Name: AYOADE, Jamiu Adekola

Matric No: MEE/06/8099

Course: MEE 523(Assignment 1)

Date: 08/12/2010

Question: With the aid of well drawn diagrams, discuss fully the four stroke operating cycle.

A four-stroke cycle engine is an internal combustion engine that utilizes four piston strokes to
complete one operating cycle. The piston makes two complete passes in the cylinder to complete
one operating cycle. An operating cycle requires two revolutions (720°) of the crankshaft. The
four-stroke cycle engine is the most common type of small engine. The cams and rocker arms
control and time the opening and closing of the inlet and outlet valves.

Internal Combustion Engine

The four strokes are; intake stroke, compression stroke, power stroke and exhaust stroke.

The Intake Stroke (Induction Stroke):

The engine cycle begins with the intake stroke as the piston is pulled towards the crankshaft. The
inlet valve is open; fuel and air are drawn past the valve and into the combustion chamber from
the intake manifold located on top of the combustion chamber. The exhaust valve is closed. The
fuel/air mixture is at a relatively low pressure. At the end of the intake stroke, the inlet valve is
closed; the piston is located at the bottom dead centre and begins to move back towards the top
dead centre.
 Intake Stroke

The Compression Stroke:

During the compression stroke, the two valves are closed; which forms a completely closed
chamber. The piston is pushed to the top, the volume is reduced and the fuel/air mixture is
compressed. As the volume is decreased because of the piston's motion, the pressure in the gas is
increased (Boyle’s law). When the volume is the smallest and the pressure is at its peak, a
current of electricity flows through the spark plug.

Compression Stroke

The Power Stroke:

Current flowing through the spark plug produces a spark. The spark ignites the air / fuel mixture
in the combustion chamber. The combustion process produces exhaust gases at a very
temperature and a higher pressure. The high pressure gases force the piston downwards. This
downward motion is the power stroke.
 Power Stroke

The Exhaust Stroke:

The downward motion of the piston relieves the pressure in the combustion chamber. The
exhaust valve is open and the piston pushes the exhaust gases upwards so that the gases escape
through the exhaust valve. This process prepares the combustion for another operating cycle.

Exhaust Stroke