In-Cylinder Components for High Temperature Diesel

The development of a practical, reliable, and durable adiabatic engine which will meet all advanced military requirements is still hindered because of available insulating materials and design limitations. The high temperatures and thermal gradients which are associated with a highly insulated low heat rejection engine create monumental challenges to engine designers. Over the past 12 years a wealth of information and experience has been generated. Numerous approaches to insulate the combustion chamber have been explored but none are known to simultaneously meet heat rejection, durability, and performance requirements.

This paper will present the first year's results and the future plans of an adiabatic engine component technology development program for high output military engines, sponsored by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Command Center. As a result of a systematic process which included technology survey, technical screening, technical trade-off assessment, concept construction, and benefit-burden assessment, three insulating concepts were selected for exploratory assessment.