الفهرس 
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Abstract
For decades, internal combustion (IC) engine systems have relied on the slider-crank mechanism to convert fuel-burning energy into rotational power. Despite the simplicity of this mechanism, the achieved thermal and mechanical efficiencies do not reflect the ideal efficiencies suggested by IC engine theories. This research effort investigates the feasibility of an innovative design alternative, which is based on the functional characteristics of the hypocycloid gear mechanism (HGM), to deliver performance enhancements to an IC engine system. These characteristics include a unique straight-line motion achieved by the piston-rod assembly and a kinematic structure that favorably satisfies engine balancing requirements. The investigation to examine the performance of the HGM in IC engine applications is based on an assessment methodology that involves the integration of thermodynamics, engine sizing, dynamics, and friction loss models, within the design cycle for the HGM engine. The thermodynamic model is developed in the MATLAB/Simulink programming environment and is used to predict the applied engine loads that the HGM is designed to withstand. AGMA (American Gear Manufacturing Association) standard procedures are used for developing the designs of the gear train and SKF (Swedish: Svenska Kullager Fabriken; ’Swedish Ball Bearing Factory’) tools are used for selecting the rolling bearings. A friction model is developed to simulate the frictional power losses and accordingly the brake performance characteristics of the HGM engine. In addition, the dynamics model considers the inertia forces affecting the engine performance in terms of the shaking forces and torques. This model also suggests a balancing approach that eliminates the shaking forces and moments on the crankcase of the HGM engine. The simulations have shown that the HGM can achieve better engine performance characteristics, including enhanced thermal and mechanical efficiencies, as compared with the slider-crank mechanism. The designed HGM is shown to withstand the loads and speeds required for modern IC engine systems. The kinematics and the dynamics simulations showed that, unlike the conventional engine, the HGM-based configuration can be perfectly balanced, both in the single and the various multi-cylinder configurations.