Source: https://guthlabs.ai/docs/instrument-workflows/engine-cycles/

instrument comparator / verified-workflow-definition

# Engine Cycle Comparator

Same T/r/γ inputs across six ideal cycles — who wins and why.

Status: **observed**Lifecycle: **verified-workflow-definition**

## Goal

Same T/r/γ inputs across six ideal cycles — who wins and why.

## Instrument chain

- 01

**[Carnot Efficiency Calculator](<https://guthlabs.ai/docs/instruments/carnot-efficiency-calculator/>)**

upper bound

VERIFIED

- 02

**[Otto Cycle Efficiency Calculator](<https://guthlabs.ai/docs/instruments/otto-cycle-efficiency-calculator/>)**

spark

VERIFIED

- 03

**[Diesel Cycle Efficiency Calculator](<https://guthlabs.ai/docs/instruments/diesel-cycle-efficiency-calculator/>)**

compression

VERIFIED

- 04

**[Dual (Sabathé) Cycle Efficiency Calculator](<https://guthlabs.ai/docs/instruments/dual-sabathe-cycle-efficiency-calculator/>)**

real-engine blend

VERIFIED

- 05

**[Brayton Cycle Efficiency Calculator](<https://guthlabs.ai/docs/instruments/brayton-cycle-efficiency-calculator/>)**

turbine

VERIFIED

- 06

**[Stirling Cycle Efficiency Calculator](<https://guthlabs.ai/docs/instruments/stirling-cycle-efficiency-calculator/>)**

regenerative

VERIFIED

- 07

**[Isothermal / Adiabatic / Polytropic Process Calculator](<https://guthlabs.ai/docs/instruments/isothermal-adiabatic-polytropic-process-calculator/>)**

the legs themselves

VERIFIED

## Handoffs and cross-checks

Shared r/γ/T inputs; Carnot at the same reservoirs is the ceiling nothing may exceed.

## PointGuard stance

Every cycle result is bounded above by Carnot at the same temperatures — enforce it as an invariant; Diesel→Otto as rc→1 is a second invariant (t3-012 handled it right).

## Sources and evidence

These pointers bind the page to evidence. They do not grant authority or collapse verification into deployment.

- `INSTRUMENT_COMBOS.json`

- `VERIFIED_LEDGER.json`