Carnot cycle

American  

noun

Thermodynamics.

1. an ideal cycle of reversible engine operations in which a substance at one temperature is compressed adiabatically to a second temperature, expanded isothermally at the second temperature, expanded adiabatically from the second temperature to the first temperature, and compressed isothermally at the first temperature.

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Carnot cycle British  

noun

1. an idealized reversible heat-engine cycle giving maximum efficiency and consisting of an isothermal expansion, an adiabatic expansion, an isothermal compression, and an adiabatic compression back to the initial state

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Etymology

Origin of Carnot cycle

After N. L. S. Carnot

Example Sentences

Any engine that uses the Carnot cycle enjoys the maximum theoretical efficiency.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Figure 15.23 shows the PV diagram for a Carnot cycle.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

He devised a theoretical cycle, now called the Carnot cycle, which is the most efficient cyclical process possible.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

Any heat engine employing the Carnot cycle is called a Carnot engine.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

The equation by which the change of the F.P. is calculated may be proved by a simple application of the Carnot cycle, exactly as in the case of vapour and liquid.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3 "Frost" to "Fyzabad" by Various