Engine Power Data:
Definition of power
In physics, power is the work done in time or, with other words, is the rate of doing work. In rotational
systems, power P [W] is the product of the torque T [Nm] and angular velocity ω [rad/s].
P=T⋅ω
The standard unit of measurement for power is W (Watt) and for rotational speed is rad/s (radian per
second). Most of the vehicle manufacturers are providing the power of the engine in bhp (brake horse
power) and the rotational speed in rpm (rotations per minute). Therefore, we are going to use
conversion formulas for both rotational speed and power.
To convert from rpm to rad/s, we use:
ω [rad/s]=N [rpm]⋅π30
To convert from rad/s to rpm, we use:
N [rpm]=ω [rad/s]⋅30π
The engine power can also be measured in kW instead of W for a more compact value. To convert
from kW to bhp and reverse, we use:
P [bhp]P [kW]=1.36⋅P [kW]=P [bhp]1.36
In some cases you might find HP (Horse Power) instead of bhp as unit of measurement for power.
Having rotational speed measured in rpm and torque in Nm, the formula to calculate power is:
P [kW]P [HP]=π⋅N [rpm]⋅T [Nm]30⋅1000=1.36⋅π⋅N [rpm]⋅T [Nm]30⋅1000
Example. Calculate the engine power in both kW and HP, if the engine torque is 150 Nm and engine
speed is 2800 rpm.
PP=π⋅2800⋅15030⋅1000=44 kW=1.36⋅π⋅2800⋅15030⋅1000=59.8 HP
Engine dynamometer
Engine speed is measured using a sensor on the crankshaft (flywheel). Ideally, to calculate power, we
should also measure the torque at the crankshaft with a sensor. Technically, this is possible but not
applied in the automotive industry. Because of the operating conditions of the crankshaft
(temperatures, vibrations), measuring engine torque with a sensor is not a reliable technique. Also, the
cost of a torque sensor is quite high. Therefore, engine torque is measured on the full range of speed
and load, using a dynamometer (test bench), and mapped (stored) into the engine control unit.
The dynamometer is basically a brake (mechanical, hydraulic or electrical) which absorbs the power
produced by the engine. The most used and best type of dynamometer is the electric dynamometer.
This is actually an electric machine that can be operated as a generator or motor. By varying the
generator’s load torque, the engine can be put in any operating point (speed and torque). Also, with the
engine at fuel cut (no fuel injection), the generator can be run as an electric motor to spin the engine.
This way engine friction and pumping torque losses can be measured.
For an electric dynamometer, the rotor is connected to the crankshaft. The link between rotor and
stator is electromagnetic. The stator is fixed through a lever arm to a load cell. To balance the rotor, the
stator will push against the load cell. The torque T is calculated by multiplying the force F measured in
the load cell with the length of the lever arm a.
T=F⋅a
The engine parameters: brake torque, brake horse power (bhp) or brake specific fuel consumption
(BSFC) contain the keyword “brake” because a dynamometer (brake) is used to measure them
Example of power map for a gasoline, spark ignition (SI) engine:
Engine power surfaces S.I engine fig Engine power curve S.I engine
Engine Accelerator pedal position [%]
power
[HP] 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 100
800 5 10 12 12 13 13 13 13
1300 11 19 24 25 25 25 26 26
1800 9 23 34 36 36 37 37 38
2300 6 23 44 48 48 49 49 51
2800 1 22 53 61 63 64 65 66
Engine 3300 0 19 59 71 76 78 78 80
speed
[rpm] 3800 0 18 63 81 87 90 92 95
4300 0 16 67 95 103 108 110 113
4800 0 12 72 106 119 122 126 130
5300 0 9 72 111 126 132 137 141
5800 0 3 69 112 133 140 145 151
6300 0 0 65 108 130 137 143 153