Help us out: Engine Designer Demo - Scenarios

[Punkal]

Sean... Love you idea about creating a engine to power equipment and not just a car... I like it so much I am going to seal it

The year is 2003 America and its coalition partners have just completed their first 12 months in Afghanistan. It was discovered in reports that reliable electrical power is critical for the success of the operation. The demand for basic amenity's, IT and communication equipment and other base load elements was greatly under estimated and the current generators have been found unsatisfactory, another element that was underestimated was the weather and temperatures, temperatures ranging from 60c to -25c, heavy snow falls and massive dust storms are also damaging the equipment.

A coalition partners approach your company as they are in need of a small, light and rugged engine to power a new 25KVA generator. The agency has also asked that you move away from the traditional diesel fuel used in generators and use aviation fuel as it is in abundant supply.

Technical limitations:
Aviation fuel must be used
Fuel injection is allowed
Endurance is very important
Light weight it important
Small size is important
No limitations on capacity (other than max capacity of 3.14L)

Technical specifications:
Have a end of life/life expectancy over A (30%)
Fuel economy of B (25%)
Peak torque occurs below B RPM (15%)
Power more than C (15%)
Weigh less then D (10%)
Have a package smaller than E (5%)

[Killrob]

I really like the background you are telling in that scenario Punkal, also the technical "surroundings" of it. Excellent scenario!

[Killrob]

I have updated the original post with a score calculation suggestion for the demo scenarios. Don't hesitate to leave some feedback.

[Orbitstrider]

I am not too fond of mathematical calculations and such. But it seems much clearer as to what equals what. But if you did an example of some sort that would probably clarify future questions about the score calculations.

[Killrob]

Umm, very good point Orbitstrider. For those not brain-damaged by Ph.D. studies in physics, I've added an example which details the score calculations. Hope that helps

[Orbitstrider]

Much appreciated! And I am sure others will like it also

[Highharti]

You were contacted by a friend of yours. He owns a small company that builds light aircrafts. Unfortunatelly, his motor-supplier went bankrupt. Can you help?

Weigh less than A (50%)
Power more than B (30%)
Fuel economy better than C (15%)
Lifetime at least D (5%)
Prize below E (0%)

[Punkal]

I really like the background you are telling in that scenario Punkal, also the technical "surroundings" of it. Excellent scenario!

Beer and a documentary \o/

[Sean]

Thanks Punkal, just trying tho mix it up a bit. Its surprising just how many different machine/equipment are powered by a conventional IC engine, albeit mainly diesel and gas.

Scenario description:
A manufacturer of large mining equipment had developed a mid-speed diesel engine for an ultra class haul truck, the problem is that there its not a large enough starter motor start the engine. You have been tasked with designing a pilot engine.

Technical limitations:
low weight, no.aluminium
capacity 1000cc to 1800cc
No electronic engine controls

Technical specifications:
Cost less than A (35%)
weight less than B (35%)
Overall dimensions less than C (30%)

*EDIT* typo

[PhillipM]

How about this:

It's 1947, your company is finally get back to manufacturing premium vehicles after turning your efforts towards industrial engines for the war effort, unfortunately, the cost of retooling back to vehicles has emptied your accounts, and your sales are suffering due to the perception of your noisy, outdated industrial engine.
The marketing department have put forward a good business case for taking one of your base vehicles rallying in a production-based series, to promote your sporty cars and engine building prowess once more. Whilst the external competition team are preparing the specialist suspension and chassis, it's fallen to you to get the engine ready.
Unfortunately, all you have as a base engine is the same 4 cylinder industrial unit you've been making for the past decade, it's has heavy, cast iron components, is very low revving, mild cams, and just to top that off, has been strangled by the need to run on low-grade fuels. The only upside is the base design features a very strong block, and is very reliable.

Can you provide a race winning engine to help get your company back on it's feet?
More importantly, can you do it in under 3 months ready for the first event, and without crippling your already straining finances?

Technical limitations:
Base engine provided, changes must be made to this unit, block and head must be kept, although can be modified.
1800cc to 2200cc (could be changed to suit whatever base engine/manufacturer you want to tweak the scenario around).
All components must remain steel or cast iron (no money for retooling for aluminium).

Scenario conditions:
Development complete in under 3 months (45%)
Development costs less than A (30%)
Power over B (20%)
Reliability over C (5%)

[frenchy128]

I love all the ideas and a great read.. Makes for some great (possible) scenarios for the full game.

[armandkat]

Scenario description:

Year 2010, a motorbike manufacturer, lets say Suzusaki... asks you to build an engine for their new sports bike, it have to be ligth and high revving.

Technical limitations:

999cc max
Must use RON 95 or lower
Must be aluminium

Technical specifications:

Power more than x (30%)
max. revs higher than y (should be arround 12 - 15.000, don't know if the engine designer goes up to those numbers...) (35%)
weigth less than z (35%)

Sorry if there are some grammatical errors, my english is not very good...

[Kubboz]

FYI, 12k rpm is the maximal RPM Limit.

[Zatotm]

FYI, 12k rpm is the maximal RPM Limit.

Good to hear, that is honestly higher than expected. I would love to play around making some high rpm engines

On a different note:

Scenario description:
The year is 2012. The demand for more environment-friendly vehicles is higher than ever. Your task is to design a "range extender" for a electric-driven car. The engine will be used to charge the batteries when electric charging is not available. Unlike an conventional engine that revs from lets say 800-8000 rpm, this one will only be running at approx. 2500 rpm, when it kicks in. Sufficient power is needed to generate enough electricity, but it needs to be "green" with low emissions and weight.

Do you have what it takes to fulfill all the requirements, while still keeping the costs down?

Technical limitations:
- RPM Limit 3000
- Fuel Quality must be low quality unleaded
- Standard Intake
- Fuel System must be Injection
- Muffler required

Technical specifications:
- Power higher than A, at 2500 rpm (25%)
- Emissions lower than B (25%)
- MTTF higher than C (20%)
- Cost lower than D (20%)
- Weight lower than E (10%)

[armandkat]

FYI, 12k rpm is the maximal RPM Limit.

High enough, thanks for the info!