Diesel engine simulator as a multimedia educational tool

A PC-based diesel engine simulator was developed to supplement existing undergraduate laboratory instruction, so that students could establish a thorough understanding of the responses of the engine to adjustments in governor control lever setting and engine load. The simulation was programmed for the Microsoft Windows environment using a multimedia authoring package. The engine functioned in accordance with simple textbook principles. The first part of the simulator required the input of engine performance parameters defining the bounds within which the engine was expected to operate. In the second part, a full screen engine panel incorporated various objects to allow the student to interact directly with the engine and to observe its responses on a dynamic and instantaneous basis. Feedback from undergraduates and instructors who have evaluated the simulator has been very positive. It is regarded as a valuable interactive educational tool that should form an integral part of their computer-based instructional materials.