Four Stroke Cycle Engine Fundamentals
Basic Engine Parts
Camshaft Used to open and close valves.
Valves Used to let gases into and out of the combustion chamber.
Engine Operation Fuel is burned inside the engine’s combustion chamber to produce heat and pressure Engine components convert that pressure into rotating motion
Engine Operation
Piston Travel Terms: (TDC, BDC) Top dead center (TDC) piston is at its highest point in the cylinder Bottom dead center (BDC) piston is at its lowest point in the cylinder Piston stroke distance the piston slides up or down from TDC to BDC
Piston Travel (TDC, BDC)
Four-Stroke Cycle Two complete crankshaft rotations are required to complete the four-stroke cycle Almost all automobiles use four-stroke-cycle engines
1. Intake Stroke Intake valve is open Exhaust valve is closed Piston slides down and forms a vacuum in the cylinder which draws fuel and air into the engine
2. Compression Stroke Piston slides upward and compresses (squeezes) the air-fuel mixture, making it more combustible Both valves are closed
3. Power Stroke Both valves are closed Spark plug fires, igniting the air-fuel mixture. Piston is forced down, rotating the crankshaft
4. Exhaust Stroke Piston moves upward Intake valve is closed Exhaust valve is open Burned gases are pushed out the exhaust port
Four-Stroke Cycle
The End