A thermodynamic cycle occurs when a system is taken through a series of different states, and finally returned to its initial state.

This type of plot is used to characterize almost all thermodynamic cycles.

Like all heat engines, the drinking bird works through a thermodynamic cycle.

One could say that the thermodynamic cycle is an ideal case of the mechanical engine.

Thermodynamic cycles may be used to model real devices and systems, typically by making a series of assumptions.

A thermodynamic cycle is constructed as a sequence of stages or steps.

For further comparisons of thermodynamic cycles, see heat engine.

All of these methods increase the mass of working fluid in the thermodynamic cycle.

Also, in thermodynamic cycles energy may be input to the working fluid by means of a compressor.

All thermodynamic cycles require large temperature differentials for efficient operation.

Steam charts are also used for analysing thermodynamic cycles.

In a thermodynamic cycle it may be the case that the working fluid changes state from gas to liquid or vice versa.

Combining two or more thermodynamic cycles results in improved overall efficiency, reducing fuel costs.

A hot air engine thermodynamic cycle can (ideally) be made out of 3 or more processes (typical 4).

Many hydrides are inaccessible to study through Bordwell thermodynamic cycles.

Some example thermodynamic cycles and their constituent processes are as follows:

PV diagrams can be used to estimate the net work performed by a thermodynamic cycle.

Heat engines are often named after the thermodynamic cycle they use, like the Carnot cycle.

The ideal thermodynamic cycle used to analyze this process is called the Rankine cycle.

In practice, simple idealized thermodynamic cycles are usually made out of four thermodynamic processes.

In practice neither of these perfect thermodynamic cycles are obtainable, as some heat losses are unavoidable.

The thermodynamic cycle of the basic combined cycle consists of two power plant cycles.

Two primary classes of thermodynamic cycles are power cycles and heat pump cycles.

The thermodynamic cycle undergone by the working fluid can be analyzed without detailed consideration of the parasitic energy requirements.

Each has a thermodynamic cycle.