HD Animation: Thermodynamic processes in a four-stroke petrol engine

The animation shows the thermodynamic processes inside a four-stroke petrol engine.

Note on use

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Explanations

The current status is marked in a PV diagram. A PV diagram (pressure-volume diagram) is used to visualise the state of a gas, in this case the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The 4 cycles are marked in colour in the PV diagram. The ignition timing is also shown.

The ignition point is the moment at which the air-fuel mixture is ignited in the cylinder.

If the engine speed is changed (by accelerating), ignition occurs earlier. This is due to the fact that the speed of combustion is always constant. Shifting the ignition timing ensures that the flame front hits the piston at exactly the right moment.

This relationship between engine speed, ignition timing and flame front position ensures optimum engine performance.

Overview and download

Title	Thermodynamic processes in a four-stroke petrol engine
Target group	Teachers and lecturers
Plattformen	Microsoft® Windows® Apple® Macintosh®
Features	Full screen mode lossless zoom Large screens and projection screens supported
Licence	Freeware
Download	Contact us

Contributors

C. Hein, S. Rikowski

Source information

• Idea and initial concept: Tamara Riehle
• Technical drawing of the motor: based on Ulrich Rapp (http://www.ulrich-rapp.de/stoff/fahrzeug/motor/index.htm)
• Authoring tool (control elements supplied): Adobe Animate

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