Four Stroke Engine
A four stroke cycle engine is an internal combustion engine that utilizes four strokes to
complete its one cycle. The strokes are inlet, compression, power and exhaust strokes. The piston
makes two complete passes in the cylinder to make four complete strokes. An operating cycle
requires two revolutions i.e. 720° to the crankshaft. It is the most common type of engine.[1]
Types of 4-stroke engine:
The two types of four stroke engine are
Petrol engine
Diesel engine
Petrol engine:
A petrol engine is an internal combustion engine also known as gasoline engine
with spark ignition designed to run on petrol or similar volatile fuels. When the inlet valve open
fuel mix with air enter in cylinder and in the next stroke a small spark is fired which ignite the
fuel and power delivered and the engine starts working.[2]
Fig 1:4 stroke petrol engine
Diesel engine:
The diesel engine also known as compression ignition engine is an internal
combustion engine in which ignition of the fuel is caused by the elevated temperature of the air
in the cylinder due to compression. Diesel engine work only by compressing the air, this increase
the temperature of the air inside the cylinder to such a high degree that atomized diesel fuel
inject into the combustion chamber ignite spontaneously. This contrasts with the petrol engine in
which spark is used to ignite the fuel.[3]
Fig 2: 4 stroke diesel engine
Components of four stroke petrol engine:
The various parts of four stroke petrol engine are
Inlet and exhaust valve
Piston
Piston ring
Cylinder
Connecting rod
Crankshaft
Crank pin
Crankcase
Spark plug
Carburetor
Inlet and exhaust valve:
Inlet valve:
Its function is to inlet the fresh air fuel mixture into the cylinder.
Exhaust valve:
Its function is to exhaust the burnt gases by the force of piston[4]
Fig 3: inlet and exhaust valve
Piston:
Piston is connected to crankshaft through the connecting rod. When piston moves
downward sucks fresh air and fuel mixture in suction stroke and ignited inside the cylinder due
to the temperature and pressure generated thus the expand force down the piston.[4]
Fig 4: Piston
Piston rings:
A piston ring is an open ended ring that fits into grove out of outer diameter of
cylinder. It has three major functions which are seal the expansion chamber, support heat transfer
and finally circulate engine oil.[4]
Fig 5: Piston rings
Connecting rod:
A small end of connecting rod is connecting rod is connected to piston and the
other end is connected to crankshaft. Its function is to transferring reciprocating motion of piston
into rotary motion of crankshaft. Gudgeon pin is used to connect the piston and connecting
rod.[4]
Fig 6: Connecting rod
Crank pin:
In reciprocating engine the crankpins are the journals of the big end bearings at the end
of the connecting rods opposite to the piston.[4]
Fig 7:crank pin
Crank case:
In an internal combustion engine of the reciprocating type the crank case is the
housing of crank case.[4]
Fig 8:crank case
Carburetor:
It is a device that blends air and fuel for internal combustion engine.[4]
Fig 9: carburetor
Spark plug:
Spark plug is used in petrol engine only which is help to ignite the air fuel mixture
for combustion.[4]
Fig 10: spark plug
Advantages of 4 stroke engine:
Less fuel combustion
Thermal efficiency is more
More volumetric efficiency
Less wear and tear of parts
Cause less pollution i.e. noise and air pollution[2]
Disadvantages of 4 stroke engine:
More components is required in manufacturing process
Separate valve mechanism is required.
More cost
More complicated design is required.[2]
Difference between four stroke and two stroke engine
Four stroke engine:
One cycle completed in every two revolutions of crankshaft
More moving parts
More maintenance
Heavy in weight
More expensive
Long engine life
Complex design[4]
Two stroke engine:
One cycle completed in every revolution of crankshaft
Less moving parts
Less maintenance
Light in weight
Less expensive
Short engine life
Simpler design[4]
REFERENCES
[1] http://courses.washington.edu
[2] http://apsacwestridge.edu.pk
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org
[4] https://www.slideshare.net
