Classification of Engines on the basis
of working Strokes
•Four Stroke Cycle Engines
•Two Stroke Cycle Engines
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Four Stroke Cycle Engines and Two Stroke Cycle Engines
➢ A two-stroke cycle engine is an internal
combustion engine that completes the process cycle
in one revolution of the crankshaft. Thus, one power
stroke is obtained in each revolution of the crank
shaft.
➢ A four stroke cycle engine is an internal
combustion engine that completes the process cycle
in two revolution of the crank shaft. Thus, one
power stroke is obtained in each two revolutions of
the crank shaft.
Four Stroke Cycle Petrol Engines (S. I. Engines)
➢ A petrol engine (known as a gasoline engine) is an internal combustion
engine with the spark ignition. So it is also known as spark ignition (S.I.
Engine).
➢ Fuel used In a petrol engine is a gasoline ( Petrol ) and similar volatile fuel.
➢ Let’s see about it’s history.. . . .. .. . It was invented in a 1876 in Germany
by german inventor Nikolaus August Otto. The first petrol combustion
engine was prototyped in 1882 in Italy by Enrico Bernardi.
➢ The petrol engine theoretically works on the principle of Otto cycle
(constant volume cycle).
➢ In most petrol engines, the fuel and air are usually pre-mixed
before compression. The pre-mixing was formerly done in a
carburetor.
Four Stroke Cycle Petrol Engines (S. I. Engines)
➢ The process differs from a diesel engine in the
method of mixing the fuel and air, and in using
spark plugs to initiate the combustion process. In a
diesel engine, only air is compressed , and the fuel
is injected into very hot air at the end of the
compression stroke, and self-ignites.
➢ The spark plug fitted at the top of the cylinder head
initiates the ignition of the air fuel mixture.
Four Stroke Cycle Petrol Engines (S. I. Engines)
The piston performs four strokes to
complete one working cycle. The four
strokes are;
1) Suction Stroke
TDC
2) Compression Stroke
3) Power Stroke
BDC
4) Exhaust Stroke
Connecting
rod
Crank crank
shaft
[4 STROKE PETROL ENGINE]
SUCTION STROKE
During this stroke, inlet valve opens and exhaust valve
remains closed, the pressure in the cylinder will be
atmospheric.
As the piston moves from the TDC To BDC , the volume in
the cylinder increase, while simultaneously pressure
decreases.
This create a pressure difference between the atmosphere
and inside of the cylinder. Due to this pressure difference
the petrol and air mixture will enter into the cylinder
through carburettor.
The crankshaft has now made half rotation i.e. 180
degree of crank angle.
At the end of this stroke, the cylinder will be filled
completely with petrol and air mixture called charge and
inlet valve is closed.
COMPRESSION STROKE
During this stroke both the inlet valve and
exhaust valve are closed, the piston moves
from BDC to TDC .
As this stroke being performed, the petrol and
air mixture contained in the cylinder will be
compressed, so pressure and temperature of
mixture increases. The process of compression
is shown in fig.
Near the end of this stroke, the petrol and air
mixture is ignited by the electric spark given out
by the spark plug.
The crankshaft has now made one full
rotation i.e. 360 degrees of crank angle.
POWER STROKE / EXPANSION STROKE / WORKING STROKE
During this stroke both the inlet valve and exhaust
valve are closed, the piston moves from TDC to BDC.
The high pressure and high temperature burnt
gases force the piston to perform this stroke, called
power stroke. This stroke is also known as
expansion or working stroke.
The engine produces mechanical work or power
during this stroke.
As the piston moves from TDC to BDC , the
pressure of hot gases gradually decreases and
volume increases.
The crankshaft has now made one and half
rotation i.e. 540 degrees of crank angle.
EXHAUST STROKE
During this stroke, the exhaust valve opens and
the inlet valve is closed .
The piston moves from BDC to TDC and during
this motion piston pushes the exhaust gases
(combustion products) out of the cylinder at
constant pressure.
The crankshaft has now made two full
rotations i.e. 720 degrees of crank angle.
Again the inlet valve opens and the new cycle
starts.
Four Stroke Cycle Petrol Engine-Working
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Working of Four Stroke Cycle Petrol Engines
Four Stroke Petrol Engine - Working
Summary :
• Compression ratio varies from 5 to 8. The pressure at the end
of compression is about 6 to 12 bar.
• The temperature at the end of the compression reaches 250o C
to 350o C
36
Four Stroke Diesel Engine
14
Four Stroke Diesel Engine - Working
(a) Suction Stroke (First Stroke of the piston)
• Piston moves from TDC to BDC
• Inlet valve is opened and the exhaust valve is
closed.
• The pressure inside the cylinder is reduced below
the atmospheric pressure.
• Fresh air from the atmosphere is sucked into the
engine cylinder through air cleaner and inlet
valve.
15
Four Stroke Diesel Engine - Working
(b) Compression stroke (Second stroke of the
piston)
• Piston moves from BDC to TDC.
• Both inlet and exhaust valves remain closed.
• The air drawn during suction stroke is
compressed to a high pressure and temperature.
16
Four Stroke Diesel Engine - Working
(c) Working or power or expansion stroke (Third
stroke of the piston)
• The burning gases (products of combustion)
expand rapidly.
• The burning gases pushes the piston to
move downward from TDC to BDC.
• This movement of piston is converted into rotary
motion of the crank shaft through connecting rod.
• Both inlet and exhaust valves remain closed.
17
Four Stroke Diesel Engine - Working
(d) Exhaust Stroke (Fourth stroke of the piston)
• Piston moves from BDC to TDC.
• Exhaust valve is opened and the inlet valve remains
closed.
• The burnt gases are forced out to the atmosphere
through the exhaust valve. (some of the burnt gases
stay in the clearance volume of the cylinder)
• The exhaust valve closes shortly after reaches TDC.
• The inlet valve opens slightly before TDC and the
cylinder is ready to receive fresh air to start a new
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cycle.
Working of Four Stroke Cycle Diesel Engines
Working of Four Stroke Cycle Diesel Engines
Two Stroke Cycle Petrol
Engines
21
Two Stroke Cycle Petrol Engine -
Construction
Construction :
•A piston reciprocates inside the cylinder
•It is connected to the crankshaft by means of connecting
rod and crank
•There are no valves in two stroke engines, instead of
valves, ports are cut on the cylinder walls.
•There are three ports, namely inlet, exhaust and
transfer port.
•The closing and opening of the ports are obtained by the
movement of piston. The crown of piston is made into a
shape to perform this.
•A spark plug is also provided.
22
Two stroke cycle Petrol Engines - Working
Two stroke cycle Petrol Engines - Working
Two stroke Cycle Petrol Engines-Working
Exhaust Port
Ports in 2 Stroke Engine
Transfer Port
Transfer Port
Transfer Port
Reed Valve
Reed Valve on Inlet
Two stroke cycle Petrol Engines -
Working
First Stroke : (Compression, ignition
and inductance) (Upward stroke of
piston)
(a) compression:
• The piston moves up from Bottom Dead
Centre (BDC) to Top Dead Centre (TDC)
• Both transfer port and exhaust port are
covered by the piston.
• Air fuel mixture which was transferred
already into the engine cylinder is
compressed by moving piston.
• The pressure and temperature increases at
the end of compression.
45
Two stroke cycle Petrol Engines -
Working
First Stroke : (Compression,
ignition and inductance) (Upward
stroke of piston)
(b) Ignition and Inductance:
• Piston almost reaches the TDC
• The air fuel mixture inside the
cylinder is ignited by means of an
electric spark produced by a spark
plug.
•At the same time, the inlet port is
uncovered by the plane.
• Fresh air fuel mixture enters the
crankcase through the inlet port. 46
Two stroke cycle Petrol Engines - Working
Second Stroke: (Downward
Stroke of the engine) :
(c)Expansion and Crankcase
compression
• The burning gases expand in the
cylinder
•The burning gases force the piston to
move down. Thus useful work is
obtained.
•When the piston moves down, the air
fuel mixture in the crankcase is
partially compressed. This compression
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is known as Crank case compression.
Two stroke cycle Petrol Engines -
Working
Second Stroke: (Downward Stroke of
the engine) :
(d) Exhaust and transfer:
• At the end of expansion, exhaust port
is uncovered.
• Burnt gases escape to the atmosphere.
•Transfer port is also opened. The
partially compressed air fuel mixture
enters the cylinder through the transfer
port. The crown of the piston is made
of a deflected shape. So the fresh
charge entering the cylinder is
deflected upwards in the cylinder.
• Thus the escape of fresh charge along
with the exhaust gases is reduced. 48
Two stroke cycle Diesel Engines-
Construction
Construction :
• Two stroke cycle diesel engines require air supply
•This air is used to blow out the exhaust gases and to
fill the cylinder with clean air
•This air is supplied by a blower or air compressor
which is driven by engine itself.
•These engines may be valve or port type.
• Reed is provided in the crank case to admit air into
the crank case.
•Transfer and exhaust ports are provided in the
cylinder.
•These ports are covered and uncovered by the moving
piston. 39
Two stroke cycle Diesel Engines-
Working
First Stroke (Upward Stroke of the piston)
(a) Compression and inductance:
• The piston moves upwards from Bottom Dead
Centre (BDC) to Top Dead Centre (TDC).
• Both transfer and exhaust ports are covered.
• Air which is transferred already into the engine
cylinder is compressed by moving piston.
• The pressure and temperature of the air increases.
• At the same time, fresh air is admitted into the
crankcase through the plate valve (reed valve)
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Two stroke cycle Diesel Engines-
Working
First Stroke (Upward Stroke of the piston)
(b) Ignition and inductance.
• Piston almost reaches the top dead centre.
• The fuel is injected into the hot compressed air
inside the cylinder. The fuel mixes with hot air and
burns.
• The admission of fresh air into the crankcase
continues till the piston reaches the top centre.
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Two stroke cycle Diesel Engines-
Working
Second Stroke (Downward Stroke of the piston)
(c) Expansion and crank case compression:
•The burning gases expand in the cylinder.
•Burning gases force the piston to move down. Thus
useful work is obtained.
•At the same time, the air in the crank case is
compressed by the movement of the piston.
•All the ports and the plate valve are in closed position
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Two stroke cycle Diesel Engines- Working
Second Stroke (Downward Stroke of the piston)
(d) Exhaust and Transfer:
• At the end of expansion, the exhaust port is uncovered.
•The burnt gases escape to the atmosphere through the exhaust port.
•Transfer port is also uncovered shortly after the exhaust port is
opened.
•The partially compressed air from crank case enters the
cylinder through transfer port.
•This air is deflected upwards by the deflected shape of the
piston.
•Thus the entering air helps in forcing out the combustion
products from the cylinder
•The plate valve remains during this period.
53
Scavenging
Scavenging :
•It is the process of forcing out the burnt
exhaust gases from the cylinder for admitting
the fresh charge into the cylinder.
•This action takes place in the two stroke
cylinder.
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Scavenging Process
•The charge (air fuel mixture or air) enters the engine cylinder from
the crank case at a pressure higher than the pressure of exhaust
gases.
• This fresh charge forces the exhaust gases to the atmosphere
through the exhaust port.
•During the period both the transfer and exhaust ports are kept open
for a short period.
•Hence there is a possibility of the fresh charge escaping out with the
burnt gases.
• This is over come by designing the piston to have a deflected
shape.
•This shape of piston deflects the fresh charge upward in the
engine cylinder.
• It also helps out in forcing out the exhaust gases to atmosphere.
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• This process is known as Scavenging.
Comparison between SI and CI Engines
(General Comparison)
S.No Spark Ignition Compression Ignition
. Engines (SI) Engines (CI)
1 It draws air fuel mixture It draws only air into the
into the cylinder during cylinder during suction stroke.
suction stroke
2 Petrol engines operate Diesel engines operate with
with low pressure and high pressure and temperature
temperature
3. Pressure ranges from 6 Pressure ranges from 35 to 40
to 12 bar bar
Temperature ranges Temperature ranges from 600o
from 250o to 300o C to 700o C 56
Comparison between SI and CI Engines
(General Comparison)
S.No Spark Ignition Compression Ignition
. Engines (SI) Engines (CI)
4 It is fitted with It is fitted with fuel injection
carburettor and spark pump and injectors
plugs
5 The burning of fuel The burning of fuel takes place
takes place at constant at constant pressure
volume
6. Ignition of air fuel Ignition of air fuel takes placed
mixture takes place by by a injection of fuel into the
an electric spark hot compressed air.
produced by spark plug
57
Comparison between SI and CI Engines
(General Comparison)
S.No. Spark Ignition Compression Ignition
Engines (SI) Engines (CI)
7 Petrol engines are quality Diesel engines are quantity
governed engines. The governed engines. The speed of
speed of petrol engines diesel engines are controlled by
are controlled by varying varying quality of air fuel
the quantity of air fuel mixture. (rich or weak mixture)
mixture.
8 Petrol engines are widely Diesel engines are widely used in
used in automobiles and heavy vehicles, such as buses,
aeroplanes etc., lorries, trucks etc.,
58
Comparison between SI and CI Engines
(Merits and Demerits)
S.No. Spark Ignition Compression Ignition
Engines (SI) Engines (CI)
1 Merits: Otto cycle is Demerits: Diesel engines works
employed in petrol on diesel cycle. Diesel cycle is
engine. Otto cycle is less efficient than Otto cycle for
more efficient than a a given compression ratio.
diesel cycle for a given
compression ratio.
2 Operating speed is more. Operating speed is less. Speed
Speed range is 3000 to range is 400 to 3500 rpm.
6000 rpm
3. Starting is easy, since Starting is difficult since more
cranking effort required cranking effort is required.
59
is less
Comparison between SI and CI Engines
(Merits and Demerits)
S.No. Spark Ignition Compression Ignition
Engines (SI) Engines (CI)
4 Merits: Initial cost and Demerits: More initial and
maintenance cost are less maintenance costs since the
construction is heavy and sturdy.
5 Produces less noise. Produces more noise.
6 Weight per unit power is Weight per unit power is more.
less
60
Comparison between SI and CI Engines
(Merits and Demerits)
S.No. Spark Ignition Compression Ignition
Engines (SI) Engines (CI)
4 Demerits: Thermal Merits: Thermal efficiency is
efficiency is less, since high since compression ratio is
compression ratio is high. 12 to 18.
limited. 5 – 8
5 Specific fuel Specific fuel consumption is less
consumption is more.
6 The fuel used is petrol. It The fuel used is diesel. It is
is costlier than diesel. It cheaper than petrol. It is less
is volatile and fire hazard volatile and fire hazard is less.
is more 61
Comparison between Four stroke cycle and
two stroke cycle engine
(Merits and Demerits)
S.No. Two Stroke Cycle Four Stroke Cycle Engine
Engine
1 Merits: One power Demerits: One power stroke in
stroke in one revolution two revolutions of the crank
of the crankshaft shaft
2 Power developed for the Power developed for the same
same engine speed engine speed is theoretically half
theoretically twice that that of two stroke engine.
of a four stroke engine
3 Simple design and For the same power complicated
lighter in construction design and heavier in
for the same power construction 62
Comparison between Four stroke cycle and
two stroke cycle engine
(Merits and Demerits)
S.No. Two Stroke Cycle Four Stroke Cycle Engine
Engine
4 Merits: Demerits:
Uniform torque is Non uniform torque on the
obtained. Hence a lighter crankshaft. Hence a heavier
fly wheel can be used flywheel is required for balancing.
5 Design of ports is simpler. Design valve mechanism is
Hence initial cost is less difficult. Hence initial cost is
more.
6 Mechanical efficiency is Mechanical efficiency is less.
high. No moving parts Power is lost due to friction
like cam, follower, rocker caused by valve mechanism 63
arm valves etc.,
Comparison between Four stroke cycle and two
stroke cycle engine
(Merits and Demerits)
S.No. Two Stroke Cycle Four Stroke Cycle Engine
Engine
7 Merits: Starting is easy Demerits: Starting is not so easy
8 These engines are These engines are generally
generally air cooled water cooled.
64
Comparison between Four stroke cycle and two
stroke cycle engine
(Merits and Demerits)
S.No Two Stroke Cycle Four Stroke Cycle Engine
. Engine
1 DeMerits: Merits:
Consumption of lubricating Consumption of lubricating oil is
oil is more, because less time less, because more time is allowed
is available to remove the for removing heat from the
heat cylinder.
2 More wear and tear of Less wear and tear of parts is less
moving parts.
3 Some of the fresh air fuel Fuel cannot escape with exhaust
mixture may escape with gases. Hence fuel consumption is
exhaust gases. Hence fuel less. 65
consumption is more
Comparison between Four stroke cycle and two
stroke cycle engine
(Merits and Demerits)
S.No Two Stroke Cycle Four Stroke Cycle Engine
. Engine
4 DeMerits: Merits:
Thermal efficiency is less. Thermal efficiency is more.
5 It produces more noise due to Noise is less is less. Exhaust gases
sudden release of exhaust are released in separate stroke.
gases
6 Scavenging is poor, since Scavenging is better, since there is
exhaust port is open only for a separate exhaust stroke for the
a short time removal of exhaust gases
66
Comparison between Four stroke cycle and
two stroke cycle engine
(Merits and Demerits)
S.No. Two Stroke Cycle Four Stroke Cycle Engine
Engine
7 Merits: Demerits:
Poor scavenging leads to Better performance and
mixing of fresh charge efficiency is more
with exhaust gases. This
results in poor
performance, slow
running
8 Used in light vehicles, Used in heavy vehicles, like
like bikes, scooters, buses, lorries, trucks etc.,
mopeds, etc., 67
