Mathematical investigation of sealing inefficiencies of hot air engines and other piston machines

Abstract

Reciprocating machines, compressors and engines are the most commonly used machines in our technical environment. It is impossible to create a perfect seal between moving parts, therefore the phenomenon of leakage occurs in all such machines, however as we will see, it mainly affects hot air engines, which operates without charge exchange. This article attempts to describe this phenomenon in a mathematical form, and assist helping to understand the difference between calculated and measured values.