Diagram of the Hot Air Engine as a Heat Engine Recording and Evaluating with Software

The Hot-Air Engine pV Diagram Experiment is designed to record and analyze the pressure-volume (pV) diagram of a hot-air engine operating as a heat engine. Using software-based data acquisition, the apparatus simultaneously measures the cylinder pressure and piston position to generate a real-time pV diagram. The recorded data enables students to calculate the mechanical work performed per cycle, determine the engine power, and analyze engine performance under different operating conditions. Manufactured by Atico Export India.

Principle

The experiment is based on measuring the pressure inside the engine cylinder and the corresponding piston displacement during engine operation. The pressure sensor continuously records the cylinder pressure, while the rotary motion sensor measures the piston position, from which the cylinder volume is calculated. Software displays the pressure-volume (pV) diagram in real time. The enclosed area of the pV diagram represents the mechanical work performed during one operating cycle, which is further used to determine the engine power and study its variation with engine speed.

Objectives

• Record the pressure-volume (pV) diagram of a hot-air engine.
• Study the thermodynamic cycle of the engine.
• Determine the mechanical work performed during each cycle.
• Calculate the mechanical power output of the engine.
• Analyze the relationship between engine power and no-load speed.
• Understand the thermodynamic performance of a heat engine.

System Components

Hot-Air Engine :

• Quantity: 1

U-Core with Yoke :

• Quantity: 1

Clamping Device with Spring Clip :

• Quantity: 1

Mains Coil :

• 500 Turns
• Quantity: 1

Low Voltage Coil :

• 50 Turns
• Quantity: 1

Data Acquisition Interface :

• Quantity: 1

Data Analysis Software :

• Quantity: 1

Rotary Motion Sensor :

• Quantity: 1

Pressure Sensor :

• Range: ±2000 hPa
• Quantity: 1

Fishing Line :

• Quantity: 1

Helical Spring :

• Spring Constant: 25 N/m
• Quantity: 1

Connecting Leads :

• Current Rating: 32 A
• Length: 100 cm
• Color: Black
• Quantity: 2

Immersion Pump :

• Quantity: 1

Low Voltage Power Supply :

• Output: 3 / 6 / 9 / 12 V
• Quantity: 1

Silicone Tubing :

• Diameter: 7 mm
• Length: 1 m
• Quantity: 2

Wide-Mouthed Can :

• Capacity: 10 L
• Quantity: 1

Virtual Experiment Software :

• Hot-Air Engine pV Diagram
• Quantity: 1

Additional Requirement

Computer :

• Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 10 (x86 or x64)
• Required for data acquisition and analysis.

Software-Based Data Acquisition :

• Real-time measurement and graphical display of experimental data.

Real-Time pV Diagram :

• Displays pressure-volume diagrams directly during the experiment.

Pressure Measurement :

• High-precision pressure sensor continuously monitors cylinder pressure.

Rotary Motion Measurement :

• Rotary motion sensor accurately measures piston position and cylinder volume.

Automatic Data Analysis :

• Calculates mechanical work and engine power automatically.

Educational Design :

• Ideal for studying thermodynamic cycles and heat engine performance.