| The goal of this thesis is to develop tools that will enable the design of the components of the Rankine micro-engine in order to satisfy performance and reliability requirements for high temperature operation. The Ashby approach was used to identify a set of candidate materials – zirconia, silica, titanium alloy, nickel-cobalt alloy, silicon carbide and silicon – for the insulating static structure and rotor. Subsequently, the stresses in, and deformations of, the insulating static structure were analyzed using analytical models and the method of finite elements.;Subsequently, an idealized impact experiment was designed and performed to assess reliability of the rotor in the event of an accidental high-speed impact with the static sidewalls. The threshold velocity for initiating damage in alumina projectiles (balls) impacting on alumina targets (discs) was found to be 30 m/s, while the corresponding value for zirconia projectiles on alumina target was found to be around 65–70 m/s. These findings pave the way for developing detailed designs for the rotor and static sidewall of the Rankine micro-engine. |
