Lämpövoimakone

Lämpövoimakone is a Finnish term that translates to heat engine in English. A heat engine is a device that converts thermal energy into mechanical work. This process typically involves a working fluid that undergoes a cycle of changes in temperature and pressure. Heat engines are fundamental to many technologies, including power generation and transportation.

The basic principle of a heat engine involves a heat source, a working fluid, and a heat sink. The heat source provides thermal energy to the working fluid, increasing its temperature and pressure. This energy is then used to perform mechanical work, such as moving a piston or rotating a turbine. After performing work, the working fluid is cooled down by releasing heat to a heat sink, which is usually the environment. This cycle of heating, expansion, and cooling allows the engine to continuously produce work.

Common examples of heat engines include internal combustion engines found in cars, steam engines used in historical trains and ships, and steam turbines used in power plants. The efficiency of a heat engine, which is the ratio of work output to heat input, is limited by the Carnot cycle, a theoretical thermodynamic cycle. Real-world heat engines operate at lower efficiencies due to factors like friction and heat loss. Understanding heat engines is crucial for developing more efficient and sustainable energy technologies.