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Structural analysis, survey and classification of kinematic chains for Atkinson cycle engines

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Abstract

This paper presents an Atkinson Cycle mechanisms classification. The proposed classification is based on mechanism theory, dividing the mechanisms into two main classes and eight subclasses. The reconfigurability of Atkinson Cycle mechanisms is discussed as well as the mechanism characteristics for each class. This classification was applied to the engines found in bibliography and patent survey. Both surveys were necessary to yield a complete state of the art, regarding not only academic but also technological advances. These surveys and the Atkinson Cycle engine classification expose the wide window of opportunities for engine development. The use of reconfigurable Atkinson Cycle engines can be a powerful tool to develop more efficient vehicles.

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Notes

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  2. Press release: Performing more work with less fuel—EXlink (Extended Expansion Linkage Engine), Honda Worldwide, 2011.

  3. European Parliament—Amending Regulation EC 443/2009.

  4. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration—USA Federal Register Vol 77 no. 199.

  5. Decree 7.819 / 2012.

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  7. Press release: Mazda Develops New Naturally-Aspirated MZR 1.3L Miller-cycle Engine, Mazda News Releases, 31 May 2007.

  8. Gheorghiu uses a Seiliger Cycle engine as the comparison reference since it represents more accurately the Otto Cycle engine real behavior; however, for didactical purpose, we call it Otto Cycle in this paper.

  9. Press release: Toyota And Hybrids Drive Automotive Patents, Toyota Australia, 20 Aug. 2015.

  10. The mobility M of a mechanism is the number of independent coordinates needed to define the own configuration, and it is usually associated to degree of freedom concept. It is generally given by \(M=\lambda (n-j-1)+j\), where n is the number of links, j is the number of 1-DOF joints and \(\lambda\) is the order of screw system [50].

  11. Honda uses the expression “trigonal link” to refer to a specific ternary link in their Atkinson Cycle engine [15].

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank UFSC, CAPES, CNPQ and BMW group. The work was supported by BMW under the InovarAuto program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, 88040-900, Brazil

    Daniel Martins, Henrique Simas, Rodrigo de Souza Vieira, Estevan Hideki Murai & Thiago Hoeltgebaum

  2. BMW AG Munich, Am Olympiapark 1, 80809, München, Germany

    Torsten Frank

  3. Federal University of Santa Catarina, Joinville, Santa Catarina, 89218-000, Brazil

    Roberto Simoni

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  1. Daniel Martins
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  2. Torsten Frank
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  3. Henrique Simas
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Correspondence to Estevan Hideki Murai.

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Technical Editor: Victor Juliano De Negri.

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Martins, D., Frank, T., Simas, H. et al. Structural analysis, survey and classification of kinematic chains for Atkinson cycle engines. J Braz. Soc. Mech. Sci. Eng. 40, 52 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-017-0939-x

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