engine, it is prudent to come up with strategies that reduce friction. Wong, George and Fiskum (2012) propose several ways of reducing friction caused by piston/ ring assembly. The first strategy is by introducing an upward tilt to the top ring groove. The aim of this move is to minimize the area over which the high- pressure difference acts. Other strategies include reducing the top axial height, reducing second land and third land heights and reducing the oil control ring. (Wong, George & Fiskum, 2012).
The modern propeller is made up of several blades held together by a central tub. Propellers produce more thrust than the engine. However, when an object strikes it by accident, significant damage may occur to the blade. This misfortune will lead to imbalance to the propeller hence leading to vibration of the system. Propeller malfunctions may also occur. They include; overtorque, uncommanded feather and inability to change pitch. According to Gibbs (2013), problems occur when choosing the propeller for a required pitch speed. When there is a wrong propeller-pitch speed combination, drag will exceed thrust therefore interfering with the stability of the engine.
...