Lämpökoneistojen

Lämpökoneistojen is a Finnish term that translates to "thermal machines" or "heat engines" in English. This broad category encompasses any device that converts thermal energy into mechanical work. The fundamental principle behind all heat engines is the transfer of heat from a high-temperature source to a low-temperature sink. This heat transfer drives a working fluid, which then performs mechanical work.

Common examples of thermal machines include internal combustion engines found in vehicles, steam engines used in historical industrial applications and power generation, and jet engines used in aircraft. The efficiency of a thermal machine is a crucial factor, determining how much of the input heat is converted into useful work. This efficiency is limited by the laws of thermodynamics, particularly the second law, which states that it is impossible to achieve 100% efficiency.

The operation of a thermal machine typically involves a cycle of processes. For instance, in a piston engine, this cycle includes intake, compression, power, and exhaust strokes. In each cycle, heat is absorbed from the high-temperature source, work is performed, and waste heat is expelled to the low-temperature sink. The design and specific thermodynamic cycle employed distinguish different types of thermal machines, each optimized for particular applications and operating conditions.