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How to Test an IC Engine

When testing an IC -- or internal combustion -- engine, you can determine many values including its mechanical efficiency. To do this, you need to calculate the engine's brake power and its indicated power. However, you must first obtain specific data about the engine. Once all the data has been gathered, you will perform a simple math equation to calculate the engine's mechanical efficiency.

Instructions

- 1
  Write out the equation used to determine the brake power of the IC engine. This equation is expressed as: "bp = 2(Pi)NT/60." The value used for ̶0;N̶1; is revolutions per minute and ̶0;T̶1; is the torque.
- 2
  Write out the equation used to determine the indicated power of the IC engine. This is expressed as: ̶0;IP = Pm(L)(A)(N)(k)60.̶1; The value to use for ̶0;Pm̶1; is the mean effective pressure of N/M^2. The value to use for ̶0;L̶1; is the length of the stroke. The value for ̶0;A̶1; is the area of the piston. The value for ̶0;N̶1; is the revolutions per minute. And the value for ̶0;k̶1; is the number of cylinders.
- 3
  Write out the equation used to determine the mechanical efficiency of the IC engine. This is expressed as the equation ̶0;mechanical efficiency = bp/ip.̶1;
- 4
  Calculate the friction power (fp) of your IC engine by subtracting ̶0;bp̶1; from ̶0;ip.̶1; Add the result for the friction power to the brake power ̶0;bp + ip.̶1;
- 5
  Write out the equation used for determining the mechanical efficiency of the IC engine. This is expressed as ̶0;mechanical efficiency = bp/(bp + ip).̶1;

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