10.2514/6.2026-2357">
 

Development of an Altitude Conditioning System for Dual Cylinder Two-Stroke Engines

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-12-2026

Abstract

Group 2 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) often utilize small two-stroke engines as primary powerplants. Expanding commercial and military use necessitates detailed performance data at various altitudes. An air cycled-based conditioning system was built to study the effects of altitude on 100-200 cc two-stroke engines. Inspired by the work of Kerner et al. this system conditions intake and exhaust air to simulate the conditions an engine experiences from sea level towards 3 km (10,000 feet). The altitude system used Commercial-off-the-Shelf equipment to cool and expand the intake and exhaust air to represent ambient conditions at specific altitudes. A turbocharger along with an air/water heat exchanger was used to expand the intake air. Subsequently, an electric supercharger along with an air/water heat exchanger was used to expand the exhaust air in a plenum that acts as a pressure reservoir. This relatively low-cost system enables performance data to be captured for UAS engines at altitude without having to fly the engine. Initial testing resulted in achieving simulated altitudes at 3 km.

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Source Publication

AIAA SCITECH 2026 Forum

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