Brayton Cycle
Mechanical Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: A thermodynamic cycle that describes the workings of a gas turbine engine. It consists of isentropic compression, constant-pressure heat addition, isentropic expansion, and constant-pressure heat rejection.
Example in context
“The gas turbine operates on the Brayton cycle, with the compressor pressure ratio directly affecting the thermal efficiency and specific work output.”
“Gaz türbini, kompresör basınç oranının termal verimliliği ve özgül iş çıkışını doğrudan etkilediği Brayton çevrimi ile çalışır.”
Where engineers use it
The Brayton cycle is fundamental in gas turbine design for power generation and jet propulsion. Engineers use it to optimize compressor and turbine performance and predict net power output.
Synonyms: Brayton engine cycle, gas turbine cycle
Practice: can you use “Brayton Cycle” at work?
You are optimizing a combined cycle power plant. Describe how integrating a Brayton cycle with a Rankine cycle improves overall efficiency.
Show a model answer
“The Brayton cycle efficiency can be increased by raising the turbine inlet temperature or the pressure ratio.”
“Brayton Cycle” in 21 languages
| English | Brayton Cycle |
|---|---|
| Turkish | Brayton çevrimi |
| French | cycle de Brayton |
| German | Brayton-Kreisprozess |
| Spanish | ciclo Brayton |
| Chinese | 布雷顿循环 |
| Arabic | دورة برايتون |
| Portuguese | ciclo de Brayton |
| Russian | цикл Брайтона |
| Japanese | ブレイトンサイクル |
| Italian | ciclo Brayton |
| Vietnamese | chu trình Brayton |
| Hindi | ब्रैटन चक्र |
| Thai | วัฏจักรเบรย์ตัน |
| Indonesian | siklus Brayton |
| Korean | 브레이튼 사이클 |
| Bengali | ব্রেটন চক্র |
| Dutch | Brayton-cyclus |
| Swedish | Braytoncykel |
| Finnish | Brayton-sykli |
| Ukrainian | цикл Брайтона |
Frequently asked questions
What does Brayton Cycle mean in engineering?
A thermodynamic cycle that describes the workings of a gas turbine engine. It consists of isentropic compression, constant-pressure heat addition, isentropic expansion, and constant-pressure heat rejection. In Mechanical Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Brayton Cycle?
Brayton Cycle is pronounced /ˈbreɪtən ˈsaɪkəl/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Brayton Cycle used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “The gas turbine operates on the Brayton cycle, with the compressor pressure ratio directly affecting the thermal efficiency and specific work output.”
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