MadSci Network: Engineering |
I assume you are asking about gasoline (Otto cycle) internal combustion engines. For the ideal cycle, the torque is a constant throughout the range of speed and is independent of the engine speed, while the power is directly proportional to the engine speed. For real engines, there is some effect from speed-sensitivity, especially at either end of the range. However, the trends are essentially the same: torque vs. speed is a rather flat curve with a relatively early maximum, while power vs. speed has a sharper peak and the peak occurs at a higher speed than does the torque curve. Do not trust the tabular type of data given by the manufacturers - it is incomplete information. It is far better to look at the performance curves through the range of operational speeds. A good reference on this is Energy Conversion by Weston. I hope this helps. Frederick J. Carranti, P.E.
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